Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of Steven Mendoza, a CalPERS Retiree, as Interim Community Development Director to Comply with California Government Code Section 21221(h). End
End
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 STEVEN MENDOZA AS INTERIM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR,” and
B. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with CalPERS Retired Annuitant Steven Mendoza to appoint him as the Interim Community Development Director.
Recommendation
end
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 was anticipated the recruitment process would take up to a year to complete, but there has been a lack of qualified candidates who best fit the needs of the organization. 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.
Steven Mendoza is a retired CalPERS annuitant with over 34 years of experience serving cities within Orange County. He spent six years in the City of Santa Ana as Executive Director, Community Development Agency, during which time he managed 46 staff, and delivered 399 permanent supportive units and a 200-bed navigation center. Mr. Mendoza also served as the Director of Community Development and Public Works in the City of Los Alamitos, where he was recognized for award-winning corridor planning initiatives.
Mr. Mendoza has the knowledge and experience that indicates that he would be able to assist the City in the classification of Interim Community Development Director. Since Mr. Mendoza is a CalPERS retired annuitant, under state law, the City Council must first adopt the attached resolution and agreement to authorize his 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 ($102.05/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 $212,264 and will be absorbed in the Community Development program 62050 with no request for budget adjustment in FY25-26.
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 Steven Mendoza to serve as the City’s Interim Community Development Director.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution Approving Steven Mendoza as Interim Community Development Director
2. Retired Annuitant Agreement- Interim CD Director - Mendoza, Steven
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager