HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 300-08City of Palo Alto
C ty Manag
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: HUMAN RESOURCES
DATE:
SUBJECT:
JULY 7, 2008 CMR: 300:08
ADOPTION OF TWO RESOLUTIONS: (1) ADOPTING A
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR MANAGEMENTAND PROFESSIONAL
PERSONNEL AND COUNCIL APPOINTEES AND RESCINDING
RESOLUTION NOS. 8748, 8799, 8821, 8832 AND (2) AMENDING SECTION
1701 OF THE MERIT SYSTEM RULES AND REGULATIONS TO
INCORPORATE THE 2008-2009 COMPENSATION PLAN FOR
MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL PERSONNELAND COUNCIL
APPOINTEES
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adoption of the attached resolutions adopting a compensation plan for
Management and Professional personnel and Council Appointees effective for the pay periods
beginning July 1, 2008 and continuing through June 30, 2009; and amending the Merit System Rules
and Regulations to incorporate the 2008-2009 compensation plan for Management and Professional
personnel.
BACKGROUND
The Management and Professional group includes 236 active employees. Over the last five years,
the City has strived to contain increases in personnel-related costs in the Management and
Professional group. In 2003, these employees took the lead in addressing the City’s financial
challenges by receiving no salary increase and a 1% salary decrease implemented through a
mandatory furlough. The City implemented additional cost-saving measures for management and
professional employees before other employee groups, including a cap for health insurance at the
PERS Choice rate instead of the PERS Care rate; prorated benefits for new part time management
and professional employees; and a two-tier retiree health program, raising the vesting requirement for
eligibility for retiree medical benefits from 5 years to 20 years for new hires. By implementing a cap
on medical benefits for Management and Professional employees, the City has avoided an estimated
$3.5 million in costs since 2003.
In 2004, Council approved a 3% salary increase for the Management and Professional employees,
offset by a mandated furlough equivalent to a 1% salary reduction. The Management and
Professional group was the only unit that fully participated in this significant cost saving measure
that year. In 2005, this group received a 3% control point increase effective July 1,2005, followed
CMR: 300:08 Page lof3
by a 1% control point increase effective January 1, 2006. In 2006, the group received no salary
increase between July 1,2006 and January 5, 2007. The Management and Professional employees
received a 3% control point increase between January 6, 2007 and June 30, 2007, of which one
percent was awarded at the discretion of the department heads based on merit. At the same time,
management employees began contributing, for the first time, two percent of their salaries to the
PERS employee share for the 2.7 percent @ 55 retirement benefit, effectively offsetting the 3%
salary increase.
Recently, the City addressed a longstanding grievance from SEIU regarding a request from SEIU to
move certain management group classifications into the SEIU Unit by participating in a
Mediation/Arbitration with SEIU. That mediation resulted in a stipulated order and agreement to
modify the Service Employee International Union (SEIU) unit by transferring 14 classifications
involving 26 Management, Professional, & Confidential employees effective June 21, 2008.
This Stipulated Order and Award leaves the Management and Professional group with 236
employees and 171 classifications to which the 2008-2009 Management Compensation Plan will
apply. Staff has been working with SEIU to help ease the concerns of transitioning employees
and will present Council with a change to the SEIU Memorandum of Agreement reflecting the
stipulated order in the near future.
DISCUSSION
Each year, a committee comprised of one employee from each department provides the City Manager
with feedback and concerns on behalf of the Management and Professional employees. This year,
after considering this input, the .City Manager recommends:
3.5% salary control point increase.
The Police Lieutenants will also receive an additional 14% salary increase. This will bring
the Lieutenant’s pay above the Sergeants they supervise who earn overtime pay and other
premium pay (Palo Alto Lieutenants are not eligible to receive overtime or premium pay) in
addition to bringing the Lieutenant’s salaries closer to the salaries being paid in the market.
An additional half percent to be allocated toward equity adjustments to address compaction
problems, as determined by the City Manager.
Allow Management, Professional and Confidential employees the ability to voluntarily
purchase additional life insurance (paid by the employee at no cost to the City)
Other minor changes in the compensation plan have been made in order to clarify existing benefits,
policies or processes.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The annual cost for the proposed Management and Professional Compensation Plan control point
increase (beginning July 1,2008) is $1,317,340 including salary and benefits, representing $689,600
in General Fund cost and $627,740 in enterprise and other fund costs. The total increase for the
compensation plan is 2.9 percent based on total compensation, on an annual basis in fiscal year 2008-
09. The 2008-09 Adopted Budget includes funding for this expense in the General Fund salary
contingency. Staff traditionally transfers the enterprise and other funds’ portion of the salary
contingency funding to those funds as part of the midyear report and budget amendment ordinance
CMR: 300:08 Page 2of3
(BAO). Accordingly, staff will propose this transfer as part of the 2008-09 midyear report and BAO
in winter 2009.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The action recommended by this report is consistent with City Council direction.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A:
Attachment B:
Attachment C:
Resolution Adopting a Compensation Plan for Management and Professional
Personnel Plan and Rescinding Resolution Nos. 8748, 8799, 8821 and 8832
Resolution Amending Section 1701 of the Merit System Rules and
Regulations to Incorporate to 2008-2009 Compensation Plan
Redline Version of Management and Professional Compensation Plan
PREPARED BY: Sandra T.R. Blanch, Assistant Director, Human Resources
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
RUSS C~-S~N -
Director of Human Resources
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
KELLY
Interim Deputy City Managers
CMR: 300:08 Page 3of 3
NOT YET APPROVED
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
ADOPTING A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT
AND PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL AND COUNCIL
APPOINTEES AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NOS. 8748, 8799,
8821, 8832
The Council 0fthe City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of Article III of the
Charter of the City of Palo Alto, the Management Compensation Plan, as set forth in Exhibit "A"
attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference, is hereby adopted for Management and
Professional Personnel and Council Appointees effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
SECTION 2. The Compensation Plan as adopted shall be administered by the
City Manager in accordance with the Merit System Rules and Regulations.
SECTION 3.
revoked by the Council.
The. Compensation Plan shall continue in effect until amended or
SECTION 4. The Director of Administrative Services hereby is authorized to
implement the Compensation Plan adopted herein in his preparation of forthcoming payrolls. He
is further authorized to make changes in the titles of employee classifications identified in the
Table of Authorized Personnel contained in the 2008-2009 budget, if such titles have been
changed in the Compensation Plan.
SECTION 5.Resolution N0s. 8748, 8799, 8821, 8832 are hereby rescinded.
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080702 mb 8260799
NOT YET APPROVED
SECTION 6. The Council finds that this is not a project under the Cafifornia
Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
Deputy City Attorney City Manager
Director of Administrative Services
Director of Human Resources
080702 mb 8260799
EXHIBIT "A"
CITY OF PALO ALTO
COMPENSATION PLAN
Management and Professional Personnel
And Council Appointees
Effective:Pay period including July 1, 2008
through June 30, 2009
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
Mana.qement and Professional Personnel
As used in this Plan, the term "Management and Professional" refers to all employees,
including Confidential employees, previously classified as "Management and Confidential"
by the City. This group will hereafter be identified as "Management and Professional"
personnel.
SECTION I. COMPENSATION
This section applies to all management and professional employees and does not include
Council Members or Council-appointed officers. Notwithstanding this exception, the
Council may authorize Variable Management Compensation for Council-appointed officers.
Each Council-appointed officer shall be the responsible decision-maker under this Plan for
those employees in departments under his/her control.
A.MANAGEMENT and PROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION POLICY
The City’s policy for management and professional compensation is to establish and
maintain a general structure based on marketplace norms and internal job alignment
with broad compensation grades and ranges. Structures and ranges will be reviewed
annually and updated as necessary based on marketplace survey data, internal
relationships, and City financial conditions.
Individual compensation adjustments will be considered by the Council-appointed
officer based on (1) performance factors including achievement of predetermined
objectives; (2) pay structure adjustments; and (3) City financial conditions.
B.BASIC PLAN ELEMENTS
1. Structure. The compensation plan includes separate multi-grade structures for
both management and professional employees. Each grade will have a control point
which is used for budgetary purposes. All management and professional positions
will be assigned an appropriate pay grade based on salary survey data and internal
relationships. All positions are assigned to a pay grade. Actual salary within the
range is determined by performance. The normal working range where most actual
salaries will fall will be within + 5% of the control point.
The City began a benchmarking survey in 2006 to establish an updated structure for
management and professional personnel. This survey is expected to be completed in
2008. Upon the completion of the Management and Compensation study, any equity
adjustments will be addressed in the future.
As needed, and no less than every two years and commencing fiscal year 2005-
2006, competitive marketplace studies will be conducted by surveying a maximum of
2
12 mutually agreeable agencies similar to Palo Alto in number of employees,
population and services provided. These studies will focus on general salary trends
for groups of management positions such as first line supervisors, administrative,
confidential, professional and top management. Periodically, and no less often than
every four years, studies will include position-by-position comparisons using market
agencies and internal equity data. All studies conducted pursuant to this section shall
be completed by December 31st and in no event later than March 31 in order to allow
time for Committee review. Depending on the results of these studies, the entire pay
grade structure may be adjusted or individual positions may be reassigned to
different pay grades. Such adjustments will only affect the salary administration
framework. No individual salaries will be automatically changed because of structural
adjustments.
An employee may request in writing a re-evaluation of his/her job based on significant
changes in job content or significant discrepancies between job content and
classification description, and which cannot be described as "other duties as
assigned." The request must contain justification and may be made only during the
period of August 10 through September 10. A statement by management that a job
re-evaluation request will be submitted with the departmental budget does not relieve
an employee from the responsibility of submitting his/her own request during this
period. The HR Director or his designee will respond to such requests in a timely
manner. If HR approves change, the request will be forwarded to ASD who will
determine if there is sufficient funding to cover the cost of the change. If approved by
ASD, the reclassification will be sent to the City Manager for approval. If approved,
the change would be reclassified as part of the budget process and will require
Council approval. Any changes approved as part of the budget process will become
effective the first pay period of the following fiscal year, or, if not approved, the job will
be returned to its previous status.
2. Compensation Adiustment Authorization. Each year the City Manager will
propose as part of the budget process for Council approval a compensation
adjustment based on recommendation received from the Management/Professional
Compensation Committee. For fiscal year 2008-2009 the compensation adjustment
to control point shall be a total of 3.5% This adjustment is available for those
management/professional employees who have received an overall rating of "meets"
or "exceeds" expectations on their 2008 annual review and who have not been on a
performance improvement plan between July 1,2007 and June 30, 2008. Nothing
herein shall preclude an employee’s manager from awarding a control point
adjustment increase to an employee on a performance plan at a later date should
employee’s performance improve. An additional one percent (1%) (half percent (.5%)
attributable to amount allocated in 2007-2008 plan and additional half percent (.5%)
allocated in 2008-2009 compensation plan) will be allocated toward equity
adjustments to address compaction problems as determined by the City Manager
and will be retroactive to July 1,2007.
3
In the future, the compensation adjustment request will be based on the following
factors: competitive market, changes in internal position relationships, and the City’s
ability to pay. Council authorization is required prior to implementation by the
Director of Human Resources.
3. Base and Variable Compensation. Compensation for management and
professional employees includes bi-weekly base salary and Variable Management
Compensation (VMC). Bi-weekly base salary is paid on a continuing basis. Variable
Management Compensation is an annual cash performance award based upon
merit. On a fiscal year basis, the sum .of the bi-weekly base salary and the VMC must
fall within pay grade limits of no less than 25% below the control point and no more
than 20% above the control point. Funding for VMC’s shall be calculated using
salary plus benefits as of July 1, 2008 for all authorized positions in the table of
organization as of January 1,2009 and excluding all frozen positions.
Base salary increases are earned in accordance with administrative guidelines based
upon growth within the position and performance, which must meet or exceed
position standards, the salary structure and the City’s ability to pay. In addition,
employees may earn Variable Management Compensation by meeting or exceeding
objectives established under the annual performance planning and appraisal system.
Variable Management Compensation requalification is necessary for each appraisal
period.
For those eligible retirees who retire during the year, any applicable VMC shall be
prorated based on the number of months the employee worked during his/her fiscal
year. Employees who resign from the City of Palo Alto are not eligible for prorated
VMC if they leave during the eligible year.
