CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 6 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 10-2312 File ID: 26-10894 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Human Resources Department
MEETING DATE: February 23, 2026
SUBJECT:
City of San Mateo and All Union/Association MOUs — Amendment RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to amend the San Mateo City Employees’ Association (SMCEA), San Mateo Police Officers Association (SMPOA), San Mateo Police Sergeants Association (SMPSA), San Mateo Safety Management Association (SMSMA), San Mateo Management Employees’ Association (SMMEA), SEIU Library Merit Unit (SEIU LIB), SEIU Library Per Diem Unit (SEIU LIB PD), SEIU Maintenance Unit (SEIU M) and SEIU Non-Merit Per Diem Unit (SEIU NMPT) MOUs pertaining to the total compensation survey sections and approve side letters of agreement with SMCEA, SMPOA, SMPSA, SMSMA, SMMEA, SEIU LIB, SEIU LIB PD, SEIU M and SEIU NMPT for total compensation survey methodology and authorize the City and its unions/associations to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented.
BACKGROUND:
During the last contract negotiations with the various unions/associations, concerns were raised regarding how total compensation surveys were conducted. Specifically, certain benchmark classifications, total compensation survey components, and jurisdictions used in previous surveys were questioned. As a result, the City proposed a limited reopener for the purpose of reviewing the comparable city requirements and factors, including benchmark classifications to be used in future total compensation surveys during contract negotiations. After meeting and conferring since August 7, 2025, the City has reached agreement with all bargaining units over the Total Compensation Survey Methodology. As a result, we will now have a consistent and fair survey methodology aimed at attracting and retaining talent with competitive wages and benefits. Furthermore, all classifications will be linked to a relevant “Benchmark” classification within the same bargaining unit. A summary of the agreement is as follows:
Jurisdictions
The following twelve (12) cities will be surveyed from each of the following counties - San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda, as follows:
San Mateo County:
• Daly City
• Redwood City
• South San Francisco
Santa Clara County:
• Milpitas
• Mountain View
• Palo Alto
• Santa Clara
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Alameda County:
• Alameda
• Hayward
• Livermore
• San Leandro
• Union City
For the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the following eight (8) jurisdictions will be surveyed:
• Dublin/San Ramon District
• Hayward
• North Sanitation District
• Oro Loma
• Palo Alto
• Silicon Valley Clean Water
• South San Francisco
• Sunnyvale
Data
The following data will be included in the total compensation survey for each identified benchmark classification:
• Top Step of Base Salary
• Maximum Education/Certification Pay Premium when available to all employees in the classification • Employer’s Portion of Retirement Paid by the Employee (this amount is subtracted from the Total Compensation) - PEPRA Rate
• Deferred Compensation
• Cafeteria Plan
• Health (Most Expensive Plan)
• Dental
• Vision
• Life insurance
• Long-term Disability (LTD)
• Social Security and/or Medicare (if applicable)
BUDGET IMPACT:
The recommended amendments regarding total compensation surveys for bargaining units does not have a quantifiable fiscal impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This side letter of agreements is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is a government fiscal activity which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4).)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Resolution
Exhibit A – Side Letters of Agreement
STAFF CONTACT
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Yumi Maeda, Senior Human Resource Analyst
[email protected]
(650) 522-7279