Del Mar City Hall changes operating hours

The Del Mar City Council on Dec. 1 approved a new operating schedule for City Hall, adopting a so-called “90-80” workweek for employees. The new schedule, set to begin on Jan. 12 will allow City Hall to be open an extra hour each week.

Under the approved timetable, city departments including Public Works will be open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Office hours on Friday will be 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. City employees previously worked the traditional five-day 40-hour week. They will still work 80 hours in a two-week period, by working nine days instead of 10.

According to City Manager Karen Brust, the new schedule will not only allow for more flexibility for residents to conduct business before and after traditional operating hours, it will also allow the city to become more environmentally friendly by reducing employee vehicle trips.

“It’s a way of reducing our carbon footprint, and continuing our Go Green initiative,” she said. Brust added that getting employees off the road during peak commuter hours would ease traffic congestion and reduce vehicle emissions.

City safety and community service personnel will not participate in the new work schedule.