“Cowboy Capital of the World”
CITY OF OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
City Council Chambers
277 North Second Avenue • Oakdale • CA 95361
Monday, July 28, 2025 5:30 PM City Council Chambers
Welcome to your City of Oakdale City Council Special Meeting Mayor Cherilyn Bairos
Mayor Pro Tem Christopher Smith Council Member Jarod Pitassi Council Member Jeff Kettering Council Member Kayleigh Gilbert The meeting will be televised on Comcast Channel 7 and available for public viewing on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofOakdaleca
1. Call to Order – 5:30 p.m.
2. City Council Members Present/Absent
3. Public Comment
This is a Special City Council meeting. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54954.3(a), members of the public wishing to address the Council may do so, and such comments shall be limited to the Special Meeting topic(s). Pursuant to Government Code section 54954.3, the City Council may adopt reasonable regulations to ensure that the business on the agenda can be conducted, therefore all members of the public will be given 3 minutes for their public comments. Individuals may not defer their time to another person. A maximum of 30 minutes will be allotted for general public comment. For agenda items, a maximum of 30 minutes will be allotted for public comment on each specific agenda item. California law prohibits the City Council from taking action on any item not appearing on the posted agenda except that Council may refer the matter to staff for follow-up or request it be placed on a future agenda.
4. Staff Report
4.1 Consider a Resolution Appointing Jerry Ramar as City Manager and Approving an Employment Agreement for Said Appointment.
5. Closed Session
5.1 PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT - Recruitment to Fill the Position of Chief of Police. (Pursuant to Government Code §54957 (b)(1))
6. Report Out of Closed Session
7. Adjournment
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact City Hall, 209-845-3571. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. (28CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).
Any documents produced by the City and distributed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available in the City Clerk’s office at City Hall located at 280 North Third Avenue, Oakdale, California.
Declaration of Posting
I, Colleen Andersen, Council Services and Legislative Records Manager/Deputy City Clerk for the City of Oakdale, certify that I caused to be posted a copy of the City of Oakdale City Council Agenda for the Special Meeting of Monday, July 28, 2025 at the City Council Chambers, 277 North Second Avenue, Oakdale, CA, 95361 on July 24, 2025.
Dated: July 24, 2025 /s/ Colleen Andersen
Colleen Andersen, Deputy City Clerk
Council Services and Legislative Records Manager
CITY OF OAKDALE
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
{CW136331.4} Page 1 of 1
Date: July 28, 2025
To: Mayor Cherilyn Bairos, Members of the Oakdale City Council From: Tom Hallinan, City Attorney
Subject: Permanent City Manager Appointment
I. BACKGROUND
After an exhaustive nationwide search, the City Council tentatively offered the position of City Manager to Oakdale Police Chief Jerry Ramar subject to successful contract negotiations. The negotiations were successfully completed, and it is in order to now publicly make the appointment and enter into a contract.
II. ALTERNATIVES
City Council’s options include:
1. Appoint Jerry Ramar City Manager.
2. Not make an Appointment at this time.
III. ENVIRONMENTAL
Approving the Agreement will not trigger review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
IV. FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the City in approving the Agreement as it is initially lower than the previous City Manager
V. ATTACHMENTS
• Agreement Between the City of Oakdale and Jerry Ramar to Serve as City Manager
AGENDA ITEM 4.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between the City of Oakdale, State of California, a municipal corporation, hereinafter called "EMPLOYER," and, JERRY RAMAR, hereinafter called "EMPLOYEE," both of whom understand as follows:
It is the desire of the EMPLOYER to provide certain benefits, establish certain conditions of employment, and to set working conditions of said EMPLOYEE, and it is the further desire of the EMPLOYER to:
1. Secure and retain the services of EMPLOYEE and to provide inducement for EMPLOYEE to remain in employment.
2. Make possible full productivity by assuring EMPLOYEE'S morale and peace of mind with respect to future security.
3. Act as a deterrent against malfeasance or dishonesty for personal gain on the part of the EMPLOYEE.
4. Provide a just means for terminating EMPLOYEE'S services at such time as EMPLOYEE may be unable to fully discharge his duties or when EMPLOYER may otherwise desire to terminate the EMPLOYEE.
