TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ALISHA PATTERSON, CITY ATTORNEY
DATE: APRIL 9, 2024
Reviewed by:
City Manager: N/A
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE-TIME MERIT AWARD FOR THE CITY MANAGER (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
The First Amendment to City Manager Adam Pirrie’s Employment Agreement requires the City Council to perform an annual employee evaluation. The City Council conducted this evaluation on March 26, 2024. The City Council unanimously agreed that Mr. Pirrie is doing an excellent job as City Manager in managing projects, maintaining a strong financial situation, and serving as a leader both within the City organization and in the community.
The City Council directed the City Attorney to prepare the necessary documents to recognize the excellent performance with a merit award. A proposed resolution approving the merit award of $15,000 is included as an Attachment for the City Council’s consideration.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A MERIT AWARD FOR EXCELLENT CITY MANAGER PERFORMANCE.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Do not adopt the attached resolution.
B. Direct the City Attorney to make changes to the attached resolution.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
In lieu of a merit increase to the City Manager’s base salary, which would result in an ongoing increase in salary and benefit costs, the City Council opted to provide Mr. Pirrie with a one-time merit award. The City Council’s adoption of the attached resolution will authorize the payment of a merit award of $15,000. The total cost to the City for the merit award amounts to $15,218, which includes a 1.45 percent Medicare cost. It is important to note that the one-time merit award is not reportable as compensation for the purpose of calculating retirement benefits under the City’s plan with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).
The costs to research this issue, prepare documentation and complete this report are estimated to be $600. These costs are in staff time and are included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The City Manager is employed by contract as approved by the City Council. The contract is set forth in an employment agreement which requires an annual employee evaluation. The City Council conducted the evaluation in March of 2023, and the results were excellent. As a result, the City Council directed the City Attorney to prepare a resolution approving a merit award for the City Manager. The proposed resolution provides for a one-time merit award in the amount of $15,000, plus a 1.45 percent Medicare cost of $218.
LEGAL REVIEW
This report and the attached resolution were prepared by the City Attorney.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds the following: Council Priorities, General Plan, and the 2022-24 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by:
Alisha Patterson
City Attorney
Attachment:
Resolution Approving One-Time Merit Bonus