HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.C 02/27/2017Agenda Item #3.0
�p'L UrL�
zs5$
DATE: February 27, 2017
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Eric W. Danly, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Resolution Approving a New At -Will Employment Agreement
for the City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving a new At -Will
Employment Agreement for the City Clerk, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the Agreement
on behalf of the City.
BACKGROUND
The City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk report to the City Council, and are employed
pursuant to employment agreements that dictate their compensation, benefits, and working
conditions.
On June 6, 2005, the City Council appointed Claire Cooper to the position of City Clerk of the
City of Petaluma, California, under an at -will employment agreement. That agreement was
amended first in June, 2007, amended a second time in June, 2007, amended a third time in
March, 2010, and amended a fourth time on August 4, 2014.
The attached agreement, which would supersede and replace the prior agreement, as amended,
has a four -year term ending December 18, 2020. Under the attached agreement, the Clerk's base
salary increases from $91,915 to $95,591.00, an increase of 4 %, retroactive to December 19,
2016.
All of the City's represented employees have negotiated contracts and received salary
adjustments during the past year. Those adjustments ranged from a total of 3 percent for a wage
re- opener, to 4 percent with a wage re- opener in the third year of the contract, depending on the
bargaining group. The group most closely related to the City Clerk, Unit 8 (Department
Directors and Assistant City Attorneys), received a 4 percent adjustment in March, 2016. Public
Safety mid -level managers received the same increase in January, 2016, as did the City Manager
in August, 2016.
DISCUSSION
The current agreement with the City Clerk dictates that each year the City Council will evaluate
the City Clerk's performance. Both the current agreement and the attached agreement provide
that the City Council, at its discretion, may grant a merit -based compensation adjustment, a cost -
of- living adjustment, or both. The City Council has regularly evaluated the City Cleric's
performance since 2005. Given the City's financial condition, salary adjustments have not been
requested, considered, or granted since the 2007 agreement, and in 2009, effective until 2011, a
3.1% pay decrease was implemented. This year, the Council evaluated the City Clerk's
performance between December 2016 and January 2017. An evaluation was shared with the
City Cleric and a work plan discussed upon which, in part, the City Clerk's performance will be
evaluated in 2017.
A Council subcommittee discussed changes to the current City Clerk agreement in closed session
with the full Council on February 6, 2017 and asked that the Clerk's agreement be updated to
reflect modifications effective December 19, 2016, as follows: continuation of duties and
responsibilities as City Clerk for the City of Petaluma, to expire in 2020; three (3) months'
severance upon termination of the Clerk without cause; administrative leave increased to 96
hours from 80 hours, and a reduction of annual sell -back of unused administrative leave from 40
hours to 20 hours.
The attached new agreement includes provisions now required in contracts for municipal
executives following wrongdoing in the City of Bell. As well, the attached agreement
incorporates a number of provisions of the Unit 8 (Department Heads and Assistant City
Attorneys) compensation plan. The City Manager and City Attorney contracts have been made
completely separate from all other City employment contracts and compensation plans, to allow
maximum opportunity for the City Manager and City Attorney to participate in labor
negotiations and other employment related matters without conflicts of interest. However, the
Clerk is typically not involved in such matters. Therefore, it is advantageous and efficient in the
Clerk's contract to incorporate appropriate portions of the Unit 8 compensation plan to ensure
consistency with benefits provided other City department heads.
Portions of the Unit 8 compensation plan incorporated in the proposed new City Clerk's contract
include those governing bereavement leave, domestic violence leave, election and voting leave,
jury duty leave, FMLA leave, and reasonable accommodation provisions. Incorporation of these
provisions into the proposed new City Clerk's contract does not result in substantive changes to
the Cleric's benefits compared with the existing Clerk's contract.