EMPLOYEE desires employment as City Manager of the City of Oakdale.
In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the EMPLOYER and EMPLOYEE agree as follows:
SECTION 1 - DUTIES
Section 1.1. EMPLOYER hereby agrees to employ EMPLOYEE as City Manager of said EMPLOYER to perform the functions and duties of the City Manager as required for a general law city of the State of California, the Municipal Code of the City of Oakdale, Chapter 2, Article II Section 2.14, and to perform other legally permissible and proper duties and functions as the EMPLOYER shall, from time to time, assign.
SECTION 2 - APPOINTMENT/TERM
Section 2.1. This Agreement shall become effective on July 28, 2025, once executed by the EMPLOYER and EMPLOYEE. EMPLOYEE is hereby appointed as City Manager and shall serve pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Chapter 2, Article II of the Oakdale Municipal Code, applicable City policies, rules, and regulations, as well as applicable state and federal laws. EMPLOYEE is an atwill employee serving at the pleasure of the City Council, with no set duration of employment, as provided in Government Code section 36506 and Oakdale City Code Article II, Section 2-10. Accordingly, EMPLOYEE has no property right in EMPLOYEE’S employment and EMPLOYEE’S employment may be terminated by either EMPLOYER or EMPLOYEE at any time, with or without cause.
Section 2.2. The Initial Term of this Agreement shall be for a 4 (four) year period commencing July 28, 2025, and ending July 27, 2029, unless terminated earlier by either party in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement related to resignation or termination of employment. The Agreement shall
be extended for an additional 4 (four) year term, unless one of the parties notifies the other by July 28, 2028, of its intention to not extend the Agreement. However, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit, or otherwise interfere with the right of the EMPLOYER to terminate the services of EMPLOYEE at any time, subject only to the provisions set forth in Section 3, subsections 3.1. and 3.2. of this Agreement.
Section 2.3. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit, or otherwise interfere with the right of the EMPLOYEE to resign at any time from his position with EMPLOYER subject only to the provisions set forth in Section 3, subsection 3.3. of this Agreement.
SECTION 3 - TERMINATION AND SEVERANCE PAY
Section 3.1. This Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
3.1.1 The death of EMPLOYEE.
3.1.2 The dissolution or bankruptcy of EMPLOYER.
3.1.3 The disability of EMPLOYEE, which renders EMPLOYEE to perform the essential functions of his job, which the EMPLOYER is unable to reasonably accommodate without placing an undue burden on its operations.
3.1.4 The majority of the City Council votes to terminate the EMPLOYEE at a duly authorized meeting without cause.
3.1.5 If the EMPLOYER, citizens, or legislature act or acts to amend any provision of applicable law which substantially changes the role, powers, duties, authority, or responsibilities of the EMPLOYEE, the EMPLOYEE shall have the right to declare that such amendments constitute termination.
3.1.6 If the EMPLOYER reduces the base salary, compensation, or any other financial benefit of the EMPLOYEE, unless it applies in no greater percentage than the average reduction of all employees, such action shall constitute a breach of this Agreement and will be regarded as termination.
3.1.7 If EMPLOYEE resigns following an offer of resignation by any member of the City Council of EMPLOYER, acting as representative of the majority of the City Council, then the EMPLOYEE may declare a termination as of the date of the suggestion.
3.1.8 Breach of contract declared by either party with a thirty (30) day cure period for either EMPLOYEE or EMPLOYER. Written notice of a breach of contract shall be provided.
3.1.9 Conviction of EMPLOYEE of any public offense which is a felony, and/or involves moral turpitude, and/or the punishment for which includes a prohibition from holding public employment.
