City of Gonzales
CITY ATTORNEY
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: January 9, 2023
FROM: Michael Rodriquez, City Attorney
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2023-03, a Joint Resolution Approving an Employment Agreement for City Manager/Successor Agency Director/Successor Housing Agency Executive Director/Electric Authority Executive Director/Electric Utility Executive Director Services with Trevin W. Barber
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council/Successor Agency Board/Successor Housing Agency Board/Electric Agency Board/Electric Utility Board consider and adopt Resolution No. 2023-03, A Joint Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales/City Council as Board to the Successor Agency to the Gonzales Redevelopment Agency/Gonzales Successor Housing Agency Board/Board of the Gonzales Electric Authority/Board of the Gonzales Municipal Electric Utility Approving An Employment Agreement For City Manager/Successor Agency Director/Successor Housing Agency Executive Director/Electric Authority Executive Director/Electric Utility Executive Director Services with Trevin W. Barber.
BACKGROUND
With the departure of City Manager Rene Mendez in June of 2022, the City/Successor Agency/Successor Housing Agency/Electric Authority/Electric Utility (collectively “City”) was compelled to review its options for the recruitment of an individual to fill said position. (In Gonzales, the City Manager also serves as the Director of the Successor Agency to the Gonzales Redevelopment Agency, the Executive Director of the Gonzales Successor Housing Agency, and the Executive Director of both the Electric Authority and Electric Utility.) In the interim, Carmen Gil, Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, and Public Works Director/City Engineer Patrick Dobbins, did an outstanding job of providing services as Interim and Acting City Manager respectively.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
AGENDA
ITEM
9 After deliberation, the Council solicited proposals from recruitment firms and selected Bob Murray & Associates as the City’s recruiter for a new City Manager. The involved process included preparation and distribution of a brochure soliciting applications for the job, review and ranking of applications, applicant interviews and related Council deliberations. The City was fortunate to have received a number of very good, qualified candidates, and the Council ultimately selected Trevin W. Barber as its number one applicant. Staff was then tasked to negotiate a contract for manager services with Barber, with the assistance of a Council Subcommittee consisting of Scott Funk and Liz Silva, and Adele Frese from Bob Murray. The City is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Barber to assume the duties of the aforesaid positions, and that the contract memorializing the Parties’ agreement is before the City Council this evening for approval. Execution of the same in conditioned upon Barber satisfactorily passing background and medical screening.
How Recommendation Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: The new City Manager has the suitable skills to ensure that the City’s vision and mission will remain on track.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____ No____ N/A
Explain: The new City Manager will help the Council and Staff achieve their vision by overseeing programs, decision-making and securing necessary financing for goals and operations.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to i\ensure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ____No ____ N/A Explain: The City Manager will ensure that City services continue to be delivered in a cost effective and efficient manner.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
• Housing X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
• Recreation X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
• Environment X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
• Education X Yes ____ No ___ N/A
Explain: See Vision above.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt the proposed resolution
2. Do not adopt the proposed resolution and provide Staff and/or the Subcommittee with direction.
BUDGET IMPACT
The starting salary for the City Manager’s position has been set at $194,000.00 annually. Funding for the position comes primarily from the General Fund, with a small portion of compensation coming from Successor Agency funds.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council/Successor Agency Board/Successor Housing Agency Board/Electric Agency Board/Electric Utility Board consider and adopt Resolution No. 2023-03, A Joint Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales/City Council as Board to the Successor Agency to the Gonzales Redevelopment Agency/Gonzales Successor Housing Agency Board/Board of the Gonzales Electric Authority/Board of the Gonzales Municipal Electric Utility Approving An Employment Agreement For City Manager/Successor Agency Director/Successor Housing Agency Executive Director/Electric Authority Executive Director/Electric Utility Executive Director Services with Trevin W. Barber.
Attachments:
1. Resol 23-03 JOINT RESOL
2. Barber Employment Agreement