PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item #12.A
SUBJECT/TITLE:
APPOINTMENT OF CALPERS RETIREE TO SERVE AS EXTRA HELP ON AN INTERIM BASIS
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution appointing Michael Codron as Interim Community Development Director pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h).
BACKGROUND:
The City of Pismo Beach is a full-service municipal government that provides various critical services to the community. The Community Development Department has many functions, including administration of Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, and staffing the Planning Commission.
Matthew Downing has served as Community Development Director from October 2019 to December 2023, when Mr. Downing indicated that he would be leaving Pismo Beach, to accept the City Manager position in Arroyo Grande. The City will be conducting a nationwide recruitment to select its next Community Development Director. In order to continue to provide essential services to the public, staff recommends the appointment of an interim Community Development Director to oversee the Department during the recruitment process.
Due to the specialized skills and licenses required of staff in the Community Development Department, it is imperative that the City appoint an interim Community Development Director who has the knowledge and experience required to help during this transition. Michael Codron, an experienced Community Development Director, retired from the City of San Luis Obispo on June 30, 2023, and has expressed interest in assisting the City in the interim, until such time as the City selects a new Community Development Director. Mr. Codron meets the criteria, per CalPERS guidelines, to return to the City in an interim capacity as a retired annuitant to help perform the specialized functions required of the Community Development Director.
Conclusion and Recommendation
In conformance with CalPERS rules, a Resolution of appointment is required in order to have Mr. Codron work for the City in an interim capacity. Staff recommends that the Council adopt this Resolution (Attachment 1) to facilitate a smooth transition for staff in the Community Development Department and ensure the community continues to receive essential services.
The proposed Offer Letter is provided as Attachment 1.A.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of adopting the attached Resolution is approximately $90,000 from January 15, 2024 through June 30, 2024 in the General Fund Community Development Department budget. In the event the Community Development Director position is filled prior to that date, the fiscal impact would be less than $90,000. Staff anticipates that there will be salary and benefit savings from the Department’s staff vacancies to support a substantial portion of the proposed appointment. In the event that additional budget is needed to support this
12.A-1Council Agenda 12-19-2023
appointment, staff will come back to Council with the Mid-Cycle Budget Adjustments in late summer 2024.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Decline appointment and provide staff with direction on how to proceed.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.Resolution
1.A. Exhibit A to Resolution: Appointment Letter
Prepared by: Meeting Date: December 19, 2023
Bianka Buchanan, Human Resources Officer
Submitted by:
Jorge Garcia, City Manager
City Manager Approval:
2. Resume
12.A-2Council Agenda 12-19-2023
RESOLUTION NO. R-2023-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH,
CALIFORNIA APPOINTING MICHAEL CODRON AS INTERIM COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 21221(h)
WHEREAS, Government (Gov.) Code section 21221(h) of the Public Employees’ Retirement Law permits the governing body to appoint a CalPERS retiree to a vacant position requiring specialized skills during recruitment for a permanent appointment, and provides that such appointment will not subject the retired person to reinstatement from retirement or loss of benefits so long as it is a single appointment that does not exceed 960 hours in a fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to appoint Michael Codron as an interim appointment retired annuitant to the vacant position of Community Development Director for the City of Pismo Beach under Gov. Code section 21221(h), effective January 15, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, the City of Pismo Beach, and Michael Codron certify that Michael Codron has not and will not receive a Golden Handshake or any other retirement- related incentive; and
WHEREAS, an appointment under Gov. Code section 21221(h) requires the retiree is appointed into the interim appointment during recruitment for a permanent appointment; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has authorized the search for a permanent appointment on December 14, 2023; and
WHEREAS, this Gov. Code section 21221(h) appointment shall only be made once and therefore will end on or before January 14, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the entire appointment document between Michael Codron and the City of Pismo Beach has been reviewed by this body and is attached hereto; and WHEREAS, the compensation paid to retirees cannot be less than the minimum nor exceed the maximum monthly base salary paid to other employees performing comparable duties, divided by 173.333 to equal the hourly rate; and WHEREAS, the maximum base salary for this position as reflected on the City’s publicly available pay schedule is $16,382.58 and the hourly equivalent is $94.51; the minimum base salary for this position is $13,477.99 and the hourly equivalent is $77.75; and WHEREAS, the hourly rate paid to Michael Codron will be $94.51; and
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Attachment 1
WHEREAS, Michael Codron has not and will not receive any other benefit, incentive, compensation in lieu of benefit or other form of compensation in addition to this hourly pay rate.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby certifies the nature of the employment of Michael Codron as described herein and detailed in the attached appointment document (Exhibit A) and that this appointment is necessary to fill the critically needed position of Community Development Director for the City of Pismo Beach by January 15, 2024, so the City of Pismo Beach Community Development Department can continue to provide essential services to the community and ensure a smooth transition to a new Director.
UPON MOTION OF Council Member , seconded by Council Member , the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach this 19thth day of December 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Approved: Attest:
________________________ ________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
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Attachment 1
1 760 Ma�e Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(805)773-7004 | PismoBeach.org
December 19, 2023
Michael Codron
Dear Mr. Codron:
I am pleased to confirm your appointment as a non-benefited, retired annuitant, serving in the temporary capacity of interim Community Development Director with the City of Pismo Beach.
