REQUEST FOR SICK TIME ACREAL CASHOUT
2023 2923 P14:18
HIS BALA
TO
RIALTO CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Joe Baca
CITY OF RIALTO 2026 MAR - 2 PM 1: 41
Councilman Edward Montoya Jr.
Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott
Councilwoman Karla Perez
Councilman Andy Carrizales
25 February 2026 CITY OF RIALTO
2026 MAR -2 PM |: 41
RECEIVED
To: Mayor Joe Baca & Rialto City Council Members CITY CLERK From: Karl F. Kolodzik, Retired Fire Captain
Subject: Sick Time Cashout
Honorable Mayor Joe Baca & City Council members:
My name is Karl Kolodzik. I hired as a Rialto City Firefighter on 7 August 1972. I was promoted to Fire Engineer on 16 January 1976 and Fire Captain on 3 March 1986. I was employed with the City of Rialto for 27 ½ years. During the 27 ½ years as a member of the Rialto Fire Department I held the position of the Rialto Firefighter Union Vice President and Union President for 24 of my 27 ½ years.
I was terminated by Fire Chief David Lugo for a delayed response to an auto/pedestrian incident. The only other discipline I received was one day off for stopping by our Local 3688 union hall located at Riverside Avenue and Third Street for 5 to explain the voting procedures for an upcoming contract with the city.
During my tenure as a member of the Rialto Fire Department I was voted by the City of Rialto City council twice as firefighter of the year. As union President of the Rialto Firefighters Union, I assisted the city council members whenever they requested assistance whether it be donations to their political funds, walking precincts, making phone calls during the council members campaign, or throwing pancake breakfast fundraisers for individual candidates.
Chief Lugo with input from Deputy Chief Steve Wells terminated me after 27 ½ years without allowing me the ability to retire. Chief Lugo would not return my calls and subsequently | turned in paperwork to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) on 21 January 2000 and officially retired from the Rialto Fire Department as of 1 January 2000 prior to going through the Skelly Hearing Process.
During my time as a Rialto City firefighter, I went 26 of my 27 ½ years without taking a sick day off, a record that has never been duplicated.
Due to the actions taken by the Rialto Fire Department Management, and especially with input from Deputy Chief Steve Wells, I was terminated from my position as Fire Captain.
Within 14 months of my dismissal, 15 of our best Rialto firefighters, fire engineers, and fire captains resigned and found jobs with (OCA) Orange County Fire Authority, Riverside City, Los Angeles County, Redlands City and Ontario City Fire Departments. All the individuals were promoted quickly and one person, Tony Perna, is now the Deputy Chief at the Riverside City Fire Department. A list of those individuals that resigned after my termination will be listed in the appendix of this letter. See appendix for list of tenured employees that resigned and hired with other fire agencies.
In November 2022 during the COVID 19 epidemic, Chief Brian Park terminated the engine company crew on engine 201 for not entering the health care facility at 1471 South Riverside Drive in Rialto. Upon termination, all three firefighters, Josh Gilliam, Fire Captain Mark Brady, Fire Engineer, and Matt Payne, Firefighter, received all benefits owed to them including the sick time accrual upon termination.
I currently have been diagnosed with congested heart failure (CHF). I also have suffered 3rd degree burns to my right leg, and smoke inhalation causing me to have 2 operations to repair the damage and documented hearing loss due to my tenure as a Rialto City firefighter. All these injuries and now (CHF) are associated with my 27 ½ years serving the citizens of Rialto.
Attached is the City of Rialto pay sheet with my sick time accrual, see attachments for this request.
Everyone in the City of Rialto including the Mayor and City Council members, all Cities throughout the Inland Empire, and private industry alike have received training on "DO The Right Thing"
I am hoping the Honorable Mayor and City Council will approve this request and "DO THE RIGHT THING".
Karl F. Kolodzik
Retired Fire Captain
Rialto City Fire Department.
APPENDIX
1. City of Rialto Liability Claim for Damages
2. City of Rialto Final Compensation Sheet; Sick Time Accrual
3. PERS Application for Retirement
4. List of Firefighters That Resigned After My Termination CITY CLERX RECEIVEL 2076 MAR -2 PM |: 41 CITY OF RIALTO
CITY CLERKS DATE STAMP
CITY OF RIALTO
LIABILITY CITY OF RIALTO
CLAIM FOR DAMAGES 2026 MAR - 2 PM |: 41
TO PERSON OR PROPERTY RECEIVEL
CITY CLERA
1. Claims for death, injury to person, or to personal property must be filed not later than six (6) months after the occurrence (Gov. Code 59112).
