Camarillo City Council
Camarillo Sanitary District
AGENDA REPORT
Date: March 13, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
Honorable Chairman and Board of Directors
From: Greg Ramirez, City/District Manager
Submitted by: Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager
Subject: Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Limited Duration Employment Agreement for Retired Annuitant
BACKGROUND
The Finance Department currently has a vacancy in the position of Assistant Director of Finance, requiring immediate support to the Director to maintain effective operational functions. This is a critical point in time, as the department is currently working on complex time-sensitive items, including budget development, water and sewer rate study update, building fees study, and credit card fee implementation, which require the attention of an experienced individual. The Assistant Director of Finance is also vital to the daily functions of the Finance Department and as such, there is a need to fill this integral position on a temporary basis, for a limited duration and while the City recruits for a permanent replacement. The recruitment process is scheduled to start by April 1, 2024, or soon thereafter.
DISCUSSION
The Assistant Director of Finance position is an experienced, highly trained classification within the Finance Department. Responsibilities include the supervision and management of daily activities in the budget, payroll, accounting, and purchasing divisions, and of special projects as assigned by the Finance Director.
To keep the Finance Department staffing level consistent and avoid a stoppage of work, staff has identified a retired Director of Finance as a willing candidate to fill a retired annuitant position of Assistant Director of Finance/Vacant Interim on a limited duration. With over 35 years of local government experience, Christy Truelsen brings an understanding of municipal finance principles and practices, effective leadership and strategic decision-making necessary to navigate the complexities of financial
Agreement with Retired Annuitant for Temporary Employment March 13, 2024
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management. Her comprehensive expertise in budgeting, accounting, payroll, and purchasing, coupled with exemplary leadership skills, provides the experience and skills necessary to uphold fiscal integrity and achieve strategic financial objectives in the interim.
For a retiree to return to work for a CalPERS agency, the employment must be compliant with CalPERS rules and California laws. CalPERS retirees can return to work for a CalPERS agency in one of two ways: 1) Extra Help Positions – the retiree has specialized skills needed to perform work of limited duration or their employment is needed during an emergency to prevent stoppage of public business; 2) Vacant Positions – the retiree may be appointed to an interim position approved by the City Council during the active recruitment for a permanent replacement for the vacant position.
Pursuant to state law, City retirees who are members of the California Public Employees Retirement System are precluded from returning to work for a covered agency, except in limited circumstances. Government Code 7522.56(c) provides that a retired annuitant may return to part-time employment if the retired person has skills needed to perform work of limited duration. The employment is limited to a maximum of 960 hours per fiscal year. [Gov. Code 7522.56(d)]. Government Code 7522.56(f) also prevents a retiree from returning to employment within 180 days of retirement unless the City certifies the nature of the employment and that the appointment is necessary to fill a critically needed position before the 180 days have passed and the governing body approves the appointment in a public meeting.
Requirements for a retired annuitant include:
· The position, must be designated as a retired annuitant position (not any other full-or part-time position)
· The salary must be an hourly pay rate that falls within the regular salary schedule for that position.
· No compensation or benefits in addition to the hourly rate can be paid. · Without exception, a maximum of 960 hours can be worked within a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
· There is no accrual of service credit or any additional retirement rights or benefit. · The retiree must be enrolled as a retired annuitant and payrate with hours worked reported in the myCalPERS system.
· There must be an open recruitment to permanently fill the position in place to hire a retiree.
Christy Truelsen will be paid an hourly rate of $103.66, which is not less than the minimum, or in excess of the maximum, paid by the City to other employees performing comparable duties. Christy Truelsen will not receive any additional benefits, incentives, compensation in lieu of benefits, paid leave, or paid holidays unless required by state or federal law.
Agreement with Retired Annuitant for Temporary Employment March 13, 2024
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FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact to the City or CSD due to salary savings achieved through the vacant position.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
Not applicable
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a CC/CSD Resolution authorizing the City/District Manager to enter into a limited duration agreement for employment with retired annuitant Christy Truelsen.
ATTACHMENTS
1. City Council Resolution Retired Annuitant
2. CSD Resolution Retired Annuitant
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None