HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2008-082 N.C.S. 05/19/2008Resolution No. 2008-082 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California.
RESOLUTION APPROVING FIRST AMENDED AT-WILL AGREEMENT FOR
EMPLOYMENT OF CITY MANAGER
AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, the City and City Manager John C. Brown entered into an At-Will
Agreement for Employment dated February 7, 2008 and effective April 1, 2008; and,
WHEREAS, provision 13(a) of the February 7, 2008 Agreement provides that the City
agrees to enroll and make all the appropriate contributions into the California Public Employees'
Retirement System ("PERS") on the City Manager's behalf, for both the employer and
employee's required share; and,
WHEREAS, PERS representatives have informed the City that PERS rules and/or
regulations will not permit payment by the City of the employee's required share; and,
WHEREAS, the City may contribute an amount equivalent to contributions into PERS
on the City Manager's behalf for the employee's required share into the City of Petaluma
401(A) Government Money Purchase Plan and Trust; and,
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council to provide certain previously-negotiated
benefits to the City Manager, by substituting a contribution by the City of an amount equivalent
to the City Manager's employee share of participation in PERS into the City of Petaluma
(401)(A) Government Money Purchase Plan and Trust in place of the City Manager's employee
share of PERS contributions provided for in the At-Will Agreement for Employment dated.
February 7, 2008 and effective April 1, 2008; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council and City Manager John C. Brown agree to the terms of
employment, compensation, and benefits relating to the position of City Manager set forth in the
FIRST AMENDED AT-WILL AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY MANAGER
attached as Exhibit A.
Resolution No. 2008-082 N.C.S. Page 1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma hereby approves the FIRST AMENDED AT-WILL AGREEMENT FOR
EMPLOYMENT OF CITY MANAGER, attached as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by
reference.
BE IT FUR'TIIER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby
authorizes the Mayor to execute said FIRST AMENDED AT-WILL AGREEMENT FOR
EMPLOYMENT OF CITY MANAGER on the City's behalf.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 19`h day of May, 2008,
by the following vote:
.AYES: Freitas, Harris, Nau, O'Brien, Vice Mayor Rabbitt
NOES: Barrett, Mayor Torliatt
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: ~ `~ ~ ~ L"'----''
Deputy City Clerk
Resolution No. 2008-082 N.C.S. Page 2
EXHIBIT A
FIRST AMENDED AT-WILL
AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY MANAGER
This Agreement is made and entered into this day of , 2008, by and between
the City of Petaluma, California ("the CITY"), a charter city, and John C. Brown ("EMPLOYEE").
This Agreement (the "Agreement") shall have an effective date of April l , 2008 ("Effective
Date"). In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
WHEREAS, CITY and EMPLOYEE entered an At-Will Agreement for Employment of City Manager
dated February 7, 2008 and effective April 1, 2008 ("February 7, 2008 Agreement"); and,
WHEREAS, provision 13(a) of the February 7, 2008 Agreement provides:
Effective (start date), CITY agrees to enroll EMPLOYEE into the California Public
Employee Retirement System, ("PERS") and to make all the appropriate
contributions on the EMPLOYEE'S behalf, for both the employer and EMPLOYEE
share required; and,
WHEREAS, PERS representatives have informed the CITY that PERS rules and/or regulations and
the CITY'S current contract with PERS will not permit payment by the CITY of EMPLOYEE'S share of
the cost of EMPLOYEE's participation in PERS; and,
WHEREAS, the CITY may contribute an amount equivalent to the EMPLOYEE'S share of the cost of
EMPLOYEE'S participation in PERS into the City of Petaluma 401(A) Government Money Purchase
Plan and Trust, on EMPLOYEE'S behalf; and,
WHEREAS, CITY desires to employ the services of EMPLOYEE as the City Manager for CITY; and,
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Petaluma City Council (the governing board of CITY) to provide
certain benefits, including contribution by the CITY of an amount equivalent to the EMPLOYEE'S
share of the cost of EMPLOYEE'S participation in PERS, into the City of Petaluma 401 (A)
Government Money Purchase Plan and Trust, on EMPLOYEE'S behalf, and to establish certain
conditions of employment and to set working conditions of EMPLOYEE; and,
WHEREAS, EMPLOYEE desires to accept employment as City Manager of CITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties agree
as follows:
Appointment of City Manager:
The City Council of the CITY hereby appoints EMPLOYEE to the position of City Manager
of the City of Petaluma, California.