2. Claims for damages to real property must be filed not later than one (1) year after the occurrence (Gov. Code 591112). RETURN TO:
3. READ ENTIRE CLAIM FOR BEFORE FILING Rialto City Clerk's Office
4. ATTACH SEPARATE SHEETS, IF NECESSARY, TO GIVE FULL DETAILS Mail: 150 S. Palm Ave., Rialto, CA 92376 Address: 290 W. Rialto Ave., Rialto, CA 92376
CLAIMANT INFORMATION:
KALL FRADERICK KALODZIK
-
FULL NAME DATE OF BIRTH
HOME ADDRESS INCLUDING CITY, STATE & ZIP HOME TELEPHONE NO.
BUSINESS ADDRESS INCLUDING CITY, STATE & ZIP BUSINESS TELEPHONE NO.
ADDRESS AT WHICH CLAIMANT DESIRES TO RECEIVE SAMA AS ABOUFE
NOTICES OR COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THIS CLAIM
(if different from home address provided above):
1. WHEN DID DAMAGE OR INJURY OCCUR? DATE: TIME: • AM OPM
2. PLACE OF ACCIDENT (OCCURRENCE) BE SPECIFIC - Describe fully and (if applicable) locate on diagram on reverse side of this sheet.
Where appropriate, give street names and addresses, measurements and landmarks.
3. HOW DID DAMAGE OR INJURY OCCUR?
4. WERE POLICE AT THE SCENE? • YES JANO WERE PARAMEDICS AT THE SCENE? • YES LINO
5. WHAT PARTICULAR ACT OR OMISSION DO YOU CLAIM CAUSED THE INJURY OR DAMAGES? Give the name of the city/town employee causing the injury or damage, if known.
TO CORRACT SHORTAGE IN FINAL COMPENSATION
ФФ
6. GIVE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CLAIM include estimate of amount of any prospective injury or damage $ 73,02$ HOW WAS THE ABOVE AMOUNT COMPUTED? Be specific, list doctor bills, repair estimates, etc. Please attach 2 estimates.
DAMAGES INCURRED TO DATE: Amount s_73, 020ФФ
Item/Date: 5EK FINAL COMPENSATION SLIP
Item/Date: Amount: $
673,424 00
TOTAL AMOUNT CLAIMED AS OF PRESENTATION OF THIS CLAIM:
ESTIMATED PROSPECTIVE DAMAGES, AS FAR AS KNOWN:
Item/Date: Amount: $.
Item/Date: Amount: $.
TOTAL ESTIMATED AMOUNT PROSPECTIVE DAMAGES: $
7. WITNESSES TO DAMAGE OR INJURY List all persons known to have information (attach additional pages, if necessary) CHIKF BRIAN PARK NAME:_ GEOFF BARRETT
NAME:
ADDRESS: 13/5. Willow AUt ADDRESS:
RIALTO, CA 92376
TELEPHONE: L TELEPHONE: K== scue
8. IF INJURED, PROVIDE NAME, CONTACT INFORMATION AND DATE/TIME DOCTORS) OR HOSPITAL(S) VISITED:
/A N/A
ADDRESS: ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE: L TELEPHONE: |).
DATE: _TIME: DAM 0] PM
DATE: TIME:
9. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY:
or all vehicle accident claims, place on the following diagram, the names of streets, including NORTH, EAST, SOUTH AND WEST directions. Indicate plac if accident by *X and by showing house numbers or distances to street comer:
If a cityftown vehicle was involved, designate by letter "A" location of the City/Town vehicle when you first saw it, and by "B" location of yourself or your vehicle when you first saw City/Town vehicle; location of City/Town vehicle at time of accident by "A-1" and location of yourself or your vehicle at the time of the accident by "B-1" and the paint of impact by "X.
→ NOTE: IF THE DIAGRAM BELOW DOES NOT FIT THE SITUATION, PLEASE ATTACH A PROPER DIAGRAM SIGNED BY THE CLAIMANT. 2026 MAR
CITY CLERA N
CURB
PARKWAY
SIDEWALK
HANSE READ THE KOREAN CAN ARE UPON A NEAT AND BE AND AS TO THE METES BEEN THEN TO BE EEP AS TO I CERTIFY IOR DECLARE) UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE FOREGOING IS TRUE AND CORRECT.
