Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of Margaret (“Sheri”) Sheryl Vander Dussen, a CalPERS Retiree, as Interim Community Development Director to Comply with California Government Code Section 21221(h).
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Jodie Griner, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MARGARET (”SHERI”) SHERYL VANDER DUSSEN AS INTERIM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR;” and
B. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with CalPERS Retired Annuitant Margaret (“Sheri”) Sheryl Vander Dussen to appoint her as the Interim Community Developer Director.
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BACKGROUND
The Community Development Director position in the Community Development Department is currently vacant. The City has initiated a recruitment process to fill the vacant position as of September 9, 2024. It is anticipated the recruitment process could take up to a year. In order to maintain leadership in the department, there is an urgent need to fill the vacancy on an interim basis with a qualified candidate until the recruitment can be completed.
Margaret (“Sheri”) Vander Dussen is a retired CalPERS annuitant with over 30 years of experience serving cities in Orange County. She spent 11 years in the City of Anaheim as a Planning Director/Acting Deputy City Manager, during which time, the City adopted sweeping plans for The Platinum Triangle and won numerous awards for streamlining processes and innovative customer service programs. Ms. Vander Dussen also served as the Community Development Director in the City of Irvine, where she oversaw the most significant growth in the City’s history.
Ms. Vander Dussen has the knowledge and experience necessary to serve as the Interim Community Development Director. Because Ms. Vander Dussen is a CalPERS retired annuitant, under state law, the City Council must first adopt the attached resolution to authorize her appointment.
FISCAL IMPACT
In accordance with California Employee Retirement Law and Retired Annuitant requirements, salary must be in the regular salary range for the position. Step “F” of the Community Development Director classification ($99.08/hr.) will be used as the rate of compensation for this agreement. The maximum expenditure for the retired annuitant Interim Community Development Director will be $206,086 and will be absorbed in the Community Development program 61050 with no request for budget adjustment in FY24-25.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Council is recommended to adopt the proposed resolution and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with retired CalPERS annuitant Margaret (“Sheri”) Sheryl Vander Dussen to serve as the City’s Interim Community Development Director.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution Approving Margaret Sharyl Vander Dussen as Interim Community Development Director
2. Retired Annuitant Agreement
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager