SR-01-27-2015-3JCity Council Meeting: January 27, 2015
Agenda Item: F)J
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney
Subject: Contract for Service as Interim City Manager
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a contract with Elaine Polachek for her
service as Interim City Manager.
Executive Summary
Council has announced its decision to appoint Assistant City Manager Elaine Polachek
to the position of Interim City Manager, and she has agreed to serve in that capacity
until the Council appoints a new permanent City Manager. California law requires that
her salary be established and approved in public. The vote on the proposed contract,
which will establish her salary as $27,452.00 per month, will fulfill that legal requirement.
Background
Last summer, City Manager Rod Gould announced his intention to retire from his career
in city management at the conclusion of his five year commitment to Santa Monica in
order to pursue other career opportunities. Thus, Mr. Gould's service to Santa Monica
concludes on January 31, 2015. At its meeting of January 13, 2015, the City Council
announced its intention to appoint the Assistant City Manager to the position of Interim
City Manager.
1
Discussion
The proposed contract between the City and Ms. Polachek will specify a monthly salary
of $27,452. Additionally, it will specify that she will (continue to) receive the benefits
provided to all members of the City's Executive Pay Plan. Finally, the contract specifies
that Ms. Polachek's service as Interim City Manager will commence on February 1St and
continue until the City Council appoints a new, permanent City Manager and he or she
assumes office.
Next Steps
Mr. Gould, Ms. Polachek and other members of the City's management team have
undertaken various efforts to facilitate this transition and assume that it will be a smooth
one. Ms. Polachek will officially begin her service as Interim City Manager immediately
upon Mr. Gould's retirement. It is anticipated that she will serve in that capacity for four
to six months, which is the recruiter's estimate of the remaining time necessary for
Council to select a new permanent City Manager.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The position of City Manager is funded in the current budget, and no additional budget
actions would be required by the proposed contract.
Prepared by: Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
M r a ;Y,
s Moutrie Rod Gould
City Atto City Manager
PAI
Reference:
Contract No. 10026
(CCS)