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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-1982 CITY COUNCIL AGENDACITY or SAI:IYi= 3 '1 AGENDA BILL NO. D DATE: August 18, 1982 DEPr'117 l �Pi I`: Community Development TRACT 6528 PARKER RANCH, BLACKWELL HOMES, SUBJECT: RANCH DRIVE AND BURNETT DRIVE, Initial: Dept. Hd. C. Atty. C. Mgr. —Z_ - -- PROSPECT ROAD, PARKER REVERSION TO ACREAGE Issue S=aa Per the agreement between Blackwell Homes and the City, certain lots are to be combined. Reversion to acreage appears to be the most expeditious process, therefore, Blackwell is requesting that contigious Lot 4, 5, 6, 7, 16,'17, 18, 19, 24,.25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59 and 60 (Lots of Tract 6528 Parker Ranch) be reverted to acreage (become ten lots) as shown on the Parcel Maps at Farr Ranch Court, Parker Ranch Drive,,.Ridge Court and Star Ridge Court. All street improvements were completed under Tract 6528, Parker Ranch. Recommendation 1. Conduct a public hearing on reversion to acreage. 2. Determine the merits of the request. 3. Staff recommends approval of the reversion to acreage subject to the appropriate findings of Section 66499.16 "of the Subdivision Map �Act. Fiscal Imoacts None Eyhibiis /Attachn-ents 1. Proposed Parcel Map 2. Chapter 6 of the Subdivision Map 3. Letter of request from applicant Council Action Act relating to reversion to acreage 8/18: Moyles/Fanelli moved to approve application and direct staff to prepare necessary resolution making findings prescribed by City Attorney. Passed 3 -0. (c) Retention of any portion of required improvement security or deposits if necessary to accomplish the purposes of this division of local ordinance adopted pursuant.thereto. 66199.18. Reversion shall be effective upon the final map being filed for record by the county recorder, and thereupon all dedications and offers of dedication not shown thereon shall be of no further force or effect. 66499.19. When a reversion is effective, all fees and deposits shall be returned and all improvement security released, except those re- tained pursuant to Section 66499.17. 66499.20. A tax bond shall not be required in reversion pro- ceedings. 66499.20%. A city or county may, by ordinance, authorize a parcel map to be filed under the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of reverting to acreage land previously subdivided and consisting of four or less contiguous parcels under the same ownership. Any map so submitted shall be accompanied by evidence of title and nonuse or lack of necessity of any streets or easements which are to be vacated or abandoned. Any streets or casements to be left in effect after the reversion shall be adequately delineated on the map. After approval of the reversion by the governing body or advisory agency the map shall be delivered to tine county recorder. The filing of the map shall constitute legal reversion to acreage of the land af- fected thereby, and shall also constitute abandonment of all streets and easements not shown on the map. The filing of the map shall %zlso constitute a merger of the separate parcels into one parcel for purposes of this chapter and shall thereafter be shown as such on the assessment roll subject to the provisions of Section 66445. Except as provided in subdivision (f) of Section 66145, on any parcel map used for reverting acrcage, a certificate shall appear signed and acknow- ledged by all parties having any record title interest in tine land being reverted, consenting to the preparation and filing of the parcel map. [Amended, Chapter 862, Statutes of 1975] 66499.20/. Subdivided lands may be merged and resubdivided without reverting to acreage by complying with all the applicable re- quirernents for the subdivision of hand as provided by this division and an), local ordinances adopted pursuant thereto. The filing of the final reap or parcel map shall constitute legal merging of the separate parcels into one parcel and the resubdivision of such parcel, and the real prop- erty shall thereafter be shown with the new lot or parcel boundaries on the assessment roll. Any unused fees or deposits previously made pur- suant to this division pertaining to the property shall be credited pro rata towards any requirements for the same purposes which are applicable at the time of resubdivision. Any streets or easements to be left in effect after the resubdivision shall be