4. Performance Plannin,q and Appraisal. Performance appraisals will be conducted
at the end of each fiscal year during the months of July through September prior to
determining individual employee fixed and variable compensation. This process
includes both review of previous performance plan and preparation of the
performance plan for the next planning period (usually the fiscal year). Performance
plans are jointly prepared by the employee and supervisor with the concurrence of
the department head or Council-appointed officer. The performance plans shall
contain measurable objectives which place special emphasis on position description
duties or specific assignments. Progress toward meeting objectives shall be
monitored periodically. The performance appraisals should be implemented in a
manner that will achieve the following objectives:
Define the employee’s job duties and expected level of performance for the next
review period to ensure that both the employee and supervisor have a clear
understanding of the employee’s role and responsibilities;
Evaluate and document past performance to serve as a basis for establishing
and obtaining future performance standards/objectives;
Facilitate two-way communication and understanding between the employee
and his or her supervisor;
Counsel and encourage employees to work toward a learning development plan
and realize their full potential;
Establish future work plan objectives to be considered for a VMC.
Work plans should include job related projects or special goals related to regular job
duties when applicable. At the conclusion of the fiscal year (or review period),
supervisors shall make a final determination of the overall performance rating.
Recommendations shall be forwarded to department heads or council-appointed
officers who will then determine individual fixed and variable compensation
adjustments according to the provisions of the compensation plan. This process
should be completed by September 30th.
MANAGEMENT and PROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENT
AUTHORIZATION
Council-appointed officers are authorized to pay salaries in accordance with this
plan to non-Council-appointed management, and professional employees in an
amount not to exceed the aggregate of approved management and professional
positions budgeted at the control points in the Table of Organization for fiscal
year 2008-09. In addition, for fiscal year 2008-09, Council-appointed officers are
authorized up to 3% of salary plus benefits for management and professional
positions, plus unused Variable Management Compensation funds from the
previous fiscal year to apply toward Variable Management Compensation for
individual management and professional employees who qualify under the
provisions of this Management and Professional Compensation Plan.
Individual management and professional fixed and variable compensation
authorized by a Council-appointed officer under the Management and
Professional Compensation Plan may not be less than 25% below nor more
than 20% above the control point for the individual position grades authorized in
Table I of this plan.
The Council-appointed officers are authorized to establish such administrative
rules as are necessary to implement the Management and Professional Salary
Plan subject to the limitations of the approved compensation adjustment
authorization and the approved grade and control point structure.
In the event a downward adjustment of a position grade assignment indicates a
reduction in the established salary of an individual employee, the Council-
appointed officer may, if circumstances warrant, continue the salary for such
employee in an amount in excess of the revised grade limit for a reasonable
period of time. Such interim salary rates shall be defined as "Y-rates."
SECTION II. SPECIAL COMPENSATION
This section applies to all eligible regular management and professional positions including
Council Appointed Officers as applicable and including CouncilMembers where indicated.
¯ Eligibility shall be in conformance with the Merit Rules and Regulations and Administrative
Directives issued by the City Manager for the purposes of clarification and interpretation.
A. OVERTIME AND IN-LIEU HOLIDAY PAY
OVERTIME AND IN-LIEU HOLIDAY
Compensation for overtime work, and scheduled work on paid holidays for certain
designated non-exempt employees shall be in conformance with the Merit Rules and
Regulations and Policies and Procedures. Overtime eligible employees shall be paid at
the rate of time and one-half times the employees’ basic hourly salary unless called out
for an emergency arising out of situations involving real or potential loss of service,
property or personal danger, in which case additional pay will be at the rate of two times
the employees’ basic hourly salary. Employees who work a schedule where a regular
day off falls on a holiday will be paid for the hours they would have normally worked on
that day. If the holiday falls on a non-workday for an exempt employee, the employee
may, with supervisory approval, take another day off within the pay period or the
following pay period.
B. WORKING OUT OF CLASSIFICATION PAY
Where management and professional employees, on a temporary basis, are assigned
to perform all significant duties of a higher classification, the City Manager may
authorize payment within the range of the higher classification for the specified time
frame. Working out of class pay is normally not to exceed 10% more than the
employee’s current salary and shall be documented on a Personnel Action Form, with a
description of the additional duties to be performed.
C. STAND-BY PAY
Employees eligible for overtime may be entitled to stand-by pay, approved by the City
Manager on a case by case basis, in extreme circumstances involving unavailability of
non-management staff. Compensation is as follows:
Monday through Friday
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays
$40 per day
$58 per day
D. NIGHT SHIFT PREMIUM
Night shift differential shall be paid at the rate of 5% to regular full-time employees
who are regularly assigned to shift work between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., or to
employees who are temporarily assigned to work a full shift between 6:00 p.m. and
8:00 a.m.
E.UNIFORM PURCHASE PLAN - SWORN POLICE, FIRE PERSONNEL, and OPEN
SPACE PERSONNEL
Uniforms including cleaning will be provided with replacement provisions on an as-
needed basis in conformance with department policy.
F. WINTER CLOSURE - 2008
The winter closure will be the week of December22-26.
Not all City facilities are closed during the Winter Closure; employees must check with their
supervisor to find out if the closure is applicable to their positions. During the Winter
Closure, employees may elect to use paid leave balances such as management leave,
vacation or holiday pay or take time off without pay. Employees who wish to work during
the Winter Closure should make arrangements with their supervisors regarding work
assignments.
G.GROUP INSURANCE
1.Effective Date of Covera.qe for New Employees
For newly-hired regular employees coverage begins on the first day of the
month following date of hire for the health plan, dental plan, vision care plan,
long term disability and life insurance plans if these benefits are elected.
2.Active Employee Health Plan
(a)Based on an employee’s family status, the City shall pay up to the monthly
medical premium for the second most expensive plan among the existing
array of plans available during the term of this compensation plan on behalf
of eligible employees (including Council Appointed Officers and Council
Members) and dependents. Eligible dependents include spouses, children
under the age of 23 and never married (natural, adopted, or stepchildren),
economically dependent children, and domestic partners registered with
the Secretary of State. If PERS changes the plans it offers, the City will
continue to provide an equivalent benefit at an equivalent cost.
(b)The City agrees to offer a program to active management and professional
personnel (including Council Appointed Officers and Council Members)
enrolled in PERSCare prior to 1/6/07 who elected the PERSChoice health
’7
plan in which the City will reimburse the employee and/or dependents for
any covered medical expense which exceeds the $2 million Lifetime
Maximum Benefit.
(c)Coverage for Domestic Partners:
(1) Domestic Partnership Registered with the California Secretary of
State: Employees may add their domestic partner as a dependent to
their elected health plan coverage if the domestic partnership is
registered with the Secretary of State.
(2)Domestic Partnership Not Registered with the California Secretary of
State: Domestic partners who meet the requirements of the City of
Palo Alto Declaration of Domestic Partnership, and are registered
with the Human Resources Department, will be eligible for
reimbursement of the actual monthly premium cost of an individual
health plan, not to exceed the maximum monthly City employer
contribution for one-party coverage under the CalPERS Health
Benefits Program (or PORAC if a safety department employee) for
an employee covered under this agreement. Evidence of premium
payment will be required with request for reimbursement.
(d) PERS Choice Reimbursement Plan
Management and Professional personnel enrolled in the PERS Choice
medical plan may submit a request for payment, as specified below, for
non-covered medical expenses, incurred during the period of January 1,
through December 31, of the plan year, that exceed $2,500. The
maximum annual reimbursement amount provided under this program is:
¯$700 for employees enrolled in the Employee-Only category;
¯$900 for employees enrolled in the Employee and One
Dependent category, and
~ $1,100 for employees enrolled in the Family category.
Any amounts reimbursed to an individual under this program would be
included in the employee’s gross income and is not PERSable.
This program shall only reimburse employees for medical expenses that are
not reimbursed through any other means and meet the definition in Section
213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. (Examples of eligible expenses
include medical plan deductibles and co-payments, prescription drugs, dental
care, hearing care, and vision care.) However, in order to have any
expenses reimbursed under this program, the employee must have allocated
100% ($2,500.00) of their 2008 calendar Excess Benefit funds into the
Medical FSA option during the election that occurred in November 2007. In
addition, all such reimbursements from the Excess Benefit Program must
have been solely for medical expenses, as defined by Section 213(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code. If the employee has designated his/her Excess
Medical funds for any other qualifying expenses (i.e. dependent care,
Professional Development, Deferred Compensation contributions), the
employee would not be eligible for reimbursement under this program.
Employees may submit one claim for the entire plan year’s expenses during
January. Any amounts remaining, from the PERS Choice reimbursement
plan after the claims for the plan year had been processed shall be forfeited.
3. Alternative Medical Benefit Proqram
If a regular employee and/or the employee’s dependent(s) are eligible for medical
insurance through another employer-sponsored or association medical plan, the
employee may opt for alternative medical insurance coverage through the other
employer-sponsored or association plan and waives his/her right to the City of Palo
Alto’s medical insurance coverage for same individuals. Employees electing alternative
coverage and no City coverage will receive cash payments of approximately half of the
"average monthly premiums: for their medical insurance coverage. "Averaged monthly
premiums" are the average of the Kaiser HMO, Blue Shield HMO and PERS Choice
PPO premiums for the employee’s City medical coverage available through the Public
Employee Retirement System (PERS).
The rates for 2007 are as follows:
One Party:$230.00
Two Party:$460.00
Family:$595.00
The rates for 2008 are as follows:
One party:$250.00
Two parties:$500.00
Family:$645.00
The rates for 2009 are as follows:
One party:$260.00
Two parties:$520.00
Family:$675.00
Retiree Health Plan
(a) Employees Hired Prior to January 1, 2004
Monthly City-paid premium contributions for a retiree-selected health
plan through the CalPERS Health Benefits Program will be made as
provided under the Public Employees" Medical and Hospital Care Act.
9
The City’s monthly employer contribution for each employee retiring on
or after 1/1/2007 shall be the amount necessary to pay for the cost of
his or her enrollment in a health benefits plan up to the monthly
premium for the second most expensive plan offered to management
and professional personnel during the contract term (among the
existing array of plans.)
For the 2007 calendar year, the City’s contribution toward dependent
coverage is 70% of the difference between the applicable "Employee
and One Dependent" or "Family" maximum employer contribution for
active management and professional personnel and the maximum
employer contribution for "Employee Only" coverage. For 2008 the
City’s contribution will increase to 75%. For 2009, the City’s
contribution will increase to 80%.
(b) Post- 1/1/04 Hires
For those Management and professional employees hired after January 1,
2004, the PERS law vesting schedule set forth in Government Code section
22893 will apply. Under that law, an employee is eligible for 50% of the
specified employer health premium contribution after ten years of service credit,
provided at least five of those years were performed at the City of Palo Alto.
After ten years of service credit, each additional service credit year increases
the employer contribution percentage by 5% until, at 20 years’ service credit,
the employee will be eligible upon retirement for 100% of the specified
employer contribution and 90% of their dependent coverage. The City of Palo
Alto’s health premium contribution for eligible post - 1/1/04 hires shall be the
minimum contribution set by PERS under section 22893 based on a weighted
average of available health plan premiums.
5.Dental Plan
a) The City shall pay covered plan charges on behalf of all eligible employees
and dependents. (Domestic partners who are either registered with the
Secretary of State or who meet the requirements of the City of Palo Alto
Declaration of Domestic Partnership, and are registered with the Human
Resources Department are considered dependents under the plan.)
Benefits for regular part-time employees will be prorated as follows:
Employees who will work less than full time, will receive prorated
premium costs for dental benefits in accordance with his/her
percentage of a full-time work schedule. Part time employees
currently receiving full benefits will not be impacted.
b) The City’s Dental Plan provides the following:
Maximum Benefits per Calendar Year- $2,000 per person
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Lifetime Maximum for Orthodontics- The City will pay up to
$2,000.00 for orthodontia coverage (not included in annual
dental maximum)
Major Dental Services 50% UCR*
Orthodontics 50% UCR*
Basic Benefits (All other covered services)
First Calendar Year of Eligibility
Subsequent Calendar Years
*Usual, Customary, and Reasonable
70% UCR*
70%-1 OO%
Effective 1/1/07 the City added composite (tooth covered) fillings for
posterior teeth to the dental plan.
o
For each dental plan member, the percentage of coverage for basic benefits
will begin at 70% for the first calendar year of coverage and increase by 10%
(up to a maximum of 100%) effective the first day of the next calendar year
as long as the member utilizes the plan at least once during the current year.
Per the Delta Dental contract effective October 1,2005, if the member does
not utilize the plan during the current year, the percentage of coverage for
the next calendar year shall remain unchanged from the current year.
If a dental plan member ever loses coverage under the plan, the applicable
percentage of coverage for basic benefits provided during any future period
of coverage will commence at 70% as if the dental plan member was a new
enrollee. Examples of when a member might lose coverage under the plan
would include:
Employee goes on an unpaid leave of absence and elects not to pay the
required dental premiums for his/her family’s coverage during the leave.
Employee elects to drop one or more covered dependents from the plan
during an open enrollment period so that they might be covered on a
spouse’s non-City of Palo Alto dental plan.
