HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-11488 approving an Employment Agreement for Interim City ManagerR 11488
RESOLUTION NO. 11488 (2024 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
FOR INTERIM CITY MANAGER
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is in the process of recruiting a qualified
permanent City Manager; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to appoint Whitney McDonald to serve as the
Interim City Manager while the Council conducts a permanent City Manager search and
until such time as a permanent City Manager is selected and assumes that office; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code section 36506 and Charter Section
711, the City Council is required to establish the compensation of the City Manager by
resolution; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to set the salary, salary schedule, and
benefits, as well as other terms and conditions of employment for the Interim City
Manager position as set forth in the Employment Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Whitney McDonald is hereby appointed to the position of Interim City
Manager effective April 26, 2024, at 5:01 pm, at an annual salary of $273,104 to be paid
on a biweekly basis.
SECTION 2. All other benefits for the position of Interim City Manager shall be as
provided for in the Employment Agreement.
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Resolution No. 11488 (2024 Series) Page 2
R 11488
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby approves the Employment Agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Upon motion of Vice Mayor Pease, seconded by Council Member Shoresman, and
on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Member Francis, Marx, Shoresman, Vice Mayor Pease and
Mayor Stewart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 2nd day of April 2024.
___________________________
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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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this 2nd day of April, 2024, by and between the
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, a municipal corporation and charter city (hereinafter referred
to as "CITY"), and WHITNEY MCDONALD (hereinafter referred to as "EMPLOYEE");
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2024 the SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY COUNCIL (hereinafter
referred to as "COUNCIL") appointed EMPLOYEE as Interim City Manager effective April
26, 2024 at 5:01 pm (hereinafter referred to as “Start Date”), and
WHEREAS, EMPLOYEE desires to accept the position of Interim City Manager
consistent with certain terms and conditions of said employment, as set forth in this
AGREEMENT; and
WHEREAS, the COUNCIL and EMPLOYEE desire to memorialize in this Agreement
certain benefits, terms, and conditions of employment of EMPLOYEE.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties do mutually agree as follows:
1. Employment.
The CITY hereby agrees to employ EMPLOYEE as Interim City Manager of
the City of San Luis Obispo commencing on the Start Date, to serve at the
pleasure of the City Council subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement.
2. Term.
Agreement shall commence on April 26, 2024 at 5:01 pm and will end when
a new City Manager assumes office. However, in no event shall the
EMPLOYEE’s employment as Interim City Manager extend beyond 960 hours
per fiscal year or otherwise violate the provisions of Government Code
Section 20480 regarding limit on out-of-class appointments. In accordance
with Government Code Section 20480, the City will track EMPLOYEE’s hours
worked as Interim City Manager and report that service to CalPERS no later
than thirty (30) days following the end of each applicable fiscal year.
3. City Council Commitments.
A. The COUNCIL and EMPLOYEE shall meet to formally develop goals
and expectations for her performance as the Interim City Manager.
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4. Duties and Salary.
A. Commencing on the Start Date, EMPLOYEE shall perform the
functions and duties of the City Manager specified in the Charter and
Municipal Code and such other legally permissible and proper duties
and functions as the COUNCIL may from time to time assign.
B. As compensation for EMPLOYEE’s services, the COUNCIL agrees to
pay EMPLOYEE, on a bi-weekly basis, an annual salary of $273,104,
effective on the EMPLOYEE’s Start Date. The Interim City Manager
position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor
Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. In addition, the
COUNCIL agrees to increase said base salary by the cost-of-living
adjustment provided by the COUNCIL for all CITY management
employees under any successor Management Compensation
Resolutions.
C. EMPLOYEE’s annual evaluation for her permanent role of Assistant
City Manager pursuant to the Management Pay for Performance
Guidelines will proceed as otherwise provided in the Management
evaluation guidelines and she may be considered for an annual pay
increase for the Assistant City Manager position, with adjustments to
her regular position salary effective the second full pay period in April
2024 with written documentation of satisfactory performance. In the
event the Interim City Manager returns to her prior position at any time
after the execution of this Agreement, she shall receive the adjusted
salary as implemented in accordance with the pay for performance
evaluation process for management employees and the then-
applicable management resolution immediately from and after the date
of resuming the Assistant City Manager position, without penalty for
the period of service as Interim City Manager.
5. Benefits.
In addition to the salary set forth in Section 4 of this AGREEMENT,
EMPLOYEE shall be entitled to the same benefits as those offered by the
CITY to other management employees, in accordance with the Resolution
11316 (2022 Series), and any successors.
6. Professional Development.
EMPLOYEE agrees to actively participate in such state, regional, and local
organizations as necessary for the representation of City and for effective
performance of her duties. City shall pay in advance or reimburse
EMPLOYEE for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by
EMPLOYEE relating to such activities pursuant to the City’s policies.
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7. Termination.
A. This Agreement may be terminated at any time upon the mutual,
written agreement of both the COUNCIL and EMPLOYEE.
B. EMPLOYEE may terminate this AGREEMENT at any time by giving
the COUNCIL not less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice.
C. The COUNCIL may terminate this AGREEMENT without cause at any
time upon the affirmative vote of not less than three members of the
COUNCIL.
D. When the COUNCIL hires a City Manager, this AGREEMENT will
terminate on the day prior to the City Manager's start date.
8. Return Rights to Previous Position.
A. EMPLOYEE shall have full return rights to the position of Assistant
City Manager if this AGREEMENT is terminated pursuant to Section
7. If EMPLOYEE returns to the Assistant City Manager classification
after the City hires a City Manager, EMPLOYEE shall earn her
previous annual salary, including any eligible Management Pay for
Performance increases as set out in Section 4.C. and any cost-of-
living adjustment provided by the COUNCIL for all CITY
management employees under any successor Management
Compensation Resolutions.
B. The COUNCIL agrees that the position of Assistant City Manager will
not be filled with a permanent replacement during EMPLOYEE’s
services as the Interim City Manager under this AGREEMENT. This
paragraph will survive the termination of this AGREEMENT.
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 the parties.
C. It is the intent of the COUNCIL that this AGREEMENT and the
appointment of EMPLOYEE as Interim City Manager are in
accordance with the requirements and provisions of the Charter.
Wherever possible, the provisions of this AGREEMENT shall be
construed in a manner consistent with the Charter. If any provision
of this AGREEMENT conflicts with the Charter, the Charter shall
control to the fullest extent permitted by law.
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.
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E. This AGREEMENT may be amended only in writing and duly
authorized and executed by both parties.
F. There shall be no discrimination against any person employed
pursuant to this AGREEMENT in any manner forbidden by law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CITY and EMPLOYEE have executed this Contract on the day
and year first set forth above.
_____________________________ _______________
WHITNEY MCDONALD DATE
____________________________ ________________
MAYOR ERICA A. STEWART DATE
ATTEST:
____________________________ ________________
TERESA PURRINGTON DATE
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
J. CHRISTINE DIETRICK
CITY ATTORNEY
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4/9/2024 | 1:43 PM PDT
4/9/2024 | 1:44 PM PDT