DATE: 04/15/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Planning & Development Department
2026-92
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
RESOLUTION APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF A RETIRED ANNUITANT TO A
VACANT INTERIM POSITION AS DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report seeks City Council approval of Resolution No. 2026-014, authorizing the appointment of a retired annuitant as the Interim Planning & Development Director. This temporary position will support the Planning & Housing Commission and the Historical Preservation Board, and oversee all Department divisions, specifically Development Services, Building, Permitting, Plan Check, Public Works Construction Inspection, and Code Compliance.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-014, approving the appointment of retired annuitant Delfin “Danny” Castro as Interim Planning & Development Director.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The Planning and Development Department is responsible for critical municipal functions, including long-range planning, land use entitlement, engineering, building permit issuance, public works construction inspection, and code compliance. These services are foundational to the City’s economic vitality, housing production, and infrastructure development. The complexity of these operations requires continuous, high-level administrative oversight to ensure adherence to state-mandated regulations, maintain public safety standards, and advance the City Council’s strategic goals.
To ensure uninterrupted service delivery and maintain the continuity of ongoing complex development projects, the City must secure experienced leadership during the recruitment process for a permanent Director. A vacancy in this leadership role creates operational risk, potentially leading to delays in service, stalled progress on the General Plan and Housing Element, and a lack of departmental guidance for staff, the Planning and Housing Commission, and the Historic Preservation Board.
ANALYSIS:
The appointment of a retired annuitant as the Interim Director of Planning and Development provides the City with immediate access to a seasoned expert with extensive experience in municipal planning and administrative management. This individual possesses the requisite knowledge of urban planning, regulatory environments, and intergovernmental coordination necessary to oversee the department effectively. By utilizing a retired annuitant, the City ensures operational stability and high-level guidance without the extended learning curve typically required for new or external hires.
The retired annuitant will be compensated at an hourly rate commensurate with the position, excluding benefits or leave accruals, and shall not exceed 960 hours per fiscal year, in strict compliance with California Government Code sections 7522.56 and 21221(h). This arrangement provides the City with essential specialized expertise while maintaining strict fiscal control and adherence to CalPERS requirements. This appointment is considered critically necessary to prevent service gaps and ensure that the City’s development and planning objectives continue to advance without interruption.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Delfin “Danny” Castro will be paid an hourly rate of $125.76, which is no less than the minimum nor more than the maximum hourly rate paid to a person serving in the Planning and Development Director classification, as required by CalPERS regulations. He will not be entitled to additional compensation, overtime, benefits, paid leave, or paid holidays.
The Department has significant salary savings to cover the salary expenditure; therefore, no additional appropriation is necessary.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 1506(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that the activity is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA and is therefore exempt from CEQA. This action approves Resolution No. 2026-014, appointing a retired annuitant to an Interim Director position, and there is no possibility that this project will affect the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: CINDY WARD, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
REVIEWED BY: LORI SASSOON, CHIEF TALENT OFFICER
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – Resolution No. 2026-014
2. Exhibit 2 – Employment Agreement – D. Castro