CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
_________________________________________________________________________________ DATE: April 12, 2022
Department: HUMAN RESOURCES
FROM: Marina Horta-Gallegos, Human Resources Director
SUBJECT: ESSENTIAL WORKER PREMIUM PAY
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a Resolution to approve a one-time premium payment of two thousand dollars ($2,000) per eligible employee in recognition and appreciation for performing essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the interest of retention.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a Resolution approving a one-time payment of two thousand dollars ($2,000) per eligible employee for essential work performed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND:
In March 2020, the County of Monterey issued a proclamation of a local emergency directing, among other things, that all non-essential functions within the County be cancelled. The City Manager activated the Emergency Operations Center and declared a local emergency pursuant to the Salinas Municipal Code and Salinas City Council Resolution No. 21805 (N.C.S.).
In March 2020, the City of Salinas took the following actions, among others:
Closed City Hall and all other facilities open to the public Closed libraries, recreation centers, parks, and playgrounds Moved Council and Commission meetings to an online platform Cancelled private events in City facilities
Cancelled all public events
Transitioned some City services to online platforms
Staff pivoted from these cancelled activities to providing emergency response, including operating the City’s Emergency Operations Center, supporting community groups and organizations with the distribution of food and personal protective supplies and services, including community vaccination clinics.
Staff across the City adapted to constant and rapidly changing circumstances and continued to provide services in person and remotely. City staff have provided crucial and vital services throughout the pandemic, including but not limited to COVID-19 enforcement, continued maintenance of streets, sidewalks, parks, library services, online youth activities, food distribution, online permitting, and recruitment, among others.
All regular City employees employed as of March 17, 2022, who remain employed by the City on the date that the premium pay is to be paid (May 11, 2022), are eligible for the one-time only premium payment of two thousand dollars ($2,000), subject to agreement of any applicable bargaining unit.
City employees electing to opt out of the one-time premium payment will be provided a process to do so.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (SEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The proposed action meets the Effective and Responsive Government Council goal.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Human Resources Department coordinated this effort with Administration and Finance Departments.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The approximate total cost of the premium payment is $1,040,000. There are sufficient funds available in the General Fund to cover this appropriation.
These payments would not qualify as special compensation and therefore would not be pensionable income subject to California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. _________ (N.C.S.)
RESOLUTION APPROVING ESSENTIAL WORKER PAY
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALINAS that in recognition and appreciation of essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the interest of retention, eligible regular City employees employed as of March 17, 2022, who remain employed by the City on the date that the premium pay is to be paid (May 11, 2022), are approved to receive a one-time only, non-pensionable, lump-sum payment of two thousand dollars ($2,000), payable in the pay period following Council approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 12th day of April 2022, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN: APPROVED:
____________________________________ Kimbley Craig, Mayor ATTEST:
______________________________
Patricia M. Barajas, City Clerk