HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-11408 amending a Contract of Employment for the City ManagerR 11408
RESOLUTION NO. 11408 (2023 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
FOR THE CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, on September 29, 2017 the City Council approved a contract of
employment appointing Derek Johnson to the position of City Manager; and
WHEREAS, the City Council conducted a performance evaluation of this
appointed official on March 2, 2023, in accordance with the Appointed Officials’
Performance Process as modified in December 2011.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby approves the amended contract of
employment attached hereto as Exhibit A.
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Resolution No. 11408 (2023 Series) Page 2
R 11408
SECTION 2. The City Council shall evaluate the performance of the City Manager
annually.
Upon motion of Council Member Pease, seconded by Council Member
Shoresman, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Member Francis, Pease, Shoresman, Vice Mayor Marx, and
Mayor Stewart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 18th day of April 2023.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
_______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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Exhibit A
AMENDED CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT WITH
DEREK J. JOHNSON CITY MANAGER
THIS CONTRACT is entered into as of this 18th day of April 2023 by and between the
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, State of California (hereinafter referred to as "CITY"), and
DEREK J. JOHNSON, a contract employee (hereinafter referred to as" DEREK J. JOHNSON");
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Charter Section 703 provides that the SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY COUNCIL
(hereinafter referred to as "COUNCIL") is responsible for the appointment and removal of the
CITY MANAGER, and
WHEREAS, the COUNCIL, on behalf of the CITY acknowledges and accepts the
responsibility for supervision of the CITY MANAGER; and
WHEREAS, the COUNCIL, on behalf of the CITY evaluated the CITY MANAGER and
determined that adjustments to the employment contract were warranted based on an exceptional
evaluation of the full COUNCIL; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties do mutually agree as follows:
Section 1. Effective Date.
A. The appointment of DEREK J. JOHNSON is effective September 29, 2017.
B. Nothing in this Contract shall prevent, limit, or otherwise interfere with the right of the
COUNCIL to terminate the services of DEREK J. JOHNSON at any time, subject only to
San Luis Obispo CITY Charter Section 709 and the provisions set forth in Section 12 of
this Contract.
C. Nothing in this Contract shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right of DEREK
J. JOHNSON to resign at any time from his position with the CITY, subject only to the
provision set forth in Section 13 of this Contract.
Section 2. Duties and Salary.
A. CITY agrees to employ DEREK J. JOHNSON as full-time City Manager of the City to
perform the functions and duties specified in the Charter and Municipal Code and to
perform such other legally permissible and proper duties and functions as the COUNCIL
may from time to time assign.
B. It is recognized DEREK J. JOHNSON is an exempt employee but is expected to engage in
those hours of work that are necessary to fulfill the obligations of the City Manager's
position. The parties acknowledge DEREK J. JOHNSON will not regularly participate in
a formal 9-80 work schedule as is provided to department heads and certain other City
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employees as part of the City's Trip Reduction Incentive Program. However, DEREK J.
JOHNSON is authorized, with appropriate notification to Council, to from time to time
modify his regular work schedule in order to take time off with pay while ensuring
appropriate coverage of his duties as City Manager. Leave pursuant to this provision shall
not be used in lieu of vacation or administrative leave.
C. COUNCIL agrees to pay DEREK J. JOHNSON, for his services rendered pursuant hereto,
a starting annual base salary of $290,290 effective the first full pay period in April 2023
payable in installments at the same time as the other management employees of the CITY
are paid. In addition, COUNCIL agrees to increase said base salary by the cost -of-living
adjustment approved by the COUNCIL for all CITY management employees under any
successor Management Compensation Resolutions.
Section 3. Benefits.
A. In addition to the salary set forth in Section 2 of this CONTRACT, DEREK J. JOHNSON
shall be entitled to a car allowance of $450 per month, a City contribution of 5.0% of salary
to a 401 (a) supplemental retirement plan, the ability to cash out up to three weeks' vacation
once during the calendar year, upon the request of DEREK J. JOHNSON, and the same
benefits as those offered by the CITY to the CITY MANAGER, in accordance with the
Resolution 11316 (2022 Series), Resolution 8661 (1997 series) and any successors.
