Citygate completed a performance audit of Sacramento County’s Planning and Environmental Review and Assessment departments. This study provided an independent, objective, rigorously analytical analysis of the policies, procedures, management, and operations of the programs and designed a constructive, forward-looking, and creative strategy for improvement. This project involved a standard performance audit, including how to support the Municipal Services Agency’s goal to decentralize planning functions and empower neighborhood involvement through the expanded use of Community Planning Councils and other methods. Extensive stakeholder, resident, applicant, and employee contact was achieved through interviews, focus groups, and internet-based surveys. Citygate also identified best practices in other communities, reviewed performance indicators, and developed recommendations for improvement. In addition to enhancing applicant and residential services, the streamlining, improved leveraging of available technology, and staff productivity enhancements prepared the Department for improved staff accountability and performance metrics, as well as reliably/predictably enhancing the quality of customer service goals.

Citygate completed eight rotating general management and operations studies for the City of Ogden’s Community Development, Public Works, Code Enforcement, Community Services, Redevelopment Agency, Police Department, Animal Services, and Fire Department. Each study analyzed the performance measurement, policies, procedures, management, and operations of the Department. Citygate examined issues related to the philosophy and mission; organizational structure and management systems; organizational relationships; relationships with citizens; allocation of employees and other resources; personnel management and training; data management; records management, communications, and information systems; facilities and equipment; management methodologies; maintenance functions; and fiscal management of each Department.

Citygate completed a fire department consolidation feasibility analysis for the cities of Redlands and Loma Linda, California. This study assisted the cities with determining if they should create a joint agency that would be a more efficient governmental organization that will provide improved services at controlled or lower costs. The study also focused on the possibilities to streamline the allocation of resources and equipment so that the most cost-effective apparatus, facility, training, prevention, and safety services could be provided.

Citygate assisted with the development of a high-level assessment of the feasibility of fire agency consolidation for the Cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel. This study assisted the partners with determining if they should create a joint agency that would be a more efficient governmental organization that will provide improved services at controlled or lower costs. The study also focused on the possibilities to streamline the allocation of resources and equipment so that the most cost-effective apparatus, facility, training, prevention, and safety services are provided. Upon completion of the Final Report, Citygate was retained to provide guidance as the agencies decided whether to proceed with consolidation. The agencies have successfully consolidated.

Citygate completed a Standards of Coverage deployment study and Master Plan for the City of Dixon and the Dixon Fire Protection District. This project included facilitation of community focus groups to determine community needs and expectations; outreach and focus group meetings with Fire Department staff related to training, equipment, and staffing; and the development of a written, long-range plan for the City of Dixon and the Dixon Fire Protection District.

Citygate completed a fire services study for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, in cooperation with the City of Santa Clarita. This study assessed the adequacy of revenue to support the current and planned operations and capital expenditures for stations and equipment in the Valley; the present adequacy of the number and location of fire stations, equipment, and personnel in the Valley; and the timing and adequacy of the number and location of planned fire stations, equipment, and personnel in the Valley. This project was completed within the agreed-to time frame and budget.

Provide guidance to the Lee County Community Development Director in the area of state-of-the-art technology support for community development functions, including but not limited to document management, electronic permitting, and review of best practices in other comparable jurisdictions with similar levels of activity.

Citygate completed a management and operations review of the City of Glendale’s Maintenance Services Section. The Maintenance Services Section is responsible for maintaining all of Glendale’s street trees, commercial center street furniture and amenities, roads, sidewalks, gutters, storm drains, and sewers. The analysis included an evaluation of infrastructure-related General Fund and capital improvement program resource allocation, maintenance service levels, staffing and operations, including maintenance crew size and historical staffing trends; the use of vehicles, equipment, and technology; and a review of deferred maintenance of the City’s infrastructure. A primary focus of the project for Maintenance Services was the alarming increase in maintenance, repair, re-habilitation, and replacement cycles related to street trees, road maintenance, sidewalks, and other components of the City’s infrastructure.

Citygate completed a management and operations review of the City of Glendale’s Traffic and Transportation Section. The analyses included an evaluation of infrastructure-related General Fund and capital improvement program resource allocation, maintenance service levels, staffing and operations, including maintenance crew size and historical staffing trends; the use of vehicles, equipment, and technology; and a review of deferred maintenance of the City’s infrastructure.

Citygate assessed critical land development processes, including Environmental Review, Improvement Plan Check, Building Plan Check, and Final Map Approval Plan Check for Placer County’s Land Development Departments. This assessment involved working with department heads, senior managers, staff, and key stakeholders to review operation, organization, and staffing issues that affect the effectiveness, efficiency, and timeliness of the permitting process. This assessment resulted in approximately 50 recommendations and an Action Plan for their implementation.