adequately delineated on the map. After approval of the merger and resubdivision by the governing body or advisory agency the ntap shall be delivered to the county recorder. The filing of the map shall constitute legal merger and resubdivision of —62— the land affected thereby, and shall :d.,o cou.,titutc abandonment of all streets and easemcnts not sit, wn (,,it the snap. [Added, Chapter 234' Statutes of 1977] ARTICLE 2. EXCLUSIONS 66499.21. The superior court of the county ill which a subdivision is situated may cause all or any portion of the real property included within the boundaries of the subdivision to be excluded from such subdivision and the recorded snap to be altered or vacated, in ac- cordance with the procedures set forth in this article. 66499.22. A proceeding for exclusion shall be initiated by filing a petition therefor in the ollices of the county surveyor and county Clerk of the county in which the subdivision or the portion thereof sought to be excluded is situated. Such petition shall accurately and distinctly describe the real property sought to be excluded by reference „o the recorded map or by any accurate survey, shall show the names and addresses of all owners of real property in the subdivision or :,in the portion thereof sought to be excluded as far as the same are known to the petitioners, and shall set forth the reasons for tine requested exclusion. The .petition shall be signed and verified by the owners of at least two - thirds of the total area of the real prop- erty sought to be excluded. 66499.23. The petition shahi . be accompanied by a ncv map show- ing the boundaries of the subdivision as it appears after the exclusion and alteration, such new map to designate as nuunbercd or lettered parcels those portions excluded and show the acreage of each such parcel. If such map can be compiled from data available, an actual Field survey shall not be required. If such map meets with the ap- proval of the county surveyor, a certificate by all engineer or surveyor shall not be required. 66499.24. Upon the filing of a petition pursuant to this article, any judge of. the superior court of the county in which the real prop - ,�rty is situalcd shall make an order directing the clerk of the court to give notice of the filin'; of the petition. The notice shall be for once a week Ifor a period.of not less dian live consecutive NN'ecks and shall lie -iven by publication in sonic newspaper of general circulation within the .county, or if there is no newspaper published therein, by posting in three of the principal places in tlue county; provided, that if such real :property or any portion thereof is situated within a city, the notice shall be given by publication i:n some newspaper of general circulation Within the city, or if there is no newspaper published therein, by post- ing in three of tine principal places in the city. Such notice shall con - tain a statement of the nature of the petition together with a direction that any person nnay file his written objection to the petition at any time before the expiration of the tinne of publication or posting. Upon expira- tion of the time of publication or posting, an affidavit showing such publication or posting shall be tiled with the clerk of the court. 63 the local agency for such guarantee and warranty period nor to costs and reasonable expenses and fees, including reasonable attorneys' fees. The legislative body may authorize any of its public officers or employees to authorize release or reduction of the security in ac- cordance with the conditions hereinabove set forth and in accord- ance with such rules as it may prescribe. 66- 199.13. In all cases where the performance of the obligation for which the security is required is subject to tl►e approval of another agency, the local agency shall not release the security until the obli- gation is performed to the satisfaction of such other agency. Such agency shall have two months after completion of the performance of the obligation to register its satisfaction or dissatisfaction. If at tl►e end of that period it has not registered its satisfaction or dissatisfac- tion, it shall be conclusively deemed that the performance of the obligation was done to its satisfaction. 