RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UNION CITY
APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
WITH FAROOQ AZIM TO CONTINUE THE CRITICALLY NEEDED
POSITION OF EXTRA HELP FOR THE CITY ENGINEER
WHEREAS, Farooq Azim retired from the City of Union City’s Public Works Department, from the position of City Engineer, effective October 6, 2025; and WHEREAS, Government Code section 7522.56 requires that post-retirement employment of a retired annuitant subject to CalPERS regulations commence no earlier than 180 days after the retirement date, which is October 6, 2025, plus 180 days (i.e., April 4, 2026), absent any exception; and
WHEREAS, Government Code section 7522.56(f)(1) provides an exception to the 180 day requirement if the City, certifies the nature of the employment and that the appointment is necessary to fill a critically needed position before 180 days have passed and the governing body of the City has approved the appointment in a public meeting, provided that the appointment is not placed on a consent calendar; and WHEREAS, Government Code section 21224 requires that the City Council of the City of Union City (“City Council”) make specified findings prior to the employment of a retired annuitant subject to CalPERS regulations as relevant here, (1) the appointment must be made because the retiree possesses specialized skills needed for work of limited duration, (2) the employment cannot exceed 960 hours, (3) the hourly rate does not exceed the maximum monthly base salary paid to active employees performing comparable duties divided by 173.333, (4) the retiree cannot receive any additional benefits, incentives, or compensation in lieu of benefits, and (5) the retiree must not have received unemployment insurance compensation from a CalPERS employer within the 12 months prior to the appointment; and WHEREAS, on October 14, 2025, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-138 approving an exception to the 180-day waiting period for post-retirement employment of Farooq Azim to fill the critically needed position for City Engineer upon making the necessary findings and certifications pursuant to California Government Code Sections 7522.56 (f)(1) and 21224, stated above; and
WHEREAS, based upon the findings above, the City entered into a certain Employment Agreement with Farooq Azim effective October 14, 2025, to fill the critically needed position of Extra Help for the City Engineer. The terms of the Employment Agreement state that the term is limited to June 30, 2026, and that the monthly base salary for this position is $19,938, with an hourly equivalent of $115.03. Such terms are in conformance with CalPERS regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Employment Agreement with Farooq Azim to extend the term of the agreement from June 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026, as the need for extra help to aid in the transition of duties to the newly hired City Engineer remains. All other terms will remain.
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Resolution No. 2026-XXX
First Amended Employment Agreement – Farooq Azim as City Engineer Extra Help
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council of the City of Union City hereby approves and authorizes the City Manager to execute the First Amended Contract with Farooq Azim, extending the term through December 31, 2026.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Union City at a regular meeting held on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
GARY SINGH
Mayor
ATTESTED: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
THAI NAM N. PHAM
City Clerk
KRISTOPHER J. KOKOTAYLO
City Attorney
Attachments:
1) Exhibit A – Annuitant Agreement
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FIRST AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF UNION CITY AND FAROOQ AZIM
This First Amended Employment Agreement (this “First Amended Agreement”) is entered into this Twenty Third day of June 2026, by and between the City of Union City (“City”) and Farooq Azim (“Farooq Azim” or “Annuitant”) collectively referred to as “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, on October 6, 2025, Annuitant retired from the City; and WHEREAS, Annuitant has previously served as a City Engineer; and WHEREAS, Annuitant, by virtue of having previously served as a City Engineer employed by the City for 34 years has specialized knowledge to assist with the transfer of information related to transitioning all Land Development Projects and Clean Water Program responsibilities to new City Engineer; Closing out other land development or CIP projects; Continuing the project manager (PM) role for the At-Grade Pedestrian Crossing during permitting prior to start of construction and transfer other UP improvements; Coordinating the relocation of Verizon’s fiber optic line in UP’s right of way which is to begin on October 6, 2025; Reviewing and approving the improvement plans and Parcel Map for Lazuli development and help resolve staging as to this project; Helping resolve the several outstanding items for Lennar development, including alignment of Decoto Road/9th Street, CPUC easement, angled parking, approval of submittals for storm drain system and fiber optic line discussion to the Corpyard; and helping close out the Sea Breeze Park improvements associated with Nuvera Homes; and WHEREAS, the City desires to employ the Annuitant as an extra help annuitant for the City Engineer within Public Works Department, pursuant to Government Code Section 21224; and
WHEREAS, the California Public Employees Retirement System (“CalPERS”) regulations allow a benefit recipient to work up to 960 hours per fiscal year pursuant to Government Code Section 21224; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the City to retain the services of Annuitant, following retirement, as an extra help retired annuitant to assist with the transfer of information related to transitioning all Land Development Projects and Clean Water Program responsibilities to new City Engineer; Close out other land development or CIP projects; Continue the project manager (PM) role for the At-Grade Pedestrian Crossing during permitting prior to start of construction and transfer other UP improvements; Coordinate the relocation of Verizon’s fiber optic line in UP’s right of way which is to begin on October 6, 2025; Review and approve the improvement plans and Parcel Map for Lazuli development and help resolve staging as to this project; Help resolve the several outstanding items for Lennar development, including alignment of Decoto Road/9th Street, CPUC easement, angled parking, approval of submittals for storm drain system 411 of 414
and fiber optic line discussion to the Corpyard; and help close out the Sea Breeze Park improvements associated with Nuvera Homes; and
WHEREAS, Annuitant desires to accept a part-time and temporary employment contract under the terms and conditions set forth below; and WHEREAS, on October 14, 2025, City Council approved Resolution No. 2025-138 approving an exception to the 180-day waiting period for post-retirement employment of Farooq Azim to fill the critically needed position for City Engineer upon making the necessary findings pursuant to California Government Code Sections 7522.56 (f)(1) and 21224; and
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into that certain agreement on October 14, 2026 (“Original Agreement”) setting forth the terms and conditions of Annuitant’s duties and services as an extra help retired annuitant for a limited term expiring on June 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the term of the Original Agreement such that Annuitant’s employment extends until December 21, 2026, without interruption, subject to the terms and conditions of Annuitant’s duties and services as an extra help retired annuitant as set forth in this First Amended First Amended Agreement.
