HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item # 5 - San Bernardino - Clean - Staff Report on Interim City Manager-c1
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
DISCUSSION
Date: January 18, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Edelia Eveland, Assistant City Manager;
Suzie H. Soren, Director of Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Subject: Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-019 Appointing an
Interim City Manager and approving an employment
agreement. (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino,
California, adopt Resolution No. 2023-019 appointing Charles McNeely as Interim
City Manager as well as approve an employment agreement with Mr. McNeely.
Background
On December 7, 2022, the Mayor and City Council accepted the resignation of Robert
D. Field from his position as City Manager for the City of San Bernardino. The position
of City Manager became vacant on January 17, 2023. A special closed session
meeting was held on December 14, 2022, where the Mayor and City Council gave
direction to staff to open an Interim City Manager recruitment. The recruitment was
opened on December 19, 2022, and closed on January 6, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. The
recruitment was advertised at the following locations:
• California Cities/Western City Board
• California City News
• International City/County Management Association
• Municipal Management Associate of Northern California
• Municipal Management Associate of Southern California
• National League of Cities
• Public CEO
Discussion
The Interim City Manager recruitment garnered a total of 25 applications. On January
11, 2023, the Mayor and City Council held a special closed session meeting to review
the applications. After deliberation, the Mayor and City Council voted to move two
candidates forward to the interview stage. The interviews took place on January 17,
2023 where Mr. McNeely was unanimously selected to serve as the City’s Interim City
Manager.
Because the selected candidate is an interim retired annuitant under Government
Code section 21221(h), the Mayor and City Council must make the appointment
and approve the employment agreement by resolution. In addition, an appointment
under Section 21221(h) requires the City to be actively pursuing a permanent
replacement. The City is presently in the process of selecting a recruitment firm to assist
with the recruitment for a permanent City Manager. The City will continue to abide by
Section 21221(h) and will take further steps to actively recruit for a permanent
City Manager. The interim appointment will end when the regular replacement for the
vacant position of City Manager for the City commences her or his employment or, if
earlier, the date that this appointment is terminated by the City or the selected
candidate. In accordance with applicable law, the proposed contract limits the number
of hours which may be worked in any fiscal year to 960 hours. Further, the
compensation paid to retirees cannot be less than the minimum nor exceed the
maximum monthly base salary paid to other employees performing comparable duties,
divided by 173.333 to equal the hourly rate. For the position of Interim City Manager,
that rate is $137.02 (i.e., $23,750, which is both the top and bottom step for the City
Manager position on the approved salary schedule, divided by 173.333). Lastly, in
accordance with the applicable law, the employment agreement does not provide for
any other benefit, incentive compensation in lieu of benefits, or any other form of
compensation in addition to this hourly pay.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Approving an employment agreement with Interim City Manager aligns with Goal No.
2b: Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community by building a culture that
attracts, retains, and motivates the highest quality talent.
Fiscal Impact
Financial impact is unknown at this time. Impact will be identified once an employment
agreement has been executed.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino,
California, adopt Resolution No. 2023-019 appointing Charles McNeely as
Interim City Manager as well as approving an employment agreement with Mr.
McNeely.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Interim City Manager Job Announcement
Attachment 2 – Resolution No. 2023-019
Attachment 3 – Proposed Employment Agreement
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
December 14, 2022 The Mayor and City Council gave direction to staff to open
an Interim City Manager recruitment.
January 11, 2023 The Mayor and City Council held a special closed session
meeting to review the applications for Interim City Manager.
January 17, 2023 The Mayor and City Council held a special closed session
meeting to interview and select the Interim City Manager.