66=199.9. Any liability upon the security given for the faithful per- formance of any act or agreement shall be limited to: (a) The performance of the work covered by the agreement be- tween the subdivider and the legislative body or the performance of the required act. (b) The performance of any changes or alterations in such work; provided, that all such changes or alterations do not exceed 10 per- cent of the original estimated cost of the improvement. (c) The guarantee and warranty of the work, for a period of one year following completion and acceptance thereof, against any defec- tive work or labor done or defective materials furnished, in the per- formance of the agreement with the legislative body or the perform- ance of the act. (d) Costs and reasonable expenses and fees, including reasonable attorney's' fees. 66499.10. Where the security is conditioned upon the payment to the contractor, his subcontractors and to persons furnishing labor, nnalerials or equipment to them for the improvement or the perform- ance of an act and takes the form of a deposit of money or negoti- able bonds, a suit to recover the amount due the claimant may be maintained against the holder of such deposit. Where the security takes the fora) of a surety bond, or surety bonds, the right of recovery shall be in a suit against the surety. Where the security takes the form of an instrument of credit, the cause of action shall be against the financial institution obligating itself on such instrument of credit. CHAPTER 6. REVERSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS ARTICLE I. REVERSION TO ACREAGE 66499.11. Subdivided real property may be reverted to acreage pursuant to the provisions of this article. —60— 66499.12. Proceedings for reversion to acreage may be initiated by the legislative body an its own notion or by petition of all of the owners of record of (lie real property within the subdivision. 66499.13. The petition shall be in a form prescribed by the local agency and shall contain the following: (a) Adequate evidence of title to the real property within the subdivision. (b) Sufficient data to enable tine legislative body to make all of the determinations and findings required by this article. (e) A final snap which delineates dedications which will not be vacated and dedications which are a condition to reversion. (d) Such other pertinent information as may be required by the local agency. 66499.14. The legislative body may establish a fee for processing reversions to acreage puusuant to this article in all amount which will reimburse the local agency for all costs incurred in processing such reversion to acreage. Such fee shall be paid by the owners at the time of filing the petition for reversion to acreage, or if the proceedings for reversion to acreage are initiated by the legislative body on its own motion shall be paid by the person or persons requesting the legislative body to proceed pursuant to this article before such initiation of pro - ceedings. 66499.15. A public hearing shall be held on the proposed reversion to acreage. notice thereof shall be given in the time and manner pro- vided im Section 66451.3. 66499.16. Subdivided real property may be reverted to acreage only if the legislative body finds that: (a) Dedications or offers of dedication to be vacated or abandoned by the reversion to acreage are unnecessary for present or prospective public purposes; and (b) Either: (1) All owners of an interest in the real .property within the sub- division have consented to reversion; or (2) None of the improvements required to be made have been made within two years from the date the final or parcel . lap was filed for record, or within the time allowed by agreement for innpletion of the improvements, whichever is the later; or (3) No lots shown on the final neap or parcel map have been sold within :live years from the date such map was filed for record. 66=199.17. As conditions of reversion the legislative body shall require:: (a) Dedications or offers of dedication necessary for the purposes specified by local ordinance following reversion. (b) Retention of all previously paid fees if necessary to accomplish the purposes of this division or local ordinance adopted pursuant thereto. —61— r BLACKWELL HOMES • P.O. BOX 817 125 EAST SUNNY OAKS AVENUE • C A M P B E L L, C Al L I F. 95008 PH 378 -5340 July 20, 1982 City of Saratoga RECEIVED City Hall 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 JUL 2 2 1982 Attention: Arj an PERMIT REVIEW RE: The Parker Ranch, Unit #2 - Tract 6528 Lot #s 