Section 3.2. In the event EMPLOYEE is terminated by EMPLOYER during such time that EMPLOYEE is willing and able to perform his duties under this Agreement, then, in that event, EMPLOYER agrees to pay EMPLOYEE a lump sum payment equal to twelve (12) months aggregate salary, and will reimburse EMPLOYEE for health care premiums pursuant to COBRA for one (1) year or until EMPLOYEE obtains other employment. However, in the event EMPLOYEE is terminated for the reasons set forth immediately above in Section 3, subsection 3.1.1, subsection 3.1.2, subsection 3.1.3, or subsection 3.1.9, EMPLOYER shall have no obligation to pay the amounts designated in this paragraph. The payments herein are subject to the restrictions of Government Code
sections 53260 and 53261. Additionally, any cash settlement related to the termination of this Agreement received by EMPLOYEE from EMPLOYER shall be fully reimbursed to the EMPLOYER if EMPLOYEE is convicted of a crime involving an abuse of his office or position while employed with EMPLOYER, pursuant to Government Code section 53243.2. The severance shall be paid within 14 days.
Reimbursement for healthcare premiums shall be made within 14 days of City’s receipt of evidence of payment by employee.
3.2.1 The EMPLOYEE shall also be compensated for all accrued and unused vacation time, up to ninety (90) days of accrued and unused sick leave, and any remaining executive leave upon termination of employment, in accordance with the EMPLOYER’S regular payroll policies.
Section 3.3. In the event EMPLOYEE voluntarily resigns his position with EMPLOYER, then EMPLOYEE shall give EMPLOYER thirty (30) days’ notice, in advance, unless the parties otherwise agree.
Section 3.4. In the event EMPLOYER elects to not extend the Agreement with EMPLOYEE, then EMPLOYEE shall be eligible for severance pay as described in Section 3, subsection 3.2.
Section 3.5. If EMPLOYEE shall, for whatever reason, become incapable of performing any of the essential functions of EMPLOYEE'S position, even with reasonable accommodation by EMPLOYER, either
SECTION 4 - SALARY
Section 4.1. Effective July 28, 2025, EMPLOYER shall pay a monthly base salary of $20,606.42 (Step D of City Manager Salary Range), to EMPLOYEE. EMPLOYEE shall advance to Step E upon a successful performance evaluation at the end of his first year of employment. EMPLOYER agrees to increase the compensation each year by the minimum of the average across the board increase granted to other employees of EMPLOYER, including cost of living adjustments. For purposes of calculating future increases, the base compensation will include the total of EMPLOYEE'S base salary increase based on the base salary compensation. EMPLOYER, in its sole discretion, may also provide an increase in compensation based on merit.
SECTION 5 - HOURS OF WORK
Section 5.1. It is recognized that EMPLOYEE must devote a great deal of time outside the normal office hours to business of the EMPLOYER, and to that end, EMPLOYEE will be allowed ten (10) Executive Leave days per year, only five (5) of which may be carried over each year, i.e., "use it or lose it" for a maximum of fifteen (15) days total. EMPLOYEE shall have the same standard holidays from work received by all other employees in the organization.
SECTION 6 - FRINGE BENEFITS
Section 6.1. EMPLOYEE shall be provided the same disability, health, dental, and vision benefits that are presently provided to other City employees.
Section 6.2. EMPLOYER agrees to enroll EMPLOYEE into the State of California Public Retirement System (PERS) and to pay the EMPLOYER'S share as required on the EMPLOYEE'S behalf.
Section 6.3. EMPLOYEE shall begin employment with a bank of twenty-six (26) days of sick leave.
Thereafter, EMPLOYEE shall accrue sick leave in the same manner as other employees of the City and may elect to receive a cash payment for up to a maximum of accrued and unused ninety (90) days upon termination of employment.
Section 6.4. EMPLOYEE shall accrue vacation leave at the rate of twenty-six (26) days per year credited on a monthly basis with total accrual limited to six hundred forty (640) hours. EMPLOYEE may elect to receive a cash payment for up to a maximum of eighty (80) hours of his accumulated unused vacation leave annually.
Section 6.5. EMPLOYEE shall receive an automobile allowance of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) per month to defray the costs of using his private vehicle for City business.
Section 6.6. EMPLOYEE shall receive a technology allowance of Eighty-Five Dollars ($85.00) per month for the business use of the EMPLOYEE's smart phone.
Section 6.7. EMPLOYEE shall have an annual physical exam provided by EMPLOYER who shall purchase a life insurance policy in the amount of one (1) year of EMPLOYEE'S salary.
Section 6.8. EMPLOYER shall also contribute ten percent (10%) of the EMPLOYEE'S base salary into a deferred compensation program.
