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CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: August 5, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Andrea Russell, Director of Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Subject: Resolution Appointing an Interim Director of Community Development & Housing (U) and Approving Employment
Agreement
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2026-129:
1. Appointing Mary Lanier as Director of Community Development & Housing (U) on an interim basis effective August 6, 2026; and
2. Approving the Employment Agreement.
City Manager's Comments
City Manager recommends approval.
Executive Summary
To ensure the continuity of operations in the Community Development & Housing Department while a recruitment for Director of Community Development & Housing (U) is underway, it is recommended that the City retain the services of Mary Lanier, a California Public Employees Retirement (CalPERS) retiree, to serve as Director of Community Development and Housing (U) on an interim basis.
Background
A vacancy occurred for the position of Director of Community Development & Housing (U) on July 17, 2026. The City Manager reached out to Ms. Lanier due to her high level of knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform the duties of the Director of Community Development & Housing (U) until the recruitment concludes and a regular appointment is made to fill this vacancy.
Ms. Lanier previously assisted the City as Interim Agency Director of Community, Housing, and Economic Development (U) during a vacancy and recruitment period 3 5
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from 5/30/2023 through 2/22/2024. As such, the City Manager is recommending approval of the attached resolution.
Discussion
State and federal laws provide specific employment restrictions for retirees who return to work with an employer in the same public retirement system from which they receive a benefit. Ms. Lanier’s appointment is eligible for the “vacant position” employment option under the CalPERS retired annuitant rules, which provides for an appointment to an interim position by the governing body as authorized by Government Code section 21221(h), the Mayor and City Council must make the appointment and approve the employment agreement by resolution. In addition, an appointment under Section 21221(h) requires the City to be actively pursuing a permanent replacement.
The City posted a recruitment for a permanent Director of Community Development & Housing (U) on August 3, 2026 and is currently accepting applicant submissions to permanently fill this vacancy. The interim appointment will end when the regular replacement for the vacant position of Director of Community Development & Housing (U) for the City commences their employment or, if earlier, the date that this appointment is terminated by the City or the selected candidate.
In accordance with applicable law, the proposed contract limits the number of hours which may be worked in any fiscal year to 960 hours. Further, 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. For the position of Director of Community Development & Housing (U), that rate is $100.54 (i.e., $17,427.68, which are both the top step for the Director of Community Development & Housing (U) classification on the approved salary schedule, divided by 173.333). Lastly, in accordance with the applicable law, the employment agreement does not provide for any other benefit, incentive compensation in lieu of benefits, or any other form of compensation in addition to this hourly pay.
Strategic Goals and Priorities
Approving an employment agreement with an Interim Director of Community Development & Housing (U) aligns with Goal No. 2b: Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community by building a culture that attracts, retains, and motivates the highest quality talent.
Fiscal Impact
This is an approved position within the Community Development & Housing Department in the adopted FY 2026/27 budget. There is sufficient funding to support this item.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2026-129:
1. Appointing Mary Lanier as Director of Community Development & Housing (U) 3 5
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on an interim basis effective August 6, 2026; and
2. Approving the Employment Agreement.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Resolution 2026-129;
Attachment 2 – Exhibit A – Employment Agreement
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
N/A
CC
Eric Levitt, City Manager