Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: COTATI EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION (CEA) MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING
Date: June 23, 2026
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the amended memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Cotati Employees Association (CEA) and authorizing the City Manager to sign the MOU.
Background
The Cotati Employees Association (CEA) is the labor bargaining group representing most the non-supervisory administrative and public works staff at the City of Cotati. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is the labor agreement that defines many of the terms of employment, in addition to the City-wide Personnel Rules. The current CEA MOU expires on June 30, 2026.
Analysis/Discussion
The attached CEA MOU includes the following revisions:
• 5-year agreement.
• 2.5% per year cost of living allowance for years 1-3, 2% for years 4-5. • Re-opener on salary only at the end of year 3.
• Select job classifications (Senior Planner, Recreation Coordinator, Management Analyst, Senior Management Analyst) receive an equity increase split over the first 2 years of the MOU to bring them to the market median based on total compensation. • Standby time for public works field staff increased from $85/day to $150/day. Standby time only applicable to weekend coverage inclusive of extended weekends due to holidays. After hours on weekdays will remain on the call back list rotation. • Increase in the annual shoe reimbursement allowance from Public Works field staff and the engineer from up to $250/year to $350/year.
• Removal of the belt in the uniform reimbursement allowance, now provided by the City with other elements of the Public Works field staff uniform. Laundering allowance of $5/pay period removed and shifted to a commitment by the City to add a washing machine at the Corp Yard.
• A potential 6-month pilot program at City Hall to expand open hours for the public through lunch time (noon to 1 pm)
• Ability for public works field staff to request an advance for the cost of a commercial drivers license, subject to repayment if they do not pass the exam. • Addition of bilingual pay (Spanish) of $150/month for proficient and $300/month for advanced. Access to this pay subject to City need and standardized testing.
The revisions also include general clean up language to ensure that the MOU is aligned with the latest statutory requirements. All changes are attached in redline/strikeout for ease of reference.
If approved, this will establish a long-term agreement with the CEA that is good for both the employees and the City. The agreement is in line with comparable agreements in the labor market. Longer term agreements provide the City with more certainty around personnel costs in future years.
Financial Considerations
In FY 26-27, the cost is estimated to not exceed $52.9k. The cumulative cost over the five-year term, including all direct and indirect costs, is estimated at $670,000, subject to unknowns such as future health care premiums and salary changes that may occur in year 3, subject to a compensation study and future MOU negotiations. Depending on personnel allocations, this cost is spread across different funds (General Fund, Enterprise Funds, etc.).
Environmental Issues
Where it can be determined 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 review.
This general rule can be applied to activities which could be subject to the CEQA process, but which logic dictates should not be subject to CEQA review. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed resolution is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 14.03.021 of the CEQA Guidelines in that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment.