HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - CM CONTR (2)Agenda Item: 9
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Fra -erry
DATE: September 11, 2012
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF CITY MANAGER CONTRACT
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council review and approve City Manager contract, which has been negotiated and
suggested for approval by the ad hoc committee. City Council may recess into closed session
prior to approval of the contract per Government Code Section 54957.6 if they wish to further
discuss the parameters of the negotiations for the contract with the ad hoc committee, subject to
final City Attorney review.
Conference with Labor Negotiators: Mayor and Mayor Pro -Tem
Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
BACKGROUND
As announced at the August 30, 2012, special meeting of the City Council, Ken Striplin was
appointed to the position of City Manager effective January 1, 2013, subject to negotiation of the
employee contract. The City Council appointed the Mayor and Mayor Pro -Tem as the ad hoc
committee to negotiate said contract.
Subsequently, the ad hoc committee met and negotiated the terms of the contract, which is
attached for review and recommended for approval. The proposed salary of $220,000 is 5%
below the average salaries for City Managers at the benchmark cities and ranks eighth lowest out
of the I I cities. In addition, the proposed pay increase of 10% above the Assistant City
Manager's current pay is standard with the pay increase provided to other City employees upon
promotion. In the process of negotiations, the ad hoc committee also reviewed salary data from
benchmark cities, the current City Manager's contract, the proposed City Manager's
compensation, and the current compensation for the Assistant City Manager. The benclunark
cities' data and summary table are attached.
8 :1GUNED
Should the City Council have questions or wish to discuss the parameters of the negotiation, they
may move to closed session. No final decision regarding compensation may be made during
closed session, and the contract must be approved in open session.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS
Proposed Contract
Benchmark Cities Comparison
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CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 1 1 th day of September 2012 (the
"Effective Date"), by and between the City of Santa Clarita, a Municipal corporation (hereinafter
called "the Employer"), and Kenneth W. Striplin (hereinafter called "the Employee"), both of
whom understand as follows:
WHEREAS, the governing body of the City of Santa Clarita (hereinafter called "the City
Council'), desires to retain the services of the Employee as City Manager, as that office is created
in Chapter 2.08 of the Municipal Code of the City of Santa Clarita; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council to provide certain benefits and establish
certain terms and conditions of employment, as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of mutual covenants herein contained, the parties
agree as follows:
Section 1. Duties
A. The City Council hereby agrees to employ the Employee as City Manager of the
City of Santa Clarita, to perform the functions and duties of the City Manager as specified in
Chapter 2.08 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code, and to perform other legally permissible and
proper duties and functions consistent with the office of the City Manager, as the City Council
shall from time to time assign.
B. The Employee agrees to assume City Manager duties effective January 1, 2013, and
any salary and benefits described in this Agreement will take effect at that time.
C. The Employee will continue to perform his duties as Assistant City Manager from
Effective Date of this Agreement until assuming the City Manager duties on January 1, 2013, and
during this time his current salary and benefits will remain unchanged.
D. Between the Effective Date of this Agreement and January 1, 2013, the Employee
will devote time preparing for and transitioning to the position of City Manager, and in recognition
of this work and commitment, the benefits provided in Section 14 shall apply from the Effective
Date of this agreement should a majority of the Council decide not to employ the Employee as City
Manager prior to January 1, 2013.
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Section 2. Term
A. The term of this Agreement shall be indefinite but subject to the termination
provisions set forth in paragraphs B. and C. of this section. During the term of this Agreement, the
Employee shall be a full-time City Manager.
B. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right
of the City Council to terminate the services of the Employee, subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, at any time, at the sole discretion of the City Council, as provided in Section 2.08. 100
of the Municipal Code of the City of Santa Clarita
C. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right
of the Employee to resign at any time from his position with the Employer. The Employee shall
give forty-five (45) days written notice to the Employer prior to the effective date of resignation, or
such lessor period as may be agreed upon by Employer and Employee.
Section 3. Salary
The Employer agrees to pay the Employee for services rendered, as provided herein, Two
Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($220,000) per year, payable in installments at the same time
and in the same manner as other employees of the City are paid. Should the City Council, upon
completion of an annual review of the Employee's performance as provided for in Section 16,
determine that the Employee has met performance expectations the City Council shall increase the
Employee's compensation not less than 5% in 2014 and 2016, as is consistent with compensation
increases granted to other employees in conjunction with their performance evaluations.
Additional merit increases may be provided to the Employee at the City Council's discretion.
