HomeMy WebLinkAbout0538.091I. ~" .. " ..... '. > ' . , : '
November 27, 1991
THE H0NORABLE CITY COUNCIL
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
Attention: Policy and Services Co~ittee
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Reviaiona to Policy R.gardinq Raiabur~ .. ent Lor a.location
IIp_p ••• --City Kanaq.r'8 Coma.nt.
Members of the council:
Attached is the revised policy for reimbursing new employees for
relocation expenses including housinq costs. You ~ill note that,
in order to make the proqrams available to a wide range of
employees, a sUbstantial commitment of city funds will be required4
These funds would have to come from reserves, since no other source
is readily available. I do not believe it to be prudent to commit
reserv~e to this purpose at this time.
Assistinq with employee housing costs is one of the high priority
items included in my budget messages to you over the last few
years4 However, given CUI-rent economic times, I see no opportunity
to embark on a major effort in this regard. My strong suggestion
is that Council adopt the program --it is a strong and effective
one --but that we make only very restricted implementation at this
time~ If, and when, conditions warrant, the policy will be in
place; and we can then consider steps to put it into action for a
qreater number of employees. In the meantime" the policy will
serve as the controllinq document for housing/relocation decisions
as they affect individual positions.
Staff will continue to monitor this subject area and 'Will return to
Council, if new opportunities arise that might require ~odification
of the policy or permit implementation on a wider scale.
Respectfully submitted,
/~L wlitr~ ~~~--~~~---------
City Kan er
<:MR: 538: 91
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November 28, 1991
TIlE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, California
Attention: Poli(.)' and Servk'es Committee
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Revisions to Polity Regarding-Reimhursement for Reiocatio.u r::.xp~~
Members of the Council:
Report in Brier
In respom;e to a Council assignment, this report proposes a revised relocation policy and
benefits for new management employees as contained in Section L of the Compensation
Plan for Management and Confidential Employees and Council-Appointed Officers. The
report also proposes a new section providing relocation assistance mortgage loans and
other assistance for new Councl1-appointed officers and newly appointed department
heads or Assistant City Manager. Finally, this report provides additional inform2.tion on
a pilot housing assistance pfOgram targeting employees subject to emergency call back..
Backgrouod
In Feo:rJ::UY 1990, Coundl directed staff to research the issue of housing assistance
programs for City employees and report back VI'ith sugge-stiom. for augmenting or
modifying current City plJ!icies. In Nove!nber, 1990, staff prepared a report ~ith
recommendations (C!\{R:564;O) which was re\"jel,l,'ed by Policy and Services Com.'1littee
and then referred to full Councll. ]n April 1991, Council referred the matter back to the
Policy and SeI"Vices CommitIee pending completion cf additional 5t2.ff assignrr..ents.
Those assignments were as follows:
1. The Optional Re!ocr.tion Benefits package for nl!w management employees
was to be updated ana re ... ised as appropriate. This policy has beer. in
effect since 1983. The Disposal and Pun:ha..'\.e Costs, Bridge Loan, and
Mortgage Interest Differential benefits were t{} be reviewed and updated to
reflect current practkes and condition. ... ; and
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2. A pcUcy regarding relocation ass.i:-·lance mortgage loans was to be
e.s.tablished coveTlng Council·appointed officers and possLbly Assistant City
M~nager/department heads., sucb loans 10 be in the form of shared
appreciation mortgages and giving consideration to the follov.ri.ng issues:
Source of funding. evaluation of risk. return on City'S :nvestment.., rrinimum
dOWTI payment, term of lo~n and locatic.n of property; and
3. Direct staff to work Y,iith the Palo Alto Housing Corporation to establish a
pi10i prcgram to provide for City employee preference in specified
affordable rental hO'Jsing units, with such a pfogram being targeted at
employees subject to emergency call back.
This report outlines staffs response to these three as~jgnmenl'.