Effective the first paycheck in January 2024, the City’s contribution towards the 401 (a)
supplemental retirement plan shall increase from 5.0% to 7.0% of salary.
Section 4. Performance Evaluation.
A. Upon appointment to the position of City Manager DEREK J. JOHNSON will assume the
goals established by Council for the former City Manager until such time as DEREK J.
JOHNSON and Council mutually agree on new goals. On or before January 31, 2018,
Council will provide feedback to DEREK J. JOHNSON on performance to goals and
expectations. Further, Council shall conduct an "interim" evaluation by March 30, 2018.
An annual formal Council evaluation will be conducted in March of 2019 in accordance
with the City's Appointed Official Evaluation Process. Consistent with the schedule
outlined above, based on the Appointed Officials Evaluation Process, and subject to
performance as assessed by the COUNCIL, the CITY MANAGER compensation shall be
reviewed by COUNCIL no later than April 2019.
B. Each calendar year thereafter, COUNCIL shall review and evaluate the performance and
compensation of DEREK J. JOHNSON in accordance with the adopted Appointed
Officials Evaluation Process, best management practices, and informed by comparison
agency data.
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Section 5. Outside Activities. Conduct and Behavior.
A. DEREK J. JOHNSON shall not engage in teaching, consulting or other non-CITY
connected business without the prior approval of COUNCIL.
B. DEREK J. JOHNSON shall comply with all local and state requirements regarding
conflicts-of-interest.
Section 6. Dues and Subscriptions.
COUNCIL agrees to budget for and to pay for professional dues and subscriptions of
DEREK J. JOHNSON necessary for his continuation and full participation in national, regional,
state, and local associations, and organizations necessary and desirable for his continued
professional participation, growth, and advancement, and for the good of the CITY.
Section 7. Professional Development.
A. COUNCIL hereby agrees to budget for and to pay for travel and subsistence expenses of
DEREK J. JOHNSON for professional and official travel, meetings, and occasions
adequate to continue the professional development of DEREK J. JOHNSON and to
adequately pursue necessary official functions for the CITY, including but not limited to
the League of California Cities meetings and conferences, International City/County
Managers' Association and such other national, regional, state, and local governmental
organizations, groups and/or committees.
B. COUNCIL also agrees to budget for and to pay for travel and subsistence expenses of
DEREK J. JOHNSON for short courses, institutes, and seminars that are necessary for his
professional development and for the good of the CITY.
C. Other professional development may be agreed upon from time to time between the
COUNCIL and DEREK J. JOHNSON.
Section 8. General Expenses.
COUNCIL recognizes that certain expenses of a non-personal and job- affiliated nature are
incurred by the CITY MANAGER, and hereby agrees to authorize the Finance Director to
reimburse or to pay said general and reasonable expenses, consistent with CITY policies, upon
receipt of duly executed expense or petty cash vouchers, receipts, statements or personal affidavits.
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Section 9. Indemnification.
In addition to that required under state and local law, CITY shall defend, save harmless,
and indemnify DEREK J. JOHNSON against any claims, demands, causes of actions, losses,
damages, expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees as may be authorized against public
entities or officers consistent with state law) or liability of any kind whether stated in or arising
from tort, professional liability or any other legal action or equitable theory, whether groundless
or otherwise arising out of an alleged act or omission occurring in the performance of DEREK J.
JOHNSON's duties as CITY MANAGER to the fullest extent permitted by law. CITY may
compromise and settle any such claim or suit and shall pay the amount of any settlement or
judgment rendered thereon.
Section 10. Other Terms and Conditions of Employment.
The COUNCIL, in consultation with DEREK J. JOHNSON, shall fix any such other terms
and conditions of employment, as it may determine from time to time, relating to the performance
of DEREK J. JOHNSON, provided such terms and conditions are not inconsistent with or in
conflict with the provisions of this CONTRACT, the CITY Charter or any other law.