AGREEMENT
The Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. SCOPE OF SERVICE. Annuitant shall perform his duties to the best of h ability in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards of the profession.
Annuitant shall comply with the City’s rules and regulations and he shall obey the laws of the State of California and the United States of America as they apply to the performance of his duties.
2. TERM. The term of this First Amended Agreement shall begin on October 18, 2025 and end no later than December 31, 2026. Further, as agreed upon by Parties, Annuitant hereby certifies and understands that he shall not work more than 40 hours per week, nor shall the City be financially responsible for paying Annuitant for work performed in excess of 40 hours per week.
3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This First Amended Agreement shall become effective after:
i. This First Amended Agreement is approved and executed by Annuitant; and ii. This First Amended Agreement is approved and executed by the City Manager.
4. RETIRED ANNUITANT STATUS. It is intended that at all times Annuitant’s postretirement employment shall be in compliance with all laws governing employment of CalPERS retired annuitants, including without limitation Government Code Sections 7522.56 & 21224. Annuitant hereby certifies that he understands that he 412 of 414
is solely responsible for monitoring his hours worked and ensuring that he does not work more than 960 hours in a fiscal year (including work performed prior to execution of this agreement and work performed for other employers participating in CalPERS).
5. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED BY ANNUITANT. Annuitant shall perform the duties of Extra Help for the City Engineer role in the Public Works Department or as directed by the City Manager and in accordance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and local laws.
6. COMPENSATION. City shall pay Annuitant for his services hereunder as an extra help annuitant and Annuitant shall accept, as full and complete compensation for said services, the sum of $115.03 per hour. Annuitant shall receive no other payment, benefit, or remuneration other than his hourly wage for his services.
There shall be no deductions from his wages for health insurance (including medical, dental, vision care, life, disability), or payment of overtime, or accrual of vacation leave, or any other similar benefits of whatever kind or nature.
7. INDEMNIFICATION. City agrees, in the event Annuitant is named as a defendant in a civil action arising from or as a result of his performance of duties as Extra Help for the Public Works Department to provide Annuitant such indemnification benefits as are required to be provided to an employee of the City under the laws of the State of California, including, but not limited to, the provisions of Government Code Sections 825 et seq. and 995 et seq. This provision shall not apply with respect to any intentional tort or crime committed by Annuitant, or any actions outside the performance of his job duties pursuant to this First Amended Agreement.
8. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE. Annuitant hereby certifies that he has not received any unemployment insurance payments in the past 12 months.
9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This First Amended Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and no other agreement, statement or promise relating to the subject matter of this First Amended Agreement which is not contained herein shall be valid or binding unless in writing and signed by both Parties.
10. GOVERNING LAW. The validity of this First Amended Agreement and of any of its terms or provisions as well as the rights and duties of the Parties hereunder, shall be governed by the laws of the State of California and leave for any action concerning the terms of this First Amended Agreement shall be in the Superior Court of the County of Alameda.
11. SEVERABILITY. Should any part, term or provision of this First Amended Agreement be declared invalid, void or unenforceable, all remaining parts, terms and provisions hereof shall remain in full force and shall in no way be invalidated, impaired or affected thereby.
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12. ASSIGNMENT. The Parties agree that the expertise and experience of Annuitant are material considerations for this First Amended Agreement. Annuitant shall not assign, transfer, or subcontract any interest in this First Amended Agreement, nor the performance of any of Annuitant’s obligations hereunder.
13. TERMINATION. Annuitant understands that he is an at-will employee and that employment may be terminated by Annuitant or City at any time, for any reason, or for no reason at all. The City’s right of termination shall be in addition to other remedies available under law to the City.
14. WAIVER. Waiver by City of any breach or violation of any term or condition of this First Amended Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other term or condition contained herein or a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation of the same or any other term or condition. The acceptance by City of the performance of any work or services by Annuitant shall not be deemed a waiver of any term or condition of this First Amended Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this First Amended Agreement to be executed on the dates hereinafter respectively set forth.
City of Union City
DATED: ____________________ By: _____________________________ Joan Malloy
City Manager
Approved as to Form:_____________________________
Kristopher J. Kokotaylo
City Attorney
Annuitant
DATED: ____________________ By: _____________________________ Farooq Azim
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