Attachment 1 indicates by shading and strikeDut the proposed revisions to the
Reimbur.s.ement for Relocation Expense Policy. Following are explanations of the
substantive changes:
Qualifications, Section 2. The length of time for relocation or contracts desig11ed
to establish ::l fixed domiciic has been extended to one year. Experience has shown
that, in some cases, more than six months bas been required to negotiate the
detai15 of an assistance program.. This is due in part to the length of time it takes
tlH:: new employee to sell the former residence.
Qualifications, Section 5. The length of employment clause has been extended
trom one year to a mir..imum of two years for Optional Benefits and five years for
Additional Relo<ation Benefits for CAOs and Assistant City
Manager/Department Heads. This extension is btended to have a favorable
impact on retention. Ii the new employee chO()s.es not to remalfl for the
minimum term,. this extension v.'ilI a1. .. o allow the City to re.coup some of these
expenses.
Basic Package, ~tion 1. Reimbursement for costs relating to employment
interview trips has been deleted from the policy. These are legitimate business
expenses for the City and are provided for in appropriate operating budget
accounts.
Optional Benefit5 J Section I. All of the changes. under this section are minor
modifications in language and further clarification of existing policy (Optiona!
Benefits. section 1,a, "costs to break an existing lease" was moved to Section 5.)
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Optional .Bcndils,. Seenon 2. Bridge J....o<1ns have: bU:1 elimi;oated. This option has
been only rarely request'.!d. Tnese loam. 3re very c:Jrnbersome to J.dmir.i~ter and
represent a substantia! risk to the City, e50peciJlly in a declini!lg real es.late
market.
Optional BeoefifS, Section 3. ~'tortgage Interest Differential Paymenrs have been
eliminated from the Optional Benefits section, and a vari~lior. of the same
concept is included in the n:;:\\i policy regardlng Counci!-appointcd office~ and
Assistant City Manager/department heads {s.ee Shon Term Intere.'iot B"J'y~Down).
This option was utilized lIerj fell.' times and is beneficial onry during periods of
vel)' high mortgage rates..
Opiionsl Bendits, ne"..-Sect jon 2. Reimbursement for Miscellaneous Expenses
bas been increased from $1,000 10 $2,000 to reflect changes in the co~t of living
since the policy was originally Lrnplemented.
Optional BeneOts, Section 5. A new section for renters ha~ been added. This
section includes the exi.'i-ting clause regarding (osts aS50cia!ed with breaking a
lease, and a new provision for first and last momh's rent to a maximum of 53,.500.
Additional assistance for renters is an element thm has been lacking in the
existing policy and would aiJaw staff the flexibility to meel the needs of new
employees that choose to rent rather than purchase housing.
Relocation Assislance M"rtgagE" Loans (or New COlJ..!l~jl·_.A."pJLQilll~_d Officers and Ne",,'
~tlt City Manager/Qt:partmenl Hearu
Staff proposes a new section., "Additional Relocation Benefits~. to provide specifLc
bc.nefits including mortgage loans for new COl.;ncil~appo:·"1ted officers and new As5i~tant
City Manager or department heads. This section is intended to give the appointing
authonty-me City Coundl for Council-appointed officers. ilnd the City Manager for
Assistant City Manager or cepartrr;ent heads·-a comprehen~i-\.'e offering of benefits from
wbich to choose when structuring a housing assistance program for newly app0intcd
offici.::h. New Assistant City Manager and department heads are included because it is
dift1cu1t to recruit f{)r the~e pos'itlOJ15. as it is for a Council-appointed officer. Unless
internal promotions are made, it is frequently necessary to condu(.i a 5t3le-or narion'Nide
search for qualified candidates. Since the cost of real estate in the Palo AJto area £s
among tbe highest in Lie nation, it foilO\~'s that many candidales. from le~.s. expensive
areas will require s.omc s-ubs.tantive reloca.tion a:>'~i~tance.
