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Resolution No. 2012-147RESOLUTION NO. 2012-147 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON APPOINTING TERESA MCALLISTER TO SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES OF THE CITY OF VERNON WHEREAS, the position of Director of Human Resources ("HR Director") has been vacant since July, 2009; and WHEREAS, per the good governance reforms recommended by Senator Kevin de Leon and the City's Reform Monitor John Van de Kamp the City retained the services of The Hawkins Company to recruit an HR Director for the City of Vernon; and WHEREAS, The Hawkins Company created an executive recruitment brochure for the position (attached hereto as Exhibit A) and conducted a broad and extensive recruitment that included multiple screenings and interviews of numerous applicants; and WHEREAS, the City Councilconducted final interviews of the four highest ranking candidates at a special City Council meeting on July 18, 2012; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Vernon has determined Teresa McAllister ("McAllister") to be the most qualified candidate for the position and desires to appoint McAllister to serve as the Director of Human Resources, effective September 4, 2012. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby finds and determines that the recitals contained hereinabove are true and correct. SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby appoints Teresa McAllister to serve as the Director of Human Resources of the City of Vernon, effective September 4, 2012. SECTION 3: The City Clerk, or any authorized officer, shall administer the Oath of Office prescribed in the Constitution of the State of California to McAllister and shall have her subscribe to.it and file it with the Human Resources Department. SECTION 4: The City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall certify to the passage, approval and adoption of this resolution, and the City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall cause this resolution and the City Clerk's certification to be entered in the File of Resolutions of the Council of this City. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of August, 2012. --�t `� Name: William J. Davis Title:- xt / Mayor Pro-Tem - 2 - STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) ) ss COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) I, Willard G. Yamaguchi, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution No. 2012-147, was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Vernon at a regular meeting of the City Council duly held on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, and thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Vernon. Executed this --1? day of August, 2012, at Vernon, California. (SEAL) - 3 - EXHIBIT A {r .� r' Human Resource s �. Director,,, �l 's 9 /r N a 'nrl� `� 1 M f r� t I., I Ull o ;r r S, q K r s r Welcome To The City of Vernon The City of Vernon is an industrial city of 5.2 square miles located several miles to the southeast of Downtown Los Angeles in Southern California. Vernon currently houses more than 1,800 businesses chat employ approximately 55,000 people, serving as a vital economic engine in the region. Offering an environment uniquely friendly to business, Vernon is the home to industries including food and agriculture, apparel, steel, plastics, logistics and home furnishings. Vernon maintains strong philanthropic ties with the neighboring communities where much of its workforce lives, providing significant financial support for public services like education and recreation. Vernon has maintained its focus on providing a favorable environment for business and remains an -ideal location for industry. Vernon's city government is one of the most business -friendly in the region. With some of the lowest taxes of any city in the state, Vernon is able to offer an array of city services tailored to meet the needs of its business community. Vernon is, just one of 25 cities in the United States with a Class 1-rated fire department and one of four cities inCaliforniawith its own health department, which specializes in industrial issues. The city's businesses receive very low rates for water, electricity, gas and fiber optics as a result of Vernons independent utilities. Over the years, Vernon has made substantial infrastructure investments within the city to successfully attract and retain business. Although Vernon has a modest residential population, the City is proud to be a significant employer and to provide critical public safety services to the region. Vernon is committed to being a good neighbor, helping residents throughout the area thrive. After more than 100 years Vernon has more than realized the vision laid out by its founders of a city that could serve as a focal point for commerce and an economic engine for the surrounding region. In 2008, Vernon was named Los Angeles County's "Most Business Friendly City' for communities with less than 50,000 residents by the L.A. County Economic Development Corporation. City Government Vernon was incorporated in 1905 and became a charter city in 1988. The City is governed by a five -member city council elected to five year terms on a staggered annual basis. The City recently voted to limit council members to two