HomeMy WebLinkAboutN-262 - Inclement WeatherCITY OF PASCO
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
Administrative Order No. 262
Executive
Subject: Inclement Weather
Initial Effective Date:November 13, 2018
Revised
Approved
I. PURPOSE:
This Administrative Order is to:
A. Provide guidance to Department Directors and Division Managers in times of
inclement and/or dangerous weather conditions.
B. Maintain normal work hours, even during inclement weather, in order to ensure the
City of Pasco continues to provide vital public services.
II. DEPARTMENTS AFFECTED:
All departments.
III. POLICY:
Essential operations in the City must provide at least partial services at all times
regardless of, or because of, inclement weather events. Employees are expected to make a
reasonable effort to report to work without endangering their personal safety in order to
provide services to the community of Pasco with as little interruption as possible.
IV. DEFINITIONS:
A. Inclement Weather - Severe or harsh environmental conditions (e.g. snowstorm,
ice storm, nature disaster, etc.).
B. Essential Operations - A service, facility or activity of the City of Pasco that is or
will be, at any time, necessary to ensure the safety and security of the public or the
continued operation of City services. This consists of positions whose work
directly supports efforts to maintain or restore public safety, which include, but may
not be limited to; Public Works Operations, Facilities, Police Officers and
Firefighters.
V.
A. The City Manager or his/her designee retains the authority to determine when
inclement conditions warrant a full day closure or partial day closure for City of
Pasco facilities.
I. When inclement weather conditions develop after the close of business, the
Administrative and Community Services Director and Facilities Manager,
in consultation with the Police Chief, Fire Chief and Public Works Director
will advise the City Manager or designee of the recommended course of
action by 5:00 a.m. The Directors may rely on environmental conditions
reported by on duty staff (police, fire and operation personnel), as well as
other City staff residing in various locations throughout the City.
II. When inclement weather conditions develop during the day, the
Administrative and Community Services Director and Facilities Manager,
in consultation with the Police Chief, will give notice to the City Manager
or designee of the recommended course of action so that a decision can be
made in time to dismiss employees early, cancel scheduled evening
activities or both.
B. Department Directors will determine what services and staffing levels must be
maintained in inclement weather situations as approved by the City Manager.
I. Department Directors are encouraged to develop specific written inclement
weather procedures, keyed to the general requirements of this
Administrative Order and approved by the City Manager, outlining the
services and staffing levels that must be maintained in inclement weather
situations, provided that such procedures do not conflict with the provisions
of this policy. If no such procedure is in place, Department Directors must
determine what services and staffing levels must remain available during a
closure and the process utilized to define which employees may be released
and which must remain on duty.
C. If a closure is deemed necessary by the City Manager, for non-essential services,
employees may use leave without pay or, accrued vacation leave or compensatory
time in lieu of unpaid leave. Department Directors or designees may authorize
employees to flex time with in the same workweek provided they can do so without
incurring overtime.
D. Employees who missed a full day or partial day of work due to personal
circumstances not relating to the inclement weather will utilize standard paid leave
options as outlined in relevant leave policy.
E. It is the responsibility of the Department Director to notify their staff if a closure is
declared by the City Manager. The Communications Program Manager will
immediately disseminate the closure notice utilizing the methods below:
• City of Pasco Website
• All social media utilized by the City of Pasco
Administrative Order No. 262 — Inclement Weather
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Press release to local print, television and radio media
Text message to City issued cell phones
City email
F. The City does not encourage employees to remain or report to work during a closure
if the employee is not already required to do so. However, with Director or designee
approval employees may continue working once a closure has been declared.
G. Any citizen or customer complaint or concern occurring as a consequence of an
authorized closure shall be promptly reported to the City Manager's Office.
Approved:
Dave Zabell Ci ager Date
Administrative Order No. 262 — Inclement Weather
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