A final copy of the proposed new contract for at -will employment of the City Clerk, as
recommended by the Council subcommittee, is provided as Attachment 2 to this report. Also
attached, for reference, are the existing Clerk's contract and amendments.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The recommended action increases the City Clerk's base salary by $3,676. This constitutes a 4%
base salary increase. Under the proposed new employment agreement, the City Clerk would also
be credited with 96 hours of administrative leave each year, an increase of 16 hours from the 80
administrative leave hours granted in the current contract, which amounts to an increase in paid
leave with a value of approximately of $796.59 based on the salary in the proposed new
employment agreement. The proposed new employment agreement would also reduce the
potential for annual sell -back of unused administrative leave, which potentially reduces the cost
of the contract by up to` $995.74 based on the salary in the proposed new employment agreement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Exhibit A to Resolution — New City Cleric At -Will Employment Agreement
3. Existing City Clerk At -Will Agreement and Amendments
ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 2017- N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA
APPROVING A NEW AT -WILL AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT O_ F
CITY CLERK
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2005, the City Council appointed Claire Cooper to the position
of City Clerk of the City of Petaluma, California, under an at -will employment agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk's employment agreement was amended first in June, 2007,
amended a second time in June, 2007, amended a third time in March, 2010, and amended a
fourth time on August 4, 2014; and
WHEREAS, CITY and City Clerk (the Parties) intend to enter a new At -Will
Agreement for Employment of City Clerk effective December 16, 2016; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed new At -Will Agreement for Employment of the City Clerk
would incorporate a number of substantive changes to the existing agreement for employment of
the City Cleric, including: the Cleric's base salary would increase from $91,915 to $95,591.00,
an increase of 4 %, retroactive to December 19, 2016; continuation of duties and responsibilities
as City Clerk for the City of Petaluma, to expire in 2020; three (3) months' severance upon
termination of the Clerk without cause; increase of administrative leave from 80 hours to 96
hours; and reduction of annual sell -back of unused administrative leave from 40 hours to 20
hours; and
WHEREAS, the proposed new At -Will Agreement for Employment of the City Clerk
would incorporate a number of non - substantive changes to the existing City Clerk employment
agreement, including: incorporation of portions of the Unit 8 compensation plan into the City
Clerk's contract, including those provisions governing bereavement leave, domestic violence
leave, election and voting leave, jury duty leave, FMLA leave, and reasonable accommodation
provisions; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with California Government Code section 54953,
subdivision (c), paragraph (3), prior to taking final action on the proposed new At -Will
Agreement for Employment of the City Clerk, an oral report of the recommended action on the
compensation and other terms of employment of the City Clerk proposed pursuant to the new
At -Will Agreement was provided at a duly noticed meeting of the City Council; and
WHEREAS the new at -will employment agreement for the City Clerk is intended to
replace and supersede the agreement entered June 6, 2005, and all amendments to that
agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City Council and City Clerk Claire Cooper agree to the terms of
Employment, Compensation, and Benefits relating to the position of City Clerk set forth in the
At -Will Agreement for Employment of City Clerk attached as Exhibit A;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Petaluma as follows;
1. The City Council hereby approves the At -Will Agreement for Employment of City
Clerk, attached as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
2. The City Council authorizes and directs the Mayor to sign the agreement attached as
Exhibit A on behalf of the City.
ATTACHMENT 2
FIFTH AMENDED AT -WILL
AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY CLERK
This Agreement is made and entered into this day of , 2017, by and between the
City of Petaluma, California ( "the CITY "), a charter city, and Claire Cooper ( "City Clerk "). This
Agreement shall have an effective date of December 19, 2016 ( "Effective Date "). The parties agree as
follows:
Appointment of City Clerk:
The City Council appointed Claire Cooper to the position of City
Clerk of the City of Petaluma, California on June 6, 2005. The City Council hereby
acknowledges the continuing appointment of Claire Cooper as City Cleric of the City of
Petaluma, California.
2. Term:
a. Duration and Effective Date. The term of this Fifth Amended Agreement (Agreement)
shall commence on the Effective Date and expire four years thereafter on December 18,
2020.
3. At -Will Employ
City Clerk 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 CITY's Personnel
Rules, Policies, Procedures, Ordinances and Resolutions shall not apply to City Clerk, and
nothing in this Agreement is intended to, or does, confer upon City Clerk any right to or
expectation of any right or property interest in continued employment. If a decision to terminate
City Clerk's employment is made by the City Council, whether with or without cause, the City
Clerk shall be entitled to only that due process as is provided by City Charter, ordinance, or this
Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right
of City Clerk to resign at any time from her position with CITY, subject to section 5(a) of this
Agreement.
4. Duties and Responsibilities:
City Clerk shall continue her duties under this Agreement commencing on the Effective
Date.
b. City Clerk shall serve as the City Clerk 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. City Clerk agrees to remain in the exclusive employ of CITY, and devote her full
productive time and attention to CITY's business, during the term of this Agreement,
except with specific permission of the City Council for endeavors which are not in
conflict with the City Clerk's duties and responsibilities as City Clerk.
5. Termination of Employ
a. City Cleric may terminate this Agreement, with or without cause, by giving the CITY a
minimum of forty -five (45) 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. City Clerk will not be entitled to receive
any severance pay if her resignation is voluntary.
b. The City Council may terminate this Agreement, with or without cause. City Council
shall give City Clerk a minimum sixty (60) days prior written notice of termination
provided, however, that if City Clerk is terminated for cause, as defined in this
Agreement, the sixty (60) day written notice requirement shall not apply and City Clerk
may be terminated with notice as provided in Section 5 (c).
Prior to terminating this Agreement for cause pursuant to Section 7, the City Council
shall give City Clerk at least ten (10) days prior written notice of the charges. Within the
ten -day period, but not earlier than five days after the notice has been given, the City
Council shall meet with City Cleric in closed session and give City Cleric an opportunity
to address the City Council regarding the alleged cause for termination. City Clerk may
also choose to have allegations brought against her heard in open session in accordance
with California Government Code 54957 (b) (2). After hearing City Clerk's response to
the allegations, the City Council shall make a decision as to whether to terminate the
Agreement and shall inform City Clerk in writing of its decision.
d. Upon separation from CITY for any reason, City Clerk will be paid for all earned,
accrued, and unused vacation, administrative leave, and floating holidays, subject to the
limitations imposed elsewhere in this Agreement.
