Title
Recommendation to Approve Agreement Appointing Nancy Bronstein as Interim City Manager at an Annual Salary of $278,409, Commencing on August 1, 2022, and Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Agreement on Behalf of the City. (Human Resources 10021030)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On May 18, 2022 the City Council appointed Dirk Brazil, Interim City Manager. Mr. Brazil has resigned from his position as a result of a family emergency. The City Council has expressed interest in appointing Nancy Bronstein as Interim City Manager commencing on September 6, 2022, while the City of Alameda (City) conducts a search for a permanent City Manager. The proposed Employment Agreement would compensate Ms. Bronstein at the current salary established for City Manager, which is $278,409 per year.
BACKGROUND
Prior to his resignation, Interim City Manager Brazil appointed Ms. Bronstein and Ms. Erin Smith, Public Works Director as Acting City Manager starting August 1, 2022. Ms. Bronstein and Ms. Smith have each performed this function during the last month. This agreement will allow Ms. Bronstein to be compensated for the time she was Acting City Manager. Ms. Smith is being compensated through the City’s acting pay policy.
Ms. Bronstein has served as Human Resources Director for the City of Alameda since January of 2016. Additionally, Mr. Bronstein served as Acting Finance Director in 2020.
DISCUSSION
The proposed Employment Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1, is recommending the City Council approve the appointment of Nancy Bronstein as Interim City Manager commencing on September 6, 2022 until the earlier of 1) City Council appointment of a permanent City Manager; 2) City Council appointment of a different Interim City Manager; 3) City Council removal of Ms. Bronstein as Interim City Manager or 4) Ms. Bronstein’s retirement on November 4, 2022. Unless Mr. Bronstein is removed for cause or a permanent City Manager is appointed, Ms. Bronstein would receive her salary through November 4, 2022. If a permanent City Manager takes office prior to November 4, 2022, Ms. Bronstein would retreat to the position of Assistant City Manager, at Step 5. The proposed Employment Agreement would compensate Ms. Bronstein at the current salary established for City Manager, which is $278,409 per year. That compensation would be effective August 1, 2022, when Ms. Bronstein commenced her service as Acting City Manager. Ms. Bronstein would retain all of her other existing benefits applicable to miscellaneous employees that are part of the City’s Executive Management Compensation Plan.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve agreement appointing Nancy Bronstein as Interim City Manager
• Do not approve agreement appointing Nancy Bronstein as Interim City Manager
• Provide direction on the agreement appointing Nancy Bronstein as Interim City Manager
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds for this position are already included in the City Manager Department’s budget. No additional appropriations are required.
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 Nancy Bronstein as Interim City Manager at an annual salary of $278,409, commencing on August 1, 2022, and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
Respectfully submitted,
Yibin Shen, City Attorney
Jessica Romeo, Acting Human Resources Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Contract