A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CALIFORNIA CITY, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING CITY COUNCIL
DECORUM POLICY
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of California City is committed to conducting its meetings in a manner that promotes transparency, fairness, efficiency, and full public participation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of maintaining order, professionalism, and mutual respect during all public meetings of the City Council, as well as its boards, commissions, and committees; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish clear rules and procedures governing conduct at public meetings to ensure that all participants—elected officials, staff, and members of the public—are able to engage in the civic process in a safe and respectful environment; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Decorum Policy establishes standards of conduct, outlines the authority of the Presiding Officer, and provides procedures for addressing disruptions consistent with applicable provisions of the California Government Code, including Sections 54957.9 and 54957.95; and
WHEREAS, the Decorum Policy is intended to supplement existing laws and parliamentary procedures, including Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, and to provide clear guidance for the orderly conduct of City meetings; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of a formal Decorum Policy will promote consistency in meeting procedures, enhance public confidence, and support the City Council’s commitment to effective governance.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, DETERMINED, AND ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY, CALIFORNIA AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The City Council hereby approves and adopts the City of California City Decorum Policy, attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2: The Decorum Policy shall apply to all meetings of the City Council and to all City boards, commissions, committees, and other public bodies, unless otherwise provided by law.
SECTION 3: The Mayor, as Presiding Officer, Chair of any commission, committee, or boards and City Manager are authorized and directed to implement and enforce the provisions of the Decorum Policy in accordance with applicable law.
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SECTION 4: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of California City, this 14th day of April 2026.
__________________________
Marquette E. Hawkins, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________ __________________________
John Paul Maier, DCM/City Clerk Victor M. Ponto, City Attorney
CERTIFICATION
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I, John Paul Maier, Deputy City Manager / City Clerk of the City of California City, California, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a meeting of the City Council of said City at its meeting held on the 14th of April 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of California City, California, this 14th day of April 2026.
__________________________
John Paul Maier, Deputy City Manager / City Clerk
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RESOLUTION 26-3236
4916-7220-0351 v1
Exhibit A
Rules of Decorum
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City Council Policy
Decorum Policy
Section 1. Purpose and Application
The purpose of this City of California City Decorum Policy is to create an atmosphere where the members of the body and the members of the public can attend to business efficiently, fairly and with full participation. At the same time, it is up to the chair and the members of the body to maintain common courtesy and decorum. The Decorum Policy shall apply to any public meeting of the City Council, any commission, committee, board or other public body of the City. For the purposes of this Policy, the Presiding Officer shall mean the Mayor, Commission or Committee Chair and/or their designees.
Section 2. General Provisions
The procedures described in this Decorum Policy are not exclusive, and shall not preclude other rights, remedies, and procedures authorized by federal, state, or local law. A breach of this Decorum Policy shall in no event be construed to invalidate any act taken by the City Council, commission, committee, board or other public body holding the meeting at which a violation occurred, or to otherwise limit the authority of the Presiding Officer, the majority of the City Council City commission, City committee, the City Attorney, or their designees.
Section 3. Conduct at Public Meetings
Except as otherwise provided in this Decorum Policy, the proceedings of all public bodies at meetings shall be generally guided by the latest revised edition of Rosenberg’s Rules of Order (“Rosenberg’s Rules”). In the event of a conflict or ambiguity between Rosenberg’s Rules and the rules set forth in this Decorum Policy, the rules in this Decorum Policy shall prevail over Rosenberg’s Rules.
(a) Public body members (e.g. Councilmembers, Commissioners or Committee members) – While any public body meeting is in session, the following rules of order and decorum shall be observed:
(i) Members shall neither by conversation or otherwise (1) delay, interrupt or disrupt the proceedings of the public body, (2) disturb any member while they are speaking, (3) engage in side conversations, (4) refuse to obey the orders of the Presiding Officer, or (5) engage in disorderly conduct or breach the peace. (ii) Members shall generally not engage in any electronic communication at any time during any meeting, including, but not limited to, open and closed sessions of the public body except for urgent matters such as family emergencies or when force or threats of force are present as defined by Government Code § 54957.95.
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(iii) ]Recognition by the Presiding Officer.
Members shall not speak until recognized by the Presiding Officer. All remarks shall be addressed to the Presiding Officer and members of the body. (iv) Addressing the Body.
Members shall confine their remarks to the question under debate and shall avoid personal attacks or impugning the motives of other members, staff, or members of the public.
(v) Conduct at the Meeting
Members of the public shall step to the podium provided for the use of the public meeting and are requested to state their name and address; the organization, if any, which they represent; and, if during the oral communications portion of the meeting, the subject they wish to discuss. The City requests, but does not require, that the speaker complete a form provided by the City containing this information to ensure the City has proper records of its speakers and to provide the speakers with appropriate notices in the future. The speaker may decline to state his or her name or address if he or she so desires.
(b) Presiding Officer – The Presiding Officer should always ensure that debate and discussion of an agenda item focus on the item and the policy in question, not the personalities of the members of the public body. In the interest of time, the Presiding Officer may limit the time allotted to speakers, including members of the body.
Generally, a member of the public body cannot interrupt the speaker. However, there are exceptions, and a speaker may be interrupted for the following reasons:
(i) PRIVILEGE – The proper interruption would be, “point of privilege.” The Presiding Officer would then ask the interrupter to “state your point.” Appropriate points of privilege relate to anything that would interfere with the normal comfort of the meeting. For example, the room may be too hot or too cold, or a blowing fan might interfere with a person’s ability to hear.
