The first intensely personal dimension of the elimination of Redevelopment Agencies struck City Hall this morning when City Manager John Nachbar made his inevitable, dreaded announcement:
“I need for there to be vacancies so we can begin to reorganize,” that is, downsize the staff at City Hall.
The exact numbers of employees to be subtracted remains clouded.
While the grim Mr. Nachbar will make a recommendation at Monday night’s City Council meeting to propose an incentive-laden early retirement proposal for “dozens” of age 50 and over employees, waves of anxiety and hard-eyed attention aimed especially at the Community Development Dept. and Housing.
TBD — To Be Determined — is what Mr. Nachbar replies when asked how many of the 24 employees will be drawing exit slips.
The pending demise of the Redevelopment Agency was floated by Gov. Brown 12 months ago, passed by the legislature six months ago and certified by the State Supreme Court three weeks ago this morning.
What is known is that Community Development will not be wiped out.
“We will need a core of the redevelopment staff for several years while winding down the Agency,” Mr. Nachbar said.