Basic Life Insurance
The City shall provide a basic group term life insurance with Accidental Death
and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, in an amount equal to the employee’s
annual basic pay (rounded to the next highest $1,000) at no-cost to the
employee. AD&D pays an additional amount equal to the employee’s annual
basic pay (rounded to the next highest $1,000).
Supplemental Life And AD&D Insurance
An employee may, at his/her cost, purchase additional life insurance and
additional AD&D coverage equal to one- or two-times his or her annual salary.
The maximum amount of life insurance available to the employee is up to
$325,000 and the maximum amount of AD&D coverage available is up to
$325,000.
8. Long Term Disability Insurance
a)The City shall provide long term disability (LTD) insurance with a benefit of
2/3 monthly salary, up to a maximum benefit of $10,000 per month. The City
shall pay the premium for the first $6,000 of base monthly salary. For
employees whose base monthly salary exceeds $6,000, the employee shall
pay the cost of the required premium based upon their monthly salary
between $6,000 and $15,000.
b)For employees whose base monthly salary exceeds $6,000 and who have
no eligible dependents covered under the City’s medical, dental or vision
plans, the City will pay up to $17.50 per month towards the employee’s cost
for LTD coverage.
9.Vision Care
a) The City shall provide vision care coverage for employee and dependents.
Coverage is administered by Vision Service Plan (VSP). The plan provides
an exam every 12 months; lenses every 24 months; frames every 24
months, all subject to a $20 co-payment as defined in the Vision Services
Benefits Plan A schedule. Benefits for regular part-time employees will be
prorated as follows:
Employees hired after January 1,2004, who will work less than
full time, will receive prorated premium costs for vision benefits in
accordance with his/her percentage of a full-time work schedule.
Part time employees currently receiving full benefits will not be
impacted.
b)Effective July 1, 1996, dependents include eligible domestic partners who
are either registered with the Secretary of State or who meet the
requirements of the City of Palo Alto Declaration of Domestic Partnership,
and are registered with the Human Resources Department.
H.EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PLAN
The Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) provides employees with confidential
personal counseling, work and family related issues, eldercare, substance abuse, etc.
In addition, EAP programs provide a valuable tool for supervisors to refer troubled
employees to professional outside help. This service staffed by experienced
12
clinicians is available to employees and their dependents by calling a toll-free phone
line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Guidance is also available online.
SAFETY DIFFERENTIALS
1. Police Department - Personnel Development Proqram
Pursuant to administrative rules governing eligibility and qualification, the following
may be granted to sworn police personnel:
P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate:
P.O.S.T. Advanced Certificate:
5% above base salary
7 1/2% above base salary
2. Fire Department- EMT Differential
Pursuant to administrative rules governing eligibility and qualification, the following
may be granted to sworn Fire personnel:
EMT Differential:2.5% above base salary
MANAGEMENT and PROFESSIONAL BENEFIT PROGRAM
Management and professional employees are eligible for Sections 1,2, 3, and 4 of
the Management Benefit Program. City Council Members are eligible for Section 3
only.
1.Professional Development- Reimbursement
Reimbursement for authorized self-improvement activities may be granted each
management and professional employee up to a maximum of $1,500 per fiscal
year. The following items are eligible for reimbursement:
a.Civic and professional association memberships
b.Conference participation and travel expenses
Educational programs/tuition reimbursement. The education must maintain
or improve the employee’s skills in performing his or her job, or be
necessary to meet the express requirements of the City or the
requirements of applicable law. The education to which the reimbursement
relates must not be part of a program qualifying the employees for another
trade or business; or be necessary to meet the minimum educational
requirements for qualification for employment. Permissible educational
expenses are refresher courses, courses dealing with current
developments, academic or vocational courses, as well as the travel
expenses associated with the courses.
13
d. Professional and trade journal subscriptions not to exceed 12 months.
e.Gym/health Club memberships. Reimbursement of these expenses is
taxable to the employee.
Purchase of job. related computer software, hardware, internet access,
telecommunication equipment and home office equipment/furniture.
Reimbursement of any of these expenses is taxable to the employee.
Amounts under this professional development program will be pro-rated in the
first year of employment (based on the number of pay periods remaining in the
calendar year) but will not be pro-rated upon separation of employment.: The
maximum amount for Professional Development reimbursement for employees
who move into a position covered by this compensation plan from a position
under another City of Palo Alto bargaining group will be the lesser of:
(1) $1,500 less any amounts they have received in the fiscal year of
their position change through any other City of Palo Alto Tuition
Reimbursement or Professional Development program; or
(2) An amount obtained by subtracting any amounts the employee
may have received in the fiscal year of their position change through
any other City of Palo Alto Tuition Reimbursement or Professional
Development program from the sum of:
(i) the number of months of the current fiscal year that the
employee served in previous bargaining unit and multiplying it by
one-twelfth of that unit’s Tuition Reimbursement or Professional
Development annual maximum benefit; and,
(ii) the number of months of the current fiscal year that the
employee will serve in the position covered by this compensation
plan multiplied by $125.
2.Professional Development Leave
Authorized paid leaves of absence for up to one year will be granted in accordance
with the following requirements:
a. Eligibility is subject to a minimum City service requirement of five years.
b.Compensation during the Professional Development Leave shall not
exceed 50% salary and full benefits.
When granted, a Professional Development Leave shall require an
employee commitment of at least two-years’ service following return from
the Leave. To the extent the full two-year commitment is not fulfilled, the
employee shall re-pay the City a pro rata amount of the salary paid during
the Leave based on the percentage of the two-year commitment not
fulfilled.
d.The Professional Development Leave program shall relate to the
employee’s job assignment.
e.An employee’s job assignment activity shall be adequately covered during
his/her absence with emphasis on the development of subordinates.
f.The leave of absence period shall be adequately coordinated with
departmental priorities and workload.
Professional Development Leaves shall be based on internship exchanges,
and/or loaned executive arrangements; scholastic and/or authorship
programs; or educational travel-study plans.
Leave of absence schedules will be apportioned among all levels of
management and professional employees and will be based on an evaluation of
each employee’s performance record. Each paid sabbatical leave will be
limited to a maximum of one year and not more than two employees being on
leave simultaneously. Sabbatical leaves must be cleared in advance and
approved by a Council-appointed officer for his/her subordinates. Professional
Development Leaves granted in excess of 30 days shall be noticed to the
Council.
3.Physical Examinations
All management and professional employees are eligible to receive an annual
physical examination as follows:
Use the periodic health exam benefit as provided under the PERS
Health Plan option you have selected. Each of the PERS Health Plans
provides for a periodic physical examination. The examination must be
performed by your primary care physician--unless he/she refers you to
another physician.
bo The types of tests and the frequency of the tests cannot exceed AMA
guidelines. The guidelines are a suggested minimum based on
research studies concerning preventative care. The judgment of your
physician is the final determinant for your care.
Any additional necessary asymptomatic tests that are required by your
physician that are not covered by your health plan, will be reimbursed by
the City. Any symptomatic tests will be covered under your PERS
Health Plan.
15
The Reimbursement for Periodic Physical Exam Form is available on the
Human Resources Intranet site. This benefit will not be pro-rated.
Excess Benefit
This benefit is designed to meet the requirements of Section 125 of the Internal
Revenue Code. Every calendar year, each employee will be provided with
$2,500 that they can designate among the following options:
Medical Flexible Spending Account (Medical FSA). Provides
reimbursement for excess medical/dental/vision, or expenses that are
incurred by employees and their dependents which are not covered or
reimbursed by any other source, including existing City-sponsored plans.
This includes prescribed medications and copayments as well as over-the-
counter drugs, including: antacids, allergy medicines, pain relievers and
cold medicines. However, nonprescription dietary supplements (e.g.
vitamins, etc.) toiletries (e.g. toothpaste), cosmetics (e.g. face cream), and
items used for cosmetic purposes (e.g. Rogaine) are not acceptable.
bo Dependent Care Flexible Spendin.q Account (Dependent Care FSA).
Provides reimbursement for qualified dependent care expenses under the
City’s Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), subject to the
following limits: Dependent care expenses will be reimbursed only to the
extent that the amount of such expenses reimbursed under this
Management Benefit Program, when added to the amount (if any) of
annual dependent care expenses that the participant has elected under the
City’s Flexible Benefits Plan, do not exceed the maximum permitted under
the DCAP.
1)
2)
The annual amount submitted for reimbursement cannot exceed the
income of the lower-paid spouse.
The expenses must be employment-related expenses for the care of
one or more dependents who are under 13 years of age and entitled to
a dependent deduction under Internal Revenue Code section 151(e) or
a dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for
himself or herself.
3)The payments cannot be made to a child under 19 years of age or to a
person claimed as a dependent.
4)If the services are provided by a dependent care center, the center
must comply with all state and local laws and must provide care for
more than six individuals (other than a resident of the facility).
5)Dependent care expenses not submitted under this section are eligible
under the City Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP). However, the
maximum amount reimbursed under DCAP will be reduced by any
amount reimbursed under the Excess Benefit Plan.
Non-taxable Professional Development Spending Account.
Provides reimbursement for Non-Taxable professional development
expenses (e.g.,job-related training and education, seminars, training
manuals, etc.) to the extent they are not paid or reimbursed under any
other plan of the City.
do Deferred Compensation.
Provides a one-time contribution to the employee’s City-sponsored 457
Deferred Compensation plan with either ICMA-RE or the Hartford.
Amounts designated by employees to either the Medical FSA, Dependent Care
FSA, or Professional Development options are done so on a "use -it-or-lose-it"
basis. This means that any amounts designated and not used by the end of the
calendar year (or end of the extended grace period for the medical FSA) will be
forfeited by the employee and returned to the plan.
Specified amounts under this benefit will be applied on a pro-rata basis for
employees who are part-time or who are in a management or professional pay
status for less than the full fiscal year. Such benefits will be pro-rated in the first
year of employment (based on hire date) but will not be pro-rated upon
separation of employment.
K. LEAVES
1.Sick Leave
a)Sick leave shall be accrued bi-weekly provided the employee has been in a
pay status for 50 percent or more of a bi-weekly pay period. Sick leave
shall be accrued at the rate of 3.7 hours per bi-weekly pay period for those
employees working a forty-hour duty schedule. Those assigned work
schedules, which are greater or lesser than forty hours will accrue sick
leave at the ratio of their work schedule to forty hours.
b)Employees may use up to twenty hours of sick leave per calendar year for-
personal business. The scheduling of such leave is subject to the approval
of the appropriate level of Management.
c)Employees leaving the municipal service shall forfeit all accumulated sick
leave, except as otherwise provided by law and by Section 609 of the Merit
Rules and Regulations. In the event that notice of resignation is given, sick
o
leave may be used only through the day which was designated as the final
day of work by such notice.
d)Employees that were hired before December 1, 1983 and who leave the
municipal service in good standing, or who die while employed in good
standing by the city, and who have fifteen or more years of continuous
service shall receive compensation for unused sick leave hours in a sum
equal to two and one-half percent of their unused sick leave hours multiplied
by their years of continuous service and their basic hourly rate of pay at
termination. Full sick leave accrual will be paid in the event of termination
due to disability. See Merit System Rules and Regulations, Chapter 6,
Section 609.
e)Up to nine days of sick leave per calendar year may be used for illness in
the immediate family, including a registered domestic partner.
f) Management and Professional employees eligible, as specified above if
hired before December 1,1983, to be compensated for sick leave may annually
convert sick leave hours in excess of 600 to cash or deferred compensation,
according to the formula set forth above, up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal
year.
Mana,qement Annual Leave
At the beginning of each fiscal year regular management and professional
employees will be credited with 80 hours of annual leave. This leave is granted
in recognition of the extra hours Management and Professional employees work
over their regular schedule. This leave may be taken as paid time off, added to
vacation accrual (subject to vacation accrual limitations), taken as cash or taken
as deferred compensation. When time off is taken under this provision, 10-hour
shift workers will receive one shift off for each 8 hours charged; 24-hour shift
workers will receive one-half shift off for each 8 hours charged. Entitlement
under this provision will be reduced on a prorated basis for part-time status, or
according to the number of months in paid status during the fiscal year.
Unused balances as of the end of the fiscal year will be paid in cash unless a
different option as indicated above is elected by the employee.
Professional Development Leave
Authorized paid leaves of absence for up to one year will be granted in
accordance with the following requirements:
a. Eligibility is subject to a minimum City service requirement of five years.
b. Compensation during the Professional Development Leave shall not
exceed 50% salary and full benefits.
