That night, the council also approved an employment contract with new Public Safety Chief Matthew McMullen. McMullen will earn $7,575.42 per bi-weekly pay period ($196,960.92 per year.)
Chandra Jabbs, acting city manager/finance director, presented the item to the council.
She called Elsea “an excellent candidate” who has “more than 25 years of progressive executive leadership in water, gas, sewer, transportation and parks. He’s been serving as a public works director for the last 10 years. He’s been in the public works realm his entire career. This would be his first step into a city manager’s position.”
She said as a public works director he’s been managing much larger organizations than ours, and he has “a true willingness” to serve our community.
After her presentation, there were no questions or comments from the councilmembers or the public, and the council the unanimously approved the agreement.
According to the agreement, Elsea will earn $8,939.75 per two-week pay period ($232,303.50 annually). After six months, his salary will increase to $9,386.76 per two-week pay period ($244,055.76 annually) and $9,856,09 after 18 months ($256,258.34 annually). The agreement expires Nov. 30, 2030.
According to the agreement, “The city manager bi-weekly salary matrix and manager’s salary may be adjusted periodically by the city council to reflect adjustments to the city management unit salary matrix, without manager’s consent, effective on the same date as the applicable management unit adjustment.
City manager duties
According to the agreement, City hereby agrees to employ manager as city manager of the city of Susanville to perform the functions and duties specified in the city code and the government code of the State of California, and to perform other legally permissible and proper duties and functions as the council shall from time-to-time assign.
- Manager shall perform his duties to the best of his ability in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards of the profession.
- Manager shall not engage in any activity that is or may become a conflict of interest, prohibited contract, or which may create an incompatibility of office as defined under California law.
- Manager may perform teaching, writing or consulting services or other outside employment only after providing advance written notice to the city council and obtaining the council’s prior written approval, and only so long as those activities are not performed on city equipment or do not interfere with manager’s obligations under this agreement.
- Manager shall work such hours as necessary to perform the duties of city manager.
Elsea also will receive a $350 per month vehicle allowance, city holidays, 240 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of management leave, sick leave, health, dental and vision insurance (employ shall contribute $46 per month), $5,000 for moving expenses, a $50,000 life insurance policy and reimbursement for all actual and necessary expenses
The city agrees to establish an IRS Section 125 Plan pr deferred compensation plan. City will pay $40 per pay period to the 125 plan or the city will match up to 2 percent of the manager’s salary if the manager selects a deferred compensation plan.
Termination
The city manager is an at-will employee serving at the pleasure of the city council. If the city manager is terminated without cause, the city will pay a 6-month’s severance package of salary and medical component.
According to the agreement, “No severance shall be paid if manager is terminated within the first six months of employment or between the 91st and 120th day after an election at which one or more new members are elected to the city council … City shall also not be obligated to pay, and shall not pay, any amounts or continue any benefits … if manager voluntarily resigns or retires without affirmative action by city to terminate, initiate termination proceedings or request resignation, or city determines not to renew this agreement.”
Indemnification, insurance and bonding
According to the agreement, the city shall, to the extent required by applicable law, including Government Code Sections 825 and 995 et seq., defend, save harmless, and indemnify manager against any civil tort, professional liability claim or demand, or other civil legal action arising out of an act or omission occurring within the course and scope of manager’s employment and duties as city manager. This obligation does not apply to fraud, corruption, actual malice, acts outside the course and scope of employment, or criminal charges. Any defense or indemnification shall remain subject to the limitations and requirements of Government Code Sections 53243 through 53243.4 and other applicable law. Manager shall reimburse the city for any amounts required to be repaid under those provisions.
Additionally, pursuant to Susanville City Code section 2.08.030, manager shall obtain and be covered by an official bond in favor of the city, as beneficiary, for the faithful performance of his or her duties as prescribed by the Susanville Municipal Code and to account to the city for all monies and other properties coming into his possession or control. Such bond shall be in the amount of $1,000,000. City shall bear the full cost of the required corporate surety bond.
Source: Lassen News
