City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: February 27, 2024
Agenda Item: 5.G
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Oles Gordeev, Acting Director of Human Resources, Human Resources Department
Subject: Adoption of Resolution Adopting Salary Rate for City Attorney and Approval of Modification to Employment Agreement with Douglas Sloan as City Attorney
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15324 (Regulations of Working Conditions) of the CEQA Guidelines
2. Adopt a resolution of the City of Santa Monica adjusting the salary rate for City Attorney (Attachment A).
3. Approve modification to employment agreement with Douglas Sloan for service as City Attorney and authorize the Mayor to sign the modification to employment agreement on behalf of the City (Attachment B).
Summary
On February 13, 2024, the City Council approved an adjustment of approximately 10% to the City Attorney’s base salary. This change serves to better align the City Attorney position with duties performed. To accomplish this equity adjustment, staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution adopting a new salary rate for the City Attorney and approve the attached modification to the City Attorney’s employment agreement.
Discussion
On February 13, 2024, the City Council approved an adjustment of approximately 10% to the City Attorney’s base salary, from $344,580 to $380,004, effective March 10, 2024. 2 of 3
Accordingly, staff proposes a salary change to the City Attorney position, which better aligns the position with duties performed. Attachment A presents a salary resolution adjusting the base salary for City Attorney. Attachment B presents a modification to the employment agreement with the City Attorney.
Environmental Review
This action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because a salary resolution and modification to a personnel contract will not cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Furthermore, if this action were considered a project, it would be categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15324 (Regulations of Working Conditions) of the CEQA Guidelines, which consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies to regulate employee wages and worker conditions.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
No budget action is necessary at this time as a result of the recommended action in this report. The FY 2023-24 four-month prorated cost to the General Fund for the adjustments identified in this report is approximately $15,273 (salary plus benefits) and will be absorbed within the existing budget in the City Attorney’s Office. Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Michael Arnoldus, Human Resources Manager
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Attachment A-Salary Resolution
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B. Attachment B-First Modification to Employment Agreement