To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: DIANE STRICKFADEN, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TITLE
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ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2604-021, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING RETIRED CALPERS ANNUITANT DAVID BIGGS TO PERFORM SERVICES AS AN “EXTRA HELP” PROJECT MANAGER IN THE WATERFRONT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 7522.56 AND 21224
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City has identified a temporary staffing need in the Waterfront and Economic Development (WED) Department due to the departure of the prior Director, along with an increased workload due to a number of active project initiatives. To ensure the ongoing continuity of operations, along with the maintenance of high-quality service levels, staff recommends hiring a retired CalPERS annuitant with uniquely applicable skills and experience on a limited duration, “extra help” basis in accordance with Government Code Sections 7522.56 and 21224.
In order to hire a retired CalPERS annuitant, the City must comply with several restrictions imposed by Government Code Sections 7522.56 and 21224 to avoid mandatory reinstatement. Some restrictions include limits on the hourly rate a retired annuitant can earn, as well as a limitation to working no more than 960 hours in a fiscal year. Also, retired annuitants can only work as 1) “extra help” to cover backlogs or special projects requiring specific expertise; or 2) as interim appointments to specific vacant job classifications. For each retired annuitant hired by a CalPERS agency, an individual resolution must to be adopted by the governing body and transmitted to CalPERS.
City staff has identified David Biggs, a retired City Manager and Department Head, who previously worked for several public agencies in the municipal land management and economic development arenas, including the City of Redondo Beach, as an excellent candidate to provide extra help to the City. David Biggs possesses a specific set of job skills that make him uniquely qualified to provide the expertise needed to move several critical WED projects forward. Accordingly, staff recommend hiring David Biggs at a rate of $130 per hour as a part time, retired annuitant Project Manager.
BACKGROUND
As noted above, the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), which was codified in Government Code Sections 7522.56 and 21224, places restrictions on the nature of a retired CalPERS annuitant’s employment for a CalPERS public agency. Restrictions include limits on the hourly rate a retired annuitant can earn, as well as a limitation to working no more than 960 hours in a fiscal year without being reinstated from retirement.
Specifically, a CalPERS retired annuitant must be paid within the base salary range of an existing job classification, with no additional benefits. The City currently maintains a part-time Project Manager job classification, identified in the existing Part Time Pay Plan, that allows for the employment of professional part time project managers at a rate of up to $130 per hour. Staff would like to bring Mr. Biggs on at a rate of $130 per hour, with no additional benefits, for a limited term appointment as a retired annuitant.
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached Resolution appointing David Biggs as an “extra help” retired annuitant to assist with special projects in the Waterfront and Economic Development Department.
COORDINATION
This report was prepared by the Human Resources Department. The Resolution was approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the part time temporary appointment is available via salary savings in the Waterfront and Economic Development Department’s FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Reso No. 2604-021 - Authorizing Retired CalPERS Annuitant David Biggs to Perform Services as an “Extra Help” Project Manager in the Waterfront and Economic Development Department, in Accordance with Government Code Sections 7522.56 and 21224