City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: January 13, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.P
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dana Brown, Human Resources Director, Human Resources Department Subject: Approval of Offer Letter for Retired Annuitant Denise Anderson-Warren for Services as Interim Director of Records and Election Services (City Clerk) 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 offer letter to Denise Anderson-Warren for her services as Interim Director of Records and Election Services (“City Clerk”); and
3. Authorize the Mayor to sign the offer letter on behalf of the City.
Summary
On January 6, 2026, the City Council appointed Denise Anderson-Warren to serve as Interim City Clerk upon the departure of former City Clerk Nikima Newsome and continuing until the completion of a recruitment and selection process for a permanent City Clerk. Ms. Anderson-Warren retired in 2023 from the position of City Clerk and is therefore uniquely qualified to assume the role immediately with no need for additional training.
As a retired annuitant, Ms. Anderson-Warren’s appointment is subject to the requirements of Government Code Section 21221(h). In accordance with these requirements, under the terms of the offer letter, Ms. Anderson-Warren’s hourly rate will be $119.13 (which equates to an annual salary of $247,788); her services will be for a limited duration to commence on January 15, 2026, until a permanent appointment is 2 of 2
made; and she will 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. Anderson-Warren’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 offer letter for Ms. Anderson-Warren’s services as a retired annuitant 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 offer letter is administrative in nature. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the offer letter 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 the recommended action. Salary for retired annuitants appointed for a limited duration is included in the FY 2025-26 budget.
Prepared By: Dana Brown, Human Resources Director
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Denise Anderson Warren Interim City Clerk Job Offer Letter