Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve an Exception to the 180-Day Waiting Period for Post-Retirement Employment Pursuant to Government Code §7522.56 for Norma Goodman
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Public Safety
• Infrastructure
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution for an exception to the 180-day waiting period per Government Code §7522.56 for temporary employment of a retired employee certifying that the nature of employment and appointment is necessary to fill a critically needed position before 180 days have passed following the date of retirement.
BACKGROUND
Government Code §7522.56(f) requires a 180-day waiting period before a retiree can return to work for a CalPERS employer without reinstating from retirement, except under certain specified circumstances. An exception to the 180-day waiting period is permitted by law if the City Council presents CalPERS with a resolution that approves the appointment in which the employer has certified the nature of the employment and that the appointment is necessary to fill a critically needed position before 180 days have passed. The appointment must be passed in a public meeting and may not be placed on the consent calendar.
Analysis
Norma Goodman was employed as a Public Safety Dispatcher for six years before being promoted to Administrative Specialist - Police and worked in the Police Department for nearly 22 years until her retirement on September 9, 2024. The Police Department is requesting approval to re-hire Norma Goodman as an extra help retired annuitant for a limited duration to support the operations in the 911 Communications Center.
Over her 22-year career with the San Leandro Police Department, Ms. Goodman has assisted the Communications Center in the capacity of a Public Safety Dispatcher or trainer due to staffing shortages or vacancies in this difficult to fill position. Ms. Goodman’s expertise as a tenured Public Safety Dispatcher and trainer are of critical importance to assist the Communications Center in preparing new dispatchers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful, given the limited number of experienced dispatchers available to help train new staff.
Public Safety Dispatcher is a critical position, and Ms. Goodman’s years of experience as a dispatcher and trainer as well as her extensive career in the San Leandro Police Department provides a depth of knowledge to properly train new dispatchers and provided needed support in the Communications Center. A recruitment is currently underway for Public Safety Dispatcher.
Fiscal Impacts
This action will not impact fund balance because there are funds available in the FY2024-2025 adopted budget. If approved, Ms. Goodman will be hired into a vacant position as a retired annuitant at an hourly rate comparable to the established Public Safety Dispatcher salary range. She would not be entitled to benefits as a retired annuitant.
Attachments
• Attachment A - Resolution
• Attachment B - Employment letter
PREPARED BY: Tiffany Johnston, Senior Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources Department