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59 and 60. Dear Arjan: Blackwell Homes is the owner of the captioned lots at The Parker Ranch in Saratoga. By this letter, we are requesting that these lots revert to acreage as per Parcel Maps previously submitted to you by Jennings, McDermott & Heiss, Inc. This request is per the "Stipulation for Settlement" between Blackwell Homes and the City of Saratoga which provides for the following lots to be combined: 4/5, 6/7, 16/17, 18/19, 24/25, 26/27, 28/29, 30/31, 45/46, 59/60. The 20 lots would, accordingly, end up as 10 lots. JRB:MV Yours truly, BLACKWELL HOMES Jack R. Blackwell CITY OF SARATOGA AGENDA BILL NO. 30e DATE: August 18, 1982 DE jyn-T— VT: City Manager SUBJECT: Weed Abatement Initial: Dept. Hd. C. At C. Issue SumTary Under State and local laws, the County and the cities routinely "abate" seasonal fire hazard of weed growth on undeveloped property. For the County and nine of the cities including Saratoga, this weed abatement program is administered by the County Fire Marshal. In many cases, property owners find it easier to have the government take care of weed removal and to pay through the procedure of a property tax lien. This past year, the County Fire Marshal had weed abatement performed on 104 parcels in Saratoga at a total cost of $15,4482.55. Tax liens and assessments upon the owners of these 104 parcels range from a high of $1,005.94 to a low of $7.70. The average assessment is $148.87. In order to recover this cost, - i_t:. =i's he,cessary for the City Council to. adopt a Resolution confirming the assess- ments and directing the.County Auditor to enter and collect the assessments on the property tax bill. Recommendation 1) Conduct Public Hearing to consider any protests. 2) Close Public Hearing and adopt Resolution. Fiscal Impacts None .upon City if the assessments are levied. City may be liable for work performed by contractor for.any assessments not levied. Exhibits /Attachments 1) Resolution for Adoption with attached list of 1982 Assessments. 2) Report from City Manager Council Action 8/18: Fanelli /Moyles moved to adopt. Passed 3 -0. 1 , RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF :'.... SARATOGA CONFIRMING REPORT AND ASSESSMENT OF WEED ABATEMENT CHARGES WHEREAS, at a regular meeting held on August 18, 1982, the Fire Marshal of Santa Clara County submitted a report to this City Council consisting of all unpaid bills for weed abatement expenses and a proposed assessment list, and the parcels against which said expenses including applicable administrative and collection costs to be assessed, all pur- suant to Article II, Chapter 6 of the Saratoga City Code, and 2. WHEREAS, the City Council having heard said report, and all objections thereto, and the Council finding that no modifications need be made to any of said assessments; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The 1982 Weed Abatement Assessments Report, City of Saratoga, prepared by the Fire Marshal of Santa Clara County, which report is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by reference, be and hereby is confirmed. Each of said parcels as shown on the attached Exhibit "A" is declared to have a lien agains•,1-it in the amount set opposite said parcel number in the "t last column thereof; and the Santa Clara County Auditor is hereby directed to enter the amounts of said assessments against the respective parcels of land on the County Tax Roll, and to collect the same at the time and in the manner as general Municipal property taxes are collected. A certified copy of this resolution and assessments shall be filed with the Santa Clara County Auditor. The above and foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Saratoga held on the day of 1982, by the - following vote: AYES: NOES: ` • '�lEtiIORAND���I TO: City Council FROM: City- Manager 097f @:T §&M&'X00& 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE • SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -3438 DATE: August 13, 1982 SUBJECT: Weed Abatement Proceedings --------------------------------------------------------------------------- BACKGROUND In Northern California, annual weed abatement is an important element of fire prevention and safety. During summer months, the grass and weed .growth stimulated by winter rains provides. huge quantities of fuel for grassland fires. If left unchecked, this condition presents a real threat to residential