(ii) ORDER – The proper interruption would be, “point of order.” Again, the Presiding Officer would ask the interrupter to “state your point.” Appropriate points of order relate to anything that would not be considered appropriate conduct of the meeting.
For example, if the Presiding Officer moved on to a vote on a motion that permits debate without allowing that discussion or debate.
(iii) APPEAL – If the Presiding Officer makes a ruling that a member of the body disagrees with, that member may appeal the ruling of the Presiding Officer. If the motion is seconded, and after debate, if it passes by a simple majority vote, then the ruling of the Presiding Officer is deemed reversed.
(iv) CALL FOR ORDERS OF THE DAY – This is simply another way of saying, “return to the agenda.” If a member believes that the body has drifted from the agreed-upon agenda, such a call may be made. It does not require a vote, and when the Presiding Officer discovers that the agenda has not been followed, the Presiding Officer Pg 224
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simply reminds the body to return to the agenda item properly before them. If the Presiding Officer fails to do so, the Presiding Officer’s determination may be appealed.
(v) WITHDRAW A MOTION – During debate and discussion of a motion, the maker of the motion on the floor, at any time, may interrupt a speaker to withdraw their motion from the floor. The motion is immediately deemed withdrawn, although the Presiding Officer may ask the person who seconded the motion if they wish to make the motion, and any other member may make the motion if properly recognized. (c) Any person who engages in behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of any public body meeting (including but not limited to failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations or any other law or behavior that constitutes use of force or a threat of force) pursuant Government Code § 54957.95(b)(1) shall, upon an order by the Presiding Officer, be removed and barred from further attending that meeting.
(i) Examples of behavior that can actually disrupt, disturb, or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of a meeting include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) speaking without being recognized by the Presiding Officer; (B) continuing to speak after the allotted time has expired; (C) speaking on an item at a time not designated for discussion; (D) throwing objects;
(E) interrupting a person who is speaking to the public body during such person's allotted time;
(F) uttering loud, threatening, or abusive language that actually disrupts, disturbs or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting; (G) clapping, whistling, stomping feet, and sign waving that actually disrupts, disturbs or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting. (d) Law enforcement officers present at the meeting, acting as sergeants-at-arms, shall carry out all orders and instructions given by the Presiding Officer for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum and are authorized to enforce an order of removal.
Section 4. Unlawful Behavior
The following conduct shall be unlawful:
(a) Continuing disruptive behavior that impedes a public body meeting after receiving a warning at that meeting from the Presiding Officer to cease such conduct; Pg 225
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(b) Refusing to leave the meeting chambers after being barred for the remainder of the public body meeting by the Presiding Officer;
(c) Returning to the meeting chambers before the conclusion of a public body meeting after being barred for the remainder of that meeting by the Presiding Officer or a majority vote of the public body;
(d) Without authority of law, willfully disturbing or breaking up any assembly or meeting that is not unlawful in its character pursuant to Penal Code § 403.
Section 5. Enforcement of Decorum
Enforcement of Decorum. Pursuant Government Codes §§ 54957.9 and 54957.95, the rules of decorum set forth above shall be enforced in the following manner:
(a) WARNING FOR DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR. In accordance with Government Code § 54957.9 and 54957.95, if an individual, a group, or groups of persons disrupt the meeting by behaving disorderly, the Presiding Officer shall issue a warning. This warning will remind them to maintain order and inform them that continued disruption may lead to removal from the meeting. Disrupting is defined by Government Code § 54957.95(b) as engaging in behavior during a meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to, one of the following:
(i) a failure to comply with reasonable and lawful policies, regulations, and ordinances of this City adopted by a legislative body pursuant to Government Code § 54954.3 or any other law; or
(ii) engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force. A “true threat of force” means a threat that has sufficient indicia of intent and seriousness, that a reasonable observer would perceive it to be an actual threat to use force by the person making the threat.
(b) REMOVAL FOR CONTINUED DISRUPTION. If the disruptive behavior does not promptly cease after the warning, the Presiding Officer may order the removal of the individual or group from the meeting. The Presiding Officer may order the removal of an individual or group from the meeting without warning if the individual or group is violent or commits an actual use of force. Law enforcement officers present at the meeting, acting as sergeants-at-arms, shall carry out all orders and instructions given by the Presiding Officer for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum and are authorized to enforce an order of removal. (c) CLEARING THE MEETING ROOM. In extreme cases when the removal of an individual or group of persons fails to restore order and the meeting cannot proceed, members of the public body may take action to clear the meeting room and continue in session. Only matters appearing on the agenda will be considered.
(d) MEDIA ACCESS. Representatives of the press or other news media, except those participating in the disturbance, shall be allowed to attend the meeting.
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(e) RE-ADMITTANCE. The Presiding Officer holds the discretion to re-admit any individual who was not responsible for willfully disrupting the meeting. (f) ADJOURNMENT OR RECESS. If a meeting of the public body is disturbed or disrupted in such a manner as to make infeasible or improbable the restoration of order, the meeting may be temporarily recessed, adjourned, or continued by a majority of the public body, and any remaining business may be considered after the recess or at the adjourned or next meeting.
