CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
June 24, 2024
TO: City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO INITIATE RECRUITMENT TO FILL TWO AT -WILL POSITIONS IN THE CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council authorize initiation of recruitment to fill the two At-Will positions in the City Manager’s Office.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
In January 2024, City Manager Brian Gabler announced his retirement and the City Council initiated a recruitment to fill his position. On May 29, 2024, the City Council announced the appointment of Samantha Argabrite, Assistant City Manager, as his replacement effective July 1, 2024, leaving a vacant Assistant City Manager position. On June 19, 2024, Assistant City Manager Linda Swan submitted her retirement notice and her last day with the City will be July 19, 20 24. On April 25, 2019, the City Council provided direction that all recruitments for At-Will positions first receive authorization from the City Council prior to initiating recruitment . As these executive-level positions are critical positions to the operations of the City, staff is requesting authorization to initiate recruitment to fill the two vacant At-Will positions.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
The Assistant City Manager is a critical positio n that provides assistance and support to the City Manager. The position manages economic development initiatives, oversees the City’s annual budget preparation, Community Programs and Facilities division, sustainability initiatives, analyzes and implemen ts policies and procedures, oversees labor negotiations , public information, addresses and resolves public complaints and inquiries, oversees the City’s intergovernmental relations, and provides responsible staff assistance to the City Manager, City Council, and department heads. The City Manager’s office is a department of close to 50 persons with various areas of responsibility. In addition to the operations of the City, the Ass istant City Manager will provide support to the operations of the City Manager’s Office and assume responsibility for special projects.
At its meeting of April 25, 2019, the City Council provided direction on recruitment, and the then Interim City Manager implemented a policy that recruitments for At -Will employees be first authorized by the City Council prior to starting the recruitment.
Additionally, two City Council Members will participate in the interview process and provide advisory input to the selection of a candidate to fill a vacant At-Will position.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
Consent (4)
2 Historically the City Manager’s Office has been staffed with a combination of Assistant City Managers and/or Deputy City Manager s. At this time, the wor kload in the City Manager’s Office dictates filling both positions and staff is seeking authorization to recruit for the position s. However, having both Assistant City Manager position s available creates flexibility in staffing the vacancies. The City Manager will evaluate the office and position workloads and responsibilities as well staffing of City initiatives and fill the vacancies at the appropriate staff levels (i.e. Assistant/Deputy City Manager, Assistant to the City Manager). As the Assistant City Manager and the Deputy City Manager positions are At-Will, staff is recommending the City Council authorize the recruitment to fill the two At-Will vacancies.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Authorize initiation of recruitment to fill the two At -Will posit ions in the City Manager’s Office;
2. Delay the recruitment to fill the At-Will positions to a later date;
3. Provide staff with further direction.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to authorize the initiation of recruitment to fill the two At-Will positions in the City Manager’s Office.
SUMMARY
In January 2024, City Manager Brian Gabler announced his retirement and the City Council initiated a recruitment to fill his position. On May 29, 2024, the City Council announced the appointment of Samantha Argabrite, Assistant City Manager as his replacement effective July 1, 2024, leaving a vacant Assistant City Manager position. On June 19, 2024, Assistant City Manager Linda Swan submitted her retirement notice and her last day with the City will be July 19, 2024 , leaving two vacant At -Will positions. As the position of Assistant City Manager is an essential leadership position with a broad range of responsible areas, authorization is requested to initiate recruitment for the two At-Will positions in the City Manager’s Office.
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Brian P. Gabler
City Manager
Prepared by: Samantha Argabrite, Assistant City Manager