This appointment is effective January 15, 2024. The specific understandings regarding this appointment are as follows:
Your starting pay will be $94.51 per hour. Social Security and workers compensation insurance are provided as required by law. No other health and welfare, retirement or paid leave benefits are provided.
If you have any questions regarding this appointment, please do not hesitate to call Human Resources at 805-773-7004.
Sincerely,
Jorge Garcia
City Manager
Attachment 1.A
12.A-5Council Agenda 12-19-2023
Michael Codron
Experience continued
EDUCATION
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA June 1998 Master of City and Regional Planning
1998 MCRP Comprehensive Exam, Completed with Distinction 1997 Faculty Recognition Award recipient, College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois June 1993
Bachelor of Arts
Major in economics, including coursework in public finance Advanced coursework in public policy, political science and public speaking
EXPERIENCE
City of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 9/15-6/23
Community Development Director: Led the Department of 42 staff with a budget of $7 million through significant organizational change, including implementation of an online permitting system. Provided support to the City Manager and City Council by directing work towards accomplishment of Major City Goals. These included Housing Production, Homelessness Response, Economic Development and Downtown Vitality goals. Some activities and projects completed in support of these goals include: negotiating and implementing development agreements for the Avila Ranch and San Luis Ranch neighborhoods, onboarding a new Homelessness Response Manager position and supporting the creation of the City’s Mobile Crisis Unit, leading the City’s effort to provide financial support to HASLO for the rehabilitation of the Anderson Hotel, updating the City’s Downtown Concept Plan, creating and implementing the City’s cannabis business program and receiving certification of the City’s 2020 Housing Element. Served as the City’s Planning Section Coordinator in the Emergency Operating Center during emergencies, including the January 2023 floods.
City of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 7/10-9/15
Assistant City Manager: Served as the Department Head for the Administration Department, which included the City Clerk, Tourism, Economic Development, and Natural Resources programs. Served as Acting City Manager in the absence of the City Manager. Led major City initiatives including the renewal of Measure G, the City’s half- cent sales tax in 2014. Served as the City’s Information Technology Steering Committee chairperson and updated the process for reviewing and approving IT budget requests.
Represented the City in a variety of venues, including as liaison to the Downtown Association.
City of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 8/08-7/10
Housing Programs Manager: Actively advocated for affordable housing development in the City through interactions with community leaders, including Planning Commissioners, City Council Members, the Chamber of Commerce, the Home Builders Association and other stakeholders. Managed the City’s Affordable Housing Fund Award Program and recommended projects for funding. Managed the City’s stock of inclusionary housing Attachment 2
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Michael Codron, Experience
and the BEGIN, first-time homebuyer program. Assisted individual households in the purchase of affordable housing in the City and provide homebuyer education services for first-time homebuyers. Managed the City’s CDBG program. Represented the City as a member of the Workforce Housing Coalition of SLO County Board of Directors, and member of the Funding Commission for the SLO County Housing Trust Fund.
City of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 12/00-8/08
Associate Planner – Long-Range Division, Development Review Division: Exercised a high level of independence in the management of major long-range and development driven planning projects. A sample of completed projects includes the Airport Area Specific Plan, the Airport Area and Margarita Area annexations, the Downtown Building Height Ordinance, the Orcutt Area Specific Plan and the Four Creeks Residential Rezoning Project and Environmental Impact Report. Recognized by co-workers as Employee of the Year in 2006.
City of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 8/97-12/00
Planning Technician: Provided information to the public over the counter relating to every aspect of the City’s planning program. Provided significant support to Associate Planners by producing major planning documents, completing initial environmental studies, reviewing new planning applications for completeness, and plan-checking new building permit applications. Recognized by co-workers as Employee of the Year in 2000.
City of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 6/96-8/97
Special Project Staff (Temporary, Part-Time Status):
Completed production projects include:
General Plan Digest (Community Development Department) Urban Water Management Plan (Utilities Department)
City of San Luis Obispo Web Site Design and Production (Finance Department) Jay Farbstein & Associates San Luis Obispo, CA 7/96-12/96 Technician (Part Time): Provided graphics and analysis for feasibility studies, post- occupancy evaluation reports, and facility programs. Assessed the floor plans and site plans of two major Job Corps centers to determine their design efficiency.
Westside Business Improvement Association Chicago, Illinois 3/94-4/95 Economic Development Officer 5/94-4/95: Developed and maintained dialogue between area businesses, local financial institutions, and the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD). Aided local businesses in participating in DPD incentive programs such as the Facade Rebate Program.
Administered the Technical Assistance to Business Grant. Served as a member of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Business Safety Committee for Chicago’s 15th District.
Assistant Planner 3/94-5/94: Assisted the Planner in completion of a comprehensive structural and land-use survey of the Association’s service area. Aided in the preparation of the Strategic Plan for the Redevelopment of the Madison-Cicero Commercial District.
Aided in the development and completion of grant applications.
Attachment 2
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