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COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
April 14, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Victor Ponto, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution of The City Council of The City of California City, California, Appointing Sean Grayson for the Position of City Manager and Approving the Related Employment Agreement
BACKGROUND/ DISCUSSION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-3237 (attached) appointing Sean Grayson to the position of City Manager and approve an Employment Agreement (attached) that establishes the terms and conditions of the appointment, including salary and benefits.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The previous City Manager, Christopher Lopez, resigned from his employment with the City, with his last day being Friday, January 2, 2026. On December 22, 2025, the City Council voted unanimously to appoint Sean Grayson as the Interim City Manager effective January 3, 2026. On March 24, 2026, the City Council voted unanimously to appoint Sean Grayson as the City Manager, effective April 1, 2026. The City Council authorized the Office of the City Attorney to negotiate an agreement with Mr. Grayson. The Employment Agreement (attached) is being brought before the City Council for review and potential approval.
ORAL REPORT REQUIRED
Since January 1, 2017, Government Code (GC) Section 54953(c)(3) requires that the City Council to orally report in open session a summary of the salary, salary schedule and compensation in form of fringe benefits for local agency executives, before the City Council may take final action on such compensation and agreement. The position of Interim City Manager is a “local agency executive” for whom such an oral report is required. Before taking action on this item, the following script should be read aloud (it may be read by the Clerk if requested by the City Council).
ORAL REPORT
“In accordance with Government Code Section 3511.1, a summary of the City Manager’s salary and benefits is reported as follows:
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The yearly salary for the City Manager will be $190,000.00. The City Manager will also receive a Housing Allowance of $400 per pay period.
Consistent with other Executive Management employees of the City of California City, the City Manager is eligible for health benefits which include vision, dental, and comprehensive medical insurance with a monthly cafeteria allotment of $1500. The contract for City Manager increases the monthly cafeteria allotment for Grayson to $2000 effective April 1, 2026. Paid time off includes holidays, executive leave, vacation, and sick leave accruals on the same basis as other Executive Management employees.”
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Adopt the resolution (attached) appointing Sean Grayson as City Manager, effective April 1, 2026, and approving the Employment Agreement in connection with said appointment.
2. Do not adopt the attached Resolution and related Employment Agreement; and
3. Provide alternative direction to staff.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to adopt the attached resolution approving the Employment Agreement, appointing Sean Grayson as City Manager, effective April 1, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The salary adjustment will be funded out of the existing City Manager budget for the current fiscal year and reconciled in the fiscal year 2026/27 budget development process.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-3237 and approve the employment contract appointing Sean Grayson as the City Manager.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 26-3237
2. Employment Agreement for Sean Grayson
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RESOLUTION NO. 3237
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CALIFORNIA CITY, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING SEAN
GRAYSON AS CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of California City (“City”) proposes to, and hereby does by this resolution, enter into an employment agreement (“Agreement”) with Sean Grayson to serve as the City’s City Manager. The Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”;
WHEREAS, title 2 of the California Code of Regulations, section 570.5, requires that the City publishes an accurate salary schedule that provides salary ranges for each authorized classification; and
WHEREAS, by adoption of this resolution, the City intends to enter into the Agreement with Mr. Grayson and comply with the necessary regulations of the Public Employees’ Retirement Law by maintain the current salary schedule which is unchanged by the salary in the Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby incorporates the above recitals herein by reference.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby appoints Sean Grayson as City Manager, and approves the Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and authorizes the Mayor to execute the Agreement.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this ____ day of ______________, 2026.
Marquette Hawkins, Mayor
ATTEST:
John Paul Maier, City Clerk
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Victor Ponto, City Attorney
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF KERN
CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY
I, John Paul Maier, City Clerk of the City of California City, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No.____ was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of California City held on the __________ day of ____________________.
Upon motion of Council Member ____________, seconded by Council Member ____________, the foregoing Resolution No. ____ was duly passed and adopted.
Votes on the motion:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the Official Seal of the City of California City this _____ day of ____________________.
John Paul Maier, City Clerk
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RIV #4862-3787-1256 v1 DRAFT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
For the Position of
CITY MANAGER
This Employment Agreement for the Position of City Manager (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this _____ day of April, 2026, by and between the CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY ("CITY"), a California municipal corporation and general law city, and SEAN GRAYSON (“EMPLOYEE”), an individual, on the following terms and conditions set forth below. Both CITY and EMPLOYEE may individually be described as a “Party” or jointly described as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
A. CITY desires to employ the services of EMPLOYEE as its City Manager, to carry out the duties and responsibilities of City Manager as defined herein and in the CITY’s Municipal Code.
B. EMPLOYEE desires to accept employment as City Manager in consideration of, and subject to, the terms, conditions, and benefits set forth in this Agreement.
C. CITY has selected EMPLOYEE after an extensive competitive recruitment process, including review of resumes and related materials from numerous potential candidates, and interview with the full City Council.
OPERATIVE PROVISIONS
In consideration of the terms, conditions, promises and agreements herein, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Position and Duties.
1.1 Position. EMPLOYEE accepts employment with CITY as its City Manager and shall perform all functions, duties and services set forth in Section 1.4 [Duties] of this Agreement. EMPLOYEE shall provide service at the direction and under the supervision of the City Council. It is the intent of the Parties that the City Manager shall keep the City Council fully informed of all significant ongoing operations of CITY. Toward that end, EMPLOYEE shall report directly to the City Council and will periodically, or as may be otherwise specifically requested by the City Council, provide status reports to the City Council on his activities and those of CITY.
