That the City Council: 
A.  APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC 2026-01 ENTITLED: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING ELVIE BALDERRAMA AS INTERIM DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES/RISK MANAGEMENT AND APPROVING AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT; and

B. Authorize the City Manager to execute the employment agreement with Elvie Balderrama.

With the recent retirement of Deputy Director of Human Resources/Risk Management Lucy Coelho-LaFreniere in December 2025, the City is seeking an Interim Deputy Director to manage the Human Resources Department while the City conducts an active recruitment to fill the Deputy Director of Human Resources/Risk Management position. In 2024, with the exception of the recently retired Deputy Director, there was a complete staff turnover in the Human Resources department, leaving little institutional knowledge remaining among these new employees. While the City has been successful in recruiting new, capable staff in the department, most have limited time with the City and little experience with some of the personnel and risk management issues unique to the City of La Habra.

Elvie Balderrama is uniquely qualified to assist the department during this time of transition as she has the required background and expertise with over 35 years of experience in Human Resources, including over six years as the prior Director of Human Resources for the City of La Habra, a position which she retired from in September 2023. Ms. Balderrama also previously served as the Human Resources Director for the City of Colton, the Personnel Services/Risk Manager for the City of Laguna Beach, Human Resources Manager for the City of Irwindale, and, earlier in her career, as a Personnel/Risk Management Analyst for the City of La Habra.   

The attached Employment Agreement includes provisions for salary, and other terms and conditions of the temporary employment consistent with state laws and regulations. The Agreement, if approved by City Council, will take effect on January 22, 2026, and will terminate on the earlier of the following: (i) the date immediately preceding the date on which a candidate selected for appointment to the vacant position of Deputy Director of Human Resources/Risk Management commences his/her employment, (ii) upon the completion of 960 hours worked by Ms. Balderrama, or (iii) the date that this appointment is terminated by either the City or Ms. Balderrama.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the agreement for Interim Deputy Director of Human Resources/Risk Management with Ms. Balderrama, as outlined above, adopt Resolution No. CC 2026-01, appointing Ms. Balderrama to this Interim position, and authorize the City Manager to sign the employment agreement on behalf of the City.

No additional budget appropriation is being requested to fund this agreement as there is sufficient funding for this position in the adopted FY 25-26 Human Resources Department budget. As a retired annuitant, and if approved by City Council, Ms. Balderrama will be paid the hourly rate of $92.97 for this interim position, with no additional benefits.

Goal 4: Recruitment, Selection & Training of Employees
Objective D: For succession planning purposes, recognize employees who possess the skills and knowledge to earn promotion within the organization and provide future leaders with personal and professional growth opportunities

Goal 7: Integration of Excellence in City Operations
Objective C: Provide and maintain quality public services for our residents, businesses, and visitors