Section 4. Deferred Compensation
The Employer agrees to continue a deferred compensation program for the Employee and
deposit a monthly sum equivalent to the maximum amount permissible under U.S. Internal
Revenue Service Rules and Regulations, currently fourteen hundred sixteen dollars and sixty-six
cents ($1,416.66) per month toward this program. The amount of this benefit will adjust
automatically consistent with amendments to the Deferred Compensation Rules & Regulations of
the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Section 5. Pension
The Employer agrees to continue the Employee as a member of the California Public
Employees Retirement System (PERS) and will pay for the Employee's pension in the same
manner the City pays for other employees in the same pension formula.
Section 6. Health Insurance
The Employer agrees to provide the Employee with the same health, dental, and vision
insurance coverage as is provided to other employees based on Employee's original hire date with
the City.
Section 7. Long -Term Disability Insurance
The Employer agrees to continue to provide the Employee with a long-term disability
program similar to other executive employees.
Section 8. Life Insurance
The Employer agrees to pay up to $2,400 annually for a life insurance policy of the
Employee's choice on the Employee's life for the benefit of a beneficiary designated by the
Employee. The Employer also agrees to provide the Employee with the term life insurance equal
to twice the Employee's annual salary.
Section 9. Physical Examination & Executive Wellness
The Employer shall biennially provide the Employee with a comprehensive physical
examination by a qualified physician of the Employee's choice. Such physical examination may
include the treadmill cardiovascular evaluation. Employee may continue in the City's Executive
Wellness Program whereby Employer reimburses Employee up to $1,000 annually to be used by
the Employee for purchase of health benefit activities and equipment.
Section 10. Automobile
The Employee's duties require the exclusive and unrestricted use at all times during the
duration of this Agreement of an automobile provided by the Employer. The Employer shall be
responsible for paying liability, property damage, and comprehensive insurance for the purchase,
operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of such an automobile.
Section 11. Expense
A. The Employer agrees to budget and to pay the professional dues and subscriptions
on behalf of the Employee which are reasonably necessary for the Employee's continuation and
full participation in national, regional, state, or local associations and organizations, including
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membership in the International City/County Management Association and conference
participation, necessary and desirable for the Employee's continued professional participation,
growth, and advancement, or for the good of the City. In addition, the Employer agrees to pay a
maximum of $1,000 per calendar year toward the Employee's participation in local service
organizations. Furthermore, the Employer shall budget and pay for the professional dues and
subscriptions to such additional organizations as approved by the City Council.
B. The Employer agrees to budget and to pay the travel and subsistence expenses of
the Employee for official travel, meetings, and occasions reasonably adequate to continue the
professional development of the Employee and reasonably pursue necessary official and other
functions for the City, including, but not limited to, national, regional, state, and local conferences,
governmental groups and committees upon which the Employee serves as a member.
Section 12. Vacation and Sick Leave
A. The Employee currently has accrued paid vacation leave at the Effective Date of
this Agreement and shall accrue twenty (20) days vacation each year, in addition to recognized
City holidays. Vacation for the Employee will be granted biweekly in the same manner as given to
other employees. Unused vacation in excess of three times the annual rate of accrual shall be paid
as additional compensation following the same program as is available to other employees. Upon
termination of employment, either voluntary or involuntary, any unused vacation leave will be
cashed out.
B. The Employee currently has accrued sick leave on the Effective Date of this
Agreement and annually shall continue to accrue at a rate of twelve (12) days each year. Sick
leave for the Employee will be granted biweekly in the same manner as given to other employees.
Upon termination of employment, either voluntary or involuntary, employee shall not be entitled to
compensation for unused sick leave.
Section 13. Administrative Leave
The Employer agrees to provide the Employee with fifteen (15) days of annual
administrative leave, which will be granted biweekly and administered in the same manner as
given to other management employees. Upon termination of employment, either voluntary or
involuntary, employee shall not be entitled to compensation for unused administrative leave.
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Section 14. Termination and Severance Pay
A. In the event the Employee is terminated pursuant to Section 2.08. 100 of the
Municipal Code of the City of Santa Clarita during the tern of this Agreement, and during such
time as the Employee is willing and able to perform duties under this Agreement, the Employee
shall be entitled to a cash payment of compensation equal to the salary specified in Section 3, and
health benefits specified in Section 6 due for a period of twelve (12) months following the effective
date of the termination. In recognition of the Employee's long-term service to the City, one (1)
additional month of salary would be added to the severance package for each year of service up to
a maximum of eighteen (18) months of severance. The year of service will be calculated from
January 1, 2013.
