REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Approving and Adopting the Updated Unclassified Salary Plan
Report
BACKGROUND
Sections 4 and 6 of the City’s Personnel and Salary Resolution require City Council approval of new or revised classifications. The City is proposing to retitle and revise the class specification, and modify the salary range for Parks Construction, Maintenance, and Repair Manager (Job code 130). The classification will be retitled to Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager (Job Code 130). As part of this action the Parks Maintenance and Operations Supervisor (Job Code 131) classification will be deleted since it is obsolete. These modifications were reviewed by Unit 9 prior to bringing this request forward to Council.
In accordance with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the Unclassified Miscellaneous Management (Unit 9), the City is bringing forward a request to adjust the salary range of Principal Planner (Job Code 143) based on the MOU compaction provision. Under this provision, supervisory-subordinate classifications must maintain a 5.0% salary differential. The proposed action will reflect the changes on the Unclassified Salary Plan effective August 16, 2026.
City Council approved various actions on the Unclassified Salary Plan at the July 14, 2026 Council meeting. Due to an administrative error, the salary range for the Battalion Chief - 24 Hours (Job Code 036S) and the Assistant Director (Job Code 133) were not merged into the Unclassified Salary Plan. The proposed action will incorporate the revisions on the Unclassified Salary Plan effective July 5, 2026.
Section 9 of the Personnel and Salary Resolution requires City Council approval of compensation plans for classified and unclassified positions. In addition, the City of Santa Clara contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits for employees in both classified and unclassified positions. When the City makes modifications to the salary schedules for its classified, unclassified or as-needed positions, the City Council must approve and adopt the publicly available salary schedules to comply with the CalPERS requirements stated in California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 570.5. If the City Council does not approve these resolutions, the City will be non-compliant with CalPERS record keeping and reporting requirements. The City of Santa Clara is a contracting agency with CalPERS and is required to comply with its requirements. The proposed Council action satisfies these applicable requirements.
DISCUSSION
Approve the Modifications to Unclassified Class Specifications
The class specification for Parks Construction, Maintenance, and Repair Manager (Job Code 130) is proposed to be updated to better reflect the current duties of the job. The title is proposed to be retitled to Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager (Job Code 130) to assist in recruitment efforts. There are 3 budgeted positions and all positions are vacant. As a cost savings measure, the salary is proposed to be adjusted from $155,118.48 - $200,718.60 to $142,750.80 - $184,752.36. The proposed salary range is in alignment with comparator agency salaries for comparable work.
As part of this action the Parks Maintenance and Operations Supervisor (Job Code 131) classification will be deleted since it is obsolete and the duties are incorporated into the Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager (Job Code 130) class specification.
Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager (Job Code 130)- with an annual salary range of $142,750.80 - $184,752.36: Under the general direction, the Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager assists the Division Manager in planning, organizing, and supervising activities of one or more Park Maintenance sections of the Parks Division, and performs related duties as assigned. Incumbents are responsible for the administration and supervision of construction, maintenance and repair activities of one or more of the following sections, including but not limited to: Park Landscaping and Buildings, Athletic Fields, Sports Courts, Aquatic Facilities, Dog Parks, and Playgrounds. Incumbents assist in identifying needs and developing maintenance projects and assigning work to crews within the unit or section to which the manager is assigned. Incumbents are expected to perform office administrative duties, and to monitor the progress of work in the field. Incumbents may be required to participate as a working supervisor during emergencies. Performs related duties as assigned.
Approve Revised Salary Ranges to Various Unclassified Positions
The Unclassified Miscellaneous Management (Unit 9) MOU has a compaction provision for
supervisory-subordinate classifications that must maintain an approximate 5.0% salary differential. The top of the range for the Principal Planner (Job Code 143) classification is being adjusted by approximately 10.8% to maintain at least an approximate 5.0% salary differential with their subordinate classifications. The annual salary range is proposed to be adjusted from $167,537.88 - $216,795.72 to $167,537.88 - $240,267.96. Individual employee salaries will only be adjusted if they are directly impacted by having a 5.0% salary differential from direct reports. Currently, there is 1 vacant position and 1 filled Principal Planner position. No incumbent salaries will be adjusted at this time.
At the July 14, 2026 City Council meeting, Council approved the following actions:
1) Tentative Agreement between the City of Santa Clara and Unclassified Fire management (Unit 9B); and
2) Merge of various Assistant Director classifications.
There was an administrative error on the Unclassified Salary plan which inadvertently did not update the salary range for Battalion Chief - 24 Hours (Job Code 036S) or the Assistant Director (Job Code 133) merge on the Unclassified Salary Plan. These items are being brought forward to memorialize the revisions on the Unclassified Salary Plan effective July 5, 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is a cost savings to lower the salary range for Parks Operations and Maintenance Repair Manager (Job Code 130). At the top of the salary range, the annual salary and benefit cost savings are approximately $22,000 per position. To modify the maximum annual rate of the Principal Planner (Job Code 143) is an annual salary and benefits increase of approximately $33,000. There are no additional cost implications for the administrative updates to the Unclassified Salary Plan.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov, or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution Approving and Adopting the Updated Unclassified Salary Plan for Various Positions Effective July 5, 2026 and August 16, 2026 to Satisfy the Requirements of the City’s Personnel and Salary Resolution and California Code of Regulations Section 570.5.
Staff
Reviewed by: Ashley Lancaster, Acting Director of Human Resources
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager (Job Code 130) Class Specification (Clean and Track Changes)
2. Unclassified Salary Plan eff 07-05-2026 (for Council 08-18-2026)
3. Resolution for Updated Unclassified Salary Plan eff 07-05-2026 (for Council 07-14-2026)
4. Unclassified Salary Plan eff 08-16-2026 (for Council 08-18-2026
5. Resolution for Updated Unclassified Salary Plan eff 08-16-2026 (for Council 08-18-2026)