1.2 Commencement Date / Period of Employment. The Parties agree that this Agreement shall commence and will be effective as of April 1, 2026, provided that and subject to, approval of the Agreement by CITY’s City Council, execution of the Agreement by EMPLOYEE and CITY’s Mayor. EMPLOYEE shall serve as City Manager for an initial term of three (3) years and up to two (2) one (1) year extensions upon agreement of the Parties, subject to either of the Parties terminating the Agreement as provided in Section 6 [Termination] of this Agreement.
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1.3 At-Will. EMPLOYEE acknowledges that he is an at-will employee of CITY who shall, at all times, serve at the pleasure of the City Council during the period of his service hereunder. The terms of CITY’s Personnel Manual, memoranda of understanding, or collective bargaining agreements (collectively “Personnel Policies”), except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement to the contrary, shall not apply to EMPLOYEE, and nothing in this Agreement is intended to, or does, confer upon EMPLOYEE any right to any property interest in continued employment, or any due process right to a hearing before or after a decision by the City Council to terminate his employment as City Manager, except as is expressly provided in Section 6 [Termination] of this Agreement.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right of CITY to terminate the services of EMPLOYEE as City Manager as provided in Section 6 [Termination]. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right of EMPLOYEE to resign at any time from the position of City Manager with CITY, subject only to the provisions set forth in Section 6 [Termination] of this Agreement.
1.4 Duties. EMPLOYEE shall serve as CITY’s City Manager and shall be vested with the powers, duties and responsibilities of the City Manager as set forth in the CITY’s municipal code, as may be amended from time to time, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and as set forth in the Job Description for the position of City Manager attached hereto and incorporated hereby by reference as Exhibit “A". Any conflict between rights, obligations, duties or terms this Agreement and the CITY’s municipal code shall be resolved in favor of this Agreement. It is the intent of the City Council that EMPLOYEE act as City Manager of CITY’s organization. Without additional compensation, EMPLOYEE shall provide such other services as are customary and appropriate to the position of City Manager, including additional services assigned from time to time by the City Council as may be consistent with California law and the CITY’s municipal code. EMPLOYEE shall devote his best efforts and full-time attention to the performance of these duties.
1.5 Hours of Work. EMPLOYEE shall devote the time necessary to adequately perform his duties as City Manager. The Parties expect that a minimum of forty (40) hours per week during regular business hours, as well as additional time outside of the normal business hours, will be required to satisfy this requirement. Toward that end, EMPLOYEE shall be allowed reasonable flexibility in setting his own office hours, provided the schedule of such hours delivers adequate availability to the City Council, CITY staff, and members of the community during normal CITY business hours and for the performance of his duties and of CITY business. The position of City Manager shall be deemed an exempt position under California wage and hour law and under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
EMPLOYEE’s compensation (whether salary or benefits or other allowances) is not based on hours worked and EMPLOYEE shall not be entitled to any compensation for overtime.
1.6 Regional and Professional Activity. The City Council desires EMPLOYEE to be reasonably active in national, statewide, regional and professional organizations that will contribute to City Manager’s professional development and standing and that will contribute to the advancement of CITY’s interests and standing. Toward that end, EMPLOYEE may, upon advance approval by the City Council, undertake such activities as are directly related Pg 234
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to his professional development and that advance the interests and standing of CITY.
These activities may include, without limitation, participation in the California League of Cities, the International City/County Management Association, or other similar national, statewide, regional or professional organizations, provided that such activities do not in any way interfere with or adversely affect his employment as City Manager or the performance of his duties as provided herein and have been approved in advance by the City Council.
CITY agrees to budget and pay for the dues and subscriptions of the City Manager necessary for his participation in national, statewide, regional and professional organizations that have been approved by the City Council. CITY agrees to reimburse, as provided in Section 1.8 [Reimbursement] of this Agreement, EMPLOYEE’s reasonable and necessary travel, business and subsistence expenses for the activities described herein.
1.7 Other Activity. In accordance with Government Code Section 1126, during the period of his employment, EMPLOYEE shall not accept, without the express prior written consent of the City Council, any other employment or engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business, commercial, or professional activity (except as permitted under Section 1.6 [Regional and Professional Activity]), whether or not to pecuniary advantage, that is or may be competitive with CITY, that might cause a conflict of interest with CITY, or that otherwise might interfere with the business or operation of CITY or the satisfactory performance of EMPLOYEE’s duties as City Manager.
1.8 Reimbursement. CITY shall reimburse EMPLOYEE for reasonable and necessary travel, subsistence and other business expenses incurred by EMPLOYEE in the performance of his duties. All reimbursements shall be subject to and in accordance with California law and relevant CITY policies.
2. Compensation.
2.1 Base Salary. EMPLOYEE shall receive an annual base salary of one hundred ninety thousand dollars and no cents ($190,000.00) paid on a pro-rated basis according to the bi-weekly payroll schedule in place for CITY employees. Such base salary shall be subject to normal and proper withholdings as determined by state and federal law and as determined appropriate by the CITY and shall be subject to payroll taxes, workers’ compensation and other payroll-related liability costs.