18
c; When granted, a Professional Development Leave shall require an
employee commitment of at least two-years’ service following return from
the Leave. To the extent the full two-year commitment is not fulfilled, the
employee shall re-pay the City a pro rata amount of the salary paid during
the Leave based on the percentage of the two-year commitment not
fulfilled.
d. The Professional Development Leave program shall relate to the
employee’s job assignment.
e. An employee’s job assignment activity shall be adequately covered
during his/her absence with emphasis on the development of subordinates.
f. The leave of absence period shall be adequately coordinated with
departmental priorities and workload.
g. Professional Development Leaves shall be based on internship
exchanges, and/or loaned executive arrangements; scholastic and/or
authorship programs; or educational travel-study plans.
Leave of absence schedules will be apportioned among all levels of
management and professional employees and will be based on an
evaluation of each employee’s performance record. Each paid sabbatical
leave will be limited to a maximum of one year and not more than two
employees being on leave simultaneously. Sabbatical leaves must be
cleared in advance and approved by a Council-appointed officer for his/her
subordinates. Professional Development Leaves granted in excess of 30
days shall be noticed to the Council.
Vacation
Vacation will be accrued when an employee is in pay status and will be credited
on a bi-weekly basis. Total vacation accrual at any one time may not exceed
three times the annual rate of accrual. Each eligible employee shall accrue
vacation at the following rate for continuous service performed in pay status:
(a)Less than nine years. For employees completing less than nine years
continuous service: 120 hours vacation leave per year; provided that:
(i)The City Manager is authorized to adjust department head annual vacation
accrual to provide for a maximum of 160 hours for those hired between
July 1, 1996 and June 30, 2001; and
(ii)The City manager is authorized to adjust the annual vacation accrual of
employees hired on or after July 1, 2001, to provide up to 40 additional
19
hours (i.e., to a maximum annual accrual of 160 hours) for service with a
prior employer.
(b) Nine, but less than fourteen years. For employees completing nine, but not
more than fourteen years continuous service; 160 hours vacation per year.
(c)Fourteen, but less than nineteen years. For employees completing
fourteen, but not more than nineteen years continuous service; t80 hours
vacation leave per year.
(d) Nineteen or more years. For employees completing nineteen or more
years continuous service; 200 hours vacation leave per year.
(e) Once each calendar year an employee may cash out vacation accrual
balances in excess of 80 hours. An employee may cash out a minimum of 8 hours to a
maximum of 120 hours of accrued vacation provided the employee has taken 80
vacation hours in the previous 12 months.
5. Bereavement
Leave of absence with pay of three days may be granted an employee by the head of
his/her department in the event of death in the employee’s immediate family, which is
defined for purposes of this section as wife, husband, son, son-in-law, step-son,
daughter, daughter-in-law, step-daughter, mother, mother-in-law, father, father-in-law,
brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, grandmother-in-law,
grandfather, grandfather-in-law, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, registered
domestic partner, or a close relative residing in the household of employee. Such leave
shall be at full pay and shall not be charged against the employee’s accrued vacation or
sick leave. Requests for leave in excess of three days shall be subject to the approval
of a Council-Appointed Officer for employees under his/her control.
L. RETIREMENT PENSION
Effective pay period inclusive of 1/6107, the City’s Public Employees’ Retirement
System (PERS) benefits changed to the 2.7% at 55 formula for non-safety
members (from 2% at 55).
Employee Share. Effective May 1, 1984, the City agreed to pay the 7%
employee contribution to PERS. Effective pay period inclusive of 1/6/07, the
employee share of the PERS contribution increased to 8% from 7%. The City
pays 6% and the employee pays 2% of the 8% PERS employee share for the
2.7 at 55 retirement benefit formula. This provision applies to Council-appointed
officers and all regular management and professional employees, except that
for sworn police and fire management employees the City shall continue to pay
the mandatory nine percent (9%) of the employee’s PERS contribution.
2O
Notwithstanding subsection 2 above, effective the pay period inclusive of
1/6/07, upon filing a notice of retirement, the 6% City-paid PERS contribution
(9% for sworn police and fire management personnel) will be converted to a
salary adjustment of equal amount on a one-time irrevocable basis for the final
compensation period which is defined as the highest average compensation
earnable (salary) during the year immediately preceding retirement or any other
designated consecutive year. Employee PERS contributions shall be made on
a tax deferred basis, in accordance with Section 414(h)(2) of the Internal
Revenue Code. All provisions of this subsection are subject to and conditioned
upon compliance with IRS regulations.
o As of October 20, 2001 and March 9, 2002, the City provides the Public
Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Benefit, "3% at 50" full formula (Section
21362.2) for safety members.
M.AUTOMOBILE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE
For those employees whose duties require use of a City automobile, the City
Manager (or in the case of Council-appointed officers, the City Council) may
authorize payment of up to $325 per month in lieu thereof.
N.COMMUTE INCENTIVES and PARKING
Employees who qualify may voluntarily elect one of the following commute incentives:
1. Civic Center Parking. Employees assigned to Civic Center and adjacent
work locations. The City will provide a Civic Center Garage parking permit.
Employees hired after June 30, 1994 may initially receive a parking permit for
another downtown lot, subject to the availability of space at the Civic Center
Garage.
2. Public Transit. The City will provide monthly Commuter Checks worth the
value of:
$40 for employees traveling two or more zones on Caltrain;
$40 for employees using the Dumbarton Express, BART, the ACE train or a
commuter highway vehicle;
$35 for employees traveling within one zone on Caltrain;
$35 for employees using VTA, and other buses.
These vouchers may be used toward the purchase of a transit pass.
3. Carpool. The City will provide $30 per month to each eligible employee in a
carpool with two or more licensed drivers.
21
4. Vanpool Pilot Program. The City will provide Commuter Checks worth the
value up to $60 to each employee voluntarily participating in the Vanpool Pilot
Program. These may be used toward payment of the monthly cost of the
vanpool. Employees must fulfill the basic requirements of the Employee
Commute Alternatives Program to qualify.
5. Bicycle. The City will provide employees with $20 per month to eligible
employees who ride a bicycle to work,
6. Walk. The City will provide employees with $20 per month to eligible
employees who walk to work.
O.AT-WILL STATUS
Po
Q°
Department heads hired after July 1,2004 will be "At-Will" employees whose terms of
employment are specified by an employment contract. Any current department head
or the Assistant City Manager may elect to remain covered by the Merit Rules or to
become At-Will employees with an employment contract that shall include a
severance package. All current executive managers shall maintain all the benefits
they presently have or would have as a new executive manager.
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR
The Mayor shall receive $150 monthly, and the Vice Mayor $100 monthly to defray
additional expenses of these offices.
REIMBURSEMENT FOR RELOCATION EXPENSE
Policy Statement
The City of Palo Alto, in rare instances, may provide a Basic Relocation Benefits
Package for new management and professional employees, upon the approval of the
City Manager or designated subordinate. In addition, the provision of "Optional
Benefits" or portions thereof, may be extended for exceptional circumstances and
only the approval of the City Manager or designee, or for Council-appointed officers,
the City Council.
The details of the Relocation Expense program are specified in the City’s Relocation
Expense policy.
R. MEAL ALLOWANCE
Management and professional employees assigned to attend night meetings are
eligible to receive reimbursement for up to $20.00 per dinner. This provision covers
only receipted meals actually taken and submitted for reimbursement.
22
REDUCTION IN WORKFORCE
The City will make every effort to follow the 2005 transition plan if a reduction in
workforce is necessary in 2008 or 2009. The Management/Professional
Compensation Committee shall be involved in development of changes to the
transition plan.
T.GRIEVANCES REGARDING COUNCIL APPOINTED OFFICERS
Notwithstanding the grievance procedures provided in Chapter 11 of the City of
Palo Alto’s Merit System Rules and Regulations, any Management and
Professional employee who is supervised by a Council Appointed Officer and has
a grievance against that Council Appointed Officer or regarding the conduct of that
Council Appointed Officer shall, following an attempt to resolve the grievance
pursuant to Step One (informal discussion), summarize the grievance regarding
the Council Appointed Officer in writing and submit it to the Director of Human
Resources for review and resolution using the methods he/she considers
appropriate.
U.MERIT RULES
The City will include members of the Management/Professional Compensation
Committee in discussions regarding revision of the Merit Rules and Regulations.
SECTION III. MANAGEMENT FELLOW PROGRAM
The City has created a pilot program for Management Fellows. This pilot program
will be tested over a two year period. The program’s purpose is to create limited
duration entry level positions for graduate students. A management fellow will be
an "at will" employee whose term of employment shall be no more than one year.
A Management Fellow shall be PERS exempt, but will receive limited vacation,
limited sick leave, limited health care benefits and other limited benefits, as
determined by the City Manager. Sections I and II of this Plan shall not apply to
Management Fellows, except as specified by the City Manager.
23
Salary Rates/Classifications Effective 07/01/2008
Class
No./Job
Code
157
50
171
98
76
126
115
108
109
107
17O
2001
1001
143
1003
119
1002
6
65
73
1007
168
102
132
3O
91
118
128
7
82
4O
96
89
153
41
186
195
9
055
2O
71
52
75
191
6O
81
MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION 2008
Title
ADM HUMAN RES
ADM PLN & COMM ENVRN
ADM PUBLIC WORKS
ADM SPEC EVENTS
ADMIN ASSISTANT
ARTS & CULTURE DIV MGR
ASST BUILD OFFICIAL
ASST CITY ATTY
ASST CITY CLERK
ASST CITY MANAGER
ASST DIR UT/ADM SVCS
ASST DIR LIBRARY SVS
ASST DIR PLA COMM ENV
ASST DIR PUBLIC WRKS
ASST DIR UT ENG
ASST DIR UT/ENG/OPN
ASST DIR UT/CUST SUPPORT SVS
ASST DIR UT/OPN
ASST DIR UT/RES MGMT
ASST DIRECTOR ADM SV
ASST DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES
ASST FLEET MGR
ASST MGR WQCP
ASST POLICE CHIEF
ASST TO THE CITY MGR
HR BUSINESS ANALYST
CHIEF BLD OFFICIAL
CHIEF INFORMATION OFF
CHIEF PLG & TRANS OFF
CHIEF TRANSP OFF
CITY TRAFFIC ENGR
CLAIMS INVESTIGATOR
CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATOR
COORD CHILD CARE
COORD ENVIRON PROTEC
COORD LIB CIRC
COORD POL TECH SVCS
DEP CITY ATTORNEY
DUPTY CITY MANAGER SPEC
DEP FIRE CHIEF-EMT
DEP CITY CLERK
DEP DIR ADM SVCS
DEP DIR PW OPRNS
DEP FIRE CHIEF/FIRE MARSHALL
DEP FIRE CHIEF/OPS/SUPPORT
DIR ADM SVCS
Grade
Code
40
40
40
40
70
29
33
26
44
14
23
29
20
23
19
19
23
21
19
25
23
41
33
19
32
37
26
26
25
27
31
46
39
42
27
48
28
36
18
21
51
27
25
22
22
15
Control
Point
7,920
7,920
7,920
7,920
6,325
10,461
9,455
11 ;288
7,157
16,619
12,179
10,461
13,127
12,179
13,468
13,468
12,179
12,810
13,468
11,584
12,179
7,725
9,455
13,467
9,696
8,541
11,288
11,288
11,584
11,012
9,951
6,799
8,122
7,541
11,012
6,466
10,744
8,769
13,802
12,810
5,996
11,012
11,584
12,500
12,500
16,219
Approx.
