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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHUIZAR, MARIA D., CLERK OF THE COUNCIL-2012 A-2012-193 CITY OF SANTA ANA CLERK OF THE COUNCIL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT This Clerk of the Council Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of the 17th day of September, 2012 (the "Effective Date"), between the City of Santa Ana (hereinafter referred to as the "City") and Maria D. Huizar (hereinafter referred to as the "Clerk of the Council" or the "Employee"). City and Clerk of the Council/Employee are sometimes referred to in this Agreement as "Party" and collectively as "Parties." RECITALS WHEREAS, on July 20, 2009 the City Council of the City appointed and employed Employee as Clerk of the Council pursuant to the Charter of the City of Santa Ana ("City Charter"), and WHEREAS, the appointment and terms of employment are set forth in Resolution No. 2009-038, and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council and Employee to set forth certain benefits, establish certain conditions of employment and to set certain working conditions of the Clerk of the Council in an Employment Agreement rather than a Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, the above named Parties hereby mutually agree and promise as follows: 1. Term. This Agreement shall be deemed effective for a term beginning on August 17, 2009 , and shall remain in effect, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The term reflected herein reflects Employee's appointment and all terms of employment as set forth in Resolution No. 2009-038. 2. Compensation. 2.1 Salary City agrees to pay Clerk of the Council, and Clerk of the Council agrees to accept from City, as compensation for services rendered by Clerk of the Council pursuant to this Agreement, an annual base salary, commencing on the Effective Date, set at Step 10 of EM-28 and thereafter adjusted upward annually three (3) steps on the first day of the first pay period following the anniversary of the incumbent's appointment until the top step is achieved, unless a 45635.01000\7118043.4 lesser number of steps (not less than one) are approved by the City Council upon a performance evaluation conducted in accordance with Chapter 705 of the City Charter as as specified in Resolution No. 2009-038 and payable in installment payments in the same manner and at the same times as salaries of other executive managers of the City are paid. Commencing on August 18, 2013 and each year thereafter, employee shall be entitled to receive any upward salary adjustment received by the executive management of the City and as approved by the City Council. The term "Annual Base Salary" as used in this Agreement shall also include any such adjustments approved by the City Council other than payments not eligible to be added to the Clerk of the Council's Annual Base Salary pursuant to the terms of any applicable salary resolution of City. The term "Monthly Base Salary" as used in this Agreement shall mean a sum of money equal to one-twelfth (1112) of Clerk of the Council's Annual Base Salary as defined herein. 2.2 Benefits In addition, and except as otherwise specified herein, Clerk of the Council shall receive all such other benefits that are applicable to executive managers of the City as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, as the same may be modified from time to time after the date ofthis Agreement, including but not limited to medical insurance, long term disability insurance, life insurance, sick leave, holidays, vacation, bereavement and family illness leave, and participation in retirement system. The Clerk of the Council is entitled to accrue all unused leave, without limit, and in the event the Clerk of the Council's employment is terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the Clerk of the Council shall be compensated for all accrued vacation time, all paid holidays, all executive leave and all other benefits to the termination date. For purposes of continuing participation in the City's retiree medical health subsidy program, the Clerk of the Council shall receive the same benefit as other City executive managers. The Clerk of the Council shall accrue vacation at a rate as though her date of appointment with the City of Santa Ana was April 6, 1998. The Clerk of the Council shall be entitled to unlimited accumulation of unused vacation. Additionally, upon leaving employment with the City said Clerk of the Council shall be able to convert unused sick leave as though her date of appointment was April 6, 1998. 2.2.1 Deferred Compensation Clerk of the Council shall receive as additional compensation deferred compensation as allowed by Government Code Section 53214 in the maximum annual amount permitted pursuant to Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code at the time of adoption of Resolution No. 2009-038 , excluding any permitted catch up contribution. Said deferred compensation shall appear as part of the Clerk of the Council's bi-monthly compensation payment. 45635.01000\7118043.4 2 3. Performance Evaluation. The Mayor and the City Council are responsible for setting performance goals on an annual basis in consultation with the Clerk of the Council. The City Council shall review and discuss Clerk of the Council's performance in or around July of each year commencing in 2013. However, Employee acknowledges and accepts the fact that the City Council as Employer has the right to schedule and an evaluation session at any time in accordance with the notice and all other requirements of the Brown Act. 4. Bonds. City shall bear the full cost of any fidelity or other bonds required of Clerk of the Council under any law or ordinance. 5. Transportation and General Business Expenses. 5.1 Car Allowance City shall provide Clerk of the Council with the same car allowance as unrepresented executive management employees of the City. 5.2 General Business Expenses A. City agrees to budget and pay for professional dues and subscriptions for Clerk of the Council necessary for her continuation and participation in national, regional, state and local boards, task-forces, conferences and meetings, associations and organizations desirable for Clerk of the Council's continued participation, professional growth, and advancement, and for the benefit ofthe City. B. City agrees to budget and pay for travel and subsistence expenses of Clerk of the Council for professional and official travel, board and task-force meetings, and occasions to adequately continue the professional development of Clerk of the Council and to pursue necessary official functions for City. C. City shall provide Clerk of the Council with the necessary technology tools, including and not limited to computer, software, cell phone and such other technologies as required by Clerk of the Council to perform her duties and to maintain communications. 