REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 22, 2021
FROM
GARY HALLEN, Director, Community Development and Housing
SUBJECT
Title v
Approve an Employment Contract for a Senior Housing Project Manager
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve an employment contract with Julie Bjork as a Senior Housing Project Manager from June 22, 2021 to June 30, 2023, for an estimated annual cost of $113,355 (Salary - $93,168, Benefits - $20,187).
2. Authorize the Community Development and Housing Agency Deputy Executive Officer or the Community Development and Housing Director to execute amendments to extend the term of the contract for a maximum of two successive one-year periods on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Community Development and Housing Agency Deputy Executive Officer or the Community Development and Housing Director to transmit all documents in relation to this contract to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Gary Hallen, Director, 387-4411)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of any Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Community Development and Housing (CDH) 2021-22 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CDH is requesting to fill a budgeted limited-term, contract position with Julie Bjork to expand its current staff. Ms. Bjork has extensive experience in local government and has served in various positions related to community development and housing for approximately 25 years. Key staff positions within CDH have recently become vacant and Ms. Bjork’s expertise and knowledge will allow CDH to continue to provide housing development services. Upon approval of the recommended contract, Ms. Bjork will fill a vacant contract position.
It typically takes 18 to 36 months for a project to be completed from concept to tenant leasing, and CDH is managing several affordable housing development projects that are at various stages of design, negotiations, pre-closing, or construction. The contract for the Senior Housing Project Manager position, which Ms. Bjork is being recommended for, will assist the Housing Development division in coordinating all stages of affordable housing development. This position will support initiation of the request for proposals process to identify the development partner and its team on all County-owned affordable housing sites. Additionally, this position will manage the County Notice of Funds Available for the Federal HOME program and Mental Health Services Act Housing Program funds. This position will also help build capacity in CDH and the new Community Revitalization Group which will assist the group in taking on the new challenges ahead with additional innovative funding and projects on the horizon.
CDH is currently in critical phases with several development projects and recommends a contract with Ms. Bjork to fill this position due to her extensive experience in managing complex and complicated multi-million dollar projects, which include public relations skills related to complex and controversial issues that impact and involve community groups, business leaders and the public. As part of the recruitment, CDH reached out to three qualified applicants to notify them of the vacancy. CDH conducted three interviews and it was apparent that Ms. Bjork’s skills, abilities, and experience are best suited to perform the responsibilities of this position. The position has been a hard to fill position, because of the need to find applicants with the unique affordable housing finance knowledge and experience that is required to oversee a significant number of complex affordable housing projects. The pay for this position was based on the highly technical nature of financing affordable housing in the state of California and is commiserate with affordable housing industry standards.
Ms. Bjork will work on a part-time basis and perform up to 120 hours of service per month. It is recommended that the contract with Ms. Bjork be approved for the term of June 22, 2021 through June 30, 2023, with the option to extend for two successive one-year periods. Either party may terminate the contract at any time without cause with a 14-day prior written notice to the other party. The contract may be terminated by the County immediately with just cause.
PROCUREMENT
CDH recommends an employment contract with Ms. Bjork based on the recruitment process and Ms. Bjork’s education and experience.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Cynthia O’Neill, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 7, 2021; Human Resources Department (Gina King, Human Resources Division Chief, 387-5571) on June 7, 2021; Finance (Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on June 8, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-4342) on June 8, 2021.