CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
STAFF REPORT
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal
Hill, California 90755-3799
7/26/2022
AGENDA ITEM
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
SYLVIA SOONG
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
SUBJECT:
APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CITY MANAGER
Summary:
Following the recent resignation of Hannah Shin-Heydorn, the position of City Manager as the City’s Chief Administrative Officer is currently vacant. City Council will consider appointing an interim City Manager to fill this critical administrative role until a permanent new City Manager is onboard. To fill the permanent City Manager position, the Council will begin the recruitment process by selecting an executive search firm. Recruiting and onboarding of a new City Manager may take many months. To ensure continuity of operations and provide the necessary leadership to the City during this transitional period, the City Council will consider appointing Joseph M. Hoefgen to serve as the Interim City Manager until a permanent City Manager is selected.
Recommendations:
1. Determine an interim assignment to the vacant position of City Manager is necessary for the City's secure, ongoing operations and that the position of City Manager requires specialized skills.
2. Appoint Joseph M. Hoefgen as Interim City Manager to serve a limited-term ending on the date immediately preceding the date on which the permanent replacement for the vacant position of City Manager commences their employment or, if earlier, the date that this appointment is terminated by the City Council, or Joseph M. Hoefgen, as being in the best interest of the City.
3. Authorize the Mayor of City of Signal Hill to enter into an employment agreement with Joseph M. Hoefgen as Interim City Manager.
4. Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING JOSEPH M. HOEFGEN AS THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER UNDER CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 1 of 3 Printed on 7/21/2022
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GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 21221(h)
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions as the hourly rate of pay for the interim City Manager will be funded through salary savings resulting from the vacant position. The City Manager's salary is included in the budget; therefore, no budget adjustment or appropriation is necessary for this interim appointment.
Strategic Plan Objectives:
Goal No. 5: Ensure an enhanced quality of life for residents of the City.
Goal No. 5.7.1: Evaluate the attractiveness of employee compensation, work environment, and employee appreciation programs.
Goal No. 6: Promote a transparent and open government.
Background:
Former City Manager, Hannah Shin-Heydorn, resigned on July 13, 2022. The City must have continuous chief executive leadership to ensure proper management and operations. The City has significant current and ongoing projects, initiatives, and an upcoming election this November. Deputy City Manager, Scott Charney, has been filling the vacant position temporarily as an acting assignment.
The City Manager position requires specialized skills and experience, and the City has actively embarked on recruitment to find a permanent replacement to fill the City Manager role. The City will retain the services of an executive search firm to manage the recruitment and fill the vacant position.
Due to the length of time necessary to accomplish the selection and required background process, it is essential to appoint an interim City Manager with extensive experience and superior leadership qualities to ensure continuity of operations and lead the City during this transitional time.
There are several State laws and regulations governing the post-retirement employment of a CalPERS retiree:
The Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA, Assembly Bill 340), Senate Bill 1021 and Senate Bill 13 established new requirements for post-retirement employment of CalPERS retirees. Effective January 1, 2013, eligible retirees can be hired into retired annuitant interim positions approved by the governing body of the employer, as authorized by Government Code sections 7522.56 and 21221(h) during an active recruitment for a permanent replacement for the vacant position. A retired annuitant interim City Manager can work up to a maximum of 960 hours per fiscal year.
Analysis:
The Council has identified that Mr. Hoefgen possesses the following necessary municipal leadership experience and specialized skills to fill the position of Interim City Manager as a CalPERS retired CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 2 of 3 Printed on 7/21/2022
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7/26/2022
annuitant while recruiting a regular employee. Mr. Hoefgen:
· Possesses over 30 years of progressively responsible local government experience, including over ten years as City Manager;
· Possesses a Bachelor of Science in Education from Emporia State University in Kansas and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas; · Participated in professional memberships/affiliations as the Chair of South Bay City Manager Association, as guest lecturer of Cal State Long Beach Public Policy Program, and served as the South Bay Council of Governments Representative; and · Has specialized skills, having previously served as the City Manager of the cities of Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes Estates.
In compliance with Government Code sections 7522.56 and 21221(h) [interim appointments]:
· Mr. Hoefgen has specialized skills in the field of executive administration management; · Mr. Hoefgen will only be appointed once to the position of Interim City Manager for a period of limited duration;
· Mr. Hoefgen’ s hours shall not exceed a combined total of 960 for all CalPERS employers during Fiscal Year 2022-23;
· Mr. Hoefgen's compensation shall not exceed the maximum monthly base salary paid to other employees performing comparable duties, that being $117.60 per hour; and · Mr. Hoefgen shall not receive any benefits, incentives, compensation in lieu of benefits, or any other forms of compensation in addition to the hourly rate.
Reviewed:
_________________________
Sharon del Rosario
Approved:
_________________________
Scott Charney
Attachments
CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 3 of 3 Printed on 7/21/2022
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