Item 156/2025
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Omar Sandoval
Dept:
City Manager Dept: City Attorney
Date: 4/22/2025
Subject: Adoption of Resolutions ratifying the 180-Day wait period exemptions to hire retired annuitants. (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
To obtain City Council approval of resolutions ratifying the approvals of resolutions 9892-24 and 9900-25 exempting the 180-day wait period to hire retired annuitants Rebecca Meeks and Jeffrey Davis on temporary, part-time basis.
BACKGROUND
On December 10, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 9892 -24 approving the exemption to the 180-day wait period pursuant to Government Code 7522.56 and 21224 for the hiring of retiree Rebecca Meeks on a temporary, part -time basis, to assist with t he implementation of the recently purchased Axon Public Safety Software. Similarly, at the last meeting on April 8, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 9900 -25 approving the exemption for the hiring of retiree Jeffrey Davis to assist with his technical expertise needed to provide audio -visual technical support at upcoming large public City events. The City complied with the requirements of the State regulations for hiring the retirees on a temporary, part-time basis, except that Government Code 7522.56 requires that the appointments not be made on a consent calendar. Because the adoption of Resolutions 9892-24 and 9900-25 were inadvertently placed on the Council’s consent calendar, staff has agendized the attached ratification resolutions to enable the presentation of the appointments and ratification of the adopted resolutions under items for consideration, rather than the consent calendar to ensure full compliance with the State regulations.
DISCUSSION
1. Rebecca Meeks
In 2021, the Garden Grove Police Department purchased and began building the Axon Public Safety Software Suite. It was intended to replace an older software system acquired in 2014 that did not offer full integration with all the necessary software programs utilized by the Police Department. The implementation of the Axon software suite was anticipated to be Item 156/2025
completed by 2024. However, unforeseen delays, software limitations, and ongoing schedule adjustments by the vendor have resulted in an extended timeline for completion.
Rebecca Meeks served as the lead on this critical software implementation project from its inception, providing invaluable expertise and leadership in the transition process. The Police Department recognizes the unique and irreplaceable knowledge and experi ence that Ms.
Meeks brings to this project, making her continued involvement essential for the successful completion of the software implementation.
Ms. Meeks retired on November 22, 2024, and the Police Department determined that it was necessary to retain her services on a post-retirement basis as extra help for her specialized skills. She will oversee the final stages of the Axon software implementation, coordinating with Axon, troubleshooting any arising issues, and ensuring the project is completed i n accordance with the approved contract.
The offer letter to Ms. Meeks for appointment the position of Senior Program Specialist is attached. She would be hired to a position designated for a Retired Annuitant with a duration of three years from her starting date. As a retired annuitant, Ms. Meeks will receive an hourly wage comparable to the classification of Senior Program Specialist and will not receive any benefits beyond the hourly rate.
2. Jeffrey Davis
Jeffrey Davis retired on February 28, 2025, after serving on countless unique GGTV3 projects and events for more than 25 years. The City Manager’s Office and Office of Community Relations determined that it was necessary to retain Mr. Davis’ services on a post-retirement basis as extra help for his historical and specialized knowledge of Garden Grove legacy events, including the upcoming Strawberry Festival parade and State of the City. Both events are currently in the planning and development stages, and Mr. Davis’ knowledge and experience related to these events is invaluable. The City would benefit from Mr. Davis’ help to train new staff responsible for documenting these events and provide extra help as staff workload increases as the City’s legacy events approach.
The offer letter to Mr. Davis for the position of Senior Program Specialist is attached. He would be hired to a position designated for a Retired Annuitant with a duration of no more than 12 months. As a retired annuitant, Mr. Davis will receive an hourly wage comparable to the classification of Senior Program Specialist and will not receive any benefits beyond the hourly rate.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for Ms. Meeks’ part-time position is included in the Police Department’s FY 2024 - 2025 budget, utilizing cost savings from vacant un -benefitted part-time positions. Funding for Mr. Davis’ part -time position is included in the Office of Community Relations’ existing operating budget. No additional appropriation is needed.
Item 156/2025
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Adopt the attached resolutions ratifying the approvals of resolutions 9892-24 and 9900-25 exempting the 180-day wait period to hire retired annuitants Rebecca Meeks and Jeffrey Davis on temporary, part-time basis.
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Resolution ratifying Resolution No. 9892-24
2. Resolution No. 9892-24
3. Rebecca Meeks offer letter
4. Resolution ratifying Resolution No. 9900-25
5. Resolution No. 9900-25
6. Jeffrey Davis offer letter