Council Appointed Officers Committee
Staff Report
Report Type: ACTION ITEM
Lead Department: Human Resources
Meeting Date: May 14, 2026
Report #:2604-6323
TITLE
Review and discuss the Council Appointed Officers (CAO) performance evaluation process and timeline for FY26 and make a recommendation to the City Council; CEQA status – not a project
RECOMMENDATION
Review and discuss proposed changes to the CAO performance evaluation process and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the FY 2026 evaluation process.
BACKGROUND
On December 10, 2025, the CAO Committee reviewed the FY2025 CAO evaluation process with Dan Rich, the Municipal Resources Group (MRG) consultant who facilitated the evaluation process. Dan presented potential adjustments for the FY2026 evaluation process. Specifically, the Committee discussed:
• Can the timeline be compressed more
• Should the prompts for the CAOs be reduced or changed • Should the questions posed of Council be reduced or changed • Should the structure of the closed session with the appointees be altered • Should the Auditor be handled differently given the unique nature of the position • Is there a way to better align calendar year Council priorities with FY CAO goals No action was taken but discussion ensued and general agreement was reached on possible changes.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this agenda is to review the FY2026 proposed timeline and process, and also to make a final recommendation on the points that were discussed in December. The CAO Committee should provide a recommendation to the full Council in June for any changes to be incorporated into the FY2026 CAO evaluation process.
Based on the discussion in December, attached for the CAO Committee’s review are drafts of the following developed by the consultant; A) Proposed FY2026 Proposed timeline; B) Proposed edits to the FY2025 Appointee Questions; and C) Proposed edits to the FY2025 Council interview questions.
Suggested Agenda items for May 14 CAO meeting:
• Review and approval of timeline
• Review and approval of self-evaluation prompts
• Review and approval of Council interview questions
• Discuss expectations regarding KPIs
• Discuss process for new City Attorney
• Discuss process for Auditor
• Confirm date for Council Consent item on process.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Funding for annual CAO performance evaluation facilitation services is budgeted in the Office of the City Clerk operating budget. Depending on the Committee’s recommendation, additional resources may be needed to support the process.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
This discussion item has been coordinated with the CAO Committee Chair, the professional services consultant and internal stakeholders. Public comment will be available during the Committee deliberations.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Proposed FY26 Process Timeline
Attachment B: Draft Appointee Guiding Questions
Attachment C: Draft Council Interview Questions
APPROVED BY:
Sandra Blanch, Human Resources Director