Termination Without Cause:
For the purposes of this Agreement, termination without cause shall be deemed to occur when:
a. The majority of the City Council votes to terminate the City Clerk at a duly authorized
public meeting without cause, as defined in Section 7 of this Agreement.
b. 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 City Clerk's position that substantially changes the
form of government. City Clerk shall have the right to declare that such amendments
constitute termination.
The City Council reduces the base salary, compensation or any other financial benefit of
the City Clerk (unless it is applied in no greater percentage than the average reduction of
all department directors). Such action will be regarded as a termination.
d. Material breach of this Agreement is declared in writing by City Clerk 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.
7. Termination for Cause:
For purposes of this Agreement, cause for termination by CITY means:
Willful and repeated failure to perform the duties of City Clerk or other material
breach of this Agreement declared in writing by CITY by notice in accordance with
Section 26 and not cured within thirty days of receipt of notice of the declared
material breach;
2. Conviction of City Cleric for an employment related criminal act;
3. Conviction of City Clerk for a felony; or
4. A finding by a court, jury, State or Federal Attorney General, the Fair Political
Practices Commission, or any successor agency, that City Clerk engaged in
intentional or negligent misconduct in relation to the performance of City Clerk's
duties.
b. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 53243, 53243. 1, and 53243.2, if City Clerk is
convicted of a crime involving an abuse of her office or position, all of the following
shall apply:
1. If City Clerk is provided with administrative leave pay pending an investigation, City
Clerk shall be required to fully reimburse City such amounts paid.
2. If CITY pays for the criminal legal defense of City Cleric, City Clerk shall be required
to fully reimburse CITY such amounts paid.
If this Agreement is terminated, any Severance Pay and Severance Benefits related to
the termination that City Clerk may receive from CITY shall be fully reimbursed to
CITY or void if not yet paid to City Cleric.
For purposes of subsection 7 (b), abuses of office or position means either:
A. an abuse of public authority, including waste, fraud, and violation of the law
under color of authority; or
B. a crime against public justice, including but not limited to, a crime described in
Title 7 (commencing with Section 92) of Part 1 of the California Penal Code.
8. Severance Pay:
a. If CITY terminates this Agreement without cause in accordance with Section 6, then City
Clerk shall be entitled to a severance payment equal to three (3) 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 City Clerk and all dependents as provided in
Section 16(b) for three (3) months. At City Clerk's election, and pursuant to City Clerk'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 City Clerk elect to receive severance pay in equal payments, the
number of such monthly payments shall not exceed three (3).
b. All payments required under Section8 (a) are subject to and shall be interpreted to
comply with the limitations set forth in California Government Code Sections 53260
and 53261. The CITY's share of the cost of Health, Dental and Vision benefits shall
continue for the same duration of time as covered in the settlement or until the City
Clerk finds other employment, whichever occurs first.
d. If CITY terminates City Clerk for cause, she will not be entitled to any severance
payment. The determination of whether there is cause for termination shall be
consistent with Section 6 and /or 7.
9. Compensation:
a. Base Salary. City agrees to pay City Clerk an annual base salary of $95,591.00, payable
in installments at the same time that the other management employees of the CITY are
paid.
b. Merit Adjustment. CITY may increase City Clerk's compensation in such amounts and
to such extent as the City Council may determine is desirable on the basis of any salary
review of City Clerk.
C. Cost of Living Adjustment. CITY may consider, on an annual basis, a cost of living
adjustment to City Clerk's compensation. Such adjustment shall be separate of any
adjustment granted pursuant to Section 9 (b) of this Agreement.
d. In effecting this section, City and City Clerk mutually agree to abide by the
provisions of applicable law.
10. Disability:
If City Clerk is permanently disabled or otherwise unable to perform her duties because of
sickness, accident, injury, mental incapacity or health for a period of ninety (90) successive days
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 8.
4
1 L Vacation Leave:
a. As of the Effective Date of this Agreement, City Clerk has a balance of 592.64 hours of
accumulated Vacation leave. City Cleric shall continue to accrue vacation hours at the
rate of 200 hours per year. City Clerk shall not accrue vacation time in excess of 600
hours.
b. Vacation leave shall be taken at times and in amounts selected by the City Clerk, taking
the operational needs of the City into account.
C. Fixed holidays shall not be charged as vacation leave when vacation and holiday(s)
coincide.
12. Sick Leave:
Eligibility. Sick leave shall be used only in case of personal illness, disability or the
illness or injury of City Clerk's family member, which requires City Clerk's attention.
The term family members shall include: spouse, children, parents, spouse's parents,
brothers, sisters or other individuals whose relationship to the employee is that of a
dependent or near dependent.
b. Accrual. Sick leave shall accrue and be credited to City Clerk's personal account at the
rate of eight (8) hours for each month of continuous service.
C. Retirement Payout. In the event of the death or retirement and the completion of ten (10)
or more continuous years of service with the City, City Clerk shall be paid or shall
receive to her benefit fifty percent (50 %) of her accumulated but unused sick leave not to
exceed four- hundred - eighty (480) hours. The employee may elect not to receive this
benefit and instead place all sick leave hours into the CalPERS sick leave conversion
benefit.
13. Administrative Leave:
City Clerk shall be credited with eighty (96) hours of administrative leave each fiscal year.
a. Carry Forward of Leave. City Clerk may carry forward up to forty (40) hours of unused
administrative leave into the next fiscal year. City Clerk may not maintain balances of
more than one hundred and thirty -six (136) hours in any fiscal year. Carry forward
administrative leave may only be taken as paid time off, has no cash value, and shall not
be included in the totals subject to payment under Section 5 (d).
b. Annul Payment for Unused Leave. City Clerk shall receive payment for up to twenty
(20) hours of unused administrative leave at the end of each fiscal year. Payment shall be
at the employee's base pay rate as of June 30. Payment shall be made on the last pay
period of the fiscal year.
14. Holidays and Holiday Leave:
a. The City observes twelve (12) fixed -date holidays per year. Those holidays, for fiscal
year 2016/17 are:
Independence Day
Christmas Eve
Labor Day
Christmas Day
Columbus Day
New Year's Day
Veterans Day
Martin Luther King Day
Thanksgiving Day
Presidents' Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Memorial Day
b. Observance. The actual date of the observed holidays is determined by City Council
resolution each fiscal year. If participating in a 5/8 schedule, when a holiday falls on a
Saturday, that holiday will be observed on the prior Friday. When a holiday falls on a
Sunday, that holiday will be observed on the following Monday. Should this conflict
with a Friday or Monday designated holiday, the Friday or Monday holiday will occur on
the preceding Thursday or following Tuesday. If participating in a 4/10 schedule, when a
holiday fails on a Friday or Saturday, that holiday will be observed on Thursday. When a
holiday fails on a Sunday, that holiday will be observed on the following Monday.
Should this conflict with a Friday or Monday designated holiday, the Friday or Monday
holiday will occur on the preceding Wednesday or following Tuesday.
Floating Holidays. CITY shall provide City Cleric one (1) "Floating Holiday," each fiscal
year which may be taken at a time selected by City Clerk, subject to operational
requirements of the City. The floating holiday will be added to City Clerk's bank of leave
with the first payroll period each January during the term of this Agreement.
15. Other Leaves:
a. Industrial Injury Leave
Benefits shall be payable when City Clerk's absence is due to industrial injury as
provided in California State Workers' Compensation Law. During the first three (3)
workdays when her absence has been occasioned by injury suffered during her
employment and she receives Workers' Compensation, she shall receive full pay.
Following this period, sick leave may be a supplement to the workers' benefits
provided. Compensation is at her regular rate for a period not to exceed six (6)
months, or until such sick leave is exhausted, or the disability is abrogated, or she is
certified "permanent and stationary" by a competent medical authority. The City shall
pay her the regular salary, based on the combination of the workers' compensation
benefit plus sick leave.
2. Sick leave for industrial injury shall not be allowed for a disability resulting from
sickness, self - inflicted injury, or willful misconduct.
3. The City may, with City Clerk's agreement, retire City Clerk prior to the exhaustion
of accumulated sick leave, at which time all accrued but unused sick leave shall be
abrogated, subject only to the limitations provided under this Agreement.
b. Leave of Absence Without Pay
CITY may grant City Clerk a leave of absence without pay pursuant to State and Federal
Law. Good cause being shown by a written request, CITY may extend such le_ ave of
absence without pay or benefits for an additional period not to exceed six (6) months. No
such leave shall be granted except upon written request of City Clerk setting forth the
reason for the request, and the approval will be in writing.
16. 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 -1/2 times the amount
of the annual compensation package of City Cleric described in Section 9.
b. CITY agrees to provide and to pay the CITY's share of premiums for medical, dental,
and vision insurance for the City Cleric and her dependents in accordance with the
approved Compensation Plan for Department Directors. City Clerk shall have the right
to select medical, dental and vision coverage from the plan options offered by CITY.
C. CITY agrees to have in force and make required premium payments for City Clerk's
participation in the CITY's current group disability plan. Currently that Plan is provided
through CIGNA, and replaces 60% of annual earnings, to a maximum of$3,000 per
month after being disabled for sixty (60) days.
17. Retirement:
a. California Public Employees Retirement System. City has previously enrolled City
Clerk into the California Public Retirement System, (PERS). City agrees to make all the
appropriate contributions on City Clerk's behalf, for the employer share required. City
Cleric shall pay the entire contribution for the PERS employee share required.
b. City Clerk has continuously been employed with CITY since September 1, 1999, and
does and shall continue to participate in the 2% at 55 formula retirement plan provided to
Miscellaneous members, calculated at the single highest one -year compensation.
C. The City's contract with PERS, for Miscellaneous members with the two percent (2 %)
at fifty -five (55) formula retirement plan, includes the following optional benefits:
1. Third Level - 1959 Survivor's Benefit as provided in Section 21573 (April 5, 1999).
2. Military Service Credit as provided in Section 21024 (January 1, 1992).
3. One -Year Final Compensation as provided Section 20042 (November 1, 1980).
4. Credit for Unused Sick Leave as provided in Section 20965 (November 1, 1980).
5. Cost of Living Allowance two percent (2 %) as provided by Section 21329 (April 1,
1971).