areas both in hillside and flat land areas. I� U The weed abatement program consists of identifying properties in the spring upon which weed growth would present a fire hazard in the summer. The property owner is notified and given the opportunity to knock down or remove the weed growth in certain patterns so as to lessen the danger. If the property owner does not respond within a certain.time, the local government declares the property to be a hazard and orders the work done by outside contractors. The cost of the work for each.property is If the owner does not pay within a specif a tax lien upon the property, collectible bill. In this manner, over the past many Northern California especially, have been grassland and hillside fires. then assessed upon the owner. Led time, the assessment becomes as part of the property tax years, residential areas in kept relatively secure from AUTHOI:IZATION AND POWER OF CITY.TO ABATE WEEDS The authority to perform this work by General Law cities comes from the Weed and Rubbish Abatement Act in the Government Code. This law, setting forth the powers and procedures to be exercised, has been on the books Weed Abatement Proceedings August 13, 1982 Page two . t. for nearly 100 years. The Saratoga Municipal Code declares all weed growth in the City that presents a fire hazard to be a public nuisance and allows for the abatement of this nuisance according to the State laws (Chapter 6, Article II, SMC). In 1975, the City's Weed Abatement, Ordinance was amended (Section 6 -13, SMC) to provide a Summary Abatement Procedure. In 1977 the Code was ammended once again (Section 6 -14) to designate ,the County Fire Marshal as the City's weed abatement officer, and transfering all authority for enforcement to the County Fire Marshal. RECENT CHANGES IN PROCEDURE • Over the past few years, cutbacks in the County Fire Marshal's office have resulted in the elimination of some of the procedural steps previously taken in the weed abatement process. We are assured by the Fire Marshal's office that "notice to abate" as prescribed by law.is still being given to individual property owners before any work is performed by the County's contractor. However, the County issues only a "blanket" notice of the assessment levied upon those who have failed to comply with the individual notices to abate. And, the County is routinely placing those assessments not paid by the deadline for tax liens as liens against the property to be collected as part of the property tax procedure. 0 While these blanket procedures appear to follow the intent of the law, and are considered necessary by the Fire Marshal, some property owners have, in the past, complained that adequate notice has not been given regarding their assessment (not the abatement), or they disagree with the cost of the assessment. Whether such complaints have legal merit, in my opinion, is a matter that should be addressed-to County Counsel (since the City's authority is exercised by the County Fire Marshal) or be determined by a court of law. The simple fact is that if the City disagrees with any abatement action previously taken by the County, then the City may become liable to assume the cost of the abatement. RECOMMENDATION 1. Confirm the 1982 Weed Abatement Report by the County Fire Marshal and adopt the appropriate resolution. 2. If there are complaints for 1982 weed abatement Marshal. J. Y&3`he �ernetz ck or concerns regarding individual assessments refer these to the Office of the County Fire U . r ( I Q t. COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL 70 NEST HEDDING STREET SAN JOSE, CA 95110 1982 NEED ABATEMENT ASSESSMENTS CITY OF SARATOGA EXHIBIT "A" RESOLUTION NO. OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARKTOUA, DATED Q , 0 l . AUG 0 5 1981 P.I. CODE 845 1982 WEED ABATEMENT ASSESSMENTS CITY SARATOGA APN AMOUNT 366 -12 -031 S_ 756.90 366 -12 -068 992.38 366 -13 -007 127.52 ' 366 -22 -022 211.90 386 -14 -003 105.98, 386 -14 -024 64.54 386 -23 -039 36.02 386 -30 -034 151.54 391 -02 -032 84.04 391 -03 -277 98.22 391 -03 -282 391.50 391 -06 -009 14.02 391 -06 -143 28.02 391 -06 -144 35.02 391 -21 -016 82.00 391 -55 -014 42.38 391 -55 -016 126.02 391 -55 -017 97.90 391 -55 -019 124.92 391 -56 -049 232.72 391 -62 -001 31.02 391 -62 -002 71.44 397 -01 -019 183.12 397 -01 -052 146.52 L 1 P.I. CODE 845 CITY SARATOGA 1982 WEED ABATEMENT ASSESSMENTS APN 397 -01 -053 397 -01 -055 