Annual
95,036
95,036
95,036
95,036
75,894
125,536
113,464
135,450
85,879
199,426
146 145
125,536
157,520
146,145
161,613
161,613
146,145
153,718
161,613
139,008
146,145
92,695
113,464
161,609
116,356
102,494
135,450
135,450
139,008
132,146
119,408
81,587
97,468
90,491
132,146
77,594
128,933
105,225
165,630
153,718
71,948
132,146
139,008
150,001
150,001
194,633
Approx
Biwkly
3,655
3,655
3,655
3,655
2,919
4,828
4,364
5,210
3,303
7,670
5,621
4,828
6,058
5,621
6,216
6,216
5,621
5,912
6,216
5,346
5,621
3,565
4,364
6,216
4,475
3,942
5,210
5,210
5,346
5,083
4,593
3,138
3,749
3,480
5,083
2,984
4,959
4,047
6,370
5,912
2,767
5,083
5,346
5,769
5,769
7,486
1
7/3/2008
Approx
Hourly
$45.69
$45.69
$45.69
$45.69
$36.49
$60.35
$54.55
$65.12
$41.29
$95.88
$70.26
$60.35
$75.73
$70.26
$77.70
$77.70
$70.26
$73.90
$77.70
$66.83
$70.26
$44.56
$54.55
$77.70
$55.94
$49.28
$65.12
$65.12
$66.83
$63.53
$57.41
$39.22
$46.86
$43.51
$63.53
$37.30
$61.99
$50.59
$79.63
$73.90
$34.59
$63.53
$66.83
$72.12
$72.12
$93.57
72
133
131
134
135
121
2002
123
194
t72
1006
137
27
129
120
138
1005
t39
127
101
90
69
86
79
141
49
84
63
185
45
21
93
39
105
179
151
32
158
175
92
51
95
103
198
160
150
156
48
68
178
1008
163
DIR COMM SVCS
DIR HUMAN RESOURCES
DIR LIBRARIES
DIR PLAN/COMM ENVIR
DIR PW/CITY ENGR
DIR UTILITIES
DIV HEAD LIBRARY SVS
DIV MGR CUB CTR & HU SCV
DIV MGR GOLF & PARKS
DIV MGR OPEN SPACE
DIV MGR REC & GOLF
DIV MGR REC & YOUTH SVS
SUPERVISING ELECTRIC PROJECT ENG
ENGR MGR - ELECTRIC
ENGR MGR - WGW
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
EXECUTIVE ASST TO CM
FIRE CHIEF
FLEET MANAGER
iHUMAN RESOURCES REP
LANDSCAPE ARCH/PK PLANNER
LEGAL ADMINISTRATOR
MANAGING ARBORIST
MGR ACCOUNTING
MGR ARTS
MGR BUDGET
iMGR COMMUNICATIONS
MGR ECONOMIC RES
iMGR ELECTRIC OPRNS
MGR EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
MGR ENERGY RISK
MGR ENV CONTROL PROG
MGR ENVRN COMPLIANCE
MGR FAC MAINT & PROJ
MGR FLD & CUST SVC
MGR HUMAN RES & DEV
MGR INFO TECH
MGR LAB SERVICES
MGR MAIN LIB SVCS
MGR MAINT OPER
MGR PLANNING
MGR PUR & CNTR ADMIN
MGR REAL PROPERTY
MGR RISK & BENEFITS
MGR SOLID WASTE
MGR UTIL MKT SVCS
MGR UTIL OPRNS WGW
MGR UTIL TELECOMM
MGR UTILITY RATES
MGR WQC PLANT
OES COORDINATOR
PARKING EXAMINER
16 14 518
18 13,802
21 12,810
18 13,802
16 14 518
9 17 256
37 8,541
28 10,744
25 11 584
78 10 782
26 11 287
26 1t 288
34 9,224
23 12,179
23 12,179
43 7,342
43 7,342
16 14 518
34 9,224
49 6,305
37 8,541
40 7,920
40 7,920
32 9,696
41 7,725
31 9,951
38 8,327
28 10 744
27 11 012
31 9,951
22 12 500
36 8,769
23 12 179
32 9,696
30 10215
35 8 989
30 10,215
33 9 455
34 9 224
35 8,989
31 9 951
32 9 696
31 9 951
31 9 951
31 9 951
30 10,215
29 10,461
25 1t,584
30 10,215
23 12,179
38 8 327
43 7,342
174,213
165,630
153,718
165,630
174,213
207,077
102,494
128,933
139,008
129,384
135,450
135,450
110,687
146,145
146,145
88,105
88,105
174,213
110,687
75,666
102,494
95,036
95,036
116,356
92,695
119,408
99,924
128,933
132,146
119,408
150,001
105,225
146,145
116 356
122,575
107,865
122,575
113,464
110,687
107,865
119,408
116,356
119,408
119,408
119,408
122,575
125,536
139,008
122,575
146,145
99,919
88,105
6,700
6,370
5,912
6,370
6,700
7,965
3,942
4,959
5,346
4,976
5,210
5,210
4,257
5,621
5,621
3,389
3,389
6,700
4,257
2,910
3,942
3,655
3,655
4,475
3,565
4,593
3,843
4,959
5,083
4,593
5,769
4,047
5,621
4,475
4,714
4,149
4,714
4,364
4,257
4,149
4 593
4,475
4,593
4 593
4 593
4,714
4,828
5,346
4,714
5,621
3,843
3,389
$83.76
$79.63
$73.90
$79.63
$83.76
$99.56
$49.28
$61.99
$66.83
$62.20
$65.12
$65.12
$53.22
$70.26
$70.26
$42.36
$42.36
$83.76
$53.22
$36.38
$49.28
$45.69
$45.69
$55.94
$44.56
$57.41
$48.04
$61.99
$63.53
$57.41
$72.12
$50.59
$70.26
$55.94
$58.93
$51.86
$58.93
$54.55
$53.22
$51.86
$57.41
$55.94
$57.41
$57.41
$57.41
$58.93
$60.35
$66.83
$58.93
$70.26
$48.04
$42.36
2
7/3/2008
147
148
149
28
77
38
74
117
14
152
130
13
11
188
187
199
26
53
25
64
33
190
155
183
173
165
43
85
162
47
114
161
113
169
78
22
154
166
174
58
124
42
94
182
180
181
8
23
184
146
=OLICE CAPTAIN-ADV
POLICE CHIEF-ADV
i POLICE LIEUT-ADV
SUPERVISING PROJECT ENGINEER
PROJECT MGR
PUBLIC COMMUN MGR
,SAFETY OFFICER
SR ACCOUNTANT
SR ADMINISTRATOR
SR ASST CITY ATTY
SR AUDITOR
SR BUSINESS ANALYST
SR DEPUTY CITY ATTNY
SR ELECTRIC PROJECT ENG
23
15
29
36
41
35
43
39
35
20
39
34
32
12,179
14.881
11,926
8,769
7,725
8,989
7,342
8,122
8,989
13,127
8 122
9 224
9,696
146,145
178,573
143,112
105,225
92,695
107,865
88 105
97,468
107,865
157,528
97,468
110,687
116,356
29 10,461 125.536
5,621
6,868
5,504
4,047
3,565
4,149
3,389
3,749
4,149
6,059
3,749
4,257
4,475
4,828
SR ENGINEER
SR FINANCIAL ANALYST
SR PROJECT ENGINEER
SR PROJECT MANAGER
SR RESOURCE ORtGINAT
SR RESOURCE PLANNER
SR TECHNOLOGIST
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
SUPT ANIMAL SERVICES
SUPT GOLF COURSE
SUPT PARKS
SUPT PW OPNS
SUPV ANIMAL SVCS
SUPV BLDG INSPECTION
SUPV BLDG SERVICES
SUPV ELECT OPNS PROG
SUPV ELECT SYSTEMS
SUPV FACIL MGT
SUPV INSP/SURV PW
SUPV JR MUSEUM
SUPV LIBRARIAN
SUPV OPEN SPACE
SUPV PARKS
SUPV POLICE SERVICE
SUPV PUBLIC WORKS
SUPV REC PROG
SUPV REPRO & MAIL
SUPV UTIL MTR RD&FLD
SUPV UTL CONSTR-INSP
SUPV WATER TRANS
SUPV WGW
SUPV WQC OPER
TRANSPORTATION MGR
TRANSPORTATION PROJ MGR
VETERINARIAN
WAREHOUSE SUPV
31
39
31
29
27
29
34
47
4O
34
34
31
47
39
49
39
33
40
40
43
43
42
40
41
4O
42
51
37
41
37
37
39
31
36
33
47
9,951
8,122
9,951
10,461
11,012
10,461
9,224
6,636
7,920
9,224
9,224
9,951
6,636
8,122
6,305
8 122
9,455
7,920
7,920
7,342
7,342
7,541
7,920
7,725
7,920
7,541
5,996
8,541
7,725
8,541
8,541
8,122
9,951
8,769
9,455
6,636
119,408
97,468
119,408
125,536
132,146
125,536
110 687
79,636
95,036
110687
110,687
119,408
79,636
97,468
75,666
97,468
113,464
95,036
95,036
88,105
88,105
90;491
95,036
92,695
95,036
90,491
71,948
102,494
92,695
102,494
102,494
97.468
119,408
105,225
113,464
79,635
Confidential Classifications
3
7/3/2008
4,593
3,749
4,593
4,828
5,083
4,828
4,257
3,063
3,655
4,257
4,257
4,593
3,063
3,749
2,910
3,749
4,364
3,655
3,655
3,389
3,389
3,480
3,655
3,565
3,655
3,480
2,767
3,942
3,565
3,942
3,942
3,749
4,593
4,047
4,364
3,063
$70.26
$85.85
$68.80
$50.59
$44.56
$51.86
$42.36
$46.86
$51.86
$75.73
$46.86
$53.22
$55.94
$60.35
$57.41
$46.86
$57.41
$60.35
$63.53
$60.35
$53.22
$38.29
$45.69
$53.22
$53.22
$57.41
$38.29
$46.86
$36.38
$46.86
$54.55
$45.69
$45.69
$42.36
$42.36
$43.51
$45.69
$44.56
$45.69
$43.51
$34.59
$49.28
$44.56
$49.28
$49.28
$46.86
$57.41
$50.59
$54.55
$38.29
Class
No./Job
Code
905
1004
903
67
Title
HUMAN RSRCE ASST CNF
SR. LEGAL SECRETARY-CONF
LEGAL SEC-CONF
SEC TO CITY ATTY
Grade
Code
82
85
8O
67
Control
Point
5,575
6,325
5,751
6,981
Approx.
Annual
66,896
75 894
69 010
83,774
Approx
Biwkly
2,573
2,919
2,654
3,222
Approx
Hourly
$32.16
$36.49
$33.18
$40.28
Budget Changes eft 7/1/08
4
7/3/2008
NOT YET APPROVED
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AMENDING SECTION 1701 OF THE MERIT SYSTEM
RULES AND REGULATIONS TO INCORPORATE THE 2008-2009
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT AND
PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL AND COUNCIL APPOINTEES
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 1701 of the Merit System Rules and Regulations is hereby
amended to read as follows:
"1701. Compensation Plan for Management and Professional
Personnel and Council Appointees incorporated by reference. That
cei-tain Compensation Plan entitled "City of Palo Alto Compensation
Plan--Management and Professional Personnel and Council
Appointees," effective the pay period including July 1, 2008 through
June 30, 2009, is hereby incorporated into these Merit System Rules and
Regulations by reference as though fully set forth herein. Said
Compensation Plan shall apply to all Management and Professional
employees and Council Appointees, except where specifically provided
otherwise herein.
In the case of conflict with this chapter and any other provisions of the
Merit System Rules and Regulations, this chapter will prevail over such
other provisions as to employees in classifications covered by said
Compensation Plan."
SECTION 2. The changes to the Merit System Rules and Regulations provided
for in this resolution shall not affect any right established or accrued, or any offense or act
committed, or any penalty of forfeiture incurred, or any prosecution, suit, or proceeding pending
or any judgment rendered prior to the effective date of this resolution.
N
//
N
//
II
II
080702mb 8260800 1
:- :-
NOT YET APPROVED
SECTION 3. The Council finds that this is not a project under the California
Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
Deputy City Attorney City Manager
Director of Human Resources
Director of Administrative Services
080702 mb 8260800 2
CiTY OF PALO ALTO
COMPENSATION PLAN
Management and Professional Personnel
And Council Appointees
Effective:Pay period including July 1,200~8
through June 30, 20089
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
Mana.qement and Professional Personnel
As used in this Plan, the term "Management and Professional" refers to all employees,
including Confidential employees, previously classified as "Management and Confidential"
by the City. This group will hereafter be identified as "Management and Professional"
personnel.
SECTION I. COMPENSATION
This section applies to all management and professional employees and does not include
Council Members or Council-appointed officers. Notwithstanding this exception, the
¯ Council may authorize Variable Management Compensation for Council-appointed officers.
Each Council-appointed officer shall be the responsible decision-maker under this Plan for
those employees in departments under his/her control.
A.MANAGEMENT and PROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION POLICY
The City’s policy for management and professional compensation is to establish and
maintain a general structure based on marketplace norms and internal job alignment
with broad compensation grades and ranges. Structures and ranges will be reviewed
annually and updated as. necessary based on marketplace survey data, internal
relationships, and City financial conditions.
Individual compensation adjustments will be considered by the Council-appointed
officer based on (1) performance factors including achievement of predetermined
objectives; (2) pay structure adjustments; and (3) City financial conditions.
BASIC PLAN ELEMENTS
1. Structure. The compensation plan includes separate multi-grade structures for
both management and professional employees. Each grade will have a control point
which is used for budgetary purposes. All management and professional positions
will be assigned an appropriate pay grade based on salary survey data and internal
relationships. All positions are assigned to a pay grade. Actual salary within the
range is determined by performance. The normal working range where most actual
salaries will fall will be within _+ 5% of the control point.
The City began a benchmarking survey in 2006 to establish an updated structure for
management and professional personnel. This survey is expected to be completed in
200-78. Upon the completion of the Management and Compensation study, any
equity adjustments will be addressed in the future.
