For City Council Meeting September 24, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
AUTHOR: Tanya Williams, Assistant City Manager
Title
Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No. 8297 of the City Council to Appoint John Rossi as the Interim Utilities Director and Approve the Corresponding Employment Agreement.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 8297 of the City Council to Appoint John Rossi as the Interim Utilities Director and Approve the Corresponding Employment Agreement.
BACKGROUND
Government Code Section 21221(h) permits the City Council to appoint a CalPERS retiree to a vacant position requiring specialized skills during recruitment for a permanent appointment and provides that such appointment will not subject the retired person to reinstatement from retirement or loss of benefits so long as it is a single appointment that does not exceed 960 hours, inclusive of hours worked for other CalPERS employers during the same period, in a fiscal year.
The City has actively recruited to fill this vacancy since December of 2023.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
John Rossi has a distinguished career in the public utilities industry. As General Manager of the Western Municipal Water District, Mr. Rossi was responsible for the 500-square mile water district including wholesale and retail water, wastewater, and reclaimed water operations. Mr. Rossi has served on a number of boards of state and national water related associations such as the Association of California Water Agencies, WateReuse, Urban Water Institute, and the California Municipal Utilities Association where he served as President. He was a founding member of the California Utility Executives Management Association and past President as well as being elected to his local water board - the Rancho California Water District. Mr. Rossi was recognized by the Association of California Water Agencies with their Excellence in Leadership award in 2013 for his contributions to the water industry. He also served on the University of California Riverside’s Board of the Water Policy and Science Center.
Prior to work in the water utility industry, Mr. Rossi began his career in public accounting and specialized in work with private water companies and water districts including rate work with the California Public Utilities Commission. Mr. Rossi has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the State of California.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines, a project does not include organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
“Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsible manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.”
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the agreement and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The Interim Utilities Director will be paid an hourly rate of $117.99, consistent with the adopted classification for the position. The financial cost will be funded through the existing budgeted funds for the position in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the capital improvement budget with this action.
Licensing
No business license is required with this action.