REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on an Ordinance Amending the Compensation for the City Clerk As Set by the Salary Setting Commission [Council Pillar: Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency]
Report
BACKGROUND
Charter Section 702 established a Salary Setting Commission to set the compensation for the positions of Mayor and Councilmember beginning in 2019 and every two years thereafter. On July 17, 2018, Council adopted Ordinance No. 1983 (Santa Clara City Code 2.20.015) which in part established that the Elected City Clerk’s monthly stipend will also be set by the Salary Setting Commission beginning in 2019.
On August 20, 2019, an Informational Report was presented to the City Council that included the Resolution of the Salary Setting Commission setting the compensation for the position of City Clerk. The Salary Setting Commission approved a resolution to maintain the current compensation rate at $2,000 per month of the City Clerk for the period of July 1, 2019 until such time as the individual elected to the position of City Clerk at the next election for that position takes office (anticipated to be in December 2020). In addition, the Commission voted to reduce the monthly compensation of the City Clerk to $1,500 ($18,000/annually) for the period beginning when the individual elected to the position of City Clerk at the next election takes office (anticipated to be December 2020) and ending on June 30, 2021. At that time, no further legislative action was necessary to implement the Commission’s decision. An amendment to SCCC 2.20.015 to reflect the reduction in salary, as well as an updated salary schedule was to be brought forward at a later time.
The attached ordinance’s purpose is to amend SCCC 2.20.015 to set the new compensation for the position of City Clerk.
DISCUSSION
SCCC 2.20.015 as currently written sets the City Clerk’s compensation at $2,000 per month and directs the Salary Setting Commission to begin setting the compensation for this elected position in July 2019. The Salary Setting Commission will meet again in early 2021 to review and possibly modify this position’s compensation, effective July 1, 2021. The proposed amended Ordinance provides clarity and transparency by including in the Ordinance itself a reference to the reduced compensation rate of $1,500 per month for the approximately six month period of time beginning when the individual elected to the position at the next election takes office, and ending when the next Salary Setting Commission’s decision is effective. The aim is to ensure that candidates for the position (as well as the public at large) are aware of the compensation schedule prior to running for the position.
This report provides an ordinance for first reading establishing the compensation for the City Clerk as approved by the Salary Setting Commission.
In accordance with Section 9 of the Personnel and Salary Resolution and California Code of Regulations Section 570.5, which govern and require the adoption of updated publicly available salary schedules by the governing body, an updated salary plan for the City Clerk with accompanying resolution will be brought forward for Council consideration at a later date aligning with the date that the next City Clerk takes office (approximately December 2020).
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 are sufficient funds to pay for the Elected City Clerk’s monthly stipend in the City Clerk’s Office Salaries budget that was included as part of the Adopted FY 2019/20 and 2020/21 Biennial Operating Budget. The reduction in compensation for the City Clerk will result in savings of approximately $6,000 annually and will be factored into future operating budgets if necessary.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the 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 <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve introduction of Ordinance amending Section 2.20.015 (Compensation), of Chapter 2.20 (“City Clerk”) of Title 2 (“Administration and Personnel”) of “The Code of the City of Santa Clara, California” which will amend the compensation for the City Clerk.
Staff
Reviewed by: Aracely Azevedo, Director of Human Resources
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance