Item #03
Date: September 1, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jim Schaad, City Manager
Donna Ruiz, Human Resources Drector
Subject: Appointment of CalPERS Retired Annuitant as Temporary Extra-Help Employee Recommendation:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the appointment of John A. Perry, a California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) retired annuitant, as a temporary extra-help Human Resources Special Consultant pursuant to Government Code Sections 21224, at an hourly rate of $79.33 and a total cost not to exceed $20,000, effective 8/17/2026, subject to all applicable CalPERS post-retirement employment requirements.
Background:
The City of Marysville has identified a temporary need for additional assistance in the Human Resources Division to facilitate the transition to new Human Resources leadership, transfer institutional knowledge, and provide continuity on approximately five open and active personnel-related matters involving complex employee relations, disciplinary and adverse actions, appeals, investigations, workers' compensation, and litigation-related matters. The work is temporary in nature and is intended to supplement the efforts of regular City staff.
John Perry previously served in the City's Human Resources function and possesses extensive specialized knowledge of the City's personnel operations, policies, practices, records, and historical personnel matters. During his prior service, Mr. Perry processed, participated in, reviewed, or was otherwise knowledgeable about several of the matters that remain open and active. His historical knowledge is particularly valuable where current matters require an understanding of prior actions, documentation, communications, timelines, and decisions that occurred before the appointment of the City's new Human Resources Director, Donna Ruiz, effective August 18, 2026.
Government Code Section 21224 permits a CalPERS retired person to serve a CalPERS contracting agency without reinstatement from retirement when the retiree possesses specialized skills needed to perform work of limited duration or when employment is necessary during an emergency to prevent the stoppage of public business.
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Government Code Section 7522.56 establishes additional requirements governing post-retirement employment. The appointment must be temporary and comply with applicable limitations concerning hours worked, compensation, benefits, waiting periods, and other post-retirement employment requirements.
Discussion & Analysis:
Staff recommends appointing John Perry as a temporary extra-help Human Resources Special Projects Consultant to assist the Human Resources Division with the transition to new Human Resources leadership, transfer of institutional knowledge, and completion and transition of identified complex and active personnel matters.
Mr. Perry's temporary assignment will commence August 17, 2026, and will provide focused assistance to the new Human Resources Director, Donna Ruiz, in reviewing, organizing, and transitioning approximately five open and active personnel-related matters. His assignments may include providing historical and technical assistance concerning adverse action appeals, investigations, workers' compensation matters, claims, litigation, and preparation for depositions or other legal proceedings when his factual historical knowledge is relevant.
One of the active matters involves an investigation concerning alleged Cal/OSHA violations related to a workers' compensation matter involving the death of a City officer/employee. Mr. Perry's prior involvement and knowledge of the City's personnel history, records, actions, and practices provide specialized expertise that would otherwise require significant time for the new Human Resources Director to reconstruct.
The assignment is intended to supplement, rather than replace, the work of regular City staff. Mr. Perry will provide historical, technical, and administrative assistance and will not assume the regular duties or decision-making authority of the Human Resources Director. He will not make final personnel decisions, provide legal advice, or determine litigation strategy.
The appointment is for work of limited duration and is not intended to fill a permanent position or provide an ongoing staffing solution. The assignment is expected to conclude no later than October 31, 2026, or sooner upon completion or transition of the identified work, at the City's discretion.
The temporary use of Mr. Perry's specialized institutional knowledge will allow the City to maintain continuity on active personnel matters, facilitate an orderly transition to the new Human Resources Director, and reduce the risk of delays, duplication of effort, or loss of critical historical information during this limited transition period.
This appointment is intended as an extra-help appointment pursuant to Government Code Section 21224 for work of limited duration requiring specialized skills. The appointment will comply with applicable CalPERS requirements governing employment of retired annuitants, including:
• The appointment will be limited to work requiring Mr. Perry's specialized knowledge and will supplement the work of regular City staff.
• Mr. Perry will serve solely as a retired annuitant and will not be reinstated to active CalPERS membership.
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• Mr. Perry will not work more than 960 hours during a fiscal year for all CalPERS-covered employers combined.
• The hourly rate will not be less than the minimum or exceed the maximum rate paid by the City to employees performing comparable duties, as reflected on the City's publicly available pay schedule.
• Mr. Perry will not receive benefits, incentives, compensation in lieu of benefits, or other compensation beyond the authorized hourly rate, except for permissible reimbursement of employment-related expenses.
• The appointment will comply with all applicable CalPERS separation-from-service and postretirement employment requirements, including any applicable waiting period. • The City will properly track and report the appointment, hours worked, and compensation to CalPERS as required.
The appointment will begin August 17, 2026, and conclude no later than October 31, 2026, unless the identified work is completed sooner. The City may terminate the assignment earlier based upon completion of the assigned work or the City's operational needs.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s)
Goal #6: Strengthen Organizational Capacity
Environmental Impact
This item is administrative in nature and does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Legal Review:
This item has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
Fiscal Impact:
The maximum cost to the City is not to exceed $20,000 based upon an hourly rate of $79.33 per hour, and an average of 20 hours of service each week from August 17, 2026 through October 31, 2026.
Funding is available in the General Fund account #10-112-5002 adopted Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget.
The retired annuitant will not receive City benefits or additional compensation beyond the authorized hourly rate and permissible expense reimbursements.
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution Authorizing the Temporary Extra-Help Appointment of John A Perry as a CalPERS Retired Annuitant
2. Applicable City Pay Schedule
3. Job Description