EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AND ROBERT TORREZ
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this 18'" day of March 2025, between the City of Huntington Beach, a Charter City and California municipal corporation ("City,") and ROBERT TORREZ, ("Torrez").
RECITALS
The City Manager may, appoint an Interim Chief Financial Officer to assist the City, at such salaries or compensation as the Council may by ordinance or resolution prescribe; and The City desires to temporarily employ the services of Torrez as an Interim Chief Financial Officer of the City of Huntington Beach; and
It is the desire of the City to provide certain compensation, establish certain conditions of employment, and to set working conditions of Torrez, and It is the desire of the City to:
(1) Secure and retain the services of Torrez on a temporary basis as set forth herein, and to provide inducement for him to remain in such employment; and (2) To provide a means for terminating Torrez's service at such time as he may be unable fully to discharge his duties, the law requires, or when City may otherwise desire to terminate his employ; and
By entering this Agreement, Torrez desires to accept employment as an Interim Chief Financial Officer of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenatits here contained, the parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DUTIES. City agrees to employ Torrez as an Interim Chief Financial Officer of the City to perform the functions and duties of that office including under City Manager's direction, generally providing department management and oversight as further set forth in the Class Specification of Chief Financial Officer attached hereto as Exhibit "A," the Municipal Code of the City of Huntington Beach and the City Charter, and to perform other legally 1 permissible duties and functions as Chief Financial Officer as the City Manager shall from time- to-time assign. Torrez shall devote his full attention and effort to the office and perform the mentioned duties and functions in a professional manner, SECTION 2, STATUS AND TERM.
(a) Torrez shall serve for a definite term of one ycar commencing March 31, 2025, and ending on the pay period end date immediately preceding the beginning of the pay period of the permanent appointment, or by not later than March 31, 2026 (Temporary Basis). Notwithstanding the Teim of Employment, Torrez shall serve at the pleasure of the City Manager and shall be considered an at-will employee of the City in the capacity of retired annuitant, in compliance with all requirements and limitations as listed in Government Code Sections 7522.56 and 21221(h), and any other relevant provisions of law, commencing upon execution of this agreement, and not to exceed a term of one (1) year. Torrez's total work hours from the effective date of this Agreement through March 31, 2026 shall not exceed nine hundred sixty (960) hours per fiscal yeal, unless mutually agreed-to by the City Manager and Torrez.
(b) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right of the City Manager to terminate the employment of Torrez at any time.
SECTION 3. SALARY. City agrees to pay Torrez for his services rendered pursuant to this Agreement at Non-Associated Range NA0269, at $108.03 per hour (hourly salary), of the City's classification and compensation plan or resolutions or ordinances from time-to-time enacted that govern such compensation for the position of Chief Financial Officer.
SECTION 4. OTHER BENEFITS. Torrez shall receive no benefits other than his hourly salary.
SECTION 5. TERMINATION.
(a) The City Manager may terminate the employment of Torrez at any time without advance notice, without just cause, and without payment of severance. (b) In the event Torrez voluntarily resigns, Torrez shall give the City seven (7) calendar days written notice prior to the last workday, unless the City Manager and Torrez otherwise agree. 2 (c) It is understood that after notice of termination in any form, Torrez and the City will cooperate to provide for an orderly transition.
SECTION 6. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
(a) Torrez shall follow all State laws including the Political Reform Act. In furtherance thereof, Torrez shall report to the City any ownership interest in real property within the County of Orange, excluding personal residence. Such reporting shall be made in writing by Torrez to the City within ten (10) calendar days of the execution of this Agreement and, further, within ten (10) calendar days of acquisition of that interest in real property. Additionally, Torrez shall report in writing to the City any financial interest greater than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) in value in a firm doing work for the City or from whom the City intends to make a purchase immediately upon receipt of notice by Torrez of the intended work or purchase. (b) In addition, Torrez shall annually complete and file a Form 700 Statement of Economic Interest with the City Clerk.
SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION. City shall defend and indemnify Torrez any action, including but not limited to any: tort, professional liability claim or demand, of other noncriminal legal, equitable or administrative action, whether groundless or otherwise, arising out of an alleged act of omission occurring in the performance of Torrez's duties as an employee or officer of City, other than an action brought by City against Torez, of an action filed against City by Torrez. In addition, the City shall reimburse Torrez documented reasonable expenses for the travel, lodging, meals, of Torrez should Torrez be subject to such, should an action be pending after termination of Torrez. City shall be responsible for and have authority to compromise and settle any action, with prior consultation with Torrez, and pay the amount of any settlement or judgment rendered on that action. Torrez shall cooperate fully with City in the settlement, compromiso, preparation of the defense, or trial of any such action.
SECTION 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) The text herein, including recitals, shall constitute the entire Agreement between the parties.
(b) This Agreement shall become effective upon execution of this agreement. 3 (c) If any provision, or any portion of any provision, contained in this Agreement is held unconstitutional, invalid, or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or any portion of it, shall be deemed severable, shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect. (d) No amendment of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties here.
IN WITNESS WHERBOF, City has caused this Agrement to be signed and executed on its behalf by City Council, and Torrez has signed and executed this Agreement, both in duplicate, the day and year first above written.
ROBERT TORREZ
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Manager City Attorney