397 -01 -064 397 -01 -069 397 -02 -109 397 -03 -050 397- o4 -o83 397- o4 -o82 397 -05 -039 397- 05 -o68 397 -07 -092 397 -07 -094 397 -07 -095 397 -07 -096 397 -13 -049 397 -13 -050 397 -13 -051 397 -13 -052 397 -13 -053 397 -13 -054 397 -15 -014 397 -16 -117 397 -22 -012 397 -24 -022 -2- AMOUNT g 41.22 118.86 219.92 20.36 57.72 178.22 105.28 22.82 126.30 4o.72 238.78 215.06 170.22 158.84 138.92 14o.36 14o.36 14o.36 133.34 151.54 35.02 126.30 74.52 132.74 P.I. CODE 845 t • CITY SARATOGA 1982 WEED ABATEMENT ASSESSMENTS APN 397 -25 -064 397 -25 -097 397- 28 -o44 503 -09 -007 503 -13 -033 503 -13 -039 503 -13 -059 503 -14 -032 503 -15 -027 503 -15 -031 503 -15 -035 503 -17 -008 503 -17 -026 503 -18 -070 503 -19 -067 503- 24 -oo4 503 -24 -007 503 -24 -039 503 -28 -117 503 -28 -118 503 -28 -119 503 -28 -120 503 -28 -121 -3- AMOUNT 8 138.78 102.54 7.70 27.18• 353.44 121.08, 151.54 116.75 516.56, 61.32' 97 -22 214.68 435.00 227.36 174.04 135.94. 21.o4 107.82 108.76 . 81.56. 81.56 1o8.76 81.56 P.I. CODE 845 CITY SArRATOGA 1982 WEED ABATEMENT ASSESSMENTS A PN 503 -28 -122 503 - �8 -123 503 -28 -124 503 -29 -012 503 -29 -029 503 -29 -078 503 -30 -002 503 -30 -010 503 -30 -030 503 -30 -057 503 -31 -002 503 -31 -052 503 -51 -003 503- 53 -o61 503 -53 -064 503 -55 -046 503 -55 -053 503 -55 -054 503 -55 -055 503 -55 -063 503 -62 -014 503 -62 -015 503 -62 -016 -4- AMOUNT 81.56 59.90 129.96 277.82 14o.36 151.54 114. ?6 140.36 189.90 254.48 81.56 1005.94 163.12 170.56 135.78 17.34 128.26 16.82 16.52 130.56 212.56 163.14 142.60 /�G C h� Jr P.I. CODE 845 t 1982 WEED ABATEMEP;T ASSESSMIENTS yt • CITY SARATOGA APN AMOUNT 503 -62 -017 8 81.56 503 -62 -018 81.56 503 -62 -019 81.56 503 -62 -020 81.56 503 -62 -021 81.56 510 -52 -005 186.74 517 -12 -032 44.54 517 -22 -037 54.38 517 -22 -101 114.04 517 -22 -103 114_o4 C ,S loq Af 1 4A a 4 ,c v -5- P.I. CODE 845 ti � � f �� 9 9L1 FOO gl`1 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE • SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -3438 August 23, 1982 Ms. Ethyl Kamp Fire Marshal's Office 70 Wemb Hedding Street San Jose, California 95110 Dear Ethyl: Enclosed is the resolution confirming the weed abatement. report which the Saratoga City Council passed on August 18, 1982. Please let me know if you need anything else. on this. Sincerely, Grace E. Cory Deputy City Clerk Thanks for all your help ;■ CITY OF SARATOGA k4.'ENDA BILL NO. 30q DATE: August 18, 1982 DEPARI'Man: Administrative Services SUBJECT: Employee Assistance Program Issue Sumary Initial: Dept. Hd. C. Attv. C. Mgr. Since April of 1982 the City has been looking into the possibility of starting an Employee Assistance Program. The purpose of such a program is to provide counseling services to employees who have personal problems that may interfere with job performance and productivity. A primary benefit to the "City of the pro-gram being proposed is the ability of managers and supervisors-to refer em- ployees having problems affecting.job perf.ormanc.e. Problems of- this - nature are no ,rmally beyond the.capabilitv:of staff to deal with.- -.Access.to a- program of this sort will add to the ability of managers and supervisors to work through disciplinary problems and ultimately may lessen the need to take disciplinary action or to.terminate experienced employees. Proposals were solicited from :locab;,__prov.iders and four were reviewed in detail through an interview process. F01-16i7th ��'staff review and reference, checks, we are recommending entering into ..an agreement with Human, - Resource Services Inc. for- a period of-one year. Recommendation _ Authorize City Manager to enter into a one -year agreement with Human Resource Services, Inc. for provision of an Employee Assistance Program, at a cost of $2.30 per month, per employee (approximately $1,353 annual cost.) Fiscal Impacts Funds for an Employee Assistance Program were provided for in the 1982 -83 operating budget, Administrative Services Department, Program 305 - Personnel. Exhibits /Attachments Background memo Council Action 8/18: Fanelli /Abyles moved to approve. Passed 3 -0. o. n ®a® 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 ' (408) 887 -3438 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) BACKGROUND DATE: August 13, 1982 Over the past ten years there has been an increasing interest in the devel- opment of Employee Assistance Programs as a part of the personnel, employer - employee relations function, primarily in the private sector. In recent years, public agencies in response to pressure for increased productivity and efficiency in order to maximize resources have begun to join the private sector in setting up EAP's. There has been an increasing awareness that productivity is affected when employees experience personal problems which may become work related. The development of Employee Assistance Programs has emerged as a way employers can provide assistance.