Resolution No. 2024-003RESOLUTION NO. 2024-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON
APPOINTING DEBORAH A. HARRINGTON TO SERVE AS INTERIM CITY
CLERK OF THE CITY OF VERNON AND APPROVING AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A RELATED TEMPORARY AT-
WILL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
SECTION 1. Recitals.
A. Due to the current unavailability of the City Clerk, there is a need for the
appointment of a temporary employee for a limited duration to perform extra help and
special project work.
B. The City Clerk Department requires someone with specific skills and experience
to provide oversight and complete special project work in the areas of municipal records,
elections, and regulatory compliance issues.
C. Deborah A. Harrington (Harrington) possesses the specialized skills needed to
perform the required duties because of her many years of experience in the field and has
previously served as Interim City Clerk for the City of Vernon.
D. Harrington will be paid within the published salary range for the City Clerk position.
E. The City Council of the City of Vernon desires to appoint Harrington to serve as
Interim City Clerk on a limited duration temporary basis, effective March 19, 2024.
F. At its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, prior to taking final action to approve
this resolution, the City Council received an oral report summarizing the recommended
appointment and compensation, in accordance with Government Code Section
54953(c)(3).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Vernon finds and determines that the
above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 3. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby appoints Deborah A.
Harrington to serve as Interim City Clerk of the City Clerk Department of the City of
Vernon effective March 19, 2024.
SECTION 4. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby approves and
authorizes the execution of the Temporary At-Will Employment Agreement with Deborah
A. Harrington to serve as Interim City Clerk of the City of Vernon, in substantially the same
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form as attached hereto as Exhibit A.
SECTION 5. The Deputy City Clerk, or any authorized officer, shall administer
the Oath of Office prescribed in the Constitution of the State of California to Harrington
and shall have her subscribe to it and file it with the Human Resources Department.
SECTION 6. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby directs the Deputy City
Clerk to give a fully executed Agreement to Harrington.
SECTION 7. The Deputy City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this
resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED March 19, 2024.
________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ZAYNAH N. MOUSSA, City Attorney
I CERTIFY THAT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-03 was passed and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Vernon at the Regular Meeting on March 19, 2024, by the following
vote:
AYES: 5 Council Members: Lopez, Rivera, Ybarra, Merlo, Larios
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
________________________________
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City Clerk Vernon CA 1 of 3
JOB DESCRIPTION
City Clerk
Date Prepared: March 2014 Class Code: 1310
SUMMARY: Under general direction of the City Administrator, to plan, direct, supervise, and
coordinate all activities of the City Clerk’s Office relating to Council meetings, City elections, and
public records in accordance with applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures, and to do
related work as required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of
the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by
incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made
as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the
employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
x Serve as Clerk to the City Council.
x Coordinate the preparation of Council agendas and supporting material including public
notification, technical and legal documents; attend agenda conference; publish, issue, and
post final agenda.
x Direct the preparation, publication, distribution, filing, indexing, and safekeeping of Council
proceedings, minutes, and actions.
x Plan and direct the processing of ordinances, resolutions, bond issues, annexations,
vacations, assessments, charter amendments, initiatives, referendum, recall petitions, and
other related documents.
x Maintain the City Municipal Code; certify City documents; attest to proper execution of all
public documents.
x Serve as the custodian of the City Seal, official City records, and official municipal documents;
plan and direct the City’s records retention/preservation program in compliance with legal
requirements and City policy.
x Oversee the processing of all appointments, resignations, and terminations for all official
boards, commissions, and committees; administer oaths and affirmations.
x Plan and direct municipal elections including managing the dissemination, and return of ballots
and the filing of all required technical documents; oversee and/or perform notary public duties.
x Serve as filing officer and official for state and local campaign statements and conflict of
interest codes of the City Council advisory bodies and all designated employees under the
Political Reform Act.
x Receive and process petitions, claims against the City, and lawsuits.
x Analyze, review, and make recommendations regarding office procedures.
x Prepare, administer, and control department budget.
x Coordinate City Clerk activities with other City departments, divisions, and with outside
agencies.
x Verifies official City activities are in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations,
and City policies; works independently and makes appropriate decisions based on knowledge
of City policies; performs duties within scope of authority.
