ITEM:		ACTION ITEM
22.	CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2015-23 AUTHORIZING AN EXCEPTION TO THE CALPERS 180-DAY WAIT PERIOD FOR HIRING A RETIREE
Meeting Date:			December 14, 2015	Budgeted: Not in the FY 2014-2015 Budget. Will be addressed in Mid-Year Budget Adjustment
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Cynthia Schmidlin	Cost Estimate:	$28,210
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on December 7, 2015 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The Board approved a change to the organization chart at the September Board meeting that eliminated funding for the Project Manager position, as of December 31, 2015. Over time, there have been fewer project management responsibilities, and an emphasis on water distribution system permit review and approval. This time-consuming permit process was recently streamlined and simplified by the Board, with the majority of permit requests handled in a much more routine manner.

Project Manager, Henrietta Stern, retired on December 5, 2015. Her duties will be transferred to existing District staff. However, there is a need for training on the basic permit process, as well as for providing assistance to the public regarding more complex permits. There is also a need for work on the Planning and Engineering file room reorganization project that involves going through file cabinets and determining those documents that will be selected to be converted digital format, streamlining the reference process and eliminating unnecessary and redundant materials. Ms. Stern’s unique experience and historical knowledge, after 30 years with the District, make her the best qualified individual to carry out these functions. It would greatly benefit the District if she could be offered a limited-term, part-time contract as a retired annuitant. The contract would be for Ms. Stern to act as a Project Manager at her former hourly rate of $50.22, for up to 520 hours from January 4, 2016 through June 30, 2016. She would not receive any benefits, other than those mandated by state and federal law.

The California Public Retirement System (CalPERS) requires that the governing body of any agency wishing to hire a retiree prior to 180-days following their retirement date, pass a resolution to that effect. The resolution must be presented and considered in open session, not on the consent calendar.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Board adopt Resolution 2015-23, Exhibit 22-A, authorizing an exception to the CalPERS 180-day wait period to hire Henrietta Stern as a part-time, limited-term employee.

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The cost to the District for a six-month, part-time contract would not exceed $28,210. Some of the work on water distribution system permits would be reimbursable from the applicants.

EXHIBIT

22-A Resolution 2015-23

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