Council Increases Pay for Part-Time Code Compliance, Marine Safety Staff

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Following the conclusion of a third-party study, the San Clemente City Council unanimously approved changes to the city’s part-time staffing structure at its April 4 meeting, as the city looks to beef up its workforce heading into the summer months.

Initiated in October 2022, the study’s results called for increased pay of ocean lifeguarding, park ranger, and recreational staff, among other positions, and to eliminate obsolete positions such as office clerk, park monitor, and pool lifeguard trainee.

The city contracted MGT Consulting to review its current job classifications, or the ranks of varying jobs within the city’s organization, and to determine its standing relative to nine nearby cities in terms of paying competitive wages.

During the two-month study, San Clemente’s salaries and benefits were compared against those of cities such as Carlsbad, Dana Point, and Oceanside, as well as the State of California.

MGT met individually with department heads to review and revise job descriptions before later presenting the results, along with findings and recommendations with Hanne Thordahl, the city’s human resources manager.

The firm started with 18 job classifications and found that the ones recommended for elimination did not have employees allocated to them and would be left vacant by the city in the future. It also determined that the ocean lifeguard and park ranger classifications would each best be split into two levels.

“We identified similar jobs from the comparison agencies to compare wages, and we developed a pay plan model for consideration,” consultant Jan Brannen said.

The updated model would consist of a single 30-range pay structure, with ranges set 2.5% apart, and a 25% spread across five “steps” for each position, to al-

Art Along the Coast Celebrates Fine Arts in Orange County

BY COLLIN BREAUX

With the weather warm and dry again and spring in the air, now is the perfect time to take a drive up and down the low for career advancement and market competitiveness.

Previously, San Clemente utilized a 36-range model in which only 13 range numbers were used. In the new system, a Recreation Leader at “Step C” would make $18.68 per hour at range 25, up from the previous system in which the employee earned $16.95 an hour at range 21.

A chart displaying the proposed changes identified code compliance and marine safety positions as particularly difficult to “recruit and retain.”

City Manager Andy Hall told the council that the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget had enough room for any immediate increases the council wanted to implement, but that future budget planning would be required.

“As you know, we have had a very difficult time finding especially ocean guards and parks and recreation workers and other part-time staff,” he said. “I do think this is necessary for us to be competitive in the marketplace.”

Councilmember Gene James expressed concerns about how the city’s budget would be impacted if the city was fully staffed and paying competitive wages.

“That’s a hell of a thing to say, I understand—but we’re going to need to keep that in mind,” said James, who ultimately supported the city’s recommended compensation updates.

Hall reassured the council that his staff budgets as if there aren’t vacancies in order to keep city finances protected, but he also stated that he didn’t want the city to celebrate the appearance of having a surplus when there are numerous vacancies.

Councilmember Victor Cabral said he supported the recommendations, echoing James’ sentiments. He added that he would rather avoid the ineffective cycle of having to train a new staffer every six months because the previous employee found better pay elsewhere.

James also asked Hall whether the changes would allow for an increase in hiring park ranger staff, to which Hall said that recruitment will be in limbo as the city determines exactly what it wants such personnel to do.

A reported recent increase in illegal activity at locations such as North Beach has led city officials to debate whether to hire outside security to patrol the areas, as San Clemente continues to look for a solution.

“Right now, the park rangers we have don’t necessarily have the skillset to do enforcement,” said Hall. “So, if we want to do that, that (requires) a different

Community Meetings

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

Beachside Chat

8-9 a.m. Join San Clemente residents and dignitaries for the weekly Beachside Chat, a spirited, town hall forum on community issues led by a slate of rotating hosts. The chats are held at Dorothy Visser Senior Center, located at 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente. All are welcome.

TUESDAY, APRIL 18

San Clemente City Council

5 p.m. The San Clemente City Council will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting in person at the Council Chambers at City Hall, as well as virtually. The meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel. City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

Planning Commission

5-10 p.m. The city’s Planning Commission will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting at the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting will be livestreamed through the city’s YouTube channel. City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

CUSD Board of Trustees kind of park ranger—probably not a part-time position.”

7 p.m. The governing board for the Capistrano Unified School District will meet to decide on local education matters. CUSD Headquarters, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. capousd.org.

Diving further into that process would likely result in creating a full-time role with higher compensation, according to Hall.

MGT announced that it will be available for the next year as the city transitions to the new pay plan model.

Orange County coast.

You can add some stops to check out art along the way, come the last weekend in April.

The sixth annual Art Along the Coast showcase will host art viewings at various exhibits and venues, from San Clemente to Santa Ana. The tour is free and self-guided.

Local artists and stops include Fabrice

Spies and Leslie Bonnani at 26 Calle Verdadero in San Clemente; Lyn Hiner and Sean Hunter Brown at 1004 Avenida de la Estrella in San Clemente; and Anne Moore at 33753 Big Sur in Dana Point.

Other stops will be open in Laguna Beach and Santa Ana.

“Orange County continues to be a destination for art and culture,” a news release said. “As such, the tour showcases varied and unique work by painters, photographers, sculptors and those of other art mediums, in their working environments. It is an opportunity for people looking for a meaningful and fun activity who also want to support local professionals.”

For a tour map, list of participating artists, and more information, visit artalongthecoast.com.

GUEST OPINION | Food for Thought by

Gina Cousineau