1994 AGN APR 05 I33 - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA REPORT CITY OF COLTON For City Council Meeting of April 5, 1994 March 29, 1994 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: Julie Hayward Biggs, City Attorney SUBJECT: SCAQMD/ 4-10 Work Week As you requested, I have reviewed with staff the requirements imposed by the Southern California Air Quality Management District (the "SCAQMD") on the City as those requirements relate to the 4/10 work week. It is clear that implementation of the 4/10 work week has dramatically affected the vehicle trips per week for City employees. Staff reports that the 4/10 work week is responsible in large part for making it possible for the City to meet SCAQMD goals at the Corporate Yard and to approach that goal at City Hall. Implementation for City staff has been relatively simple and is generally believed to be supported across the board by City employees. Nevertheless, concerns have been expressed about whether the City is continuing to provide efficient service to the citizens of the community. Making a determination on that score is necessarily subjective and best made by elected officials who are the policy makers for the City. It is clear that the City must take steps to comply with the directives of the SCAQMD in order to avoid significant penalties and that the 4/10 work week is only one of many alternatives available to achieve such compliance. Other approaches to reducing vehicle trips include cash incentives and disincentives, such as paying a bonus to carpooling employees, or charging for parking for non - carpooling employees; prizes for particularly successful individuals or departments; or other City sponsored and monitored programs designed to encourage carpooling or walking to work. Each of the other approaches has drawbacks, just as the 4/10 work week does. If the Council wishes staff to explore those other approaches, however, it may give direction to staff to do so. Perhaps the most important issue from a legal standpoint is that once a successful plan has been implemented, such as the 4/10 work week, removal of the plan exposes the City to considerable liability if no suitable alternative has been developed. In light of the fact that fines may amount to $25,000 per day for taking an action that results in an increase in vehicle trips, it is essential that before any change in work schedule is implemented another, equally effective plan be in place to address the issue of compliance with SCAQMD requirements. wik, gyp, ow 3 _