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CC - Item 4A - Mintues 04-07-09Minutes of the SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 7, 2009 The special meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Clark at 6:02 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. FLAG SALUTE: Council Member Armenta INVOCATION: Council Member Low ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: Mayor Clark, Mayor Pro Low,Ly. OFFICIALS PRESENT: Interim City Attorney Monies, Brisco, Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery-, Ramirez, Deputy Public Works Officer Marcarello, and 1. PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE AUDI Members Armenta, ance Nora Munquia - Vice President of Rosemead Youth--Association stated§he.was concerned because it had come to her attention that their fields will be taken~awayfrom -them. and asked if that was true. Ms. Munguia also congratulated the new council members./,i fly Mayor Clark stated that was 'a rumorrand.there was no substance to that. v Jim Flournoy - stated he wa concern because he thought the meeting was next week and wondered how this meeting go called in the first pla\ - ~l Mayor Pro/lemlTaylor responded4 t the,Mayor had called for a special meeting to be held tonight. Juan Nunei'-:asked what would be done,about the bus passes since stamps would no longer be sold. Asked about who,would be pickinglup the tab` on the recount and also stated what would be done about the Chamber audio because during the new Council's installation no one could hear in the back. Director of Parks & Recre'ation,Montgomery-Scott addressed the bus pass question and stated staff has been in contact with the MTA and was working out the details on how the city would continue to provide . bus passes. < 4-1 Interim City Attorney responded to the recount question and stated it would be the challenger's responsibility but if the outcome of the election changed then the City would be responsible for paying for the recount. Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes gfApril 7, 2009 Page I of 5 "'t EM NO. q~~ Council Member Ly asked staff to please look into maybe setting up a television out in the lobby so the public could see what was going on during the meetings when the chamber was too full and they had to sit outside. Brian Lewin - stated he was curious because Oliver and the staff he had brought in had gotten the city millions of dollars that the city was not previously getting and it had been done only in the past year and a half. Stated the City Manager's job was to improve the city's operations and asked why city council was not willing to work with him. Velia Navarro - addressed Council and stated all she heard was about money'being spent; she stated that she still wanted everything she said to be recorded on the minutes verbatim She added it was mayor Clark's right to call for a special meeting if she wanted to and stated tha`fthe.old,mayor brought in his people and there was no difference with the new Mayor bringing in her new people and it was a common practice to do so. She felt that having two Assistant City Managers: was,,a waste of.money and also the services of the previous city attorney Mr. Garcia. Concluded,by saying that the new and old Council should be given a chance before being criticizes and asked Council,to please work together. Marlene Shinen - congratulated the new council and addressed,a newspaper article in which Council Member Low had been quoted in describing City Manager Chi.'She stated the city manager should have maturity, be ethical, be truthful not lie or deceiving, have principal, strong'character, and a man with inner strength. He should not hang with the majority,nb'' form a boys click to-assist with the impositions of the Mayors or majority rule therefore securing his job: She,sated~she had a question: why of all his presidential accomplishments why is the most favored and beloved president known simply as honest Abe. Gabriel Vicario - cot whoever they want to Jerry Faustinos -welcomed l on behalf of the leaoue: we fon management '.-i Wanted,to'niak City Council re( 2. CLOSED E A. to the Council and"stated he agreed that they should be able to bring new City_Council and wished them good luck. Stated he wanted to talk a an advisor committee of previous presidents to assist with money joatd.and they are off to a good start; there are 450 sign ups this year. the`Citv'helo them out. p.m. Legal Counsel 'ur'suant to Government Code Section 54957: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RELEASE 2. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT Title: City Manager/Interim City Manager City Council reconvene at 7.59 p.m. Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes o/'April 7, 2009 Page 2 q/ 5 Interim City Attorney Montes reported that during Closed Session the Council had voted 411 to a termination of City Manager Oliver Chi's contract and the Council also voted 411 to the appointment of an Interim basis of Jeff Stewart as the Interim City Manager subject to approval of the contract that is identified on the agenda. Council Member Low stated that Mr. Chi had done 'a great job for the City and felt it was important to recognize he is a great leader and well respected by staff; thanked him for all the hard work. Stated she wanted to report the total of the severance package, which was a total of $334,525. Also added that she voted no on the new appointment because she had received Mr. Stewart's resume that night and didn't feel comfortable voting on the item. d?a Council Member Ly thanked Mr. Chi for his services and stated he having the opportunity to have spoken with Mr. Stewart, who has ,l: left and became the City Manager for the City of El Segundo, belie peace and tranquility that the City previously had. f Mayor Pro Tern Taylor reiterated that Mr. Stewart had,previods years as the Administrative Aide to the City Manager and then, years of experience as City Manager in the City of.El Segundo. Council Member Armenta stated that when she worked for Rosemea though she didn't know him personally she did hear things-about him ~a with the City. Also thanked Mr. Chi for his work astated.that ifshc the backbone of the City Manager._ 3. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & hea'greatjob; with that said . ly worked for the City, and then has th`e experri nce to return the h the City of Rosemead for 10 nt,City Manaoer,and also had 10 vart was on staff and even onfident about his position forgotten that the staff is A. Consideration of Contract for Interim City Manager Services w,.. It is.anticlpated that following lti'e'closed session the City Council may wish to consider approvatof a contract forlnterim City Manager Services. The identity of the Interim City rf Manager, if any;,\will not beknown until after the closed session. The Interim City Attorney "his drafting a form Interim4City Manager Services Agreement, which may be ready by Monday, April 6, 2009, and will be made available to the public at the same time it is made `available to the City Council. If the Council considers such agreement on April 7, 2009, the,Gouncil will,need to identify any Interim City Manager selected, as well as determine the appropriate compensation for Interim City Manager Services in open session. Interim City Attorney Monies reviewed the staff report and stated there were a few blanks on the agreement that needed to be filled in. Also added that compensation was not discussed during Closed Session and that had to be discussed in open session. Mayor Pro Tern Taylor stated that in discussing City Manager Chi, his contract roughly came to $178,000 in addition to 10% figured which was given to.him instead of the benefits the rest of the staff receives. Discussing with what Mr. Stewart might be looking for as an interim he does not get the benefits so at this Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes ofApril 7, 2009 Page 3 of 5 point he did not feel comfortable saying a figure that might include the 10% because Mr. Stewart might want to receive the city's benefits. Council Member Ly stated that normally in the previously City Manager's contract he had access to transportation and a car and that was not included in this contract yet. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor said he felt comfortable starting at $95 an hour as a starting amount for the negotiation of the Interim City Manager contract. Interim City Attorney stated that if he could suggest a recommendation, since,h It.there was some reservation about starting with a high number, he would suggest that Council. started with a high number and then if Mr. Stewart wanted additional benefits then those could be~deducted.from the base salary. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor made a motion, seconded by Council Member Steven Ly, to have the Interim City Manager's contract begin at $100 an hour. Vote resulted in' ~e\ Yes: Armenta, Clark, Ly, Taylor No: Low Abstain: None Absent: None Council MemberArmenta stated she wanted to make a clarification to a numbe Mrs. Low had said regarding Mr. Chi's severance package and stated in actuality the City was,only spending $28,800 to terminate Mr. Chi. Council Member Ly added that by doing this now with'the fiscal year ending at the end of June they give the Interim City Manager some time td.updated the budget;_ otherwise Oliver's contract would have been included in the new fiscal year. \This also gives the new city 'manager an opportunity to propose a budget of his own. irhov - had a queE that was appropriate or not. Juan Nunei -,'a'sked if this Mayor Pro Tem Taylor;statE 4. ADJOURNMENT II where it stated "direct elected employees" and asked if the PRS payments. not included yet unless they decide to hire him permanently. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled to take place on April 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes ofApril 7, 2009 Page 4 of 5 ATTEST: Gloria Molleda City Clerk Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes ofApril 7, 2009 Page 5 of S Margaret Clark Mayor