Section 11. No Reduction of Pay and/or Benefits.
COUNCIL shall not at any time during the term of this CONTRACT, reduce the salary,
compensation or other financial benefits of DEREK J. JOHNSON, except to the degree of such a
reduction across-the-board for all employees of the CITY or DEREK J. JOHNSON provides
written consent to the reduction.
Section 12. Termination and Severance Pay.
A. In the event DEREK J. JOHNSON's employment is terminated by the COUNCIL without
cause, or he resigns at the request of a majority of the COUNCIL during such time that he
is otherwise willing and able to perform the duties of CITY MANAGER, and if DEREK
J. JOHNSON signs, delivers to the City Council, and does not revoke, the General Release
Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, the COUNCIL agrees to pay him a
lump sum cash payment equal to six (6) months compensation. For the purposes of this
clause "compensation" shall include base salary, car allowance, City contribution to
deferred compensation, and City contribution to health insurance at time of separation as
well as cash out of accrued Administrative Leave and cash out of a portion of accrued sick
leave as if CITY MANAGER was retiring as provided in the Management Compensation
Resolution 10785 (2017 Series) and any successors.
B. In the event that DEREK J. JOHNSON is terminated for "good cause" the COUNCIL shall
have no obligation to pay the lump sum severance payment mentioned above. For the
purpose of this CONTRACT, "good cause" shall mean any of the following:
1) Malfeasance, dishonesty for personal gain, willful violation of law, corrupt
misconduct, or conviction of any felony.
2) Conviction of a misdemeanor arising directly out of DEREK J. JOHNSON's duties
pursuant to this Agreement.
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3) Willful abandonment of duties outlined in this Agreement.
"Good cause" shall not mean a mere loss of support or confidence by a majority of the
COUNCIL.
C. Any termination of employment shall be done consistent with limitations established in the
City Charter Section 709. Additionally, the CITY shall provide a minimum of 30 days
prior written notice to DEREK J. JOHNSON of the intent to terminate this Agreement.
D. In the event the CITY terminates the CITY MANAGER for any reason or no reason, the
CITY and the CITY MANAGER agree that no member of the COUNCIL, the City
Management staff, nor the CITY MANAGER, shall make any written, oral or electronic
statement to any member of the public, the press, or any city employee concerning the
CITY MANAGER'S termination except in the form of a joint press release or statement,
the content of which is mutually agreeable to the City and the CITY MANAGER. The joint
press release or statement shall not contain any text or information that is disparaging to
either party. Either party may verbally repeat the substance of the joint press release or
statement in response to an inquiry. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the City
from referring to or responding to inquiries about third party or outside agency
investigations or actions pertaining to the official performance of the CITY MANAGER.
Section 13. Resignation.
In the event DEREK J. JOHNSON voluntarily resigns his position with the CITY, he shall
give the COUNCIL at least 45 days advance written notice.
Section 14. General Provisions.
A. The text herein shall constitute the entire CONTRACT between the parties.
B. This CONTRACT shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs at law and
executors of the parties.
C. It is the intent of the COUNCIL that this CONTRACT and the appointment of DEREK J.
JOHNSON as CITY MANAGER are in accordance with the requirements and provisions
of the Charter. Wherever possible, the provisions of this CONTRACT shall be construed
in a manner consistent with the Charter. If any provision of this CONTRACT conflicts
with the Charter, the Charter shall control.
D. If any provision, or any portion thereof, contained in this CONTRACT is held
unconstitutional, invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this CONTRACT, or portion
thereof, shall be deemed severable, shall not be affected, and shall remain in full force and
effect.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CITY and EMPLOYEE have executed this Contract on the day and
year first set forth above.
_____________________________ _______________
DEREK JOHNSON DATE
____________________________ ________________
MAYOR ERICA A. STEWART DATE
ATTEST:
____________________________ ________________
TERESA PURRINGTON DATE
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ________________
J. CHRISTINE DIETRICK DATE
CITY ATTORNEY
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