6. Retired Death Benefit of five- hundred dollars ($500.00) as provided in Section 21620
(December 1, 1969).
7. Death Benefit Continues as provided in Section 21551 (January 1, 2000).
8. Prior Service Credit as provided in Section 20055 (January 1, 1950).
d. The City shall continue to defer that portion of the employee's contribution paid to
Ca1PERS through section 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code pursuant to City of
Petaluma Resolution 90 -363 N.C.S.
18. Dues and Subscriptions:
Subject to budgetary approval by the CITY, CITY agrees to pay for professional dues and
subscriptions of City Clerk necessary for City Cleric's continuation and full participation in
national, regional, state and local associations and organizations necessary and desirable for City
Clerk's continued professional participation, growth and advancement and for the good of CITY.
19. Professional Development:
Subject to budgetary approval by CITY, CITY agrees to pay for, to the extent allowed
by law, travel and subsistence expenses of City Cleric for official travel, meetings and
events as necessary and appropriate to continue the professional development of City
Clerk at gatherings such as the City Clerk's Association of California (CCAC) annual
conference and League of California Cities New Law and Elections seminar.
b. Subject to budgetary approval by CITY, CITY agrees to pay for, to the extent
allowed by law, travel and subsistence expenses of City Cleric for short courses,
institutes and seminars that are necessary for City Clerk's professional development
and for the good of CITY.
20. General Expenses:
CITY recognizes that certain expenses of a non - personal nature are incurred by City Clerk for
the benefit of the CITY in the course of performance of City Cleric'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 duly executed expenses of petty cash vouchers, receipts,
statements or personal affidavits to the extent allowed by law and subject to budgetary approval.
21. Bondin4:
CITY shall bear the full cost of any fidelity or other bonds required of City Clerk under any law
or ordinance.
22. 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 City Clerk's contract, unless both parties
agree or the action is for cause.
23. 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.
24. Other Terms and Conditions of Employment:
The City Council, in consultation with City Clerk, shall fix any other terms and conditions of
employment, as it may determine from time to time, relating to the performance of City Clerk,
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.
25. Indemnification:
a. CITY shall defend, hold harmless and indemnify City Clerk 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 City Cleric'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 City Clerk 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, when City Clerk
serves as a witness, advisor and /or consultant to CITY regarding pending litigation, CITY
agrees to pay City Clerk consulting fees at an hourly rate equal to the base wage paid to
City Clerk at the time of separation, CITY also agrees to pay reasonable travel expenses
and miscellaneous costs related to such consulting.
26. 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
11 English Street
Petaluma CA 94952
9
b. CITY CLERK:
Claire Cooper
City Clerk
11 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.
27. Performance Evaluations:
City Council may review and evaluate the performance of City Clerk annually in
advance of the adoption of the annual operating budget or when requested by the City
Clerk. Said review and evaluation shall be in accordance with specific criteria
developed jointly by the City Council and City Clerk. Said criteria may be amended as
the City Council may from time to time determine and in consultation with City Clerk.
The City Council shall conduct its evaluation of City Clerk in closed session. The City
Council shall provide City Clerk with the written evaluation and provide an adequate
opportunity for City Clerk to discuss City Cleric's evaluation with City Council.
b. In recognition of accomplishments and objectives, and satisfactory performance, a
potential annual merit increase may be negotiated.
The City Council and City Clerk 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 City Cleric mutually
agree to abide by the provisions of applicable law.
e. City Cleric will timely cause to be placed on the City Council agenda a "closed session"
for purpose of City Clerk's performance evaluation.
28. Benefits:
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the City Clerk shall be entitled to the same
benefits, including the same level of benefits and benefits choices, that are enjoyed by
department directors of the CITY as provided in the City's approved Compensation Plan for
Department Directors, and /or by practice.
a
29. Miscellaneous:
a. The text herein shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties. Upon
execution by both parties and commencing on the Effective Date, this Agreement will
replace in its entirety the Fourth Amended At -Will Agreement for Employment of City
Clerk dated August 4, 2014. 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
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 City Clerk.
CITY CLERK
Claire Cooper, City Clerk
CITY
C
ATTEST:
John C. Brown
Deputy City Cleric
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Eric W. Danly
City Attorney
David Glass, Mayor
11
i
ATTACHMENT 3
AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY CLERK
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this bih day of June 2005, by and between the
City of Petaluma, a Charter City (the "City "), and Claire Cooper (the "Employee "), both of
whom understand as follows:
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the City desires to employ the services of said Employee as the City Clerk as
provided by the Petaluma Municipal Code and the Petaluma City Charter; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City to establish certain conditions of employment and to
set working conditions of said Employee; and
WHEREAS, Employee desires to accept employment as City Clerk of said City.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties
agree as follows:
Section 1. Duties.
The City hereby agrees to employ Claire Cooper as City Clerk of said City to perform the
functions and duties specified in the Petaluma Municipal Code, the Petaluma City Charter, and
as provided by state or federal law, and to perform other legally permissible and proper duties
and functions as the City Council shall from time to time assign, consistent with the Petaluma
City Charter.
