REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution of Salary Setting Commission Establishing as Unchanged the Salaries for the Positions of Mayor and City Council Members, for the Period July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2021
Report
BACKGROUND
In the 2016 general election, the voters passed Measure O, which amended Charter 702 to set the salary of the City Councilmembers at $2,000 per month and salary of the Mayor at $2,500 per month. Moreover, the ballot measure indicated that beginning on July 1, 2019, and every two years thereafter, the compensation of the City Council shall be set by a newly formed Salary Setting Commission. The Salary Setting Commission would be free to utilize any data and information that it deemed appropriate in setting Council and Mayoral compensation but in no event would any raises in salary granted by the Commission exceed 10 percent of the previous figure.
DISCUSSION
The Salary Setting Commission (Commission) met on six occasions from January 8, 2019, through March 14, 2019, to discuss the salary levels for the Mayor and City Councilmembers for the period of July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2021. As part of this evaluation, the Commission was presented with information including, but not limited to: the history of salary increases for the Mayor and City Council positions; comparator agency salary levels; and City Budget projections. Upon thorough review and consideration of the various data points, the Commission unanimously voted to approve a resolution (Attachment 1) at its March 14, 2019 meeting to maintain the current salary level for the Mayor and City Councilmembers for the period of July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2021.
The Charter allocates the right and responsibility for reaching this decision to the Commission, and the Commission’s decision does not alter existing salary levels; therefore, Council is not required to take any action to implement the decision. This report, and the recommendation to note and file the Commission’s Resolution, is for informational purposes only.
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 government organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional fiscal impact, since the salaries for the Mayor and City Council shall remain at its current level.
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> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file the Resolution establishing the salaries for the Mayor and City Councilmembers, as adopted by the Salary Setting Commission for the period of July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2021.
Staff
Reviewed by: Teresia Zadroga-Haase, Director, Human Resources
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No 19-1 of the Salary Setting Commission Setting the Salaries of the Positions of Mayor and Councilmember