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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />AUGUST 4, 2015 <br />TITLE: <br />PARK RANGER PROGRAM UPDATE <br />{STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 1, 1} <br />Cr b9CM/rt2as <br />CITY MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Receive and file. <br />DISCUSSION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 1" Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />The Police Department assumed responsibility for the Park Ranger Program on April 18, 2015. <br />During this time, the department has focused on developing the newly adopted program, <br />patrolling the parks, and building relationships with stakeholders. Park Rangers are meeting with <br />Parks and Rec supervisors and staff and providing training on key issues such as the preferred <br />process for reporting incidents, safety awareness, and the importance of reporting incidents in a <br />timely manner. Park Rangers are also attending Neighborhood Association meetings, and <br />attending City park events. <br />On June 24, 2015 the Police Department hired its first part-time Park Ranger, Claire Baltodano. <br />Ranger Baltodano is a graduate of Golden West police academy, is fluent in Spanish, and <br />possesses an AA degree from Golden West College. Ranger Baltodano also served in the <br />United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 2013. Ranger Baltodano is progressing <br />through her Park Ranger training program, and upon completion of the training program, she will <br />resume regular Park Ranger duties. <br />The program is currently staffed with one full -time Park Liaison Officer (40 hours), a 20 hour part- <br />time Park Ranger, and 40 hours of police officer overtime, for a total of 100 hours per week. Due <br />to POST requirements, the City Attorney's Office determined that the one existing PT Park <br />Ranger is unable to legally carry a firearm on duty. The Police Department has been assisting <br />this Park Ranger to achieve POST recertification. <br />There are currently two remaining part-time Park Ranger vacancies. To date, the Personnel <br />Services Department has received 169 applications for the Park Ranger positions. 38 applicants <br />possessed the minimum qualifications required by the job description. Of the 38 applicants that <br />19G -1 <br />