Section 2. Employment,
A. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right
of the City Council acting for the City to terminate the services of Employee at
any time, with or without cause. In the event City terminates Employee's services,
City shall give Employee ninety (90) days' notice in advance, unless the parties
agree otherwise.
B. Employee agrees to remain in the exclusive employ of the City for so long as
employment is mutually acceptable to both Employee and the City, and neither
to accept other employment nor to become employed by any other employer
until termination of this Agreement, except with specific permission of the City
Council for endeavors which are not in conflict with the Employee's duties and
responsibilities as the City Clerk.
C. In the event Employee voluntarily resigns her position with the City, then Employee
shall give the City forty -five (45) days' notice in advance, unless the parties
otherwise agree.
Section 3. Suspension.
The City may suspend the Employee with full pay and benefits at any time during the
term of this Agreement.
Section 4. Compensation.
The City agrees to pay Employee for her services rendered annual compensation of
Eighty -Six Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Eight Dollars ($86,538.00), of which, seven percent (7 %) of
the annual compensation will be contributed by the City on Employee's behalf to the California
Public Employee Retirement System ( "PERS "), for a total annual compensation of $86,538.00,
inclusive of the PERS contribution, payable in installments at the some time as other employees
of the City are paid.
Section 5. Performance Review.
Formal performance reviews will be conducted annually, unless the City Council and the
City Clerk mutually agree otherwise. The parties agree that the criteria will be developed and
revised annually, and mutually agreed to, on which Employee will be evaluated.
Section 6. Other Benefits.
Employee shall be provided with the same health, dental, life insurance, leave and
retirement benefits as other full -time department heads of the City, except as otherwise
provided herein.
Section 7 Other Terms and Conditions of Emplovment.
A. The City Council in consultation with Employee shall fix any such 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 City
Charter, the Municipal Code or any applicable state or federal law.
B. Employee shall be entitled to three weeks of paid vacation annually. All
regulations and rules of the City relating to vacation and sick leave, retirement
2
and pension system contributions, holidays and other fringe benefits and working
conditions as they now exist or hereafter may be amended may also apply to
Employee as they would to other department heads of the City, in addition to
said benefits enumerated specifically for the benefit of Employee except as
herein provided.
Section 8. Notices.
Notices pursuant to this Agreement shall be given by deposit in the custody of the United
States Postal Service, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
EMPLOYER: City of Petaluma
1 1 English Street
Petaluma, California 94952
EMPLOYEE: Claire Cooper
5847 Monte Verde Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Alternatively, notices required pursuant to this Agreement may be personally served in the same
manner as is applicable to civil judicial practice. Notice shall be deemed given as of the date
of personal service or as of the date of deposit of such written notice in the court of transmission
in the United States Postal Service.
Section 9. General Provisions.
A. The text herein shall constitute the entire Agreement between the parties.
B. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs at law
and executors of Employee.
C. This Agreement shall become effective commencing June 6, 2005.
D. If any provision or any portion thereof, contained in this Agreement is held
unconstitutional, invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or
portion thereof, shall be deemed severable, shall not be affected and shall
remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City of Petaluma has caused this Agreement to be signed and
executed in its behalf by its Mayor, duly attested by its City Attorney, and Employee has signed
and executed this Agreement, both in duplicate, the day and year first above written.
3
EMPLOYEE:
ko-w-)
Claire Cooper V
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
APPROVED:
David Glass, Mayor
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY CLERK
This amendment is to the EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT between the City of Petaluma
( "CITY ") and Claire Cooper ( "CITY CLERK "), and is made and entered into this day of
June, 2007.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the CITY and CITY CLERK are parties to an EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
( "Agreement "); and,
WHEREAS, the current EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT was executed June 6, 2005; and,
WHEREAS, it is the desire of CITY to adjust the compensation of CITY CLERK; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, CITY and CITY CLERK hereby agree to amend the EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT and, particularly, Section Four (4) of said EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT as follows:
Section 4, Compensation.
The City agrees to pay Employee for her services rendered annual compensation of
Ninety -One Thousand Nine Hundred Fifteen Dollars ($91,915.00), of which, seven percent (7 %) of
the annual compensation will be contributed by the City on Employee's behalf to the California
Public Employee Retirement System ( "PERS "), for a total annual compensation of $91,915.00,
inclusive of the PERS contribution, payable in installments at the some time as other employees
of the City are paid.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the CITY has caused this First Amendment to be signed and duly
executed on behalf of the Mayor and duly attested to by the Deputy City Clerk, and Claire
Cooper has duly signed and executed this Amendment on behalf of herself.
EMPLOYEE;
Claire Cooper
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L' -
Eric Danly, City Attorney
Pamela Torliatt, Mayor
ATTEST;
Deborah Padovan, Deputy City Clerk
2
SECOND AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY CLERK
This Second Amendment is made to that certain AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY CLERK
between the City of Petaluma ( "CITY ") and Claire Cooper ( "CITY CLERK ") entered into as of
June 6, 2005, as amended by the First Amendment to Agreement for Employment of City Clerk
on June 4, 2007, This Second Amendment is effective as of June 4, 2007.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the CITY and CITY CLERK are parties to an EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
( "Agreement "); and,
WHEREAS, the current EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT was executed June 6, 2005; and,
WHEREAS, the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement was executed on June 4,
2007; and,
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City to clarify the compensation of the CITY CLERK.
