Scope of work: Citygate provided strategic planning and facilitation assistance for the City of Angels Camp, California, as a follow-up to Citygate’s previous two studies for the City: the 2018 organizational review and budget stabilization study, and the 2020 financial action plan in response to COVID-19. For this project, Citygate interviewed key staff, City Councilmembers, and community members to gauge current operational efficiency, identify goals and priorities, and identify general and operational issues/priorities to assist in the development of Council priorities. Citygate also reviewed the City’s current fiscal condition at a high level to identify present opportunities and challenges.

Scope of work: A follow-on engagement to the previous operational review, Citygate conducted an analysis of progress and an update of recommendations made to the Finance Department, identifying current operational strengths and weaknesses and offering a Revised Priority Action Plan.

Scope of work: operational review for the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Finance/Administration Department. This review included assessment of current operational structure, staff duties, and responsibilities and analysis of operational and fiscal policies, procedures, and practices—with attention to operational functions, workflow processes, and use of technology and automation in performance of operational responsibilities. Citygate offered comparison to best practices and made recommendations in accordance with the findings of this review.

An assessment of the animal care and control needs of the City of Santa Clarita, specifically as they relate to the sheltering of animals. Citygate conducted a data-driven analysis of current services, euthanasia rates, and specific policy impacts, and evaluated potential service gaps with recommendations regarding how to best address them. Citygate’s analysis determined whether the community’s distinct shelter needs were being met and detailed viable options for the City’s consideration and implementation moving forward.

Citygate performed an organizational review and analysis of Monterey County’s current homeless programs, funding, and coordination services. For this review, Citygate identified, evaluated, and recommended funding sources and budgeting structure for the Homeless Services function; identified and recommended organizational best practices, including comparisons with similar cities and counties; evaluated and recommended best practices for collaboration and coordination with various County departments, the Continuum of Care, local cities, school districts, businesses, and homeless service providers; and evaluated and recommended formal and informal organizational alignment, structure, and staffing for the Homeless Services function.

The City of San Diego contracted Citygate on an as-needed basis for consultation work to support, evaluate, and review various areas of operation within the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The current projects include an EMS ambulance deployment study and a review of staffing levels, hiring, and training programs within the Emergency Command and Data Center.

Citygate conducted the first-ever independent Standards of Coverage evaluation of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s fire and emergency medical services deployment system, including the current system’s capacity to evolve over time as a very diverse metropolitan area. This analysis determined whether current fire station locations and crew/apparatus staffing are sufficient to meet the unique needs of the Department’s service area. A comprehensive community risk assessment was also included as part of the overall analysis.

Citygate conducted a fire services staffing analysis for the Port of Corpus Christi to determine the cost, quantity, type, and recommended schedule necessary to staff a new 70-foot fireboat that will serve both as a Port security patrol boat and a firefighting asset. Additionally, Citygate recommended a Port organizational structure for an effective chain of command up through the Chief Operating Officer position, and provided input on considerations and implications regarding ongoing service delivery needs.

Citygate provided a Standards of Coverage and staffing study in support of the City’s related Santa Clara Development Project. The study included an analysis of the response area, apparatus needs and replacement costs, staffing needs, and specialized training, apparatus, and equipment to address the unique hazards and demands posed by the former landfill parcels. The results of the study will be used to develop a plan to respond to the specific needs and requirements of the related Santa Clara Development Project and will provide recommendations to the City and Developer to improve and enhance the overall safety and security of future patrons and residents of this new mixed-use development.

Citygate conducted a Standards of Coverage (SOC) study update, community risk assessment, and facility assessment for the City of Huntington Beach Fire Department to assist the Department in achieving agency accreditation with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. In addition, the study established current response performance, identified new targets for improvement, and served as the basis for a new Strategic Community Risk Reduction Program that identified programs for implementation to mitigate risks and make the City a safer, healthier, and more resilient community. The facility assessment assisted in identifying modifications and use of existing facility space to reduce employee exposure to carcinogens. In addition to identifying specific facility needs, the assessment formed the baseline for future annual facility safety inspections. Citygate also performed the City’s 2017 SOC study.