Expiration:
If not terminated earlier in accordance with section 5 of this Agreement, this Agreement
will expire on March 31, 2013 ("Expiration Date").
The parties to this Agreement may agree to amend the Expiration Date in writing. Should
either party desire to extend the Expiration Date, written notice must be provided to the
other party 180 days prior to the Expiration Date. Upon receipt of said notice, the parties
shall commence discussions and negotiations. The parties have no obligation to agree
Resolution No. 2008-082 N.C.S. Page 3
to extend the Expiration Date. Any extension of the Expiration Date must be in writing in
accordance with section 24(a) of this Agreement.
3. At-Will Employment:
EMPLOYEE is an at-will employee in accordance with California Labor Code section
2922, and shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. The terms of the CITY's
Personnel Rules, Policies, Procedures, Ordinances and Resolutions shall not apply to
EMPLOYEE, and nothing in this Agreement is intended to, or does, confer upon EMPLOYEE
any right to or expectation of any right or property interest in continued employment. If
a decision to terminate EMPLOYEE'S employment is made by the City Council, whether
with or without cause, EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to only that due process as is provided
by City Charter, ordinance or other applicable law.
Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right of
EMPLOYEE to resign at any time from EMPLOYEE'S position with CITY, subject to section
5(a) of this Agreement.
4. Duties and Responsibilities:
a. EMPLOYEE shall commence EMPLOYEE'S duties on or before April 1, 2008.
b. EMPLOYEE shall serve as the City Manager of the City of Petaluma, and shall be
vested with the powers, duties and responsibilities and perform the functions. and duties
specified under the laws of the State of California, the Petaluma City Charter and the
Petaluma Municipal Code, and the Ordinances and Resolutions of the CITY and other
applicable law, and such other duties and functions as the City Council may from time
to time assign.
c. EMPLOYEE agrees to devote EMPLOYEE'S productive time, ability and attention to
the CITY's business during the term of this Agreement. EMPLOYEE shall not hold
secondary employment, and shall be employed exclusively by the CITY. The CITY
recognizes that EMPLOYEE is expected to devote necessary time outside normal office
hours to business of the CITY. EMPLOYEE shall be allowed to take reasonable time off for
such work, as EMPLOYEE shall deem appropriate during normal office hours. As an
exempt employee, EMPLOYEE shall not receive overtime or extra compensation for work
performed outside normal business hours.
Termination of Employment and Severance:
a. EMPLOYEE may terminate this Agreement, with or without cause, by giving the
CITY a minimum of sixty (60) days written notice in advance of termination; unless the
parties agree otherwise. During the period following notice of termination and until the
termination becomes effective, all the rights and obligations of the parties under this
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. EMPLOYEE will not be entitled to receive
any severance pay if EMPLOYEE'S resignation is voluntary.
b. The City Council may terminate this Agreement, with or without cause. City
Council shall give EMPLOYEE a minimum sixty (60) days prior written notice of termination
provided, however, that if EMPLOYEE is terminated for cause, as defined in this
Agreement, the sixty (60) day written notice requirement shall not apply and EMPLOYEE
may be terminated effective immediately upon written notice.
c. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the Expiration Date by either party,
EMPLOYEE will be paid for all earned, accrued and unused vacation, administrative
leave, and floating holidays.
Resolution No. 2008-082 N.C.S. Page 4
d. For the purpose of this Agreement, termination without cause shall be deemed to
occur when:
1. The majority of the governing body votes to terminate the EMPLOYEE at a
duly authorized public meeting without cause, as defined in Section 5(f) of this
Agreement.
2. The City Council, the citizens or the Legislature acts to amend any
provisions of the City Charter, codes, or other enabling legislation pertaining to
the role, powers, duties, authority, or responsibilities of the EMPLOYEE'S position
that substantially changes the form of government. EMPLOYEE shall have the
right to declare that such amendments constitute termination.
3. The City Council reduces the base salary, compensation or any other
financial benefit of the EMPLOYEE (unless it is applied in no greater percentage
than the average reduction of all department directors). Such action will be
regarded as a termination.