B. If at any time during the term of this Agreement the City Council reduces the salary
or other financial benefits of the Employee in greater percentage than an applicable across-the-
board reduction to all City employees, or the City Council refuses, following written notice, to
comply with any provision of this Agreement benefiting the Employee, or the Employee resigns at
the request of a majority of the members of the City Council, the Employee may, at his option, be
deemed terminated and entitled to severance pay as provided in Section 14A.
C. If the Employee is convicted of a felony, the Employer may terminate this
Agreement immediately, and the Employee would be entitled to only the compensation accrued up
to the date of termination and other such termination benefits and payments as may be required by
law. The Employee shall not be entitled to severance pay provided in Sections 14A and 14B.
Section 15. Election Protection
The City Council agrees not to terminate the Employee during any ninety (90) calendar day
period after a City Council election without the payment of additional severance allowance. This
additional severance allowance will offer new City Council members an opportunity to work with
and observe the Employee prior to taking any action. If the City Council does terminate the
Employee within ninety (90) days after a City Council election, the Employee shall be entitled to a
severance pay of ninety (90) calendar days in addition to the severance pay allowed by Section 14
of this Agreement, subject to the limitations of Section 53260 of the Government Code.
Section 16. Performance Evaluation
A. Annually, the City Council and the Employee shall define such goals and
performance objectives which they determine necessary for the proper operation of the City in the
attainment of the City Council's policy objectives, and the City Council and the Employee shall
further establish a relative priority among those various goals and objectives to be reduced to
writing. The Employee's performance objectives shall be obtainable generally within the time
limits as specified in the annual operating and capital budgets and appropriations provided.
B. The City Council shall review and evaluate the performance of the Employee at
least once annually. The annual review and evaluation shall be in accordance with specific criteria
developed jointly by the City Council and the Employee. Such criteria maybe added to or deleted
as the City Council may from time to time determine in consultation with the Employee. The
method of evaluation shall be at the discretion of the Council.
Section 17. Other Terms and Conditions of Emvlovment
A. The City Council, in consultation with the Employee, shall fix any such other
terms and conditions of employment, as it may determine from time to time, relating to the
performance of the Employee, provided such other terms and conditions are not inconsistent with
or in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, any ordinance or resolution of the City, or any
other applicable law.
B. Fringe benefits and working conditions applicable generally to management
employees of the Employer, as such rules now exist or hereinafter may be amended, shall also
apply to the Employee, except where such fringe benefits and working conditions are inconsistent
with the ten -ns contained herein.
Section 18. General Provisions
A. The text herein shall constitute the entire Agreement between the parties as to the
subject matter hereof.
B. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure, where applicable, to the benefit
of the heirs at law and executor of the Employee.
C. If any provision or any portion hereof is held unconstitutional, invalid, or
unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement or portion hereof shall be deemed severable, shall
not be affected, and shall remain in full force and effect.
D. This Agreement may be amended only in writing.
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Section 19. Notices
Notices pursuant to this Agreement shall be given by depositing such notice in the custody
of the United States postal services, postage prepaid, address as follows or hand -delivered:
City Council
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Blvd., #300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
-OR-
Kenneth W. Striplin
23920 Valencia Blvd., #300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Alternatively, any notice required pursuant to this Agreement may be personally served in the
same manner as is applicable to civil judicial practice at the date such notice is given. Notice shall
be deemed given as the date of personal service or as of the date of deposit of such written notice
in the course of transmission in the United State postal service.
Section 20. Cancel Prior Agreement
This Agreement cancels and supersedes any and all prior employment agreements between
the Employee and the Employer.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement the day and year first
above written.
Kenneth W. Striplin
CTIY OF SANTA CLARITA,
a General Law City
By
ATTEST
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
Mayor
City Clerk
/O
City Manager Salary Survey
September 2012
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Average Salary:• $232,0613
PopulationCitCity
.-
City of Oxnard
200,000
$282,982
City of Pasadena
151,576
$265,000
City of Irvine
218,000
$254,820
City of Lancaster
145,875
$250,107
City of Glendale
207,902
$235,608
City of Thousand Oaks
130,209
$228,003
City of Palmdale
152,622
$225,000
City of Santa Clarita (as proposed)
185,000
$220,000
City of Burbank
108,469
$217,404
City of Simi Valley
126,900
$199,500
City of Ventura
109,000
$174,161
I ..
Average Salary:• $232,0613