2.2 Adjustments to Compensation. Any adjustment in compensation, including base salary, COLA, merit increases, adjustment in benefits or other compensation shall be solely at the discretion of the City Council. The Parties agree that EMPLOYEE will receive the same COLA adjustments as employees in the Miscellaneous bargaining group, as may be approved by City Council. Adjustments to EMPLOYEE’s compensation are not governed by or subject to CITY’s Personnel Policies. Except as otherwise provided through a COLA pursuant to this paragraph, adjustments in compensation are subject to approval by the affirmative majority vote of the City Council voting on the item at a duly noticed and agendized public meeting. Adjustments to compensation are also subject to EMPLOYEE satisfactorily completing, in the determination of the City Council, an annual performance evaluation, to be conducted and completed by the last regular Council meeting in December of each year. Should the Parties not be able to perform the Pg 235
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evaluation in December, it shall be conducted at the soonest agreeable date for the Parties.
Adjustments to EMPLOYEE compensation as a result of a COLA adjustment for employees in the Miscellaneous bargaining group are not subject to the annual performance evaluation requirement.
2.3 Maintenance of Base Salary Separation. It is the intent of the CITY that the position of City Manager has and retains the highest base salary of any employee of CITY.
EMPLOYEE's base salary shall at all times maintain a separation of at least five percent (5%) from the base salary of the CITY employee with the next highest base salary (“Required Separation”), and at such times as EMPLOYEE’s base salary does not maintain the “Required Separation,” EMPLOYEE may provide written direction to City's Finance Director, with a copy to the City Council and City Attorney, to administratively adjust his base salary. If the Finance Director and City Attorney concur that the Required Separation is not met, then the following shall take place: 1) To the extent required by law, City Council shall adopt a resolution at its next regularly scheduled meeting to update the CITY’s salary schedule to reflect the Required Separation; and 2) No later than the pay period after City Council adopts a revised pay schedule as required under this section, the Finance Director, shall make such adjustment in the base salary as is necessary to reestablish the Required Separation.
3. Benefits.
3.1 Benefit Group. CITY will provide EMPLOYEE and dependents with benefits consistent with those provided to CITY employees in the Miscellaneous bargaining group, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance benefits, as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between the CITY and the California City Miscellaneous Employees’ Association, Articles XXII (Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits) and XXIII (Disability Insurance), except as otherwise stated below.
Commencing April 1, 2026, CITY will provide EMPLOYEE with a monthly payment of up to $2000 for Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits or cash equivalent for EMPLOYEE and two or more dependents. Commencing January 1, 2027, CITY will provide EMPLOYEE with a monthly payment of up to $3000 for use in purchasing Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits only for EMPLOYEE and two or more dependents. EMPLOYEE has no right to receive as cash/cash out any amount of CITY monthly payments for Health, Dental and Vision benefits after January 1, 2027.
3.2 Vacation. Upon the Commencement Date, EMPLOYEE shall be credited with one hundred-twenty (120) hours of vacation leave, which shall continue to accrue at 4.61 hours per pay-period. Any unused, accrued vacation not in excess of 160 hours shall roll over to the next calendar year. Any hours in excess of 160 hours remaining in EMPLOYEE's vacation leave bank on June 30 of each calendar year while this Agreement is in effect, shall be paid in a single lump-sum payment at his current rate of pay.
3.3 Sick Leave. Upon the Commencement Date, EMPLOYEE shall be credited with one hundred-twenty (120) hours of sick leave, which shall continue to accrue at 4.61 hours per pay-period. Accrued Sick Leave shall roll over from year-to-year subject to a cap Pg 236
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of three hundred (300) hours. Upon separation of employment, EMPLOYEE may cash-out up to seventy-five percent (75%) of accrued but unused sick leave at his current rate of pay.
3.4 Executive Leave. EMPLOYEE will be credited with twenty-five (25) hours of compensable Executive Leave commencing April 1, 2026. Commencing July 1, 2026, and subject to the accrual cap provided in this subsection, one-hundred (100) hours of Executive Leave shall be credited annually on July 1 of each year of the Agreement.
Accrual of Executive Leave is capped at one hundred (100) hours. Upon the end of each fiscal year, any hours remaining in EMPLOYEE’s Executive Leave bank will be paid out in a single lump-sum payment at his current rate of pay.
3.5 Bereavement Leave. In the event EMPLOYEE is absent from work by reason of a death in the immediate family, he may be allowed a leave of absence with pay.
EMPLOYEE may be allowed up to five (5) cumulative working days, or forty (40) hours, per occurrence. Such leave will not be deducted from EMPLOYEE’s sick leave. Bereavement leave shall have no cash value upon separation of employment. “Immediate family” under this subsection means: spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, domestic partner, or parent in law.
3.6 Holidays. EMPLOYEE shall receive paid City holidays in the same manner as other at-will management employees and such hours shall not be deducted from any leave bank.
4. Retirement Benefits.
4.1 Benefit Formula and Employee Contribution. CITY intends to maintain its current retirement plan with the State of California’s Public Employees Retirement System (“CalPERS”) and to include EMPLOYEE thereunder consistent with relevant state law and shall receive the same PERS benefit provided to non-sworn CITY employees.
5. Miscellaneous Benefits.
5.1 Assigned City Take-Home Vehicle. During the period of employment, CITY will provide EMPLOYEE a CITY-owned vehicle assigned to him for his business use, including travel to and from his residence and work, but not including personal use, except for incidental personal use during work hours or during commute times. CITY shall pay for all eligible fuel costs, premiums for a policy of auto liability coverage, and regular maintenance and repair and shall otherwise keep the vehicle in good working condition.
