AGENDA ITEM NO. 4
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AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina | Office of the City Manager
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| DATE: | October 6, 2026 |
TO: |
Mayor and City Council |
FROM: |
Milan Mrakich, City Manager |
SUBJECT: |
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-100 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA ADOPTING THE SIDE LETTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE WEST COVINA FIREFIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION, I.A.F.F., LOCAL 3226 (WCFFA) |
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No.2026-100, approving the Side Letter of Agreement between the City of West Covina and the West Covina Firefighters Association, I.A.F.F. Local 3226, modifying Article 27, Holidays, and Article 22, Promotional Lists: Acting Upgrade and Rank for Rank Coverage, of the current Memorandum of Understanding.
BACKGROUND:
The City of West Covina and the West Covina Firefighters Association, I.A.F.F. Local 3226 ("Association"), are parties to a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") that remains in effect through June 30, 2028.
The City and the Association have met and conferred regarding proposed modifications to two existing provisions of the MOU. Following discussions, the Parties reached agreement to modify the provisions addressing holidays and temporary upgrade pay.
The proposed changes are set forth in a Side Letter of Agreement and, upon approval, will replace the existing language in Article 27, Holidays, and Article 22, currently entitled Promotional Lists: Acting Upgrade and Rank for Rank Coverage.
The City and the Association have met and conferred regarding proposed modifications to two existing provisions of the MOU. Following discussions, the Parties reached agreement to modify the provisions addressing holidays and temporary upgrade pay.
The proposed changes are set forth in a Side Letter of Agreement and, upon approval, will replace the existing language in Article 27, Holidays, and Article 22, currently entitled Promotional Lists: Acting Upgrade and Rank for Rank Coverage.
DISCUSSION:
Article 27 – Holidays
The Side Letter of Agreement replaces the existing provisions of Article 27 in their entirety and establishes the holidays to be observed by the City and the Association.
The revised holiday provisions include the following legal holidays:
For unit members hired on or before December 31, 2012, employees who are normally required to work on approved holidays due to scheduled staffing requirements will have the option to elect either:
For unit members hired on or after January 1, 2013, employees who are normally required to work on approved holidays due to scheduled staffing requirements will receive Holiday Pay equal to one holiday, or twelve (12) hours, per month at straight time, regardless of whether the employee works on the observed holiday.
The Side Letter further provides that Holiday Pay is special compensation and will be reported to CalPERS as permitted and required under applicable law and Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations.
Article 22 – Temporary Upgrade Program
The Side Letter of Agreement also replaces the existing provisions of Article 22 in their entirety and retitles the section as Temporary Upgrade Program.
Under the revised language, scheduled promotional examinations will continue to be conducted every two years during the spring season to maintain a continuous list of qualified personnel for acting assignments and promotional opportunities.
The proposed examination schedule provides that:
Unit members who are required by the City to work in an upgraded position or classification of limited duration will receive Temporary Upgrade Pay equal to five percent (5%) for the duration of the temporary assignment. To qualify for Temporary Upgrade Pay, the employee must perform one hundred percent (100%) of the duties of the upgraded position or classification.
The Side Letter further provides that, to the extent permitted by law, Temporary Upgrade Pay constitutes special compensation for CalPERS classic member employees and will be reported accordingly pursuant to Title 2, California Code of Regulations, Section 571.
The Side Letter of Agreement replaces the existing provisions of Article 27 in their entirety and establishes the holidays to be observed by the City and the Association.
The revised holiday provisions include the following legal holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Presidents' Day
- Easter
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Eve
For unit members hired on or before December 31, 2012, employees who are normally required to work on approved holidays due to scheduled staffing requirements will have the option to elect either:
- Holiday Pay: Twelve (12) hours of Holiday Pay per month, calculated at straight time; or
- Holiday Leave Credit: Eight (8) hours of Holiday Leave Credit per month, subject to the terms and usage requirements established in the Side Letter of Agreement.
For unit members hired on or after January 1, 2013, employees who are normally required to work on approved holidays due to scheduled staffing requirements will receive Holiday Pay equal to one holiday, or twelve (12) hours, per month at straight time, regardless of whether the employee works on the observed holiday.
The Side Letter further provides that Holiday Pay is special compensation and will be reported to CalPERS as permitted and required under applicable law and Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations.
Article 22 – Temporary Upgrade Program
The Side Letter of Agreement also replaces the existing provisions of Article 22 in their entirety and retitles the section as Temporary Upgrade Program.
Under the revised language, scheduled promotional examinations will continue to be conducted every two years during the spring season to maintain a continuous list of qualified personnel for acting assignments and promotional opportunities.
The proposed examination schedule provides that:
- Fire Captain and Firefighter Paramedic examinations will be conducted in odd-numbered years.
- Fire Engineer examinations will be conducted in even-numbered years.
- Additional examinations may be scheduled at the request of the Department's personnel officer in accordance with applicable City personnel rules.
Unit members who are required by the City to work in an upgraded position or classification of limited duration will receive Temporary Upgrade Pay equal to five percent (5%) for the duration of the temporary assignment. To qualify for Temporary Upgrade Pay, the employee must perform one hundred percent (100%) of the duties of the upgraded position or classification.
The Side Letter further provides that, to the extent permitted by law, Temporary Upgrade Pay constitutes special compensation for CalPERS classic member employees and will be reported accordingly pursuant to Title 2, California Code of Regulations, Section 571.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form. The City's labor counsel, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, has reviewed and approved the Side Letter of Agreement.
OPTIONS:
The City Council may:
- Approve the Side Letter of Agreement as presented;
- Provide direction to staff regarding modifications to the Side Letter; or
- Take no action, in which case the existing MOU provisions will remain in effect.
Prepared by:
Karen Ogawa, Finance Director
Additional Approval:
Roxanne E. Lerma, Assistant City Manager
Attachments
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
Protect Public Safety
Maintain Good Intergovernmental Relations
Maintain Good Intergovernmental Relations