Administrative
Report
N.1., File # 23-6031 Meeting Date: 6/6/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOFFMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF RETIRED COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR NICOLE BAVIS AS A 960-HOUR CALPERS RETIRED
ANNUITANT TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY OF EMERGENCY DISPATCH OPERATIONS ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2306-054, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AN EXCEPTION TO THE CALPERS 180-DAY WAIT PERIOD PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 7522.56 & 21224
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) places certain restrictions on when a CalPERS annuitant may return to work at a CalPERS agency. Per regulations, there must be a 180-day lapse in employment (waiting period) between the date of an employee’s retirement and rehire unless the agency declares it has a critical need in the organization to fill the position or requires help from the employee to maintain continuity of operation. Under these circumstances the City is allowed to waive the 180-day waiting period.
Communications Supervisor Nicole Bavis has been serving as a Communications Supervisor in the Police Department since January 2017. Supervisor Bavis has recently announced her retirement, effective July 1, 2023. Supervisor Bavis possesses a certain set of unique job skills which has made it critical to hire her back for a limited duration of no more than 6 months, or 960 hours per calendar year. Her continued work for the City will allow the Police Department to sustain emergency dispatch staffing, which is at critically low levels, maintain the communication center’s continuity of operation, and provide training for a replacement Supervisor.
BACKGROUND
The Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act became effective on January 1, 2013 and generally prohibits a CalPERS retiree from being employed by a CalPERS agency until the annuitant has had a break in service of at least 180 days from the retirement date. An exception to the waiting period is if the governing authority for the employing agency certifies that the position is of critical need to the organization and adopts a resolution authorizing the exception of the 180-day wait period, as per Government Code Sections 7522.56 and 21224.
Supervisor Bavis began her career with the Redondo Beach Police Department in August of 1985 as an Emergency Services Dispatcher (ESD) and promoted to the rank of Communications Supervisor
N.1., File # 23-6031 Meeting Date: 6/6/2023
an Emergency Services Dispatcher (ESD) and promoted to the rank of Communications Supervisor in 2017. The Communications Supervisor position has direct oversight of the Communications Unit, its assigned personnel and is essential to sustaining emergency dispatch operations. Additionally, the Communications Supervisor provides a high-level oversight on projects which are critical to the operation of the Police Department. Due to the staffing needs of the communications center and the unique skillset of the Communications Supervisor position, retaining Supervisor Bavis on a part-time basis is critical to sustaining dispatch operations in the Communications Unit until a replacement is selected and trained. Currently, only two of the four authorized Communications Supervisor positions are filled creating critical staffing challenges at the supervisory level. Communications Supervisor promotions and additional testing are forthcoming, however, operating with only one Communications Supervisor would impact the service level of the Communications Unit and place a heavy burden on the remaining staff.
The retention of Supervisor Bavis for 36 hours per week for a six-month period, beginning July 1, 2023, will ensure the continued delivery of critical oversight and training in the Emergency Communications Unit. Supervisor Bavis will be authorized to work no more than 960 hours over a six -month period in each calendar year within FY 2023-24 and will be compensated $42.86 per hour, which is in the existing salary range for the Communications Supervisor position. Supervisor Bavis will not be eligible for any other City benefit while employed in the part-time capacity.
COORDINATION
The Police Department coordinated this item with Human Resources, CalPERS and the City Manager’s Office. The Resolution was approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this limited duration position is available in the Police Department’s FY 2023-24 operating budget.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Resolution - No. CC-2306-054 Authorizing an Exception to the CalPERS 180-Day Wait Period · Council Presentation