REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Unclassified Miscellaneous Management Employees that provides stadium detail pay for work performed by the Communications Operations Manager when working as a Public Safety Dispatcher at Levi's Stadium
Report
BACKGROUND
The City has experienced significant recruitment challenges for the Public Safety Dispatcher positions in the Police Department. Public agencies across the State are experiencing similar recruiting challenges. In the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Adopted Operating Budget, the City has 21.0 budgeted Dispatcher positions (16.0 Public Safety Dispatchers and 5.0 Senior Public Safety Dispatchers). As of June 2025, the City has 7 Public Safety Dispatcher vacancies.
Although the City continuously recruits for these positions and receives many applications, a substantial number of candidates do not successfully complete the Police Department’s background process. The City has implemented several initiatives to attract and retain qualified Dispatcher candidates; however, staffing shortages persist.
The Police Communications Manager (Job Code 068) is an exempt, salaried, unclassified management employee whose primary responsibility is to lead and oversee operations of the Dispatch Division. Due to ongoing staffing shortages, the Police Department has requested flexibility to allow the Police Communications Manager to temporarily perform Public Safety Dispatcher II duties at Stadium events when necessary. To alleviate staffing shortages, through December 31, 2026, the Police Communications Manager will receive the hourly rate of Step 5 of the Public Safety Dispatcher II classification (Job Code 340) for each hour worked when assigned to Levi’s Stadium in the capacity of a Public Safety Dispatcher II. This compensation is in addition to the Police Communications Manager’s regular salary.
This additional compensation and Stadium Detail assignment will be limited to events where the Chief of Police or Assistant Police Chief determines that staffing needs require the Police Communications Manager to work as a Public Safety Dispatcher II at Levi’s Stadium.
To be eligible for the additional pay, the Police Communications Manager must perform the assignment physically at the Stadium location and must perform only the duties of the Public Safety Dispatcher II, not those associated with the Police Communications Manager classification.
To ensure operational needs are adequately met during Stadium events, the City and the Unclassified Miscellaneous Management Employees (Unit 9) have reached a Side Letter Agreement to provide the Police Communications Manager to receive the hourly rate of Step 5 of the Public Safety Dispatcher II classification (Job Code 340) for each hour worked when assigned to Levi’s Stadium in the capacity of a Public Safety Dispatcher II, through December 31, 2026. This compensation is in addition to the Manager’s regular salary.
DISCUSSION
The recommended action authorizes the City Manager to execute the Side Letter Agreements that will provide a Pilot Program for the work performed by the Communications Operations Manager when working as a Public Safety Dispatcher at Levi's Stadium ("Stadium Detail"). As noted above, for the Police Communications Manager to receive the hourly rate of Step 5 of the Public Safety Dispatcher II classification (Job Code 340) for each hour worked when assigned to Levi’s Stadium in the capacity of a Public Safety Dispatcher II, through December 31, 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of providing the pilot program for the Police Communications Manager to receive the hourly rate of Step 5 of the Public Safety Dispatcher II classification (Job Code 340) is unknown at this time as it is dependent on staffing levels on event days.
The City will be reimbursed for stadium-related costs.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Side Letter Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and the Unclassified Miscellaneous Management Employees that provides stadium detail pay for work performed by the Communications Operations Manager when working as a Public Safety Dispatcher at Levi's Stadium on the terms presented and in a final form approved by the City Attorney.
Staff
Reviewed by: Marco Mercado, Acting Director of Human Resources
Approved by: Jōvan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Side Letter