Title
Recommendation to Approve Agreement Appointing Adam W. Politzer as Interim City Manager at a Salary of $175.06 Hourly, Commencing on December 5, 2025, and Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Agreement on Behalf of the City. (City Attorney)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Yibin Shen, City Attorney
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Current City Manager Jennifer Ott will conclude her service as City Manager for the City of Alameda (City) on December 5, 2025. The City Council seeks to appoint Adam W. Politzer as Interim City Manager commencing on December 5, 2025. Mr. Politzer will serve during the recruitment for a permanent City Manager. The proposed Employment Agreement would compensate Mr. Politzer at the current salary established for City Manager, which is $175.06 hourly.
BACKGROUND
The City Council conducted a competitive recruitment process for the Interim City Manager position and interviewed a number of highly qualified candidates. The Council desires to appoint Mr. Politzer to serve as Interim City Manager. Mr. Politzer previously served as the City Manager for Sausalito, California. Additionally, since his retirement from Sausalito, he has served as Interim City Manager for the cities of Fairfax, Emeryville, and Clayton.
DISCUSSION
The City Council may appoint Mr. Politzer as Interim City Manager by approving the proposed Employment Agreement, a copy of which is attached. The hourly rate pursuant to this agreement is $175.06 per hour and Mr. Politzer is expected to work up to 40 hours a week. In accordance with Government Codes Sections 21211 (h) and 7522.56 (d) as a California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) retiree, Mr. Politzer may work up to 960 hours per fiscal year for a CalPERS employer (I.E., the City of Alameda) without impacting his retirement benefits.
The City Council is currently in the process of initiating the recruitment for a new permanent City Manager.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds for this position are already included in the City Manager’s Office Budget. No additional appropriations are required for the Interim City Manager appointment.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity is not a project and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA guidelines, because it involves the governmental fiscal activities which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Agreement appointing Adam W. Politzer as Interim City Manager at a salary of $175.06 hourly, commencing December 5, 2025 and authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City.
Respectfully submitted,
Yibin Shen, City Attorney
Exhibit:
1. Agreement between Adam W. Politzer and the City of Alameda