EMPLOYEE shall obey all traffic laws relating to operation of motor vehicles and shall use due care and caution in its operation and report any damage or accident involving the Take-Home Vehicle promptly to CITY risk management. EMPLOYEE shall be responsible for damage, including costs of repair, to the Take Home Vehicle caused by negligence or violation of state law.
5.2 Related Business Equipment. CITY shall issue EMPLOYEE a CITY-owned cellular phone to be utilized for CITY business purposes. CITY shall pay the associated data plan.
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5.3 Housing and Lodging Stipend. CITY shall provide housing and lodging assistance stipend at the rate of four hundred dollars and 00/100 ($400.00) biweekly to assist EMPLOYEE with housing and lodging costs.
6. Termination.
6.1 By EMPLOYEE. EMPLOYEE may terminate this Agreement for any reason, and at any time, by providing CITY with forty-five (45) days prior written notice.
6.2 By CITY Not-for-Cause. EMPLOYEE is an at-will employee serving at the pleasure of the City Council. Accordingly, the City Council may terminate this Agreement at any time by a majority vote of its members with forty-five (45) days prior written notice. No further salary or benefits shall be paid after the date of termination of this Agreement except for any accrued but unpaid salary, less applicable deductions, deferred compensation, benefits or any accrued compensable leave to which EMPLOYEE may otherwise be entitled to receive under the law.
The City Council may not, however, remove EMPLOYEE during the 180-day period preceding or following any City election for membership on the City Council, or during the 180-day period following any change in membership of the City Council, except upon unanimous vote of the City Council or for cause as defined more fully below.
6.3 Severance. In the event the City Council terminates this Agreement not-forcause, EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to six (6) months’ base salary or the remainder of the term of this Agreement, whichever is less.
6.4 By CITY for Cause. CITY may immediately terminate this Agreement at any time by providing EMPLOYEE written notice of his termination for cause. No Severance or any further salary shall be paid in the event EMPLOYEE’s employment is terminated for cause except for any accrued but unpaid salary, less applicable deductions, deferred compensation, benefits or any accrued compensable leave to which EMPLOYEE may otherwise be entitled to receive under the law. For purposes of this Agreement, cause for termination shall be deemed to exist where:
(1) EMPLOYEE is convicted of any misdemeanor or felony under state or federal law;
(2) EMPLOYEE commits any flagrant act of dishonesty or any act involving moral turpitude, which materially and adversely affects the image of the City or the ability of the City Manager to execute his duties or his ability to lead City employees; Pg 238
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(3) EMPLOYEE commits gross negligence in the performance of any of his City Manager duties. Mere inefficiency or good faith errors in judgment or discretion shall not constitute “gross negligence”;
(4) EMPLOYEE’s abuse of drugs or alcohol that materially and adversely impacts his ability to perform his duties as City Manger;
(5) EMPLOYEE repeatedly is absent from work without prior authorized excuse;
(6) EMPLOYEE breaches any material term of this Agreement; (7) EMPLOYEE commits a violation of the CITY’s Municipal Code;
(8) EMPLOYEE commits a material failure to disclose
information regarding the business or operation of the CITY that hinders or impairs the City Council’s ability to make informed decisions on projects, policies or legislative actions, or;
(9) EMPLOYEE commits a material failure to follow clear and legal directives of a majority of the City Council provided in a duly noticed public meeting, including closed session.
EMPLOYEE expressly waives any rights to any form of pre- or post-termination hearing, appeal, or other administrative process pertaining to termination, except when EMPLOYEE has a California or federal constitutional right to a name-clearing hearing.
6.3 Termination Obligations. EMPLOYEE agrees that all property, including, without limitation, all equipment, tangible Proprietary Information (as defined in Section 7), documents, records, notes, contracts, and computer-generated materials furnished to or prepared by him incident to his employment belongs to CITY and shall be returned promptly to CITY upon termination of EMPLOYEE’s employment. EMPLOYEE’s obligations under this subsection shall survive the termination of his employment and the expiration of this Agreement.
6.4 Benefits Upon Termination. All benefits to which EMPLOYEE is entitled under this Agreement shall cease upon EMPLOYEE’s termination, unless expressly continued either under this Agreement, under any specific written policy or benefit plan applicable to EMPLOYEE, or unless otherwise required by law.
6.5 Reimbursement Under Certain Circumstances. EMPLOYEE acknowledges that Government Code Sections 53243 through 53243.4, inclusive, may require Pg 239
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EMPLOYEE to reimburse CITY for certain payments made by CITY to EMPLOYEE during the term of his employment with CITY should he be convicted of a crime within the meaning of Section 53243.4.
7. Proprietary Information.
“Proprietary Information” is all information and any idea pertaining in any manner to the business of CITY (or any CITY affiliate), its employees, clients, consultants, or business associates, which was produced by any employee of CITY in the course of his or her employment or otherwise produced or acquired by or on behalf of CITY. Proprietary Information shall include, without limitation, trade secrets, product ideas, inventions, processes, formulae, data, know-how, software and other computer programs, copyrightable material, marketing plans, strategies, sales, financial reports, forecasts, and customer lists. All Proprietary Information not generally known outside of CITY’s organization, and all Proprietary Information so known only through improper means, shall be deemed “Confidential Information.” During his employment by CITY, EMPLOYEE shall use Proprietary Information, and shall disclose Confidential Information, only for the benefit of CITY and as is or may be necessary to perform his job responsibilities under this Agreement. Following termination, EMPLOYEE shall not use any Proprietary Information and shall not disclose any Confidential Information, except with the express written consent of CITY. EMPLOYEE’s obligations under this Section shall survive the termination of his employment and the expiration of this Agreement.