five-year terms. The Council elects from its membership a Mayor and a Mayor Pro-Tem, who serve one year terms. The Council appoints the City Administrator and City Attorney. The City Administrator is responsible for the day to day management of the city. The City of Vernon is a full -service city and employs 275 individuals with a current annual budget of just over $325 million. The Department The City of Vernon's Personnel and Risk Management departments currently provide human resources services including employee/labor relations, classification, compensation, benefits, recruitment and selection, training and development. The goal of the Human Resources Department is to provide centralized and "best in class' human resources services to support the City's mission of delivering quality services to the businesses and residents of Vernon.. Key human resources goals include providing timely, responsive services to departments and employees, ensuring fairness and equity in personnel matters, and supporting organizational efforts to be an "employer of choice." There are four employees currently working on human resources activities in the City. The Position The Human Resources Director is appointed by the City Council and reports to the City Administrator. The position is responsible for leading the City's human resources functions, programs and staff. As a member of the City's senior leadership team, the Human Resources Director is a key advisor to the Mayor and Council, City Administrator and department directors on human resources matters and has primary responsibility for ensuring that the City is resourced to effectively meet current and future workforce demands. Working collaboratively with all departments, the Human Resources Director recommends and implements strategies and programs to meet a variety of city-wide needs. t� • Ali of t "C • ASS, Is' objeaf resotiri and st accord. • Prepal • Cootdi (utslth �•• Serves �: D`,epart t, federal'. •' providl activid • Makes problel upon F the Cit ,Key PriorYi •' "Condu Ci[y's'I coverlr, keepinj aimed' respon: • Devoln and other Cttyidepattj 'n+ x uYau ryurep .o recommend and tarp en I� s 'i ".„. comprehensive cost e eb land hl t ws ktat I a esources d'e'partment. a pEnsa ¢ ing'' 1 'ice , I p, x � y/or asi9n�d ✓z and con -duct of contract tnions. Ificanon and co )Vcnsatton are classified appropyiately ry bench=maths with other ealrh plans and imnlrmrnr The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will possess: • A strong HR generalist background including experience in benefits, labor relations, employee development, and employment; Hands-on, able to perform and direct the various HR functions; • Track record of demonstrated leadership accomplishments and superior performance, including excellent professional judgment and decision -making ability; • Knowledge of municipal personnel best practices, laws and regulations; •. Ability to build a team of committed and high skilled employees; • Exceptional interpersonal and communications skills (verbal and written); • Flexible, open, approachable leadership style; sense of urgency; - • Ability to disagree and still maintain positive working relationships; • Strong problem solving skills and a record of successfully implementing organizational change; • Willingness to take risks to advance organizational objectives; • Political astuteness/awareness; • Ability to respond to issues quickly and make sound decisions and recommendations; • Ability to see the big picture; • Results oriented and strong customer service focus; • "Hands-on," practical approach with a willingness to be visible and interact with. employees at all levels; • Strong integrity, honesty, confidentiality and demonstrated ability to effectively manage sensitive situations. Qualifications • A Bachelor's Degree in human resources, public or business administration, psychology or closely related field is required. Master's Degree preferred. • 6 years of increasingly responsible managerial experience in the field of human resources including classification and compensation, recruitment and selection, organizational and workforce development, employment services, employee/ labor relations, and risk management functions. At least two years must include management responsibility for a major human resources function. Compensation The City offers an excellent compensation and benefits package. Th1�1 salary is open depending on qualifications. City benefits includ 4/ 10 work schedule (Monday -Thursday, 7:00 am- 5:30 pm); 8 da paid vacation; 11 holidays; a monthly allowance is provided by the City toward employee and dependent medical, dental, vision coverage; basic life insurance coverage is paid by the City; optional Section 125 IRS Plan for reimbursement of Dependant Care and Medical costs; CalPERS 2.7% @ 55, 8% employee contribution; 457 deferred compensation plan, no city match; and tuition reimbursement up to $2,200 per fiscal year. Selection Process The Human Resources Director recruitment is being conducted on a national basis. All written materials received will be screened and evaluated by Bill Hawkins and/or Brett Byers of The Hawkins Company. The most highly qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an on -site selection process. How To Apply Submit a letter of interest and