NOW, THEREFORE, CITY and CITY CLERK hereby agree to amend Section Four (4) of the
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT as modified by the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement
to read in full as follows:
Section 4. Compensation.
The City agrees to pay Employee for her services rendered annual compensation of
Ninety -One Thousand Nine Hundred Fifteen Dollars ($91,915.00). Employee is responsible for
payment of all mandatory member contribution amounts to the California Public Employee
Retirement System ( "CalPERS ").
All terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement shall other than as expressly stated
herein shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the CITY has caused this Second Amendment to be signed and
duly executed by the Mayor on behalf of the City of Petaluma, duly attested to by the Deputy
City Clerk, and duly signed and executed by Claire Cooper on behalf of herself as Employee.
EMPLOYEE:
Claire Cooper
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
no
Eric Danly, City Attorney
ATTEST:
Deborah Padovan, Deputy City Clerk
Third Amendment to
Agreement for Employment of City Clerk
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma ( "City ") and City Clerk ( "Employee ") entered into an
AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY CLERK as of June 6, 2005
( "Agreement "), and later executed a first amendment to the Agreement on June 4, 2007
and subsequently executed a third amendment to the Agreement, which third
amendment also had an effective date of June 4, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma continues to face financial shortfalls and impending
layoffs, and in response to such challenging and difficult financial and economic
conditions, all City of Petaluma employees have agreed to reduce their pay by 3.1 % for
an eighteen (18) month period effective December 28, 2009 and through June 26, 2011
to reduce the CITY's operating costs during FY -2009 -2010 and FY 2010 -2011, and
have accepted terms and incentives for doing so; and
WHEREAS, Employee wishes to participate in the 3.1 % salary reduction /leave program
under the same terms and conditions and with the same incentives as other City
employees; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to accept and agree to amendments to the terms
of the Agreement to implement the agreement between City and Employee concerning
such pay reduction and incentives;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the
parties agree that effective December 28, 2009:
1. The AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY CLERK dated June 6, 2005
( "Agreement "), as amended by the first and second amendments to the
Agreement, is hereby amended by this third amendment ( "Amendment ") to the
Agreement in accordance with the following.
a. Provision 4 of the Agreement is amended to reduce the total annual
compensation of $91,915 by 3.1 % and to substitute $89,066 as the
temporary new total annual compensation effective December 28, 2009
through June 26, 2011. Effective June 27, 2011, the temporary total
annual compensation pursuant to this Amendment shall expire, and the
total annual compensation shall be restored to the total annual
compensation in effect December 27, 2009 or the then current total annual
compensation, whichever is greater.
b. A new provision 7(b)(1) of the Agreement is added to read: "Employee
shall be granted 48 hours paid special leave effective June 27, 2011.
Such special leave must be taken by December 22, 2013. Special leave
not used by December 22, 2013 will cease to exist on December 23, 2013
and will have no cash value.
G. A new provision 7(b)(2) of the Agreement is added to read: "Employee's
vacation leave accrual limit pursuant to section 6 of the Agreement shall
be temporarily increased by forty -eight (48) hours from December 28,
2009 through December 22, 2013. Leave hours accrued above the
regular accrual limit pursuant to section 6 of the Agreement shall have no
cash value. Effective December 23, 2013, the vacation leave accrual limit
will revert to the regular limit pursuant to section 6 of the Agreement, and
any remaining accrued, unused vacation leave in excess of the regular
accrual limit pursuant to section 6 of the Agreement will cease to exist and
have no cash value."
d. A new provision 7(b)(3) is added to read: "Employee shall receive a bank
of 96 hours of special administrative leave, 32 hours of which is to be
taken in each of the three, successive six -month periods starting
December 28, 2009 and ending June 26, 2011. Unused special
administrative leave hours not taken by June 27,2011, December 26,
2010 and June 26, 2011 do not carry forward, will cease to exist on June
26, 2011, and have no cash value. Special administrative leave hours
may be used flexibly in full or part -day increments, and may be used in
lieu of vacation or sick leave."
2. City will review its revenue position with employee groups prior to June 30 and
December 31, 2010 to determine whether new revenues will be received that
would reduce the need for the employee salary concessions granted. Upon a
determination that such revenues associated with certain new development or
new increased tax sources will be received, the base salary reduction specified in
provision 1(a) of this Amendment and the special administrative leave specified
in provision 1(d) of this Amendment will be reduced by 1 hour or the dollar
equivalent for every $10,000 in new revenue to be received.
3. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Amendment, if Employee
separates from City service between December 28, 2009 and June 26, 2011, any
leave balances subject to cash payment in accordance with the Agreement shall
be paid at the rates in effect on December 27, 2009.