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City Clerk Vernon CA 2 of 3
x Assures the absolute confidentiality of City's confidential records and information.
x Assures that security protocols are followed, and all reports and paperwork are completed in a
timely manner; updates, corrects, retrieves, and releases information according to procedures.
x Supports the relationship between the City of Vernon and the general public by demonstrating
courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains
confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or
assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:
Bachelor’s Degree in Public or Business Administration, or closely related field; AND five years of
responsible experience involving the administration of a City Clerk or similar municipality office
including at least three years of supervisory experience.
Knowledge of:
x City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
x Federal and state laws and statutes governing municipal operations, public records, and open
meetings, including California Public Employment Relations Board, the Meyers-Milias-Brown
Act, California Public Records Act, California Elections Code, California Political Reform Act
and the Federal Voter Rights Act.
x City ordinances, codes, policies, resolutions, and agreements.
x Federal and state laws and regulations governing City administration and elections.
x Parliamentary practices and procedures governing public meetings.
x Principles and practices of record keeping, records management, and records retention.
x Principles and practices of confidential records management, and security precautions in the
public sector.
x Legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct for public sector employees and elected
officials.
x Customer service principles, protocols, and methods.
x Business computers, and standard and specialized software applications.
Skill in:
x Explaining and applying state and Federal rules and regulations and statutory standards.
x Researching, reviewing, correcting, and maintaining complex and extensive public records.
x Monitoring the City’s compliance with all laws, regulations, and rules.
x Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
x Dealing tactfully and courteously with those seeking information about City functions and
activities.
x Exercising sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
x Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the City Clerk and City
Attorney, co-workers, City Council, Mayor, City Administrator, City departments and staff,
regional government agencies, and the public.
x Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
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LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
A valid California State Driver’s License is required.
Notary Public license.
Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) Certificate is desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a standard office environment.
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City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: March 19, 2024
From: Michael Earl, Director of Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Submitted by: Michael Earl, Director of Human Resources
Subject
Appointment of Deborah A. Harrington as Interim City Clerk
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-03 appointing Deborah A. Harrington to serve as Interim City Clerk
of the City of Vernon and approving and authorizing the execution of a related at-will employment
agreement.
Background
Due to the current unavailability of the City Clerk, and in light of pressing matters related to the
City Clerk Department, it is recommended that the City appoint an individual on a limited duration
temporary basis to perform special project work and provide extra help in support of the City
Clerk Department functions.
Under Government Code sections 7522.56, 21224,21227, and 21229, the California Public
Employees Retirement System (CaIPERS) allows contracting agencies to appoint CaIPERS
retired individuals to fill extra help positions, subject to certain restrictions.
With more than forty years of experience working in the public sector municipal clerk field, and
certification as a Master Municipal Clerk, Deborah Harrington possesses the desired breadth of
experience and specialized skills needed to perform the work. Ms. Harrington has previously
assisted with special projects and held interim assignments with other public agencies including,
but not limited to, the San Diego Airport Authority and the cities of Murrieta, Ventura, Grand
Terrace, and Canyon Lake. Ms. Harrington also previously served as Interim City Clerk for the
City of Vernon. Ms. Harrington attended the University of San Francisco and is certified as a
Master Municipal Clerk by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Ms. Harrington will be appointed into a retired annuitant position as Interim City Clerk and will be
compensated at an hourly rate of approximately $108.08 per hour consistent with the City of
Vernon's publicly available salary schedule.
The temporary at-will employment agreement between the City of Vernon and Ms. Harrington
has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office. It is attached as Exhibit
A of the resolution.
At the regular City Council meeting of March 19, 2024, prior to taking final action to approve the
attached resolution, the City Council will receive an oral report summarizing the recommended
appointment and compensation, in accordance with Government Code Section54953(c)(3).
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is estimated at $54,040. Sufficient funds are available in the General Fund, City
Clerk Department, Salaries Account No. 011-010-125-501010 for the current fiscal year. If
needed, additional funds will be budgeted in the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget.
Attachments
1. Resolution 2024-03