As needed, and no less than every two years and commencing fiscal year 2005-
2006, competitive marketplace studies will be conducted by surveying a maximum of
2
12 mutually agreeable agencies similar to Palo Alto in number of employees,
population and services provided. These studies will focus on general salary trends
for groups of management positions such as first line supervisors, administrative,
confidential, professional and top management. Periodically, and no less often than
every four years, studies will include position-by-position comparisons using market
agencies and internal equity data. All studies conducted pursuant to this section shall
be completed by December 31st and in no event later than March 31 in order to allow
time for Committee review. Depending on the results of these studies, the entire pay
grade structure may be adjusted or individual positions may be reassigned to
different pay grades. Such adjustments will only.affect the salary administration
framework. No individual salaries will be automatically changed because of structural
adjustments.
An employee may request in writing a re-evaluation of his/her job based on significant
changes in job content or significant discrepancies between job content and
classification description, and which cannot be described as "other duties as
assigned." The request must contain justification and may be made only during the
period of August 10 through September 10. A statement by management that a job
re-evaluation request will be submitted with the departmental budget does not relieve
an employee from the responsibility of submitting his/her own request during this
period. The HR Director or his designee will respond to such requests in a timely
manner. If HR approves change, the request will be forwarded to ASD who will
determine if there is sufficient funding to cover the cost of the change. If approved by
ASD, the reclassification will be sent to the City Manager for approval. If approved,
the change would be reclassified as part of the budget process and will require
Council approval. Any changes approved as part of the budget process will become
effective the first pay period of the following fiscal year, or, if not approved, the job will
be returned to its previous status.
2. Compensation Adiustment Authorization. Each year the City Manager will
propose as part of the budget process for Council approval a compensation
adjustment based on recommendation received from the Management/Professional
Compensation Committee. For fiscal year 200-7-8-2008-9the compensation
adjustment to control point shall be a total of 3.5% -This adjustment is available for
those management/professional employees who have received an overall rating of
"meets" or "exceeds" expectations on their 20058 annual review and who have not
been on a performance improvement plan between July 1, 20067 and June 30,
200-7-8. Nothing herein shall preclude an employee’s manager from awarding a
control point adjustment increase to an employee on a performance plan at a later
date should employee’s performance improve. An additional haft-one percent (~1%)
(half percent (.5%) attributable to amount allocated in 2007-2008 plan and additional
half percent (.5%) allocated in 2008-2009 compensation plan) will be allocated
toward equity adjustments to address compaction problems as determined by the
City Manager and will be retroactive to July 1, 2007.
3
In the future, the compensation adjustment request will be based on the following
factors: competitive market, changes in internal position relationships, and the City’s
ability to pay. Council authorization is required prior to implementation by the
Director of Human Resources.
3. Base and Variable Compensation. Compensation for management and
professional employees includes bi-weekly base salary and Variable Management
Compensation (VMC). Bi-weekly base salary is paid on a continuing basis. Variable
Management Compensation is an annual cash performance award based upon
merit. On a fiscal year basis, the sum of the bi-weekly base salary and the VMC must
fall within pay grade limits of no less than 25% below the control point and no more
than 20% above the control point.. Funding for VMC’s shall be calculated using
salary plus benefits as of July 1,200-7-8 for all authorized positions in the table of
organization as of January 1,20089 and excluding all frozen positions.
Base salary increases are earned in accordance with administrative guidelines based
upon growth within the position and performance, which must meet or exceed
position standards, the salary structure and the City’s ability to pay. In addition,
employees may earn Variable Management Compensation by meeting or exceeding
objectives established under the annual performance planning and appraisal system.
Variable Management Compensation requalification is necessary for each appraisal
period.
For those eligible retirees who retire during the year, any applicable VMC shall be
prorated based on the number of months the employee worked during his/her fiscal
year. Employees who resign from the City of Palo Alto are not eligible for prorated
VMC if they leave during the eligible year.
4. Performance Plannin.q and Appraisal. Performance appraisals will be conducted
at the end of each fiscal year during the months of July through September prior to
determining individual employee fixed and variable compensation. This process
includes both review of previous performance plan and preparation of the
performance plan for the next planning period (usually the fiscal year). Performance
plans are jointly prepared by the employee and supervisor with the concurrence of
the department head or Council-appointed officer. The performance plans shall
contain measurable objectives which place special emphasis on position description
duties or specific assignments. Progress toward meeting objectives shall be
monitored periodically. The performance appraisals should be implemented in a
manner that will achieve the following objectives:
Define the employee’s job duties and expected level of performance for the next
review period to ensure that both the employee and supervisor have a clear
understanding of the employee’s role and responsibilities;
Evaluate and document past performance to serve as a basis for establishing
and obtaining future performance standards/objectives;
Facilitate two-way communication and understanding between the employee
and his or her supervisor;
Counsel and encourage employees to work toward a learning development plan
and realize their full potential;
Establish future work plan objectives to be considered for a VMC.
Work plans should include job related projects or special goals related to regular job
duties when applicable. At the conclusion of the fiscal year (or review period),
supervisors shall make a final determination of the overall performance rating.
Recommendations shall be forwarded to department heads or council-appointed
officers who will then determine individual fixed and variable compensation
adjustments according to the provisions of the compensation plan. This process
should be completed by September 30th.
MANAGEMENT and
AUTHORIZATION
PROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENT
Council-appointed officers are authorized to pay salaries in accordance with this
plan to non-Council-appointed management, and professional employees in an
amount not to exceed the aggregate of approved management and professional
positions budgeted at the control points in the Table of Organization for fiscal
year 200.78-880_~.9. In addition, for fiscal year 200-78-089, Council-appointed
officers are authorized up to 3% of salary plus benefits for management and
professional positions, plus unused Variable Management Compensation funds
from the previous fiscal year to apply toward Variable Management
Compensation for individual management and professional employees who
qualify under the provisions of this Management and Professional Compensation
Plan.
Individual management and professional fixed and variable compensation
authorized by a Council-appointed officer under the Management and
Professional Compensation Plan may not be less than 25% below nor more
than 20% above the control point for the individual position grades authorized in
Table I of this plan.
t
The Council,appointed officers are authorized to establish such administrative
rules as are necessary to implement the Management and Professional Salary
Plan subject to the limitations of the approved compensation adjustment
authorization and the approved grade and control point structure.
o In the event a downward adjustment of a position grade assignment indicates a
reduction in the established salary of an individual employee, the Council-
appointed officer may, if circumstances warrant, continue the salary for such
employee in an amount in excess of the revised grade limit for a reasonable
period of time. Such interim salary rates shall be defined as "Y-rates."
SECTION II. SPECIAL COMPENSATION
This section applies to all eligible regular management and professional positions including
Council Appointed Officers as applicable and including Council Members where indicated.
Eligibility shall be in conformance with the Merit Rules and Regulations and Administrative
Directives issued by the City Manager for the purposes of clarification and interpretation.
A. OVERTIME AND IN-LIEU HOLIDAY PAY
OVERTIME AND IN-LIEU HOLIDAY
Compensation for overtime work, and scheduled work on paid holidays for certain
designated non-exempt employees shall be in conformance with the Merit Rules and
Regulations and Policies and Procedures. Overtime eligible employees shall be paid at
the rate of time and one-half times the employees’ basic hourly salary unless called out
for an emergency arising out of situations involving real or potential loss of service,
property or personal danger, in which case additional pay will be at the rate of two times
the employees’ basic hourly salary. Employees who work a schedule where a regular
day off falls on a holiday will be paid for the hours they would have normally worked on
that day. If the holiday falls on a non-workday for an exempt employee, the employee
may, with supervisory approval, take another day off within the pay period or the
following pay period.
B. WORKING OUT OF CLASSIFICATION PAY
Where management and professional employees, on a temporary basis, are assigned
to perform all significant duties of a higher classification, the City Manager may
authorize payment within the range of the higher classification for the specified time
frame. Working out of class pay is normally not to exceed 10% more than the
employee’s current salary and shall be documented on a Personnel Action Form, with a
description of the additional duties to be performed.
C. STAND-BY PAY
Employees eligible for overtime may be entitled to stand-by pay, approved by the City
Manager on a case by case basis, in extreme circumstances involving unavailability of
non-management staff. Compensation is as follows:
Monday through Friday
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays
$40 per day
$58 per day
D. NIGHT SHIFT PREMIUM
Night shift differential shall be paid at the rate of 5% to regular full-time employees
who are regularly assigned to shift work between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., or to
employees who are temporarily assigned to work a full shift between 6:00 p.m. and
8:00 a.m.
E.UNIFORM PURCHASE PLAN - SWORN POLICE, FIRE PERSONNEL, and OPEN
SPACE PERSONNEL
I
I
Uniforms including cleaning will be provided with replacement provisions on an as-
needed basis in conformance with department policy.
F. WINTER CLOSURE -29972008
The winter closure will be the week of December-2-4-2-822-26.
Not all City facilities are closed during the Winter Closure; employees must check with their
supervisor to find out if the closure is applicable to their positions. During the Winter
Closure, employees may elect to use paid leave balances such as management leave,
vacation or holiday pay or take time off without pay. Employees who wish to work during
the Winter Closure should make arrangements with their supervisors regarding work
assignments.
G.GROUP INSURANCE
1.Effective Date of Coverage for New Employees
For newly-hired regular employees coverage begins on the first day of the
month following date of hire for the health plan, dental plan, vision care plan,
long term disability and life insurance plans if these benefits are elected.
2.Active Employee Health Plan
(a)Based on an employee’s family status, the City shall pay up to the monthly
medical premium ’for the second most expensive plan among the existing
array Of plans available during the term of this compensation plan on behalf
of eligible employees (including Council Appointed Officers and Council
Members) and dependents. Eligible dependents include spouses, children
under the age of 23 and never married (natural, adopted, or stepchildren),
economically dependent children, and domestic partners registered with
the Secretary of State. If PERS changes the plans it offers, the City will
continue to provide an equivalent benefit at an equivalent cost.
(b)The City agrees to offer a program to active management and professional
personnel (including Council Appointed Officers and Council Members)
enrolled in PEP, SCare prior to 1/6/07 who elected the PERSChoice health
’7
plan in which the City will reimburse the employee and/or dependents for
any covered medical expense which exceeds the $2 million Lifetime
Maximum Benefit.
(c)Coverage for Domestic Partners:
(1) Domestic Partnership Registered with the California Secretary of
State: Employees may add their domestic partner as a dependent to
their elected health plan coverage if the domestic partnership is
registered with the Secretary of State.
(2)Domestic Partnership Not Registered with the California Secretary of
State: Domestic partners who meet the requirements of the City of
Palo Alto Declaration of Domestic Partnership, and are registered
with the Human Resources Department, will be eligible for
reimbursement of the actual monthly premium cost of an individual
health plan, not to exceed the maximum monthly City employer
contribution for one-party coverage under the CalPERS Health
Benefits Program (or PORAC if a safety department employee) for
an employee covered under this agreement. Evidence of premium
payment will be required with request for reimbursement.
(d) PERS Choice Reimbursement Plan
Management and Professional personnel enrolled in the PERS Choice
medical plan may submit a request for payment, as specified below, for
non-covered medical expenses, incurred during the period of January 1,
through December 31, of the plan year, that exceed $2,500. The
maximum annual reimbursement amount provided under this program is:
¯$700 for employees enrolled in the Employee-Only category;
¯$900 for employees enrolled in the Employee and One
Dependent category, and
$1,100 for employees enrolled in the Family category.
Any amounts reimbursed to an individual under this program would be
included in the employee’s gross income and is not PERSable.
This program shall only reimburse employees for medical expenses that are
not reimbursed through any other means and meet the definition in Section
213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. (Examples of eligible expenses
include medical plan deductibles and co-payments, prescription drugs, dental
care, hearing care, and vision care.) However, in order to have any
expenses reimbursed under this program, the employee must have allocated
100% ($2,500.00) of their 2008 calendar Excess Benefit funds into the
Medical FSA option during the election that occurred in November 2007. In
addition, all such reimbursements from the Excess Benefit Program must
8
have been solely for medical expenses, as defined by Section 213(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code. If the employee has designated his/her Excess
Medical funds for any other qualifying expenses (i.e. dependent care,
Professional Development, Deferred Compensation contributions), the
employee would not be eligible for reimbursement under this program.
Employees may submit one claim for the entire plan year’s expenses during
January. Any amounts remaining from the PERS Choice reimbursement
plan after the claims for the plan year had been processed shall be forfeited.
3. Alternative Medical Benefit Pro.qram
If a regular employee and/or the employee’s dependent(s) are eligible for medical
insurance through another employer-sponsored or association medical plan, the
employee may opt for alternative medical insurance coverage through the other
employer-sponsored or association plan and waives his/her right to the City of Palo
Alto’s medical insurance coverage for same individuals. Employees electing alternative
coverage and no City coverage will receive cash payments of approximately half of the
"average monthly premiums: for their medical insurance coverage. "Averaged monthly
premiums" are the average of the Kaiser HMO, Blue Shield HMO and PERS Choice
PPO premiums for the employee’s City medical coverage available through the Public
Employee Retirement System (PERS).