-to employees through specialized counseling services. The purpose of an EAP is to provide professional assistance for the solution or resolution of problems which are affecting an individual's work environment. EAP's have been in use in the private sector since the early 1970's and have been shown to have positive impacts on attendance, absenteeism, productivity, disability claims, and improved morale. Our current health insurance programs provide minimal services in the area of "mental Health" and tend to discourage an individual from seeking help through long waiting periods and /or low coverage of costs. The EAP offers a,relatively low cost solution to fill this void. The City of Saratoga experiences its share of employees with personal prob- lems. The increasing complexity of our society creates a wide range of problems that each of us must deal with, from child rearing to marital troubles. The EAP porvides a source of licensed professionals trained to deal with a wide variety of problems. Employee Assistance Program August 13, 1982 Page two The City will benefit directly from an EAP through.th.e management referral component.. The program provides managers and supervisors the ability to refer employees whose work performance has been affected by personal problems. This capability will add an important step to the disciplinary process and'.h.o.pefully will provide the City with an additional tool to retain experienced, trained employees. SELECTION OF AN EAP PROVIDER Following an extensive interview and screening process, we are recommending entering into an Agreement with Human Resource Services, Inc. In April of 1982 a proposal for EAP services was distributed to several area providers. Four agencies responded and were interviewed. Criteria used for evaluation were as follows: - Elements of the plan, benefits provided - Supervi.sorial and management referrals - Methods of outreach and communication with employees - Qualifications and staffing levels for-professional staff - Patient confidentiality - Evaluation and employer reports - Special services - Cosa The Employee Assistance Program being recommended, Human Resource Services, -Inc., will provide the following services at a cost of $2.30 per employee, per month (approximately $1,353 per year): - 7 visits per employee, 21 visits total including family members - Guaranteed fee of $25 per visit for visits above,.th.e-,.l.imit - Management and supervisory training- - Special publicity and outreach to employees and family members ­24 hour crisis intervention Management referrals - Appointments scheduled within 48 hours, as needed - Quarterly utilization reports - Total patient confidentiality - Specialized workshops on topics such as alcohol and substance abuse, assertiveness training, coping with difficult people, money manage- ment, stress management, communication.skills, etc. Human Resources Services, Inc. was formed in 1979 and has clinics located in San Jose and Sunnyvale, with plans for an office in Los Gatos. Current staff consists of 14 licensed professionals composed of licensed psychologists, clinical socai.l workers and marriage and family counselors. References were checked with current private sector clients and were excellent. Employee Assistance Program August 13, 1982 Page three IMPLEMENTATION Following Council authorization, the EAP is scheduled to begin September 1, 1982. The first year of the program is to be funded through the Department of Administrative Services, Personnel program. We are recommending sub- sequent years' participation and funding be decided through the employee negotiation (meet and confer) process with funding to be included as part of the settlement package. Staff intends to monitor the program in order to evaluate usage, impact on sick leave, absenteeism, and other factors which can be used in the future to assess the cost effectiveness of such a program. i Patr'cia M. Mu ens ck