8. Conflict Of Interest.
EMPLOYEE represents and warrants to CITY that he presently has no interest, and represents that he will not acquire any interest, direct or indirect, financial or otherwise, which would conflict in any manner or interfere in any way with performance of his services under this Agreement.
9. General Provisions.
9.1 Vehicle Operation. EMPLOYEE shall operate any vehicle used in connection with the performance of his duties as City Manager in a safe manner and otherwise in observance of all established traffic safety laws and ordinances and shall maintain a valid California automobile driver’s license during the period of employment.
9.2 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective upon delivery by hand or three (3) business days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, certified or registered, and addressed to CITY at the address below, and or at the last known address maintained in EMPLOYEE’s personnel file. EMPLOYEE agrees to notify CITY in writing of any change in his address during his employment with CITY. Notice of change of address shall be effective only when accomplished in accordance with this Section.
City’s Notice Address:
City of California City
City Manager’s Address:
[Deliver to last updated address in
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21000 Hacienda Blvd.
California City, CA 93505
Attn: Mayor and City Council
personnel file.]
9.3 Indemnification. Subject to, in accordance with, and to the extent provided by the California Tort Claims Act [Gov. Code § 810 et seq.], CITY will indemnify, defend, and hold EMPLOYEE harmless from and against any claim, action, demand, suit, monetary judgment or other legal or administrative proceeding, and any liability, injury, loss or other damages, arising out of any act or omission occurring during EMPLOYEE’s tenure as City Manager (“Matters”). This indemnification obligation shall survive expiration and termination of this Agreement only as to those Matters occurring during the term of the Agreement, and for which the corresponding claim, action, demand, suit, monetary judgment or other legal or administrative proceeding occurs or continues after the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
9.4 Bonding. The CITY shall bear the full cost of any fidelity or other bonds required of the City Manager under any law or ordinance.
9.5 Integration. This Agreement is intended to be the final, complete, and exclusive statement of the terms of EMPLOYEE’s employment by CITY. This Agreement supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and statements, whether written or oral, express or implied, pertaining in any manner to the employment of EMPLOYEE, and it may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous statements or agreements. To the extent that the practices, policies, or procedures of CITY, now or in the future, apply to EMPLOYEE and are inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
9.6 Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended except in a written document signed by EMPLOYEE, approved by the City Council, and signed by CITY’s Mayor.
9.7 Waiver. Failure to exercise any right under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such right.
9.8 Assignment. EMPLOYEE shall not assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement.
9.9 Severability. If a court or arbitrator holds any provision of this Agreement to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
9.10 Attorneys’ Fees. In any legal action, arbitration, or other proceeding brought to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
9.11 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, with venue proper only in Kern County, State of California.
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9.12 Interpretation. This Agreement shall be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not in favor of or against any party. By way of example and not in limitation, this Agreement shall not be construed in favor of the party receiving a benefit nor against the party responsible for any particular language in this Agreement. Captions are used for reference purposes only and should be ignored in the interpretation of the Agreement. This Agreement may be altered, amended or modified only by an instrument in writing, executed by the Parties to this Agreement and by no other means. Each party waives their future right to claim, contest or assert that this Agreement was modified, cancelled superseded or changed by any oral agreement, course of conduct, waiver or estoppel.
9.13 Acknowledgment. EMPLOYEE acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to consult legal counsel in regard to this Agreement, that he has read and understands this Agreement, that he is fully aware of its legal effect, and that he has entered into it freely and voluntarily and based on his own judgment and not on any representations or promises other than those contained in this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CITY has caused this Agreement to be signed and executed on its behalf by its Mayor and duly attested to by its City Clerk, and EMPLOYEE has signed and executed this Agreement, as of the date first indicated above.
CITY MANAGER
Sean Grayson
CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY
Marquette Hawkins, Mayor
ATTEST:
John Paul Maier, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
Victor Ponto, City Attorney
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HOUSING AUTHORITY
AGENDA ITEM
April 14, 2026
TO: Members of the Housing Authority Board (City Council) FROM: Sean Grayson, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Approve the Award of Bid to Belfor Property Restoration in the Amount of $512,623.31 for the Phase 2 Fire Reconstruction Project at the Desert Jade Senior Housing Complex
BACKGROUND/ DISCUSSION:
On September 6, 2025, there was a fire at the Desert Jade Senior Housing complex owned by the California City Housing Authority. Three of the units were red tagged and no longer inhabitable.
The occupants of the impacted units were relocated into vacant units on site that were not impacted by the fire.
An insurance claim was filed through Alliant Insurance Services, and the contractor Belfor Property Restoration was contracted through the insurance adjuster for the claim from McLarens to perform phase 1 work consisting of emergency restoration activities including tarping, contents manipulation, exploratory demolition, and engineering. This phase 1 work has been completed and billed to the insurance company.
In order to make the units ready to be reoccupied, a reconstruction project is required, which is phase 2. The insurance provider put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit qualified contractors to perform the work required of the project. Three bids were received, the bid comparison by contractor is attached and the total cost by contractor is below:
Contractor Bid
Belfor Property Restoration $512,623.31
Preferred Restoration Inc. $603,174.72
Restoration Management Company - Hayward $564,975.28
Belfor Property Restoration was the lowest cost bidder in the process. The insurance company has preapproved the total cost of the contract with Belfor Property Restoration for the phase 2 work.
