TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ALISHA PATTERSON, CITY ATTORNEY
DATE: APRIL 9, 2024
Reviewed by:
City Manager: N/A
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT TO EXTEND THE TERM (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
The term of the City Manager Employment Agreement between the City of Claremont and Adam Pirrie (the “Agreement”) is due to expire February 23, 2026. In accordance with the Agreement, the City Council met in closed session on March 26, 2024, to conduct Mr. Pirrie’s annual performance evaluation. The City Council recognizes that Mr. Pirrie has continued to perform exceptionally well as City Manager. The City Council also recognizes it is in the best interests of the City Council, City staff, the community, and other stakeholders to have stability in the City Manager position. To that end, the City Council directed the City Attorney to prepare a proposed amendment to the Agreement to extend the term of Mr. Pirrie’s position by two years to February 23, 2028. The proposed amendment would not make any other changes to the Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the proposed Second Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement between the City of Claremont and Adam Pirrie.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Do not approve the proposed Second Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement.
B. Direct the City Attorney to make changes to the proposed Second Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The proposed extension of the term of the City Manager Employment Agreement will not change any of the Agreement’s financial terms. The salary, cost of living adjustments, and benefits are all set forth in the existing Agreement.
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
In October of 2020, the City Council appointed longtime Finance Director, Adam Pirrie first to the position of Acting City Manager. The City Council appointed Mr. Pirrie to the position of permanent City Manager, effective February 23, 2021. The initial term of Mr. Pirrie’s employment agreement was scheduled to end February 23, 2022 with automatic one-year extensions unless the City Council notified Mr. Pirrie of its intent to allow the agreement to expire.
Effective February 8, 2022, the City and Mr. Pirrie amended the City Manager Employment Agreement to extend the term of the Agreement to February 23, 2026 and change the deadline for annual performance evaluations from July 31 to March 31 of each calendar year. In accordance with the amended Agreement, the City Council met in closed session on March 26, 2024 to evaluate Mr. Pirrie’s performance.
The City Council recognizes that Mr. Pirrie has continued to perform exceptionally well as City Manager. The City Council also recognizes it is in the best interests of the City Council, City staff, the community, and other stakeholders to have stability in the City Manager position. To that end, both parties desire to amend the City Manager Employment Agreement a second time to extend the term of the Agreement by two years from February 23, 2026 to February 23, 2028. The proposed amendment would not make any other changes to the Agreement.
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:
Proposed Second Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement