City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 FROM: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: INTERIM APPOINTMENT AND APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND RESOLUTION WITH BILL GALLARDO AND STEVEN A. MENDOZA TO SERVE AS INTERIM DEPUTY COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORS ISSUE:
The issue for City Council consideration is to approve the Employment Agreements between the City of Riverside and Bill Gallardo and Steven A. Mendoza, setting forth the terms and conditions of their employment as the Interim Deputy Community and Economic Development Directors and adopt the Resolutions appointing them as Interim Deputy Community and Economic Development Directors.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the attached Interim Deputy Community and Economic Development Director Agreements with Bill Gallardo and Steven A. Mendoza to begin employment on September 1, 2026, at the hourly rate of pay of $128.43 for all hours worked during Interim assignment; and Adopt the Resolutions appointing Interim Deputy Community and Economic Development Directors pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and approving the corresponding employment agreements.
BACKGROUND:
The City is actively recruiting for two vacant full-time Deputy Community and Economic Development Directors to fill the existing vacancies. The City Council understands that the recruitment process for the permanent Deputy Community and Economic Development Directors may take several months. While the recruitment process is underway, the Interim City Manager has a need to identify and appoint two experienced and highly qualified retired annuitants to serve as interim Deputy Community and Economic Development Directors to provide the necessary support to the Community and Economic Development Director and ensure that the business of the City continues to be performed until the new Deputy Directors are identified. Both Mr. Mendoza and Mr. Gallardo are highly qualified to serve as Interim Deputy Directors in the Community and Economic Development Department. They both possess extensive knowledge and experience at the Director, Assistant City Manager and City Manager level with prior experience in other Southern California agencies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of both contracts for employment related to this report is up to a maximum of $123,292.80 per contract for a total of $246,585.60 as outlined in the agreement. Funds for the contract are budgeted and available in the General Fund, Community and Economic Development Department, Personnel expenditure accounts to cover the costs of the contracts as these positions are currently vacant.
Prepared by: Mirana Gonzalez, Deputy Human Resources Director Approved by: Rene Goldman, Human Resources Director
Certified as to availability
of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director
Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
Attachments:
Interim Deputy Community and Economic Development Director Agreement for Bill Gallardo Interim Deputy Community and Economic Development Director Agreement for Steven A. Mendoza Resolution for Bill Gallardo
Resolution for Steven A. Mendoza
Interim Dep CEDD Dir ● Page 2