201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #501
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5111
Fax: (714) 765-5215
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
DATE: MARCH 25, 2025
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PLANNING AND BUILDING DIRECTOR
APPOINTMENT AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 18
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the appointment of Heather Allen to the position of Planning and Building Director, approve the associated employment agreement, and authorize the City Manager to execute and administer the agreement.
DISCUSSION:
It is my pleasure to recommend the appointment of Heather Allen to the position of Planning and Building Director, effective March 28, 2025.
During the last several months, the City’s Human Resources Department conducted an external recruitment to fill the position of Planning and Building Director. A number of highly qualified applicants applied for the position and after a competitive recruitment process, Ms. Allen was selected to the position of Planning and Building Director. Ms.
Allen has over 23 years of municipal experience in the field of urban and regional planning. Ms. Allen joined Anaheim in January 2022 from the City of Fullerton where she served as the Planning Manager and held leadership roles within her department. Ms.
Allen has been serving as the Acting Planning and Building Director for the last six (6) months where she is overseeing a number of large-scale projects, including DisneylandForward and OCVIBE. Ms. Allen holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Irvine. Ms. Allen’s extensive Planning background, leadership, and experience managing large development projects will serve the City well in her new capacity as Planning and Building Director.
An Employment Agreement, effective March 28, 2025, is recommended for approval. The agreement outlines the conditions of Ms. Allen’s employment, including that her position is “at-will” pursuant to 1.2 of Personnel Rules and Policies covering Non-Represented Full-Time, provides for severance pay consisting of three (3) month’s salary, an annual salary of $231,703, annually, and all those benefits and perquisites provided to all other Executive Managers.
Approval of Planning and Building Director Appointment and Employment Agreement March 25, 2025
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in the Planning and Building Department FY 24/25 budget; there is no general fund impact.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Vanderpool
City Manager
Attachment:
1. Employment Agreement