RESOLUTION NUMBER: 6655-2025
CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
APPOINTING RON NELSON, A RETIRED ANNUITANT, AS INTERIM POLICE CAPTAIN AND CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY TO FILL A CRITICALLY NEEDED POSITION PRIOR TO 180 DAYS FROM RON NELSON’S RETIREMENT DATE, AND
TO PREVENT STOPPAGE OF PUBLIC BUSINESS AND CONTINUE MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS WHEREAS, The City of Sebastopol Police Captain James Hickey has recently retired, the Police Records and Support Services Manager position is currently vacant, creating an immediate and critical need for continuity of mid-level leadership to support the newly appointed Police Chief Sean McDonagh in the Sebastopol Police Department; and WHEREAS, to provide continuity of leadership and prevent stoppage of public business and continue Municipal operations the City Council desires to appoint an interim Police Captain during the active recruitment of a new Police Captain; and WHEREAS, Ron Nelson is experienced in police leadership, serving as Police Chief for the City of Sebastopol since 2022, Lieutenant before that for the cities of Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, and Interim Police Chief for the City of Sebastopol from November 6, 2024 through March 14, 2025 with a 180-day exemption; and WHEREAS, Ron Nelson is retired less than 180 days, and the City Council of the City of Sebastopol finds that this appointment is necessary to fill a critically needed position before 180 days have passed from Mr. Nelson’s retirement date of October 26, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Council makes this appointment at a public meeting on the Regular Calendar and not on the Consent Calendar and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 7522.56 allows an exception to the 180-day wait period rule under the above conditions, and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 21221(h) allows one interim appointment to a vacant position requiring specialized skills, during the active recruitment for the position, not to exceed 960 hours each fiscal year; and WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson attests that he has not collected unemployment insurance compensation in the last twelve months and is being hired pursuant to the applicable provisions of 7522.56 for an interim appointment as Police Captain during the active recruitment for Police Captain not to exceed six months or 960 hours whichever is lessor and to fill a critically needed position to prevent stoppage of public business and continue Municipal operations, and WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson will be compensated solely by $74.42 an hour with a not to exceed of $12,899.00 per month, which is not less than nor more than the salary paid to other employees performing comparable duties as listed on the City’s publicly available pay schedule for the vacant position, and will not receive any additional compensation or benefits for his services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Sebastopol make this appointment of Retired Annuitant Ron Nelson in a regular public meeting to fill a vacant Police Captain position in the Police Department during the active recruitment for the position and certify that the nature of the employment is necessary to fill a critical need and prevent stoppage of public business and continue Municipal operations before 180 days have passed since Ron Nelson’s retirement.
The above and foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted at a meeting by the City Council on the 18th day of March 2025.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2D67C9A0-BD6E-4155-BB37-541B88423BCC I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City of Sebastopol City Council by the following vote:
VOTE:
Ayes: Councilmembers Carter, Hinton, Maurer and Mayor Zollman Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor McLewis
Abstain: None
APPROVED:
Stephen Zollman, Mayor
ATTEST:
Mary Gourley, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Alex Mog, City Attorney
Docusign Envelope ID: 2D67C9A0-BD6E-4155-BB37-541B88423BCC