SIGNATURE OF CLAIMANT OR AGENT
KARL F. Tol LODZIK LiARCH 2425
DATE
TYPE OR PRINT NAME
RELATIONSHIP TO CLAIMANT
NOTE: PRESENTATION OF A FALSE CLAIM IS A FELONY (CA PENAL CODE 72) RETURN CLAIM TO: RIALTO CITY CLERK'S OFFICE - 150 S. PALM AVE., RIALTO, CA 92376 Bank of America 1258
CITY OF RIALTO Southern CA. Gavernment Check No. 2666
Services Div. 143
150 SO. PALM AVENUE Los Angeles, CA 9307 Dept: Empl. * Date RIALTO, CA 92376
5174 000278 12/24/1999
•
Amount
PAY EXACTLY **** VOID **** VOID **** VOID **** VOID : **** ********0.00 7 PAY
KARL KOLODZIK • NON NEGOTIABLE
TO THE
ORDER 00649032356 100 68
OF L
СОРУ COPY COPY COPY COPY
CITY OF RIAI.TO
Empl. Name KARL KOLODZIK Pay Period START Date 12/05/1999 Gross Pay 1.811.02 Empl. Number Pay Period END Date 12/18/1999 Net Pay 100.68 CHECK # 2666 Issue Date 12/24/1999 Filling Status M 02 Taxable Calendar Y-T•D Earnings 98.264.52
EARNINGS BENEFITS DEDUCTIONS
Description Hours Rate Amount ‹ Description Amount s: Year-To-Date Anount Year-To-Date
HOURLY PAY
u a 405. 87FEDERAL WI 122.74 16117.0
oto 58 00 21.431 1242.99STATE WITH 15.28 4880.3
sep 62 0 0 PERS 338.48 8416 .65
hmp 1 00100.000 100 00SURVIVOR S 0.93 16.7
edpa 62: 16LIFE INSUR 39.30
KAISER +2 1158.18
* TOTALS* 121 00 14.967 18.11.. 02DENTICARE 71.97
GREAT WESE 307 69 7999 9
KAISER +2 46.25 560 0
ALLIANCE P 34.20 802 0
VISION PLA 171 0
¡ARROWHEAD 1100.00 28100.0
RIALTO FIR 11.25 448 5
RIALTO PRO 42.00 1008.0
* TOTALS* 338.48 9686. 101710.34 60103.5
LEAVE
Description 2s Takena Earned *Balance:
SICK LEA 4.89 2894.07
compensa 38.50
holiday 49.93
VACATION 9.79 420.78
3407.21 X f1.431= 73,92Ф.ФФ
COMMENTS: HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU!!
APPLICATION FOR SERVICE RETIREMENT
ERS-BAS-369S-F (4-96)
ALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
enefit Application Services Division
O. Box 942711(400 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814)
acramento, CA 94229-2711
116) 326-3232 (8:00AM to 5:00PM Weekdays, Voice Mail 24 Hors A DayAN 2000 elecommunications Device for the Deaf - 916) 326-3240
AX (916) 326-3934 RECEIVED
PERS/FLSD
MPORTANT: This application should be mailed directly to CalERS 90 cB80h advance of your planned retirement date. Your firement date cannot be eller than the list of the manth in which a E in greceived by CaPErs.
1. Social Security Number
LEASE PRINT OR TYPE
• Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) 3. Birthdate 4. Retirement Effective Date KARL F. KOLODZIK 01/01/00
i. Mailing Address (Street, Avenue, Road, P.O. Box, etc.) 6. Telephone Numher Home: (
Work: (1
lity State ZIP
GALIFORNIA 92346
'. Last Day on Pay Status 8. Employer 9. Position Title (Do Not Abbreviate) 12/13/99 RIALTO CITY FIRE DEPT ¡FIRE CAPTAIN
10. TEMPORARY ANNUITY - I desire to have my monthly allowance further modified for life to provide for additional temporary annuity allowance.
Yes No If "Yes", age desired (59 1/2 or whole age 60 to 68) Amount $ 00 Please calculate my options with the following beneficiary information: (Note: This is not a beneficiary designation.)
11. BENEFICIARY NAME Birthdate Sex Relationship
GAY KoloDZIK • м WIFE
The following information is necessary to ensure that your retirement allowance calculation correctly reflects any survivor benefits hat may be payable upon your death. Payments will be made in accordance with the Public Employees' Retirement Law. Please answer all four questions and complete the required information for each section that is answered "yes".
