AgdaPkt 2020-10-26 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.A. - Page 21 of 104 law and caused us to rapidly implement technology not commonly used in the public sector. It also required new approaches to public involvement, which is at the core of how we serve our community. We continue to focus on remote work as much as possible in conformance with health orders and our understanding of health risks. While we will continue to adapt over the coming year, we have proven to be extremely effective with continuing to provide services through remote work. For example, protocols for virtual inspections were implemented through a virtual/video alternative for eligible residential inspections and, in some cases, commercial and mixed-use building inspections. In July, virtual building inspections accounted for 50-75% of all building inspections; a remarkable number given that virtual inspections were not conducted prior to March 2020. New approaches to community engagement and the transition to remote work are another facet of reimagining City services: these efforts could enhance our ability to connect with residents, provide more convenient services, and reduce commuting strain on our employees long after the pandemic ends. On October 12, the City Council approved initiating General Plan Amendments for three housing projects: 1205-1295 Veterans Boulevard; 615 EI Camino Real (American Legion); and 505 East Bayshore Road, and for three commercial/mixed-use projects: 2300 Broadway (Chase Bank site); 603 Jefferson and 750 Bradford (Redwood City School District site); and 901, 947, 999 EI Camino Real and 2529 Broadway (Autozone). The Council also directed that commercial/mixed-use projects at 601 Allerton and 1900 Broadway (Wells Fargo site) return to Council for review in the next six months. Ongoing long- range planning initiatives include the Transit District/Sequoia Station project, Housing Element Update, Central Redwood City Plan, and Residential Design Guidelines. Additionally, the Community, Development and Transportation Department is undertaking an assessment of its Building Inspection and Code Enforcement Division organizational structure and staff functions to identify the most efficient manner to deliver services to meet the Department's and community's current and future needs. In anticipation of costs associated with the implementation of recommendations resulting from this assessment, and to support the considerable workload associated with development processing and long range planning, I am proposing $450,000 for Fiscal Year 2020-21 for communication, coordination and process improvement in the Community, Development and Transportation Department. The Revised Budget includes $500,000 for climate adaptation initiatives, $450,000 for coordination and process improvement in Community Development and Transportation, $200,000 for a pilot program pairing mental health clinicians with police officers, and $200,000 for equity initiatives The impacts of climate change are not theoretical and, as such, the City continues to address these growing threats using the General Plan's Guiding Principles. Recent wildfires have devastated our Coastside communities, and sea level rise is concern around the Bay. We are reducing the environmental impact of City operations though light -emitting diode (LED) streetlight installation, purchase of zero and low -emission vehicles and, most recently, transition to electric leaf blowers. We BUDGET MESSAGE 'A0