Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 4.E
Meeting Date: September 10, 2025
From: Eric Vail, City Attorney
Title: Employment Agreement for Interim City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve employment agreement with Anne Ambrose for the position as Interim City Manager.
BACKGROUND:
Current City Manager Charles McClendon has given notice of his retirement from the City effective September 19. 2025. The City Council has engaged the firm of Bob Murray and Associates to provide recruiting services for the position of City Manager. It is anticipated the recruitment process will take several months. As a result, the City Council will need to appoint a qualified person to act as Interim City Manager until the successful completion of the recruitment process. Appointment of an Interim City Manager is a necessary step to help ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the City.
The City Council desires to appoint Anne Ambrose, currently Assistant City Manager, as the Interim City Manager during the recruitment process. Ambrose would serve in this position temporarily consistent with the terms and conditions of the proposed Employment Agreement (“Employment Agreement”) attached as Exhibit “A”.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Employment Agreement affords the City continued services of a City Manager during the recruitment process after the retirement of Charles McClendon. Ambrose has served as the Assistant City Manager for Cathedral City since January 30, 2023 and is familiar with all of the City’s operations, programs, and projects. Ambrose would serve in this position temporarily under the terms of the Employment Agreement, the material terms of which are summarized below:
Term. Commences on September 20th and expires on hiring of new City Manager.
Current term is estimated to be six (6) months or less. Assistant City Manager Position. City does not plan to hire a new Assistant City Manager during the recruitment process. Instead, Ambrose will serve in both rolls during the recruitment process. Upon termination or expiration of the Employment Agreement, Ambrose will revert back to her prior position as Assistant City Manager at her prior salary and benefits.
Base Salary. Paid biweekly on city’s standard payment schedule, salary will be based on an annual salary of $280,000 per year. Since Ambrose will not serve for a full year, she will not receive the entire amount of the base salary, but only that portion attributable to the months or portions thereof she serves as Interim City Manager. Educational Stipend. A stipend of 2.5% of the annual base salary. Benefits. Same benefits as received as Assistant City Manager under the Executive Administrative, Professional, Confidential and Other Particular Employees regulations.
Auto Allowance. $250 per month.
Technology Stipend. $55 per month.
Duties / Work Hours. Same duties and work hours as the position of City Manager.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact. It is anticipated the City will experience a savings with only paying for the Interim City Manager’s salary and not both the City Manager and Assistant City Manager’s current salary during the term of the Employment Agreement.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal A – Serve the Community with Pride and Dedication.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit A - Employment Agreement – Interim City Manager