The rates for 2007 are as follows:
One Party:$230.00
Two Party:$460.00
Family:$595.00
The rates for 2008 are as follows:
One party:$250.00
Two parties:$500.00
Family:$645.00
The rates for 2009 are as follows:
One party:$260.00
Two parties:$520.00
Family:$675.00
Retiree Health Plan
(a) Employees Hired Prior to January 1,2004
Monthly City-paid premium contributions for a retiree-selected health
plan through the CalPERS Health Benefits Program will be made as
provided under the Public Employees" Medical and Hospital Care Act.
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The City’s monthly employer contribution for each employee retiring on
or after 1/1/2007 shall be the amount necessary to pay for the cost of
his or her enrollment in a health benefits plan up to the monthly
premium for the second most expensive plan offered to management
and professional personnel during the contract term (among the
existing array of plans.)
For the 2007 calendar year, the City’s contribution toward dependent
coverage is 70% of the difference between the applicable "Employee
and One Dependent" or "Family" maximum employer contribution for
active management and professional personnel and the maximum
employer contribution for "Employee Only" coverage. For 2008 the
City’s contribution will increase to 75%. For 2009, the City’s
contribution will increase to 80%.
(b) Post- 1/1/04 Hires
For those Management and professional employees hired after January 1,
2004, the PERS law vesting schedule set forth in Government Code section
22893 will apply. Under that law, an employee is eligible for 50% of the
specified employer health premium contribution after ten years of service credit,
provided at least five of those years were performed at the City of Palo Alto.
After ten years of service credit, each additional service credit year increases
the employer contribution percentage by 5% until, at 20 years’ service credit,
the employee will be eligible upon retirement for 100% of the specified
employer contribution and 90% of their dependent coverage. The City of Palo
Alto’s health premium contribution for eligible post - 1/1/04 hires shall be the
minimum contribution set by PERS under section 22893 based on a weighted
average of available health plan premiums.
5.Dental Plan
a) The City shall pay covered plan charges on behalf of all eligible employees
and dependents. (Domestic partners who are either registered with the
Secretary of State or who meet the requirements of the City of Palo Alto
Declaration of Domestic Partnership, and are registered with the Human
Resources Department are considered dependents under the plan.)
Benefits for regular part-time employees will be prorated as follows:
Employees who will work less than full time, will receive prorated
premium costs for dental benefits in accordance with his/her
percentage of a full-time work schedule. Part time employees
currently receiving full benefits will not be impacted.
b) The City’s Dental Plan provides the following:
Maximum Benefits per Calendar Year- $2,000 per person
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o
¯_.__Basic Benefits (All other covered services)
First Calendar Year of Eligibility
Subsequent Calendar Years¯Usual, Customary, and Reasonable
Lifetime Maximum for Orthodontics- The City will pay up to
$2,000.00 for orthodontia coverage (not included in annual
dental maximum)
Major Dental Services 50% UCR*
Orthodontics --.50% UCR*
70% UCR*
70%-1 OO%
Effective 1/1/07 the City added composite (tooth covered)fillings for
posterior teeth to the dental plan.
For each dental plan member, the percentage of coverage for basic benefits
will begin at 70% for the first calendar year of coverage and increase by 10%
(up to a maximum of 100%) effective the first day of the next calendar year
as long as the member utilizes the plan at least once during the current year.
Per the Delta Dental contract effective October 1,2005, if the member does
not utilize the plan during the current year, the percentage of coverage for
the next calendar year shall remain unchanged from the current year.
If a dental plan member ever loses coverage under the plan, the applicable
percentage of coverage for basic benefits provided during any future period
of coverage will commence at 70% as if the dental plan member was a new
enrollee. Examples of when a member might lose coverage under the plan
would include:
Employee goes on an unpaid leave of absence and elects notto pay the
required dental premiums for his/her family’s coverage during the leave.
Employee elects to drop one or more covered dependents from the plan
during an open enrollment period so that they might be covered on a
spouse’s non-City of Palo Alto dental plan.
Basic Life Insurance
The City shall provide a basic group term life insurance with Accidental Death
and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, in an amount equal to the employee’s
annual basic pay (rounded to the next highest.S1,000) at no-cost to the
employee. AD&D pays an additional amount equal to the employee’s annual
basic pay (rounded to the next highest $1,000).
Supplemental Life And AD&D Insurance
An employee may, at his/her cost, purchase additional life insurance and
additional AD&D coverage equal to one- or two-times his or her annual salary.
The maximum amount of life insurance available to the employee is up to
$325,000 and the maximum amount of AD&D coverage available is up to
$325,000.
Lon.q Term Disability Insurance
a)The City shall provide long term disability (LTD) insurance with a benefit of
2/3 monthly salary, up to a maximum benefit of $10,000 per month. The City
shall pay the premium for the first $6,000 of base monthly salary. For
employees whose base monthly salary exceeds $6,000, the employee shall
pay the cost of the required premium based upon their monthly salary
between $6,000 and $15,000.
b)For employees whose base monthly salary exceeds $6,000 and who have
no eligible dependents covered under the City’s medical, dental or vision
plans, the City will pay up to $17.50 per month towards the employee’s cost
for LTD coverage.
Vision Care
No
a)The City shall provide vision care coverage for employee and dependents.
Coverage is administered by Vision Service Plan (VSP). The plan provides
an exam every 12 months; lenses every 24 months; frames every 24
months, all subject to a $20 co-payment as defined in the Vision Services
Benefits Plan A schedule. Benefits for regular part-time employees will be
prorated as follows:
Employees hired after January 1, 2004, who will work less than
full time, will receive prorated premium costs for vision benefits in
accordance with his/her percentage of a full-time work schedule.
Part time employees currently receiving full benefits will not be
impacted.
b)Effective July 1, 1996, dependents include eligible domestic partners who
are either registered with the Secretary of State or who meet the
requirements of the City of Palo Alto Declaration of Domestic Partnership,
and are registered with the Human Resources Department.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PLAN
The Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) provides employees with confidential
personal counseling, work and family related issues, eldercare, substance abuse, etc.
In addition, EAP programs provide a valuable tool for supervisors to refer troubled
employees to professional outside help. This service staffed by experienced
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clinicians is available to employees and their dependents by calling a toll-free phone
line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Guidance is also available online.
SAFETY DIFFERENTIALS
1. Police Department - Personnel Development Pro,qram
Pursuant to administrative rules governing eligibility and qualification, the following
may be granted to sworn police personnel:
P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate:
P.O.S.T. Advanced Certificate:
5% above base salary
7 1/2% above base salary
2. Fire Department- EMT Differential
Pursuant to administrative rules governing eligibility and qualification, the following
may be granted to sworn Fire personnel:
EMT Differential:2.5% above base salary
MANAGEMENT and PROFESSIONAL BENEFIT PROGRAM
Management and professional employees are eligible for Sections 1,2, 3, and 4 of
the Management Benefit Program. City Council Members are eligible for Section 3
only.
Professional Development- Reimbursement
Reimbursement for authorized self-improvement activities may be granted each
management and professional employee up to a maximum of $1,500 per fiscal
year. The following items are eligible for reimbursement:
a.Civic and professional association memberships
b.Conference participation and travel expenses
Educational programs/tuition reimbursement. The education must maintain
or improve the employee’s skills in performing his or her job, or be
necessary to meet the express requirements of the City or the
requirements of applicable law. The education to which the reimbursement
relates must not be part of a program qualifying the employees for another
trade or business; or be necessary to meet the minimum educational
requirements for qualification for employment. Permissible educational
expenses are refresher courses, courses dealing with current
developments, academic or vocational courses, as well as the travel
expenses associated with the courses.
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d. Professional and trade journal subscriptions not to exceed 12 months.
e.Gym/health club memberships. Reimbursement of these expenses is
taxable to the employee.
Purchase of job related computer software, hardware, internet access,
telecommunication equipment and home office equipment/furniture.
Reimbursement of any of these expenses is taxable to the employee.
Amounts under this professional development program will be pro-rated in the
first year of employment (based on the number of pay periods rema n n.q in the
calendar year) but will not be pro-rated upon separation of employment.wi~q-net÷;,-,~,. The maximum amount for
Professional Development reimbursement for employees who move into a
position covered by this compensation plan from a position under another City
of Palo Alto bargaining group will be the lesser of:
(1) $1,500 less any amounts they have received in the fiscal year of
their position change through any other City of Palo Alto Tuition
Reimbursement or Professional Development program; or
(2) An amount obtained by subtracting any amounts the employee
may have received in the fiscal year of their position change through
any other City of Palo Alto Tuition Reimbursement or Professional
Development program from the sum of:
(i) the number of months of the current fiscal year that the
employee served in previous bargaining unit and multiplying it by
one-twelfth of that unit’s Tuition Reimbursement or Professional
Development annual maximum benefit; and,
(ii) the number of months of the current fiscal year that the
employee will serve in the position covered by this compensation
plan multiplied by $125.
2.Professional Development Leave
Authorized paid leaves of absence for up to one year will be granted in accordance
with the following requirements:
a. Eligibility is subject to a minimum City service requirement of five years.
b.Compensation during the Professional Development Leave shall not
exceed 50% salary and full benefits.
When granted, a ProfessionalDevelopment Leave shall require an
employee commitment of at least two-years’ service following return from
the Leave. To the extent the full two-year commitment is not fulfilled, the
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employee shall re-pay the City a pro rata amount of the salary paid during
the Leave based on the percentage of the two-year commitment not
fulfilled.
d.The Professional Development Leave program shall relate to the
employee’s job assignment.
e.An employee’s job assignment activity shall be adequately covered during
his/her absence with emphasis on the development of subordinates.
f.The leave of absence period shall be adequately coordinated with
departmental priorities and workload.
Professional Development Leaves shall be based on internship exchanges,
and/or loaned executive arrangements; scholastic and/or authorship
programs; or educational travel-study plans.
Leave of absence schedules will be apportioned among all levels of
management and professional employees and will be based on an evaluation of
each employee’s performance record. Each paid sabbatical leave will be
limited to a maximum of one year and not more than two employees being on
leave simultaneously. Sabbatical leaves must be cleared in advance and
approved by a Council-appointed officer for his/her subordinates. Professional
Development Leaves granted in excess of 30 days shall be noticed to the
Council.
Physical Examinations
All management and professional employees are eligible to receive an annual
physical examination as follows:
Use the periodic health exam benefit as provided under the PERS
Health Plan option you have selected. Each of the PERS Health Plans
provides for a periodic physical examination. The examination must be
performed by your primary care physicianmunless he/she refers you to
another physician.
The types of tests and the frequency of the tests cannot exceed AMA
guidelines. The guidelines are a suggested minimum basedon
research studies concerning preventative care. The judgment of your
physician is the final determinant for your care.
Co Any additional necessary asymptomatic tests that are required by your
physician that are not covered by your health plan, will be reimbursed by
the City. Any symptomatic tests will be covered under your PERS
Health Plan.
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The Reimbursement for Periodic Physical Exam Form is available on the
Human Resources Intranet site. This benefit will not be pro-rated.
4.Excess Benefit
This benefit is designed to meet the requirements of Section 125 of the Internal
Revenue Code. Every calendar year, each employee will be provided with
$2,500 that they can designate among the following options:
ao Medical Flexible Spendin,q Account (Medical FSA). Provides
reimbursement for excess medical/dental/vision, or expenses that are
incurred by employees and their dependents which are not covered or
reimbursed by any other source, including existing City-sponsored plans.
This includes prescribed medications and copayments as well as over-the-
counter drugs, including: antacids, allergy medicines, pain relievers and
cold medicines. However, nonprescription dietary supplements (e.g.
vitamins, etc.) toiletries (e.g. toothpaste), cosmetics (e.g. face cream), and
items used for cosmetic purposes (e.g. Rogaine) are not acceptable.
Dependent Care Flexible Spendin.q Account (Dependent Care FSA).
Provides reimbursement for qualified dependent care expenses under the
City’s Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), subject to the
following limits: Dependent care expenses will be reimbursed only to the
extent that the amount of such expenses reimbursed under this
Management Benefit Program, when added to the amount (if any) of
annual dependent care expenses that the participant has elected under the
City’s Flexible Benefits Plan, do not exceed the maximum permitted under
the DCAP.
1)
2)
The annual amount submitted for reimbursement cannot exceed the
income of the lower-paid spouse.
The expenses must be employment-related expenses for the care of
one or more dependents who are under 13 years of age and entitled to
a dependent deduction under Internal Revenue Code section 151(e) or
a dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for
himself or herself.
