FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Employment Agreement for Interim City Manager Services
Description:
The City Council will consider ratifying and approving an Employment Agreement with Alexander Posada for Interim City Manager Services, effective September 23, 2023.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Envi ronmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution approving an Employment Agreement for Interim City Manager Services.
BACKGROUND:
On August 9, 2023, City Manager Jason Stilwell announced his intent to retire effective September 22, 2023, after eight years of service to the City of Santa Maria, including six accomplished years as its City Manager. On Thursday, September 1 4, 2023, the City Council held a Closed Session to discuss the interim replacement for City Manager Stilwell. The announcement out of the Closed Session was that the City Council unanimously selected an Interim City Manager a nd directed City Manager Stilwe ll to negotiate an Employment Agreement. On September 15, 2023 , Mr. Posada executed the agreement that is now presented for City Council ratification.
DISCUSSION:
The Candidate
Alex Posada has been an employee of the City since 1978, most recently serving as the City’s Recreation and Parks Director. He is by far the longest -serving Department Director. Posada was hired full-time as a Recreational Specialist in 1979, was promoted to Recreation Supervisor in 1981, and to Director in 1993.
Mr. Posada’s community involvement includes the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria, United Way, and he is a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics, among other interests. He grew up in the East Bay near San Francisco and attended San Jose State University.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
2 The Employment Agreement is attached for your review (Attachment A) and sets forth the terms and conditions of the Interim City Manager's appointment. Overall, the terms and conditions are consistent with the direction given by the City Council; namely, to draft an employment agreement similar to the terms of the current City Manager's employment agreement.
The highlights of the agreement and Resolution calls for:
The annual salary range being $9,441.69 bi-weekly.
The health, medical, and other associated related benefits that will be provided are consistent to that of other management-level positions within the City. The Agreement remains in effect until the City completes its recruitment and hiring for the position of City Manager or the end of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, whichever comes sooner.
Fiscal Considerations
As directed by the City Council, the Interim City Manager will be placed at a salary higher than the position of Director of Recreation and Parks and lower than that anticipated for the subsequent incoming permanent City Manager. The City will realize an annual salary savings when compared to the current incumbent's salary.
As Council is aware, the C ity Manager's job is highly complex; the City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for coordination and oversight of the activities and operations of the City's 10 departments and its overall $214.5 million budget, subject to the policy direction of the City Council. The incumbent will oversee an agency with over seven hundred full-time and part-time employees, direct administrative services of departments, prepare an annual budget, directly supervise and hire department directors, advise and assist the Council, and network with civic leaders on matters affecting the community.
Alternatives
The City Council considered alternatives in Closed Session and established an ad hoc committee to pursue the preferred alternative and return to City Council with a recommendation. The City Council considered the recommendation of the ad hoc Committee and directed entering into an employment agreement for Interim City Manager with Mr. Posada.
Impact to the Community
The proposed appointment is intended to provide the organization and community with a seamless transition in the City's top administrative position and to ensure a continued commitment to excellence in the delivery of public services. The City Council authorized the selection of a recruitment firm to conduct the recruitment of the next City Manager.
That process will be conducted over the next several months.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Employment Agreement_Interim City Manager