Title
Add Position in Fire Department to Support Event Activity at Phoenix Convention Center (Ordinance S-47949)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to add one new position to the base staff level in the Fire Department to support increased convention and trade show event activity at the Phoenix Convention Center. This position will be assigned to and paid for by the Phoenix Convention Center Department. No General Fund dollars are requested to support this request; Convention Center Department operating funds are available.
Report
Summary
In November 2020, the City Council approved the Phoenix Convention Center Department (PCCD) COVID-19 Response Plan. The plan included necessary program and staffing level reductions in response to cancelled events and revenue losses directly resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic. One component of the plan included suspension of funding for a Fire Prevention Specialist II position. That position resided in the Fire Department, but was funded by and directly supported the PCCD. The position was ultimately absorbed into the Fire Department and reassigned other duties. Since that time, the convention industry has seen a return of event activity which necessitates the reestablishment of the Fire Prevention Specialist II position to support fire, life safety reviews and inspections for Convention Center events. As a result of the position being reassigned, it is no longer available to support the needs of the PCCD. Accordingly, the creation of a new position is necessary. The position is critical to the operations of the Convention Center and is responsible for reviewing and approving event plans to ensure fire regulations, building code and fire life safety codes are met.
The Human Resources Department has reviewed and approved this request.
Financial Impact
The estimated cost for the position for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021-22 is estimated to be $76,500, and full year costs for Fiscal Year 2022-23 are estimated to be $102,000. No General Funds are requested to support this request; Phoenix Convention Center Department operating funds are available.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Convention Center Department COVID-19 Response was approved by the City Council on Nov. 18, 2020.
Location
Council Districts: 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson, Assistant City Manager Jeff Barton and the Phoenix Convention Center and Fire departments.