January 3, 2014
Alan Kapanicas
City Manager
550 East Sixth St
Beaumont, CA 92223
RE: Request for clarification and notification.
As you know it is that time of the year, when Staff and Council reflect upon the previous years accomplishments and setbacks. A time to finalize and implement the new Memorandum Of Undertandings(MOU's) with the various Employee units within the City.
I recognize and commend you for reigning in costs, by negotiation, in the areas of pension/retirement funding responsibilities and issues such as accrual maximum accumulations and payouts. However, I have some other concerns that I would like your help to clarify, to sort out the fact from the fiction.
SALARY ADJUSTMENTS
Its no secret the the City Manager receives an automatatic 2.5% pay raise every Jan. 1st AND if a majority of the Council determines that YOUR performance exceeds expectations you are rewarded with an additional 2.5% increase to your base salary.
a) When, where, and in what circumstances do the Council gather to discuss the merits and determine if you, as City Manager, have "exceeded expectations"?
b) If the Majority of the Council "determines" this additional increase is warranted, I assume that would require a polling of Council Members to establish a majority.
c) Dont we as the Constituents and taxpayers have the right to know the details surrounding this annual event? To voice our concerns for or against BEFORE the Council decides?
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
(from City Manager MOU)
"Employee agrees to participate in the City's deferred compensation plan. The City's contribution shall be 10% of Employee's salary"
Right about here the water starts getting real muddy. Correct me if I am in error, but as I understand the City's deferred compensation plan, basically all OTHER City employees can defer ( have deducted from their paychecks) up to $5000 annually. The City will match every employee deferred $1 with an additional $2.
No one need relive the horrors of elementary math.. defer $5k out of your check..the City will match it with $10k annually.
a) My question is if you are "participating in the City's deferred compensation plan"...what does that mean?
b) Does the 10% City contribution to your deferred account NOT deducted from your pay count as NOT participating...
c)...but you are participating in the $2 for every $1 deferred as other City employees..."generally" are entitled without the $5k limit?
d) Or are you just getting the straight 10% City funded deferral and not participating in the City plan?
Please dont send me to the State GCC site for Government wages...Your $21k deferral looks just like the Line worker's $5k deferral today. The difference is I know the line worker's eventual payout, yours I dont.
Respectfully,
Rob
cc: Jeff Fox Council Member
Brian DeForge Council Member
Roger Berg Council Member/ Mayor
Brenda Knight Council Member
Dave Castaldo Council Member/ Mayor Pro Tem
BeaumontCares
Guy McCarthy @ the Patch
