City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: March 11, 2025
Agenda Item: 4.J
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dana Brown, Human Resources Director, Human Resources Department Subject: Approval of City Attorney Amended and Restated Employment Agreement Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
1. Adopt a finding that the actions are not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15601(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines;
2. Approve the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Douglas Sloan for his services as City Attorney; and
3. Authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement on behalf of the City. 2 of 3
Executive Summary
On February 11, 2025, Council approved an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Douglas Sloan for his services as City Attorney. Mr. Sloan was originally appointed into the position on May 10, 2022, and entered into the original Employment Agreement. In March 2024, the City and Sloan entered into a First Modification of Employment Agreement to increase Sloan’s salary, in order to maintain appropriate internal alignment between the salary of the City Attorney and the salary of other City officials. The City and Sloan wish to enter this Amended and Restated Employment Agreement to provide Sloan with additional non-cashable leave on a onetime basis, and to consolidate all terms and conditions of Sloan’s employment into one document.
Environmental Review
Pursuant to CEQA Section 21065, the agreement for Mr. Sloan’s service does not meet the definition of a “project” subject to CEQA as it will not “cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment”. Additionally, per Section 15378(b) of the CEQA Guidelines, a “project” does not include administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Therefore, the agreement is not subject to CEQA. Additionally, the agreement is 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 agreement is administrative in nature.
Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the agreement 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 Attorney position are included in the City’s budget.
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Prepared By: Sasha Sargent, Executive Administrative Assistant Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. SLOAN AMENDED AND RESTATED CONTRACT 2025
B. Written Comments