TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: KATIE WAND, ACTING ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: OCTOBER 27, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INTERIM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
The Community Development Director position is currently vacant and a recruitment for a permanent Community Development Director is underway. Assuming a successful recruitment and hiring timeline, a permanent Director could begin as early as January 2027.
To assist with day-to-day operations and ensure continuity of leadership within the Community Development Department, the City Manager has appointed David Crabtree, a CalPERS retiree, to serve as the Interim Community Development Director. To comply with CalPERS regulations, this appointment requires approval by the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA AFFIRMING THE INTERIM APPOINTMENT OF "RETIRED ANNUITANT" DAVID CRABTREE AS INTERIM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The fully-burdened hourly rate of compensation during Mr. Crabtree’s appointment is $113.59 (base rate $110.87) and State law (Gov. Code § 21221(h)) caps his employment at 960 hours per fiscal year, a total cost of $109,046 per fiscal year if Mr. Crabtree works the full allotment of 960 hours.
Mr. Crabtree will not receive any other benefit, incentive, compensation in lieu of benefit or other form of compensation.
Government Code Sections 21221(h) and 7522.56 limit retired annuitant hours to 960 hours in a fiscal year for all retired annuitant positions with any CalPERS employers, unless an exception applies. Government Code Section 20220 also requires the enrollment of a retired annuitant with CalPERS solely for recordkeeping purposes and the reporting of retired annuitant’s hours within 30 days of the end of a pay period.
The staff cost to prepare this report and resolution is estimated at $320 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The City is currently recruiting for a permanent Community Development Director. Government Code Section 21221(h) allows the City to appoint a CalPERS retiree to a vacant position as a retired annuitant during that recruitment, with approval by the governing body (City Council) in a public meeting.
Because the position requires specialized skills, the City needs a seasoned community development management professional to assist with the day-to-day operations of the Community Development Department in the interim. This includes personnel management and oversight of planning, engineering, building, and code enforcement services.
Mr. Crabtree is well qualified to fill this need. He has more than 38 years of experience providing municipal development management services to seven California agencies. Since retiring from CalPERS-covered employment in 2019, he has provided consulting services to the cities of Buena Park, La Habra, Fountain Valley, Laguna Beach, El Monte, La Habra Heights, and South Gate. His knowledge of municipal community development would benefit the City of Claremont and provide continuity of internal and external operations.
LEGAL REVIEW
The proposed resolution has been reviewed and approved as to form 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 that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Economic Sustainability Plan, General Plan, and the 2026-28 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: Prepared by:
Katie Wand Christi Giannone
Acting Assistant City Manager Human Resources Manager
Attachment:
Resolution