Santa Rosa City Council
December 2, 2025

APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CITY MANAGERDecember 2, 2025Dominique Blanquie, Human Resources Director •City Manager Maraskeshia Smith announced her resignation. Her last day is January 2, 2026.•The City will be conducting an open recruitment in early 2026 for her replacement which will likely take 6 months or more.•Council held interviews for the Interim City Manager and provided direction to staff in Closed Sessions in October and early NovemberDecember 2, 2025 2Background
•Council selected Lori Ann Farrell to serve as Interim City Manager.•Ms. Farrell has agreed to the terms/conditions in the proposed Employment Agreement•If appointed by Council, Ms. Farrell will begin on January 2, 2026, and continue for a temporary time until new CM is selected and starts.December 2, 2025 3Appointment & Employment Agreement
Salary: $291,200 annually; no merit or cost of living salary increases unless expressly approved by Council (requires a public approval process like this one).Temporary Housing Assistance: $3,000/month if she establishes and maintains housing in Sonoma County or Marin County.Auto Allowance: $500/month for personal vehicle use for City business -- same benefit provided to Executive Management employees (Unit 10).Vacation Leave, Sick Leave and Holidays: Same benefit provided to Executive Management employees (Unit 10) December 2, 2025 4ICM Compensation & Benefits
December 2, 2025
5ICM Compensation & BenefitsAdministrative Leave: 80 hours of administrative leave on first day, and 80 hours of administrative leave on July 1 of new fiscal year. Wellness Incentive: $500/year as a wellness incentive, paid in January for the year – same benefit as Executive Management employees (Unit 10). Other Benefits: Same other benefits provided to Executive Management employees (Unit 10) -- health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, participation in CalPERS retirement program, and retiree health savings plan.

RecommendationIt is recommended that Council:1) Adopt a resolution appointing Lori Ann Farrell Interim City Manager effective January 2, 2026, and approving an Employment Agreement with Ms. Farrell. 2) Introduce the proposed ordinance ESTABLISHING MONTHLY SALARY OF $24,266.66 ($291,200 ANNUALLY) AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER. December 2, 2025 6 Questions?