TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Diego Chavez, Administrative Services Director
PREPARED BY: Michelle Tamez, Human Resources Analyst
SUBJECT: Consider Adoption of Resolution for CalPERS 180-Day Wait Period
Exception for Post-Retirement Employment - Extra Help Public
Safety Dispatch Services
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 23-4705, entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, for CalPERS 180-Day Wait Period Exception - Government Code Sections 7522.56 & 21224.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
None.
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Provide a high level of innovative public safety.
BACKGROUND
The City of Murrieta's Public Safety Communications Center (Communications Center) provides dispatch services to the Murrieta Police Department, Menifee Police Department, and Murrieta Fire & Rescue. Providing law enforcement dispatch to two police departments, in addition to fire and emergency medical dispatch services, is a unique operation. It requires employees skilled to handle police and fire calls across two jurisdictions.
The Communications Center had to double its Public Safety Dispatcher staffing when it began providing dispatch services for the City of Menifee's Police Department in July 2020. However, the Communications Center is yet to be fully staffed due to difficulties in hiring dispatchers who can work both police and fire calls for service. Applicants typically have experience in one function and must undergo extensive training in the other once hired. Limited dispatch training officers, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a training program that can last up to a year have also contributed to staffing challenges for the Communications Center.
Currently, the Communications Center has eight (8) vacant dispatcher positions, 25% of the authorized staffing level. The vacancies and the critical nature of the work have led t...
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