SECTION 7 - DUES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Section 7.1. EMPLOYER shall pay the City Manager's annual dues for ICMA and League of California Cities.
Section 7.2. EMPLOYER shall budget for and pay the travel and subsistence expenses of EMPLOYEE for professional official travel, meetings, and occasions adequate to continue the professional development of EMPLOYEE and to adequately pursue necessary official and other functions for EMPLOYER, including but not limited to, the League of California Cities, and such other national, regional, state and local governmental groups and committees thereof which EMPLOYEE may serve as a member.
Section 7.3. EMPLOYER shall budget and pay for the travel and subsistence expenses of EMPLOYEE for short courses, institutes, and seminars necessary for his professional development and for the good of the EMPLOYER.
SECTION 8 - INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1. Beyond that required under federal, state or local law, EMPLOYER shall defend, hold harmless and indemnify EMPLOYEE against any tort, professional liability claim or demand, or other legal action, whether groundless or otherwise, arising out of an alleged act or omission occurring in the performance of EMPLOYEE'S duties as City Manager, or resulting from the exercise of judgment or discretion in connection with the performance of program duties or responsibilities, unless the act or omission involved willful or wanton conduct. The EMPLOYEE may request, and the EMPLOYER shall not unreasonably refuse, to provide independent legal representation provided by EMPLOYER to EMPLOYEE, which shall extend until a final determination of the legal action is reached, including any appeals brought by either party. The EMPLOYER shall indemnify EMPLOYEE against any and all losses, damages, judgments, interest, settlements, fines, court costs and other reasonable costs and
expenses of legal proceedings, including attorney fees, and any other liabilities incurred by, imposed upon, or suffered by EMPLOYEE in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceedings, actual or threatened, arising out of or in connection with the performance of his duties. Any settlement of any claim must be made with prior approval of the EMPLOYER in order for indemnification, as provided in this Section, to be available. EMPLOYEE recognizes that EMPLOYER shall have the right to compromise or settle a claim or suit and agrees that EMPLOYEE will sign any settlement agreement involving only the payment of money by the EMPLOYER or a third party. However, if the EMPLOYEE is a named party to the suit and settlement agreement requires that the EMPLOYEE perform or refrain from performing any conduct, EMPLOYEE’S written consent must be given for the compromise or settlement, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Further, EMPLOYER agrees to pay all reasonable litigation expenses of EMPLOYEE throughout the pendency of any litigation to which the EMPLOYEE is a party, witness, or advisor of the EMPLOYER. Such expense payments shall continue beyond EMPLOYEE’S service to the EMPLOYER, as long as litigation is pending. Further, EMPLOYER agrees to pay EMPLOYEE reasonable consulting fees and travel expenses when EMPLOYEE serves as a witness, advisor, or consultant to EMPLOYER regarding pending litigation, if those services occur after EMPLOYEE is no longer an employee of EMPLOYER.
SECTION 9 - BONDING
Section 9.1. EMPLOYER shall bear the full cost of any fidelity or other bonds required of the EMPLOYEE under the Oakdale Municipal Code.
SECTION 10 - NOTICES
Section 10.1. Notice pursuant to this Agreement shall be given by deposit in the custody of the United States Postal Service, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
EMPLOYER: City of Oakdale EMPLOYEE: Jerry Ramar
280 North Third Ave.
Oakdale, California 95361
Section 10.2. Alternatively, notices required pursuant to this Agreement may be personally served in the same manner as is applicable to civil judicial practice.
SECTION 11 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 11.1. The text herein shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties.
Section 11.2. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs at law and executors of EMPLOYEE.
Section 11.3. This Agreement shall become effective immediately upon the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute this Agreement.
Section 11.4. If any provision, or any portion thereof, contained in this Agreement is held unconstitutional, invalid, or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or portion thereof, shall be deemed severable and shall not be affected, but shall remain in full force and effect.
Cherilyn Bairos, Mayor Date
Jerry Ramar, Employee Date
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Tom P. Hallinan, City Attorney Date
EXHIBIT A - City Manager Salary Range
Classification Range Step
A B C D E
Monthly
City Manager 500 17,800.60 18,960.63 19,625.16 20,606.42 21,636.73