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Item No. 1.
| MEETING DATE: 06/21/2021 |
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| TO: | HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, CITY MANAGER By: Elvie Balderrama, Human Resources Director |
| SUBJECT: | CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING EXCEPTION TO THE 180-DAY WAITING PERIOD TO HIRE A CALPERS RETIRED ANNUITANT, MR. CHRISTOPER L. JOHANSEN, FOR THE POSITION OF CITY ENGINEER EFFECTIVE JULY 16, 2021, IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 7522.566 AND 21221(H)
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. _____ ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA APPROVING EXCEPTION TO THE 180-DAY WAITING PERIOD TO HIRE A CALPERS RETIRED ANNUITANT IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 7522.56 AND 21221(h).
DISCUSSION:
The Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) made substantial changes to public employee pension laws in California. One of those changes requires retired annuitants to be separated from employment for at least 180 days before returning to work for an employer in the same retirement system from which they receive a pension. An exception may be made if the governing body adopts a resolution to waive the waiting period for separation. The waiver allows an employer to hire a retired annuitant to perform work of limited duration, such as to fill a critically needed position while conducting a recruitment, the elimination of backlogs, and limited term special projects.
The appointment is limited to 960 hours per fiscal year and the compensation paid to retirees cannot be less than the minimum nor exceed the maximum monthly base salary paid to other employees performing comparable duties. The appointment may not include any other benefit, incentive, or compensation in lieu of benefit or other form of compensation in addition to an hourly rate of pay.
Mr. Christopher Johansen has announced that he is retiring from the City of La Habra on July 16, 2021, after 12 years with the City as its City Engineer. Upon learning of Mr. Johansen’s intention to retire, the City initiated a recruitment for the permanent appointment of a new Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer; however, to maintain operational continuity within the Engineering Division during the recruitment process, staff recommends retaining Mr. Johansen’s services as Interim City Engineer on a temporary basis.
Mr. Johansen possesses the specialized skills necessary to serve as Interim City Engineer as the result of his career in Engineering. In the event the City Council approves this action, Mr. Johansen will perform the functions and duties of the City Engineer, which includes planning, managing, organizing and providing administrative direction and oversight of the Engineering Division, as well as providing highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Public Works Director. The City will pay Mr. Johansen the equivalent to the top step of the pay range for City Engineer, not to exceed $76.71 per hour. Mr. Johansen will not receive any other benefits or overtime compensation, consistent with Government Code sections 21221(h) and 7522.56. The term will expire on July 15, 2022, or upon the hiring of a permanent Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer, or by mutual agreement of both parties.
The appointment is limited to 960 hours per fiscal year and the compensation paid to retirees cannot be less than the minimum nor exceed the maximum monthly base salary paid to other employees performing comparable duties. The appointment may not include any other benefit, incentive, or compensation in lieu of benefit or other form of compensation in addition to an hourly rate of pay.
Mr. Christopher Johansen has announced that he is retiring from the City of La Habra on July 16, 2021, after 12 years with the City as its City Engineer. Upon learning of Mr. Johansen’s intention to retire, the City initiated a recruitment for the permanent appointment of a new Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer; however, to maintain operational continuity within the Engineering Division during the recruitment process, staff recommends retaining Mr. Johansen’s services as Interim City Engineer on a temporary basis.
Mr. Johansen possesses the specialized skills necessary to serve as Interim City Engineer as the result of his career in Engineering. In the event the City Council approves this action, Mr. Johansen will perform the functions and duties of the City Engineer, which includes planning, managing, organizing and providing administrative direction and oversight of the Engineering Division, as well as providing highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Public Works Director. The City will pay Mr. Johansen the equivalent to the top step of the pay range for City Engineer, not to exceed $76.71 per hour. Mr. Johansen will not receive any other benefits or overtime compensation, consistent with Government Code sections 21221(h) and 7522.56. The term will expire on July 15, 2022, or upon the hiring of a permanent Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer, or by mutual agreement of both parties.
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The maximum amount the City will pay during a six-month period, which is the anticipated recruitment period, is $79,787.
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE:
ED 9.1 - Balanced Fiscal Practices