Petaluma council cuts city planners

<p>The building slowdown claimed another casualty Monday — Petaluma's planning department.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>By a 4-2 vote, the City Council agreed to lay off the remainder of its already downsized staff, saying development was not generating enough fees to support it.</p><p>Councilwoman Teresa Barrett said looming budget deficits of $1 million this year and $3.5 million next year left few other choices. "We have to balance our budget at the end of the year and it's going to come out of someone's hide," she said before voting with the majority.</p><p>Councilmen Mike Healy and David Rabbitt cast dissenting votes. Councilman Mike Harris was absent. Healy said he wanted to keep one of four positions recommended to be cut to preserve institutional memory. Rabbitt said he wanted a better analysis of what the city could afford.</p><p>Under City Manager John Brown's proposal, the positions of four Community Development Department employees will be eliminated by April 30 and the director's job will be abolished this summer.</p><p>Layoff notices will go out immediately to the assistant director, an associate planner, an administrative assistant and a permit processing technician. Community Development Director Mike Moore is expected to be laid off by June 30.</p><p>Other employees such as building officials, code enforcement officers and affordable housing workers will be folded into other departments.</p><p>Traditional duties of the department are expected to be handled by private contractors or formed city employees hired on a project basis.</p><p>At the meeting Monday, a number of builders expressed concern about getting routine permits for installing water heaters or rebuilding fences.</p><p>Brown said he would seek to have at least one part-time person remain. The department could be reformed in about a year, the economy permitting, he said.</p><p>Seven months ago the city eliminated 12 positions in the department and cut a number of services, including reduced counter hours.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 762-7297 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com</p>