Balfor Property Restoration has already begun work on the phase 2 project and has completed design and is preparing to submit building permits to initiate construction. The least expensive (zero cost to the city) and fastest path to make the units available to reoccupy is to approve Belfor Property Restoration for the project.
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In order for the City to receive reimbursement for the cost of the phase 2 work, the City Council must approve both the award of the RFP to Belfor Property Restoration and the acceptance of the insurance proceeds. The Mayor and City Council collectively act as the Board for the Housing Authority such that the approval of the RFP is before the City Council acting as the Housing Authority Board in this action.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None with this action. Award of the RFP and approval of the insurance reimbursement will allow the city to pay the contractor and then seek full reimbursement from insurance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council, acting as the Housing Authority Board, approve the award of bid.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Bid Comparison by Contractor
2. Belfor Property Restoration Quote/Bid Response
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For Discussion Purposes Only Page 1 of 2
Project Name: City of California City DOL: 9/6/2024
Address: 21241 Desert Jade Circle, California City, CA Type of Loss: Fire JSH Proj. No.: 250901338
Trade Description RMC Belfor Preferred Comments
APP Appliances $ 7,591.38 $ 7,767.96 $ 7,617.76
CAB Cabinetry $ 24,434.84 $ 23,963.60 $ 21,205.72
CLN Cleaning $ 26,370.86 $ 5,376.42 $ 31,411.60
RMC includes 160 labor hours. Belfor includes 24 labor
hours. Preferred includes 120 labor hours that includes both cleaning and removal of roof cover.
CNC Concrete $ 1,955.71 $ 2,480.10 $ 2,768.44
DMO General Demolition $ 17,155.07 $ 14,377.39 $ 13,749.71 DOR Doors $ 7,241.58 $ 7,100.36 $ 7,531.60
DRY Drywall $ 39,751.25 $ 47,679.89 $ 53,863.97
ELE Electrical $ 37,578.55 $ 26,086.43 $ 17,359.76
HVY EQU Heavy Equipment $ 1,887.50 $ 1,605.00 $ 4,390.00 FCC Floor Covering- Carpet $ 12,031.47 $ 11,623.58 $ 12,666.17 FCV Floor Covering- Vinyl $ 2,796.48 $ 2,463.08 $ 2,617.20 FEE Permits & Fees $ 25,220.00 $ - $ 14,000.00
RMC includes $25,220 for meals and lodging plus
markup. Belfor includes $17,129.33 for additional travel time plus markup that is included in each appliable
trade category. Preferred includes $14,000 for lodging
plus markups.
FEN Fencing $ 2,770.12 $ 2,596.70 $ 2,827.16
FNC Finish Carpentry $ 9,435.02 $ 9,048.84 $ 10,082.04
FNH Finish Hardware $ 1,306.02 $ 1,084.98 $ 1,661.90
FRM Rough Carpentry $ 27,257.91 $ 28,463.94 $ 24,274.40 HVC HVAC $ 15,852.59 $ 18,180.36 $ 21,787.89
INS Insulation $ 8,630.09 $ 7,997.09 $ 9,701.48
LAB Labor $ 15,232.00 $ 19,029.60 $ 42,629.60
LIT Lighting $ 3,630.32 $ 4,024.10 $ 5,062.02
MSD Mirrors & Shower Doors $ 448.66 $ 399.00 $ 601.02
PLM Plumbing $ 25,911.45 $ 30,070.38 $ 29,587.58
PNT Painting $ 49,374.99 $ 51,058.16 $ 81,014.10
RFG Roofing $ 36,417.52 $ 46,860.01 $ 45,847.97
SCF Scaffolding $ - $ 2,341.20
SDG Siding $ - $ 389.16 $ 434.70
SFG Soffit, Fascia, & Gutter $ 4,427.62 $ 4,916.50 $ 2,975.40 STU Stucco $ 35,666.65 $ 29,959.31 $ 12,243.60
TLT Toilet & Bath Accessories $ 237.44 $ 204.20 $ -
TIL Tile $ 5,511.80 $ 6,411.64 $ 5,929.32
TMP Temporary Items $ 11,783.84 $ 3,508.47 $ 1,612.35
WDP Sliding Patio Doors $ 1,167.54 $ 1,113.72 $ 2,386.22 Cat Code
Bid Comparison by Trade Category
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For Discussion Purposes Only Page 2 of 2
Project Name: City of California City DOL: 9/6/2024
Address: 21241 Desert Jade Circle, California City, CA Type of Loss: Fire JSH Proj. No.: 250901338
Cat Code Trade Description RMC Belfor Preferred Comments Bid Comparison by Trade Category
WDT Window Treatments $ 2,153.48 $ 1,723.72 $ 2,719.96
Sub Total $ 461,229.75 $ 417,563.69 $ 494,901.84
Permits and Fees $ 392.49 $ 392.06 $ 355.76
Material Tax $ 9,188.64 $ 9,228.30 $ 8,864.96
Overhead $ 47,082.20 $ 42,719.63 $ 49,526.08
Profit $ 47,082.20 $ 42,719.63 $ 49,526.08
Proposal Totals $ 564,975.28 $ 512,623.31 $ 603,174.72
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