resume by, May 25, 2012, electronically to Ms. Brett Byers at brerc@thehawkinscompany.com or Mr. Bill Hawkins at bill@thehawkinscompany.com or mail materials to: For additional information or questions, please contact Brett Byers at 323-403-8279 or Bill Hawkins at 310-348-8800. All applicants will receive consideration far employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, natiorudorigin, ancestry, physicalor mentaldisabilgx medical condition, marital status, age, veteran status or sexual orientation. CITY CLERK'S OFFICE INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM DATE: August 13, 2012 TO: Mark Whitworth, City Administrator FROM: Deborah Juarez, Records Management Assistant U RE: Resolution No. 2012-147 — A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon Appointing Teresa McAllister to Serve as the Director of Human Resources of the City of Vernon Transmitted herewith is a copy of Resolution No. 2012-147 referenced above, which was approved by City Council on August 7, 2012. Thank you. c: Raquel Franco Karin Rueda Martha Valenzuela Resolution No. 2012-147 DATE: August 1, 2012 TO: Honorable City Council FROM: Mark C. Whitworth, City Administrator RE: Appointment of Director of Human Resourc Background In line with the good governance reforms recommended by Senator Kevin De Leon and Reform Monitor John Van de Kamp, the City Council adopted an open, transparent, and competitive hiring process for key management positions that includes, among other things, the use of a professional search firm, an applicant review panel, and interviews of the top -ranked applicants. The City has been without a Director of Human Resources (HR Director) for approximately three years and has relied upon the Personnel Director and Risk Manager, both of whom perform additional duties in other positions, to perform the HR functions during that time. In light of the many recommended improvements to the City's employment related policies and procedures, including review of potentially applicable civil service procedures based on the recent amendment to the City Charter removing the at -will employment requirement, it was determined that a highly qualified, full-time HR Director was needed. As such, The Hawkins Company was selected to conduct an executive recruitment to find the most qualified candidate to fill the position. A broad outreach to potential candidates was conducted, resulting in over twenty qualified applications being received. Staff met with the search consultants to review the resumes and related information of the highest qualified candidates, and select the top-ranking four to six candidates to be interviewed by a panel consisting of the members of City staff, including representatives from the Police and Fire unions, and a League of California Cities affiliated City consultant. The top-ranking candidates were asked to return for a second round of .interviews with the City Council The City Council conducted interviews with the four highest ranking candidates at a special City Council meeting on July 18, 2012 and, after thorough consideration and deliberation, determined Teresa McAllister to be the most qualified candidate for the position. As such, the Council directed the City Administrator to work with the search consultants to pursue the employment of Ms. McAllister as the City's HR Director. After some discussion, the City Administrator issued a formal offer of employment to Ms. McAllister that stipulated the following terms, summarized generally: September 4, 2012 start date. Annual salary of $196,000, as established pursuant to the May 2011 salary survey and set forth in the City's "Personnel Resolution." Retirement, health, and other benefits provided to employees, including executive personnel. In the City's efforts to induce a qualified HR Director to leave a long-term, stable employment situation, the following terms were also stipulated: ■ Additional 40 hours of vacation time upon start date in light of pre -planned September 2012 vacation. ■ Three (3) months of severance pay in the event of involuntarily termination as a result of the elimination of the position or other changes in the city's organizational structure within the first three (3) years of employment. Ms. McAllister has accepted the City's offer. Ms. McAllister has over twenty years of progressive hands-on experience in public sector human resources management, both in small and large organizations, serving in most recent years as the Director of Human Resources for the City of Commerce, and in various HR positions in the City of Riverside prior to that. During her tenure with Commerce, Ms. McAllister has corrected or improved over thirty personnel policies that comply with all Federal, State, and local laws, created two new employee classes, restored HR credibility in an organization that previously had inconsistent and unfair practices, and enhanced the service delivery and productivity of the HR Department. Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached resolution appointing Teresa McAllister as the Director of Human Resources effective September 4, 2012. It is further recommended that, upon appointment, Ms. McAllister be formally sworn into office at the September 4a'City Council meeting and execute the requisite Oath or Affirmation of Office.