6. Abuse of Office or Position. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 53243, 53243.1 and 53243.2, which became effective on January 1, 2012, if Clerk of the Council is convicted of a crime involving an abuse of her office or position, all of the following shall apply: (1) if Clerk of the Council is 45635.01000\7118043.4 3 provided with administrative leave pay pending an investigation, Clerk of the Council shall be required to fully reimburse City such amounts paid; (2) if City pays for the criminal legal defense of Clerk of the Council (which would be in its sole discretion, as it is generally not obligated to pay for a criminal defense), Clerk of the Council shall be required to fully reimburse City such amounts paid; and (3) if this Agreement is terminated, any Severance Pay and Severance Benefits related to the termination that Clerk of the Council may receive from City shall be fully reimbursed to City or void if not yet paid to Clerk of the Council. For purposes of this Section, abuse of office or position means either: (1) an abuse of public authority, including waste, fraud, and violation of the law under color of authority; or (2) a crime against public justice, including, but not limited to, a crime described in Title 7 (commencing with Section 92) of Part 1 of the Penal Code. 7. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served upon the other Party, or sent by United States Postal Service, postage prepaid and addressed to the appropriate Party as follows: If to City: City Attorney City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92702 If to Clerk of the Council: Maria D. Huizar Clerk of the Council City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92702 Notice shall be deemed given as of the date of personal service or upon the date of deposit in the course of transmission with the United States Postal Service. 8. Duties, Acceptance of Appointment, Hours of Work, Regional Liaison. 8.1 Duties City hereby agrees to employ Employee as Clerk of the Council of the City of Santa Ana to perform the functions and duties specified in the City Charter of the City of Santa Ana, and to perform such other legally permissible duties and functions as the City Council may from time to time assign. 45635.01000\7] 18043.4 4 8.2 Hours of Work It is recognized that Clerk of the Council devotes a great deal of time outside the normal City Hall office-hours schedule, and to that end, he shall be allowed to establish her work schedule, taking into consideration that she is responsible for the supervision of employees and has responsibilities to serve all departments of the City. 9. Termination. 9.1 At- Will Employee Employee shall serve at the will and pleasure of the City Council. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right of the City Council to suspend from duty, remove from office or otherwise terminate the services of Clerk of the Council at any time, at the sole discretion of the City Council, as provided in the City Charter. This Agreement may be terminated as follows. 9.2 Termination - Council Vote As required in Section 701 ofthe Charter, the City Council may remove the Clerk of the Council by motion adopted by the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the City Council. 9.3 Termination - Change in Form of Government If any of the governing policies pertaining to the role, power, duties, authority, or responsibilities of the Clerk of the Council are amended to substantially change the Clerk's role, power, duties, authority or responsibilities as the same exist at the time of the commencement of this Agreement, , either by action of the City Council, a duly passed initiative measure or state legislation, Clerk of the Council shall have the right to terminate this Agreement. 9.4 Reduction of Salary or Benefits If the City Council reduces the Annual Base Salary or any other financial benefit of the Clerk of the Council in a percentage that is greater than the average reduction of base salary or any other financial benefit for all executive managers of the City, the Clerk of the Council may treat such action as a termination of this Agreement. 9.5 Resignation Clerk of the Council may voluntarily resign her position as Clerk of the Council, after giving City at least sixty (60) days written notice prior to the effective date of such resignation, unless such notice is waived in whole or part by the City Council. In the event the Clerk of the Council resigns from her employment with City, the Clerk of the Council shall not be entitled to any Severance Pay. 45635.01000\7118043.4 5 9.6 Severance Pay In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to anyone of sections 9.2, 9.3 or 9.4 of this Agreement, the Clerk of the Council shall receive a severance payment, in a lump sum, equal to six (6) months of the Clerk of the Council's then monthly PERS reportable income, plus the value of all City provided pension and medical benefits. Said lump sum shall be payable on the last day of employee's employment. In lieu of receiving the cash equivalent of medical insurance benefits, Clerk of the Council may elect continuing medical insurance benefits from the City for a period of six months from and after the last day of employment. This Severance Pay payment shall be the sole remedy for termination under sections 9.2, 9.3 or 9.4 of this Agreement. The Severance Pay shall only be paid after the Clerk of the Council executes a waiver and release of claims agreement prepared by the City Attorney in a form substantially similar to that one set forth as Exhibit "A" to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Clerk of the Council is terminated for Cause, then Clerk of the Council shall not receive any form of severance and the provisions of Section 9.6 shall not apply. 10. General Provisions. 10.1 This writing constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior oral or written representations or written agreements on the subject matter hereof, which may have been entered into between the parties. No modification or revision to this Agreement shall be of any force or effect, unless the same is in writing and executed by the Parties hereto. 