4. This Amendment shall become effective December 28, 2009 and expire and
cease to be of any effect on December 24, 2013 without further action by
Employee or City. Effective December 24, 2013 each term of the Agreement
modified pursuant to this Amendment shall be the same as before this
Amendment took effect, as if this Amendment never existed, subject to any
amendments to the Agreement subsequent to the date of this Amendment.
5. Except as modified by this Amendment, the Agreement remains unchanged and
in full force and effect.
Dated: ZD10 EMPLOYEE
Dated: �/CD-J,a0/0
ATTEST:
Deborah L. Padovan
Deputy City Clerk
APP 717 ED A O FORM:
Eric Danly
City Attorney
312110 (fm k)
1381254.1
By Ujj=A� LAkO--,-"
Claire Cooper, City Clerk
CITY
By: / °
Pamel Torliatt, Ma
3
FOURTH AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF CITY CLERK
This Fourth Amendment is made to that certain Agreement for Employment of City Clerk by and
between the City of Petaluma, a Charter City ( "the CITY "), and Claire Cooper ( "the Employee "),
entered into June 4, 2005, as amended by the First and Second Amendments to the Agreement
for Employment for City Clerk executed on June 4, 2007 and 2009, respectively. This Fourth
Amendment is effective as of August 4, 2014,
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the CITY and the Employee are parties to an Employment Agreement ( "the
Agreement "); and
WHEREAS, the Agreement was amended for the first time in June, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the Agreement was amended for the second time in 2009; and
WHEREAS the Agreement was amended a third time in 2010 to implement a temporary
pay reduction taken by the Employee as part of a Citywide program of pay reductions and
furloughs; and
WHEREAS, the third Amendment to the Agreement expired on June 26, 2011; and
WHEREAS, all other provisions, terms and conditions of the Agreement, as amended by its
First and Second Amendments, remain in full force and effect; and
WHEREAS, Employee desires to modify the maximum limit for vacation accrual available
to her under the Agreement; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the CITY to increase said vacation accrual limit; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the CITY to update and add language to the Agreement
required by California Government Code Sections 53243, 53243. 1, and 53243.2.
NOW, THEREFORE, CITY and the Employee agree to amend Sections Two (2) and Seven
(7) of the Agreement as modified by the Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement to
read in full as follows:
Section 2. Employment.
A. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right of
the City Council acting for the CITY to terminate the services of the Employee at any
time, with or without cause. In the event CITY terminates Employee's services, CITY
shall give Employee ninety -days (90) notice in advance, unless the parties agree
otherwise.
Employee agrees to remain in the exclusive employ of the City for so long as
employment is mutually acceptable to both CITY and the Employee, and neither to
accept other employment nor to become employed by other employer until
termination of this Agreement, except with specific permission of the City Council for
endeavors which are in conflict with the Employee's duties and responsibilities as City
Clerk,
C. In the event Employee voluntarily resigns her position with the CITY, then Employee
shall give the CITY forty -five (45) days - notice in advance, unless the parties agree
otherwise.
Page 1
D. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 53243, 53243.1, and 53243.2, if the Employee
is convicted of a crime involving an abuse of her office or position, all of the following
shall apply:
1. If the Employee is provided with administrative leave pay pending an
investigation, the Employee shall be required to fully reimburse City such
amounts paid.
2. If CITY pays for the criminal legal defense of the Employee, the Employee shall
be required to fully reimburse CITY such amounts paid.
3. If fhis Agreement is terminated, any cash settlement related to the termination
that the Employee may receive from CITY shall be fully reimbursed to CITY or if a
cash settlement has not yet been paid to the Employee, the CITY is excused from
paying the cash settlement.
E. For purposes of subsection 2 (D), abuses of office or position means either
1. An abuse of public authority, including waste, fraud, and violation of the law
under color of authority; or
2. A crime against public justice, including but not limited to, a crime described in
Title 7 (commencing with Section 92) of Part 1 of the California Penal Code.
Section 7 Other Terms and Conditions of Employment
A. The City Council, in consultation with Employee, shall fix any such other terms and
conditions of employment, as it may def ermine 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.
B. Employee shall accrue over time, and have credited to the Employee's personal
account, vacation at the rate of 176 hours per year up to a maximum of 200 hours
per year, consistent with the accrual schedule in the approved Compensation Plan
for CITY Department directors. Upon execution of this agreement, and during her
employment with the CITY, Employee shall be subject to a vacation leave accrual
limit of 600 hours.
All terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement shall, other than as expressly stated
herein, remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the CITY has caused this Fourth Amendment to be signed and duly
executed by the Mayor on behalf of the City of Petaluma, duly attested to by the City Manager,
acting as Deputy City Clerk, and duly signed and executed by Claire Cooper on behalf of
herself as City Clerk.
CITY CLERK CITY
Claire Cooper, City Clerk David Glass, 13 ayor
P
DATED: j ^ i aO DATED: r'_ >1� %% kqw
Page 2
ATTEST:
John C. Brown,
as Deputy City Clerk
DATED:
A P P R a1 ED A"S' RM:
Eric W. Danly
City Attorney
Page 3