3)The payments cannot be made to a child under 19 years of age or to a
person claimed as a dependent.
4)If the services are provided by a dependent care center, the center
must comply with all state and local laws and must provide care for
more than six individuals (other than a resident of the facility).
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5)Dependent care expenses not submitted under this section are eligible
under the City Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP). However, the
maximum amount reimbursed under DCAP will be reduced by any
amount reimbursed under the Excess Benefit Plan.
Non-taxable Professional Development Spending Account.
Provides reimbursement for Non-Taxable professional development
expenses (e.g.,job-related training and education, seminars, training
manuals, etc.) to the extent they are not paid or reimbursed under any
other plan of the City.
Deferred Compensation.
Provides a one-time contribution to the employee’s City-sponsored 457
Deferred Compensation plan with either ICMA-RE or the Hartford.
Amounts designated by employees to either the Medical FSA, Dependent Care
FSA, or Professional Development options are done so on a "use-it-or-lose-it"
basis. This means that any amounts designated and not used bythe end of the
calendar year (or end of the extended grace period for the medical FSA) will be
forfeited by the employee and returned to the plan.
Specified amounts under this benefit will be applied on a pro-rata basis for
employees who are part-time or who are in a management or professional pay
status for less than the full fiscal year. Such benefits will be pro-rated in the first
year of employment (based on hire date) but will not be pro-rated upon
separation of employment.
LEAVES
1. Sick Leave
a)Sick leave shall be accrued bi-weekly provided the employee has been in a
pay status for 50 percent or more of a bi-weekly pay period. Sick leave
shall be accrued at the rate of 3.7 hours per bi-weekly pay period for those
employees working a forty-hour duty schedule. Those assigned work
schedules, which are greater or lesser than forty hours will accrue sick
leave at the ratio of their work schedule to forty hours.
b)Employees may use up to twenty hours of sick leave per calendar year for
personal business. The scheduling of such leave is subject to the approval
of the appropriate level of Management.
c)Employees leaving the municipal service shall forfeit all accumulated sick
leave, except as otherwise provided by law and by Section 609 of the Merit
Rules and Regulations. In the event that notice of resignation is given, sick
17
leave may be used only through the day which was designated as the final
day of work by such notice.
d)Employees that were hired before December 1, 1983 and who leave the
municipal service in good standing, or who die while employed in good
standing by the city, and who have fifteen or more years of continuous
service shall receive compensation for unused sick leave hours in a sum
equal to two and one-half percent of their unused sick leave hours multiplied
by their years of continuous service and their basic hourly rate of pay at
termination. Full sick leave accrual will be paid in the event of termination
due to disability. See Merit System Rules and Regulations, Chapter 6,
Section 609.
e)Up to nine days of sick leave per calendar year may be used for illness in
the immediate family, including a registered domestic partner.
f) Management and Professional employees eligible, as specified above if
hired before December 1,1983, to be compensated for sick leave may annually
convert sick leave hours in excess of 600 to cash or deferred compensation,
according to the formula set forth above, up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal
year.
Mana,qement Annual Leave
At the beginning of each fiscal year regular management and professional
employees will be credited with 80 hours of annual leave. This leave is granted
in recognition of the extra hours Management and Professional employees work
over their regular schedule. This leave may be taken as paid time off, added to
vacation accrual (subject to vacation accrual limitations), taken as cash or taken
as deferred compensation. When time off is taken under this provision, I 0-hour
shift workers will receive one shift off for each 8 hours charged; 24-hour shift
workers will receive one-half shift off for each 8 hours charged. Entitlement
under this provision will be reduced on a prorated basis for part-time status, or
according to the number of months in paid status during the fiscal year.
Unused balances as of the end of the fiscal year will be paid in cash unless a
different option as indicated above is elected by the employee.
3.Professional Development Leave
Authorized paid leaves of absence for up to one year will be granted in
accordance with the following requirements:
a. Eligibility is subject to a minimum City service requirement of five years.
b. Compensation during the Professional Development Leave shall not
exceed 50% salary and full benefits.
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c: When granted, a Professional Development Leave shall require an
employee commitment of at least two-years’ service following return from
the Leave. To the extent the full two-year commitment is not fulfilled, the
employee shall re-pay the City a pro rata amount of the salary paid during
the Leave based on the percentage of the two-year commitment not
fulfilled.
d. The Professional Development Leave program shall relate to the
employee’s job assignment.
e. An employee’s job assignment activity shall be adequately covered
during his/her absence with emphasis on the development of subordinates.
f. The leave of absence period shall be adequately coordinated with
departmental priorities and workload.
g. Professional Development Leaves shall be based on internship
exchanges, and/or loaned executive arrangements; scholastic and/or
authorship programs; or educational travel-study plans.
Leave of absence schedules will be apportioned among all levels of
management and professional employees and will be based on an
evaluation of each employee’s performance record. Each paid sabbatical
leave will be limited to a maximum of one year and not more than two
employees being on leave simultaneously. Sabbatical leaves must be
cleared in advance and approved by a Council-appointed officer for his/her
subordinates. Professional Development Leaves granted in excess of 30
days shall be noticed to the Council.
4. Vacation
Vacation will be accrued when an employee is in pay status and will be credited
on a bi-weekly basis. Total vacation accrual at any one time may not exceed
three times the annual rate of accrual. Each eligible employee shall accrue
vacation at the following rate for continuous service performed in pay status:
(a)Less than nine years. For employees completing less than nine years
continuous service: 120 hours vacation leave per year; provided that:
The City Manager is authorized to adjust department head annual vacation
accrual to provide for a maximum of 160 hours for those hired between
July 1, 1996 and June 30, 2001; and
(ii)The City manager is authorized to adjust the annual vacation accrual of
employees hired on or after July 1, 2001, to provide up to 40 additional
19
hours (i.e., to a maximum annual accrual of 160 hours) for service with a
prior employer.
(b) Nine, but less than fourteen years. For employees completing nine, but not
more than fourteen years continuous service; 160 hours vacation per year.
(c)Fourteen, but less than nineteen years. For employees completing
fourteen, but not more than nineteen years continuous service; 180 hours
vacation leave per year.
(d) Nineteen or more years. For employees completing nineteen or more
years continuous service; 200 hours vacation leave per year.
(e) Once each calendar year an employee may cash out vacation accrual
balances in excess of 80 hours. An employee may cash out a minimum of 8 hours to a
maximum of 120 hours of accrued vacation provided the employee has taken 80
vacation hours in the previous 12 months.
5. Bereavement
Leave of absence with pay of three days may be granted an employee by the head of
his/her department in the event of death in the employee’s immediate family, which is
defined for purposes of this section as wife, husband, son, son-in-law, step-son,
daughter, daughter-in-law, step-daughter, mother, mother-in-law, father, father-in-law,
brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, grandmother-in-law,
grandfather, grandfather-in-law, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, registered
domestic partner, or a close relative residing in the household of employee. Such leave
shall be at full pay and shall not be charged against the employee’s accrued vacation or
sick leave. Requests for leave in excess of three days shall be subject to the approval
of a Council-Appointed Officer for employees under his/her control.
L. RETIREMENT PENSION
Effective pay period inclusive of 1/6/07, the City’s Public Employees’ Retirement
System (PERS) benefits changed to the 2.7% at 55 formula for non-safety
members (from 2% at 55).
Employee Share. Effective May 1, 1984, the City agreed to pay the 7%
employee contribution to PERS. Effective pay period inclusive of 1/6/07, the
employee share of the PERS contribution increased to 8% from 7%. The City
pays 6% and the employee pays 2% of the 8% PERS employee share for the
2.7 at 55 retirement benefit formula. This provision applies to Council-appointed
officers and all regular management and professional employees, except that
for sworn police and fire management employees the City shall continue to pay
the mandatory nine percent (9%) of the employee’s PERS contribution.
2O
Notwithstanding subsection 2 above, effective the pay period inclusive of
1/6/07, upon filing a notice of retirement, the 6% City-paid PERS contribution
(9% for sworn police and fire management personnel) will be converted to a
salary adjustment of equal amount on a one-time irrevocable basis for the final
compensation period which is defined as the highest average compensation
earnable (salary) during the year immediately preceding retirement or any other
designated consecutive year. Employee PERS contributions shall be made on
a tax deferred basis, in accordance with Section 414(h)(2) of the Internal
Revenue Code. All provisions of this subsection are subject to and conditioned
upon compliance with IRS regulations.
As of October 20, 2001 and March 9, 2002, the City provides the Public
Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Benefit, "3% at 50" full formula (Section
21362.2) for safety members.
M.AUTOMOBILE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE
For those employees whose duties require use of a City automobile, the City
Manager (or in the case of Council-appointed officers, the City Council) may
authorize payment of up to $325 per month in lieu thereof.
N. COMMUTE INCENTIVES and PARKING
Employees who qualify may voluntarily elect one of the following commute incentives:
1. Civic Center Parking. Employees assigned to Civic Center and adjacent
work locations. The City will provide a Civic Center Garage parking permit.
Employees hired after June 30, 1994 may initially receive a parking permit for
another downtown lot, subject to the availability of space at the Civic Center
Garage.
2. Public Transit. The City will provide monthly Commuter Checks worth the
value of:
$40 for employees traveling two or more zones on Caltrain;
$40 for employees using the Dumbarton Express, BART, the ACE train or a
commuter highway vehicle;
$35 for employees traveling within one zone on Caltrain;
$35 for employees using VTA, and other buses.
These vouchers may be used toward the purchase of a transit pass.
3. Carpool. The City will provide $30 per month to each eligible employee in a
carpool with two or more licensed drivers.
21
4. Vanpool Pilot Program. The City will provide Commuter Checks worth the
value up to $60 to each employee voluntarily participating in the Vanpool Pilot
Program. These may be used toward payment of the monthly cost of the
vanpool. Employees must fulfill the basic requirements of the Employee
Commute Alternatives Program to qualify.
5. Bicycle. The City will provide employees with $20 per month to eligible
employees who ride a bicycle to work.
6. Walk. The City will provide employees with $20 per month to eligible
employees who walk to work.
O.AT-WILL STATUS
Department heads hired after July 1,2004 will be "At-Will" employees whose terms of
employment are specified by an employment contract. Any current department head
or the Assistant City Manager may elect to remain covered by the Merit Rules or to
become At-Will employees with an employment contract that shall include a
severance package. All current executive managers shall maintain all the benefits
they presently have or would have as a new executive manager.
P.ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR
The Mayor shall receive $150 monthly, and the Vice Mayor $100 monthly to defray
additional expenses of these offices.
Q.REIMBURSEMENT FOR RELOCATION EXPENSE
Policy Statement
The City of Palo Alto, in rare instances, may provide a Basic Relocation Benefits
Package for new management and professional employees, upon the approval of the
City Manager or designated subordinate. In addition, the provision of "Optional
Benefits" or portions thereof, may be extended for exceptional circumstances and
only the approval of the City Manager or designee, or for Council-appointed officers,
the City Council.
The details of the Relocation Expense program are specified in the City’s Relocation
Expense policy.
R.MEAL ALLOWANCE
Management and professional employees assigned to attend night meetings are
eligible to receive reimbursement for up to $20.00 per dinner. This provision covers
only receipted meals actually taken and submitted for reimbursement.
22
So REDUCTION IN WORKFORCE
The City will make every effort to follow the 2005 transition plan if a reduction in
workforce is necessary in 2007-8 or 20089. The Management/Professional
Compensation Committee shall be involved in development of changes to the
transition plan.
T.GRIEVANCES REGARDING COUNCIL APPOINTED OFFICERS
Notwithstanding the grievance procedures provided in Chapter 11 of the City of
Palo Alto’s Merit System Rules and Regulations, any Management and
Professional employee who is supervised by a Council Appointed Officer and has
a grievance against that Council Appointed Officer or regarding the conduct of that
Council Appointed Officer shall, following an attempt to resolve the grievance
pursuant to Step One (informal discussion), summarize the grievance regarding
the Council Appointed Officer in writing and submit it to the Director of Human
Resources for review and resolution using the methods he/she considers
appropriate.
U. MERIT RULES
The City will include members of the Management/Professional Compensation
Committee in discussions regarding revision of the Merit Rules and Regulations.
SECTION III.MANAGEMENT FELLOW PROGRAM
The City has created a pilot program for Management Fellows. This pilot program
will be tested over a two year period. The program’s purpose is to create limited
duration entry level positions for graduate students. A management fellow will be
an "at will" employee whose term of employment shall be no more than one year.
A Management Fellow shall be PERS exempt, but will receive limited vacation,
limited sick leave, limited health care benefits and other limited benefits, as
determined by the City Manager. Sections I and II of this Plan shall not apply to
Management Fellows, except as specified by the City Manager.
23