10.2 Each Party agrees and acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, oral or otherwise, have been made by any Party, or anyone acting on behalf of any Party, which are not embodied herein and that any agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this Agreement shall not be valid or binding on either Party. 10.3 If any provision, or portion thereof, contained in the Agreement is held unconstitutional, invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or portion thereof, shall be deemed severable, shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect. 10.4 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of California. 10.5 This Agreement shall be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not in favor or against any Party. By way of example and not in limitation, this Agreement shall not be construed in favor of the Party receiving a benefit nor against the Party responsible for any particular language in this Agreement. 10.6 Employee acknowledges that she has had an opportunity to consult legal counsel in regard to this Agreement, that she has read and understands this Agreement, that she 4563501000\7118043.4 6 is fully aware of its legal effect, and that she has entered into it freely and voluntarily and based on her own judgment and not on any representations or promises other than those contained in this Agreement. 11. Communications in the Event of Termination 11.1 In the event the City terminates Employee for any reason or no reason, the City and Employee agree that no member of the City Council shall make any written, oral, or electronic statement to any member of the public, the press, or any city employee concerning the basis for the Employee's termination except in the form of a joint press release or statement, which is mutually agreeable to the City and the Employee. The joint press release or statement shall not contain any text or information that is disparaging to either Party. Either Party may verbally repeat the substance of the joint press release or statement in response to any inquiry. 12. Indemnification 12. 1 City shall defend, hold harmless and indemnify Clerk of the Council against any tort, professional liability claim or demand or other legal action, whether groundless or otherwise, arising out of any alleged act or omission by the Clerk occurring in the course and scope of Clerk of the Council's duties or resulting from the exercise of her judgment or discretion in connection with the performance of her duties, unless the act or omission involved unlawful conduct. City shall not unreasonably refuse to provide for legal representation at City's expense. Legal representation, provided by City for Clerk of the Council, shall extend until a final determination of the legal action. Indemnification shall include any and all losses, damages, judgments, interests, settlements, fines, court costs, and the reasonable costs and expenses of legal proceedings, including appeals, and including attorneys' fees, and expert witness fees and all other trial and appellate costs, and other liabilities incurred, imposed upon, or suffered by such Clerk of the Council in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding, actual or threatened, arising out of or in connection with the performance of Clerk of the Council's duties. 12.2 City agrees to pay all reasonable litigation expenses of Clerk of the Council throughout pendency of any City-related litigation to which Clerk of the Council is a party, witness or advisor to the City. Such expense payments shall continue beyond Clerk of the Council's employment with the City as long as litigation is pending. Post-employment, City agrees to pay Clerk of the Council for reasonable consulting fees, travel expenses and other costs, when Clerk of the Council serves as a witness, advisor or consultant to City regarding pending litigation. [SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE] 45635.01000\7118043.4 7 IN WITNESS WHERE~arties have executed this Clerk of the Council Employment Agreement as of the day of September, 2012. EMPLOYEE/CLERK OF THE COUNCIL l()J~- D, tN-'lT- Maria D. Huizar Approved as to Form: ~ID~~,~J;: City Attorney ATTEST: ~~ ~AA'~~I~I ~-~~ 45635.01000\7118043.4 8 Exhibit "A" WAIVER AND RELEASE I, the undersigned, do hereby acknowledge and attest that I have read and understood section 9.6 of my Employment Agreement with the City of Santa Ana and hereby agree that by accepting either six (6) months Severance Pay in the amount of $ [6 x current monthly compensation], , I agree to waive all rights to further claims, remedies, or legal action against the City, its officers and employees. In exchange for receipt of the Severance Payment, I and my representatives, heirs, successors, and assigns do hereby completely release and forever discharge the City of Santa Ana and its related entities and their present and former officers, directors, council members, agents, employees, attorneys, and successors (collectively, "Released Parties") from all claims, rights, demands, actions, obligations, liabilities, and causes of action of every kind and character, known or unknown, mature or unmatured, which I may have now or in the future arising from any act or omission or condition occurring on or prior to the date this waiver is signed whether based on tort, contract (express or implied), or any federal, state, or local law, statute, or regulation (collectively, the "Released Claims"). Released Claims shall also include, but not be limited to, claims for wages or other compensation due, severance pay, bonuses, sick leave, vacation pay, life or health insurance, or any other fringe benefit. Employee knowingly and voluntarily waives any and all rights or benefits that he may now have, or in the future may have, under the terms of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as follows: A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR. By initialing below, the Employee acknowledges that he or she has read and understands this waiver and voluntarily and knowingly is waiving his right under Section 1542 to pursue unknown or unanticipated claims, rights, demands, actions, obligations, liabilities and causes of action of any kind. ~ Initials of Employee 45635.01000\7118043.4 9 Employee shall not file any claim, sue or initiate, against any Released Party, any compliance review, action, or proceeding, or participate in the same, individually or as a member of a class, under any contract (express or implied), or any federal, state, or local law, statute, or regulation pertaining in any manner to the Released Claims. Approved and Agreed to By: 0Y1~<p-~ 55394.00002\7406419.1 10