4. Material breach of this Agreement is declared in writing by EMPLOYEE
specifying the reasons therefore, but only if CITY has not cured such declared
material breach within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of the declared
material breach. CITY may also terminate this Agreement for material breach
declared in writing by CITY specifying the reasons therefore, but only if EMPLOYEE
has not cured such declared material breach within thirty (30) days of receipt of
notice of the declared material breach. However, termination of this Agreement
by CITY for uncured, declared material breach in accordance with this provision
will not constitute termination without cause and EMPLOYEE will not be entitled to
severance pursuant to Section 5(e) of this Agreement upon such termination.
Written notice of a breach of this Agreement shall be provided in accordance
with the provisions of Section 22.
e. If the CITY terminates EMPLOYEE without cause in accordance with Section 5(d).
during the term of this Agreement, and EMPLOYEE is willing and able to perform in
accordance with this Agreement, then EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to a severance
payment equal to seven (7) months of base salary at the rate in effect at the time of
termination, plus CITY'S share of the cost of continuing health; dental, and vision
insurance for the EMPLOYEE and all dependents as provided in Section 12(b) for seven
(7) months. At EMPLOYEE'S election, and pursuant to EMPLOYEE'S written instructions, at
the time of severance, severance pay shall be paid either in a lump sum cash payment
within thirty (30) days of the date of termination, or in equal monthly payments. Should
EMPLOYEE elect to receive severance pay in equal payments, the number of such
monthly payments shall not exceed seven (7). If CITY terminates EMPLOYEE for cause,
EMPLOYEE will not be entitled. to any severance payment. The determination of whether
there is cause for termination shall be in the discretion of the City Council and consistent
with Section 5(f) and/or Section 5(d) (4).
f. For purposes of this Agreement, cause shall mean: (1) willful and repeated failure
to perform the duties of City Manager; (2) conviction of an employment related criminal
act; (3) conviction of a felony; (4) malfeasance materially related to the job; or (5) a
finding by a court, jury, State or Federal Attorney General, Fair Political Prdctices
Commission, or any similar governmental agency, that EMPLOYEE engaged in intentional
or negligent misconduct in relation to the performance of EMPLOYEE'S duties.
Resolution No. 2008-082 N.C.S. Page 5
6. Compensation:
a. Base Salary. City agrees to pay EMPLOYEE an annual base salary of $208,000,
payable in installments at the same time that the other management employees of the
CITY are paid.
b. CITY may increase EMPLOYEE's compensation in such amounts and. to such
extent as the City Council may determine is desirable on -the basis of any annual
salary review of EMPLOYEE.
7. Benefits:
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to the
same level of benefits that are enjoyed by department directors of the CITY as provided
in the City Charter, Municipal Code, Personnel Rules and Regulations, approved
Compensation Plans, or by practice.
8. Disability:
If EMPLOYEE is permanently disabled or otherwise unable to perform EMPLOYEE'S duties
because of sickness, accident, injury, mental incapacity or healfh for a period of six (b)
successive weeks beyond any accrued sick leave, CITY shall have the option to
terminate this Agreement. Upon termination pursuant to this provision, CITY shall have no
obligation to pay severance benefits pursuant to Section 5(e).
Moving and Relocation Expenses:
EMPLOYEE shall be reimbursed, or CITY may pay directly, for the expenses of packing
and moving EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYEE'S family and EMPLOYEE's personal property from
Woodburn, Oregon to Petaluma, California with said payment or reimbursement not to
exceed the sum of $10,000. Eligible expenses shall include temporary housing, storage
and movement of personal effects, house hunting trips and related travel for EMPLOYEE
and EMPLOYEE'S spouse and other related expense. EMPLOYEE shall submit receipts for
all expenses for which reimbursement is claimed. All expenses to be reimbursed under
this section must be incurred and claimed within one year of the execution of this
Agreement or such longer time as EMPLOYEE and CITY may agree.
10. Automobile:
EMPLOYEE'S duties require the exclusive use of an automobile for use in performing
EMPLOYEE'S obligations under this Agreement. Pursuant to this section, an automobile
shall be provided to EMPLOYEE by CITY. Automobile will be either (a) hybrid or (b) zero
emission vehicle. CITY shall be responsible for paying for liability, property damage and
comprehensive insurance with CITY'S currently existing coverage, arid for the purchase,
operation, maintenance, repair and regular replacement of said automobile. EMPLOYEE
may supplement CITY insurance coverage with his own personal insurance at his cost.
