City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: February 3, 2026
From: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Subject
Personnel Transition Agreement
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Personnel Transition Agreement with the current Deputy City Administrator, in substantially the same form as submitted, which supersedes the employee’s At-Will Employment Agreement and approves certain executive-level benefits to be carried forward to the new classification of Deputy General Manager of Public Utilities.
Background
There is a demonstrated need within the Public Utilities Department for enhanced management support of the Natural Gas Division, as well as for legislative oversight in response to an evolving regulatory and legislative environment that directly affects all Utility divisions.
The current Deputy City Administrator, Angela Kimmey, possesses the necessary skill sets to meet these needs. She has over 25 years of utility experience with the cities of Vernon and Pasadena, providing policy guidance on strategic initiatives, managing government programs specifically in energy policy, state and federal legislative and regulatory advocacy, electric and natural gas compliance, utility finance, and risk management. In addition, the employee brings significant legislative experience and currently helps represent the City of Vernon at the federal, state, and local levels.
The City and employee are parties to an At-Will Employment Agreement dated January 31, 2022 (At-Will Employment Agreement), by which the City employs the incumbent in the at-will classification of Deputy City Administrator. The Deputy City Administrator position is an executive-level role and, as such, receives executive-level benefits. In contrast, the newly created Deputy General Manager of Public Utilities position is a management-level position and is therefore not eligible for executive-level benefits. The new classification of Deputy General Manager will not be designated as at-will and will not require an employment agreement.
In order to effectuate this classification change and due to the organizational needs outlined above, a Transition Agreement has been developed (Attachment 1). The proposed Transition Agreement would allow the employee to maintain the executive-level benefits she currently receives.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(d) (3), prior to taking final action, an oral report summarizing the recommended executive-level benefits to be paid pursuant to the Transition Agreement will be provided.
If approved by the City Council, the Transition Agreement will supersede the existing At-Will Employment Agreement. The Transition Agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney.
Fiscal Impact
Approval of the proposed Personnel Transition Agreement will result in no net fiscal impact to the City. The employee will remain at their current salary grade and step and will continue to receive existing benefits. Following the transition, all compensation and benefits costs will be funded through the Public Utilities budget.
Attachments
1. Transition Agreement