Camarillo City Council
Camarillo Sanitary District
AGENDA REPORT
Date: September 24, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Wendy Levy, Director of Human Resources
Subject: Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Limited Duration Employment Agreement for Retired Annuitant
BACKGROUND
The Community Development Department currently has a vacancy in the position of Director of Community Development. This position is essential to maintaining effective operations, particularly as the Department is managing several complex and time- sensitive initiatives, including the launch of the General Plan, development of supportive housing projects, implementation of the OpenGov permitting system, and oversight of major private development projects such as Costco and new residential construction. The Director also provides day-to-day leadership for the entire Department. To ensure continuity of service and progress on these critical initiatives, staff recommends filling the position on a temporary, limited-duration basis while recruitment for a permanent Director is underway.
DISCUSSION
The Director of Community Development is a senior leadership position responsible for planning, directing, and managing all functions of the Community Development Department. Areas of responsibility include current and long-range planning, design and environmental review, growth management, building and safety, redevelopment, code compliance, and housing programs.
To maintain optimal operations within the Department, staff have identified a retired Director of Community Development as a willing candidate to serve in the limited-duration retired annuitant position of Community Development Director (Interim). With more than 30 years of local government leadership, Philip Lanzafame offers deep expertise in land use, planning, and community development. He brings a proven record of guiding
Agreement with Retired Annuitant for Temporary Employment September 24, 2025
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complex projects, balancing economic growth with community values, and leading staff through organizational transitions. His extensive background in strategic decision- making, municipal management, and interdepartmental collaboration provides the experience and leadership skills necessary to ensure the Department continues to operate effectively during this interim period.
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. This position will be launched on or before January 2026.
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. 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.
Philip Lanzafame will be paid an hourly rate of $128.5485 which is not less than the minimum, or in excess of the maximum, paid by the City to other employees performing comparable duties. Mr. Lanzafame will not receive any additional benefits, incentives, Agreement with Retired Annuitant for Temporary Employment September 24, 2025
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compensation in lieu of benefits, paid leave, or paid holidays unless required by state or federal law. This assignment will not exceed a term of more than six months.
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 Philip Lanzafame.
ATTACHMENTS
1. City Council Resolution Retired Annuitant
2. CSD Resolution Retired Annuitant
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None