1 1. Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave:
a. As an .inducement to EMPLOYEE to become City Manager, at signature hereof,
EMPLOYEE shall be credited with ten (10) days of vacation leave and five (5) days of sick
leave. EMPLOYEE shall accrue over time, and have credited to EMPLOYEE'S personal
account, vacation at the rate of one and a quarter days per month up to a maximum of
three (3) weeks per year.
b. Sick leave shall accrue and be credited to EMPLOYEE'S personal account as with
CITY department directors.
Resolution No. 2008-082 N:CS. Page 6
c. Administrative leave shall be credited to EMPLOYEE'S account a.t the rate of 12
days per year and pro-rated for the balance of the current fiscal year.
d. Holidays shall be credited to EMPLOYEE'S account as with CITY department
directors.
12. Disability Health and Life Insurance:
a. CITY agrees to purchase and to pay during the term of this Agreement, premiums
on term life insurance policies equal in amount to one and one-half (1'/2) times the
amount of the annual compensation package of EMPLOYEE described in Section 6.
b. CITY agrees to provide and to pay the CITY'S share of premiums for medical,
dental, and vision insurance for the EMPLOYEE and his dependents equal to that which is
provided to all department directors of the CITY. EMPLOYEE shall have the right to select
medical, dental and vision coverage from the same plans as are available to CITY
department directors.
c. CITY agrees to have in force and make required premium payments for
EMPLOYEE'S participation in the CITY's current group disability plan.
13. Retirement:
a. Effective April 1, 2008, CITY agrees to enroll EMPLOYEE into the California Public
Employee Retirement System, (PERS) and to make all the appropriate contributions on
the EMPLOYEE'S behalf, for the employer share required, and to contribute on behalf of
EMPLOYEE seven percent (7%) of the compensation amount specified in provision 6(a) of
this Agreement, as such compensation may be amended from time to time, into the City
of Petaluma 401(A) Government Money Purchase Plan and Trust.
b. CITY agrees to execute all necessary agreements provided by ICMA Retirement
Corp. ("ICMA-RC") for EMPLOYEE'S continued participation in said ICMA-RC retirement
plan and agrees to pay an amount designated by EMPLOYEE and allowed by law into
the ICMA-RC on EMPLOYEE'S behalf in an equal proportionate amount each pay period,
and to transfer ownership to succeeding employers upon EMPLOYEE'S resignation or
termination.
14. Dues And Subscriptions:
Subject to budgetary approval by the CITY, CITY agrees to pay for professional dues and
subscriptions of EMPLOYEE necessary for EMPLOYEE'S continuation and full participation
in national, regional, state and local associations and organizations necessary and
desirable for EMPLOYEE'S continued professional participation, growth and
advancement and for the good of CITY.
15. Professional Development:
a. Subject to budgetary approval by CITY, CITY agrees to pay for, to the extent
allowed by law, travel and subsistence expenses of EMPLOYEE for official travel, meetings
and events as necessary and appropriate to continue the professional development of
EMPLOYEE and to adequately represent CITY at gatherings such as the ICMA annual
conference, California League of Cities meetings and conferences, and such other
national, regional, state and local governmental groups and committees thereof in
which EMPLOYEE participates as a representative of CITY.
b. Subject to budgetary approval by CITY, CITY agrees to pay for, to the extent
allowed by law, travel and subsistence expenses of EMPLOYEE for short courses, institutes
Resolution No_2008-082 N.C.S. Page 7
and seminars that are necessary for EMPLOYEE'S professional development and for the
good of CITY.
16. General Expenses:
CITY recognizes that certain expenses of anon-personal nature are incurred by
EMPLOYEE for the benefit of the CITY in the course of performance of EMPLOYEE'S duties
and hereby agrees to reimburse. or to pay said general expenses, and CITY'S Finance
Director is hereby authorized to disburse such monies upon receipt of duty executed
expenses of petty cash vouchers, receipts, statements or personal affidavits to the extent
allowed by law and subject to budgetary approval.
17. Bonding:
CITY shall bear the full cost of any fidelity or other bonds required of EMPLOYEE under any
law or ordinance.
18. Continuity:
In the event of a change of the elected representation of the City Council, there will be
a ninety (90) day period commencing upon the seating of new City Council members
when the City Council can take no action regarding the provisions of EMPLOYEE'S
contract, unless both parties agree or the action is for cause.
19. Attorney Fees:
In the event of any suit or action by either party under this Agreement, the prevailing
party in such suit or action shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs to be
fixed by the court.
20. Other Terms and Conditions of Employment:
The City Council, in consultation with EMPLOYEE, shall fix any other terms and conditions
of employment, as it may determine from time to time, relating to the performance of
EMPLOYEE, provided such terms and conditions are not inconsistent with or in conflict
with the provisions of this Agreement, the Petaluma City Charter, the Petaluma Municipal
Code or any other applicable state or federal law.
21. Indemnification:
a. CITY shall defend, hold harmless and indemnify EMPLOYEE against any tort, civil
rights, personnel, discrimination, professional liability claim or demand or other legal
action, whether groundless or otherwise, arising out of an alleged act or omission
occurring in the performance of the EMPLOYEE'S duties in accordance with the
provisions of California Government Code Section 825 and following as amended from
time to time and provide a defense in accordance with California Government Code
Section 995 and following. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement,
CITY reserves the right to refuse to provide a defense. of EMPLOYEE for the reasons set
forth in California Government Code section 995.2 or other applicable provisions of law.
b. Following termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason, CITY agrees
to pay EMPLOYEE reasonable consulting fees and travel expenses when EMPLOYEE
serves as a witness, advisor and/or consultant to CITY regarding pending litigation.
Resolution No. 2008-082 N.C.S. Page 8
22. Notices:
Notices pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing given by deposit in the custody of
the United States Postal Service, first class postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
a. CITY:
Mayor and City Council
1 1 English Street
Petaluma CA 94952
b. EMPLOYEE:
John C. Brown
City Manager
1 1 English Street
Petaluma CA 94952
Alternatively, notices required pursuant to this Agreement may be personally served in
the same manner as is applicable to civil judicial process. Notice shall be deemed given
as of the date of personal service or as of the date of deposit of such written notice,
postage prepaid, with the United. States Postal Service.
23. Performance Evaluations:
a. City Council shall review and evaluate the performance of EMPLOYEE at least
once annually in advance of the adoption of the annual operating budget. Said review
and evaluation shall be in accordance with specific criteria developed jointly by CITY
and EMPLOYEE. Said criteria may be amended as the City Council may from time to
time determine and in consultation with EMPLOYEE. The City Council shall conduct its
evaluation of EMPLOYEE in closed session. The City Council shall provide EMPLOYEE with
the written evaluation and provide an adequate opportunity for EMPLOYEE to discuss
EMPLOYEE's evaluation with City Council.
b. In recognition of accomplishments and objectives, and satisfactory performance,
a potential annual merit increase shall be negotiated.
c. Annually, the City Council and EMPLOYEE shall define such goals and
performance objectives as they determine necessary for the proper operation of CITY
and the attainment of the City Council's policy objectives and shall further establish a
relative priority among those various goals and objectives, said goals and objectives to
be reduced to writing. Said goals and objectives shall generally be attainable within the
time limitations as specified in the annual operating and capital budgets and
appropriations provided.
d. In effecting the provisions of this section, the City Council and EMPLOYEE
mutually agree to abide by the provisions of applicable law.
e. EMPLOYEE will timely cause to be placed on the City Council agenda each year
a "closed session" for purpose of EMPLOYEE'S performance evaluation.
24. Miscellaneous:
a. The text herein shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties. This
Agreement may not be modified, except by written agreement executed by both
parties.
b. If any provision, or any portion thereof, contained in this Agreement is held
unconstitutional, invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or portion
Resolution No. 2008-082 N.C.S. Page 9
thereof, shall be deemed severable, shall not be affected and shall remain in full force
and effect.
c. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.
d. The parties agree that any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed or
interpreted against, or in favor of, either party.
e. This agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs at law
and executors of EMPLOYEE.
DATED:
EMPLOYEE
By
John C. Brown, City Manager
CITY
By
Pamela Torliatt
Mayor
ATTEST:
Claire Cooper
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Eric W. Danly
City Attorney
1089459.2
Resolution No. 2008-082 N.C.S. Page l0