City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: January 28, 2025
Agenda Item: 5.T
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dana Brown, Human Resources Director, Human Resources Department Subject: Approval of Agreement for Service as Interim City Manager – Elaine Polachek Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15601(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Approve the two agreements with Elaine Polachek for her services as Interim City Manager; and
3. Authorize the Mayor to sign the agreements on behalf of the City.
Summary
On January 21, 2025, Council appointed Elaine Polachek to serve as Interim City Manager. Ms. Polachek’s service will begin as providing extra help for a limited duration commencing on February 3, 2025, where she will work in a part-time capacity at the direction of City Manager David White to facilitate a smooth leadership transition to ensure a continuity of city business. Upon Mr. White’s departure on February 20, 2025, Ms. Polachek will assume the position of full-time Interim City Manager continuing until the completion of the pending recruitment for a permanent City Manager. As a retired annuitant, Ms. Polachek’s employment in this position is subject to the requirements of Government Code Section 21221(g) and (h). In accordance with these requirements, an agreement has been reached for Ms. Polachek’s employment in this position. There are two agreements to reflect the terms of these appointments. Under the terms of both agreements, Ms. Polachek’s hourly rate will be $197.41 (which equates to an annual salary of $410,604). As a retired annuitant, as required by California law, she will 2 of 2
receive no additional benefits. Because she will be serving as a “local agency executive” as defined in Government Code Section 3511.1(d), California law requires that Ms. Polachek’s pay be approved at a regular meeting, with an oral summary provided before final action is taken. See Government Code Sections 54953(c)(3), 54956(b).
Environmental Review
The agreements for Ms. Polachek’s service as a retired annuitant are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The agreements are administrative in nature. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the agreements would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is exempt from CEQA.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of recommended action. Salary and benefits for the City Manager position and salary for the Interim City Manager position are included in the FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 budgets.
Prepared By: Sasha Sargent, Executive Administrative Assistant Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. POLACHEK INTERIM FINAL
B. POLACHEK INTERIM REDACTED FINAL