12. Are you currently married? 8-Yes No
Spouse's Full Name Social Security Number Birthdate Date of Marriage GAY DENISE KOLODZIK 11/28/53 11/12/88
13. Do you have any natural or adopted unmarried children under 18? 2- Yes • No Child's Full Name Social Security Number Birthdate
KELL MAK KOLODEIK
ARIS HAROLD KOLODZIK
KIRK DONALD KOLODZIK
14. Do you have any unmarried children who were disabled prior 1o their 18th birthday and who have remained disabled until the present time? • Yes KNO Child's Full Name Social Security Number
/
15. Are your parents dependent upon you for at least one-half of their support? • Yes E'NO Parent's Full Name Social Security Number Birthdate
Parent's Full Name Social Security Number Birthdate
THE REVERSE SINE OF THIS FORM MIST BE COMPLETED WITH YOUR SIGNATURE TO BE VALID. • Yes 8-No If "Yes", please complete the section below.
Name of System: Dates of Service Credited: Date of Retirement
17. FINAL COMPENSATION TO BE USED:"Final Compensation" is the highest average compensation earnable by you during a one year or three consecutive year period of employment, whichever your agency has contracted for, immediately preceding the effective date of your retirement, or the date of your last separation from employment, if earlier, or during any other period specifiec by you on this application. Unless a different period is specified by you, your final compensation will be calculated based upon the one year or three consecutive year period immediately preceding your retirement or separation date.
OTHER PERIOD TO BE USED: FROM • TO
18. 1 hereby certify under penalty of perjury that this information submitted hereon is true and correct according to the best of my knowiedge. I understand that to cancel this application I must submit written notice to the system prior to the mailing of my firs! retirement warrant. I further understand that the beneficiary named above is not an official designation of my beneficiary. This wil be done on the Election of Optional Settlement and Beneficiary Designation form (PERS-BAS-898) which will be provided at a later date.
Member's Signature Date Signed
2L 2000
..!.
INFORMATION PRACTICES STATEMENT-
The Information Practices Act of 1977 and the Federal Privacy Act require the Public Employees' Retirement System to provide the ollowing information to individuals who are asked to supply information. The information requested is collected pursuant to the government Code (Sections 20000, et seg.) and will be used for administration of the Board's duties under the Retirement Law, the Social Security Act, and the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act, as the case may be. Submission of the requestec nembers, physicians, insurance carriers; and various vendors who prepare the midrofiche/microfilm for PERS. Disclosure to the 1r :
fou have the right to review your membership file maintained by the System.- For questions concerning your rights under the nformation Practices Act of 1977, please contact the Information Coordinator, PERS, 400 P Street, P.O. Box 942702, Sacramento, CA 94229-2702. TIM SPOO
98 88358
To: Shama Curian, Rialto Human Resources Director
From: Karl F. Kolodzik
Subject: Fire personnel that left RFD with 14 months of my departure Ms. Curian:
Listed are the RFD safety employees that left Rialto for other department's due to the corrupt Fire Administration:
1. Berry Stewart; went to Ontario FD; gave up Captain's promotion.
2. Seam Smith; Went to Riverside City FD; Retired as Fire Captain in charge of their arson unit.
3. Ed Clark, FFPM; went to Riverside City FD; became an arson investigator.
4. Tony Perna; FFPM; went to Riverside City FD; currently a B/C with Riverside City FD
5. Jeff Larson, FF; went to Riverside City FD; Retired from Riverside City FD
6. Brady Schmidt, FF; went to Riverside City FD
7. Jim Boswell; Fire captain; went to OCFA as FFPM; retired from OCFA as Fire Captain
8. Dave Wolf, Fire Captain; went to OCFA as FFPM; retired from OCFA as Fire Captain
9. Ken Yellen; Fire Engineer; went to San Bernardino City FD as FF; retired from SBFD as Fire Captain
10. Todd Mitchell, FFPM; went to OCFA as FFPM; retired from OCFA.
11. Joe Smith, FFPM; went to OCFA as FFPM; retired from OCFA.
12. Rob Reed, FFPM; went to OCFA as FFPM; retired from OCFA.
13. Steve Teal, FFPM; went to OCFA; retired as FF/PM.
14. Jason Housa, FFPM went to Long Beach City FD.
15. Brian Meckler, FFPM; went to Los Angeles County FD. • Dave Lugo left RFD for Arcadia City FD; was unsuccessful there; was hired at Brea FD; was removed from his position for job abandonment. There are more stories to this tail but this addendum to my request is just the tip of the iceberg of what the RFD went through after I retired.
Sincerely,
Karl of. olodsik
Karl F. Kolodzik
Fire Captain-retired
Rialto Fire Department