City Council: FOMC Lawsuit, New Police Chief

The Piedmont City Council is expected to select a recruiting firm tonight to lead the search for a new police chief.

Chief John Hunt III has announced that he will retire June 22 after more than 24 years with the City of Piedmont.

Also on tonight's agenda:

In closed session, council members will discuss pending litigation by the Friends of Moraga Canyon over Blair Park.

In public session, the council will consider a new compensation and benefits package for management positions (City Clerk, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Public Works Director and Recreation Director).

According to a report from Finance director Mark Bichsel, following negotiations with miscellaneous bargaining units, the following major provisions for retirement and retiree medical are included in the resolutions for each management position:

• Wages – No salary increase during the term of the contracts. “Me Too” on any COLA offered any other bargaining group during the term of the contracts.
• Retirement Plan (misc.) – Effective July 1, 2012, employees will pay 100% of the Employer PERS cost above the current employer rate of 22.089%, but keep the existing wording that reads: “if the PERS rate is more than 24.42% the amount above 24.42% will be shared equally between the city (50%) and the employee (50%).”
• Retirement Plan (safety) - Effective July 1, 2012, employees will continue to pay 50% of the Employer PERS rate above 37%, plus an additional 0.6085%.
• Retirement Plan (misc) –Second tier of 2% @ 60 (currently: 3% @ 60).
• Retiree medical – Employees will contribute $50/semi-monthly beginning July 1, 2012.

Minor provision adjustments:

• Holidays – Christmas Eve as an entire day off (currently: half day off).
• Jury Duty – Time off with full pay for the duration of the trial (current: 30 days paid maximum).

The council will meet in public session at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers, 120 Vista Ave., following a half-hour closed session. The meeting agenda is attached. The agenda and related staff reports are available on the City of Piedmont website.