This. new section begins on page 4 of Attachment 1. Prior to an offer of employment,
the City may send the candidate to an agency designated by the City for a Pre· __ Hir~
Anai .... sls.. The purpose of tr,is. analysts 15 10 a~:,e7.'5 the >,;'ah.lc of the residence in thc
fonner location and make an objective e~limate of the proceeds that the new City offic1al
will realize from the sale of the former residence. The analysis also extends to the
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con~itions governing :3 De~' home purchase. the lOJn and assi~;anc'! options and their
costs to the City. Within the context of the specific recommenci:ations from the pie-hire
analysis and 'With consideration for the individll.tl's 'leeds 3nd available City finances., the
Ci!y Council fa! CAO'. and the City Ma!1ager for A<isistant City Manager or department
heads. v.ill structure a relocation assistance package. This package may consist of an)'
combir.atlo!l of eTemenl'" contaif!ed in the Basic Puckag~, the OptIonal Benefits and the
Additional Relocation Benefits for Council-Appointed Officers, Assistant City Manager
and Department Heads.
The M(l:rketing Manaiement Pro~ram p1aces emph 3.sis on the sale of the former
residence so the new employee .:an focus on the new home purchase. This program
e.ncourages realistic pricing of the former residence {v.·ithin 5 percenr to 10 pacent of
appraj~d value). and aggressive marketing of the property wil.b the intent to seU within a
90 to 120 day period. The program is administered by the City's relocation consu!tant.
Of tbe two Direct ON Loans outlined in thi!! new poliey the first, the ,-o\.Qi~UiJ3hJe Rate
Mortflai'c i...~ the most straightforward. This type of loan is slmiiar to those a!ready in
existence or currently being offered to Couo<:il-appointed officers. T~e lean (an take the
form of a first or second mor-gage. depending on the individual's circumstances and the
commercial loan market conditions. Currently, cDnforming firs:: mortgages (less than
$191,250) are available in the range of 8 to 9 percent That is a .... ery competitive rate
and would influence the decision whether to extend a first or second mortgage to a new
employee. With low Iates such as those available now, it would lIkely be recommended
that the employee acquire a commercial loan and anow the City to take advantage of the
lending iru;titution~.s underwriting capabilities. The City may, in this case, extend a
second mortgage for the remainder of the amoum needed to complete the purchase.
Conversely, if interest rates on first mortgages rise. the Cry rna)' extend a first mortgage
to the new CAO. In either case. the mortgage interest rate would be established to
ensure a return on iTivestment that would be 1/4 p~rcent above the earning rate on the
City's inve.'ilr!1ent portfolio. The term of the loan is set by the City Council fOI a period
Dot to exceed 15 years and subject to becoming du~ and jJayable witrlin siA months of
termination of employment for whatever reason. The IO:ln may be:: fully Ju-wrtized or
payments may be for interest only.
The second Direct City Loan option is 2. Share_~L~ppreciatiQn Loan. Under this option
the City would offer a low interest loan in exchange for a pf{lponional share of future
appreciation. The proposed rate is 5 percent. This ]DJ.n can take the form of a fina or
second mongage. In addition to the reg'.Jlar lmm payments the newly appointed official
is required to pay deferred interest equaJ to a ponion of the future appreciation. That
portion is determined by the proportion of ~he originGl City loan to the origina.l house
price. For example, if the City provided a lO;Jn amounting !O 40 percent of !he sales
price of the home purchased, the elnployee v,:ould be required to p~y 40 percent of net
appreciation, if any, as deferred interest on the loan. (~'et appreciation means
appreciation after selling costs are deducted from the saies price.) A loan of th:s type is
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designed to offer the employee a g:-catei d<!gree of affurd;;tbility by extending a Jow
interest rate tn exchange for a s.hare of the appreciation. If the intere;;t rate :s dose to
Lh~ market rate, there is DC incentive for th~ employee to forego a portion of futur~
appreciation. The City can offset the loss of current revenue with the gain realized later
when the property is sold. This loan can be fully amortized, or payments can be for
interest only. The term of the loJ.o is set by the City Council for a period not to exceed
15 years and will be due and payable within six months of termination of employment for
whatever re;;.son.
The Location of Property must be within a r ... 'cnll-mile radius of the Civic Center. This
requlrement will provide a reasonable area from which 10 find housing while maiIltail"!ing
a manageable commute. Tne Loan limits give consideration to the cost of real estate in
Palo .Alto and the employee's indh-idual qualifying factor5.
The Shan Term InterestJ!.~v-~ option is similar to the mortgage interest differentia!
payments, except in this case the City would pa)' a portion of future interest directl), to
the Jending tnstitution. The City could buy down 2 percent of the interest rate the first
year~ 1 percent in the second year and t/2 percent in the third year until year four ...... hen
the employee is paying the fun rate. The arnmmt of buy down and the 1erm of the
benefit could be if.:creaseJ or decreased with Council approval. This option would allow
the new official to qualify for a large. loan inilial!y with the expectation th"t future
salary increases would offset (he interen rate increases..
The Additional Purchase Costs option allows for the inclusion into the benefit package
of "points" on the purchase of the new home. This expen5·e is not allowed under the
Optional Benefits program, but would afford the Appointing Authority a greater degree
of flexibility in structuring an assistance package.
Rental Subsidies may be provided for the new CouncLl~arpointed offlcersl Assistant City
Manager or department heads who choo~ to rent. In addition to the enha ... ced benefits
for renters recommended in the Optional Benefits section, rental subsidles of up to a
maximum of $500 per month for 36 months may be ava:lable, Agai<1. this op1:ion
provides the 3ppointing authorit), ,",;th the flaibility 1:0 meet the needs of n.!wly
appoir.ted officials wbo are renters faced 'With the high cos.t of h0using in this .uea.
All loans and some 'i1:-si~tance programs described above. may be administerec by a third
party housing relocation coruulting firm and be subject to associated administrative costs.
Council directed staff to investigate pOlemial funding sources. for the proposed loan
program. The Finance Department has identified three funding so:.rrces: Ta'(able bonds.,
City reserves, or tax exempt bonds. Follm~ing is a summary of each source.
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Taxable Bonds -Intt'rest [<ltes. O~ t<L'(able bonds have been only slightIy lower
than mortgage rates over the past SoLI( years. There is not enough intere~t rate
differential 10 make thts an .a!~ra('tj\le alternative.
Cit)' Resen"es (Capital Projecl Contingency and General Fund Contingency) • [f
City reseniCS are to be used as a source of funding employee loans, prudent
!imitations. must be placed. on the tot<l.\ amount of re~rvc~ to bt ccmnlitled.
Tax Exempt Bonds -This alternative would not be practical under the
circumstances. There are stri(t incorP.: limitations which would disqualify the
employees being considered in tbis repon. Additionally. the City"s outside legal
counsel advi.oe;ed that the only practical way to oper3.te a program with tax exempt
bonds would be for lhe City to oown the property. This v."ol.lld create all
administrative problem ~d may not be acceptable to the new CAO/Department
Head.
While City reserves is the only .. iable potentia! source of funds for direct housiIlg
assistance loans? current financiai conditions severely limit the use of reserve-s for this
pwpose. A separate memo addresses this issue.
Pilot Program ~ifb Palo All!2.J::JQPsing CQrooaHion
Staff was directed to work with the Palo Alto Hous.ing Corporation to devdop a pilot
pro8Iam to provide for City employee preference in specified affordat-k rental housing
units,. with such a program being targeted at employees subject to emergency can back..
The Oak Manor Apartment CompleJi was identified as the potential site f0;," the pilot
program. Located at 630 Los Robles Avenue, it consists of 33 two and three bedroom
apartments of tovmhouse design. The Palo Alto Housing Corporation re-centIj
completed the purchase of Oak Manor and plans to gradually convert it to below-market
housing y..;thin approximately ten years. MallY 'Jf the terants are visitiZlg students and
professors from Stanford University who stay in the area for only one to t'-Vo years. This
high turnover create:; the oppcr:unity for the e .... tab!ishment of a pilot prcgram there.
As illustrated in the previous report on this matter (CMR:564:0), a larger number of
emergency service employees (Target Group B) n ..... e greatt:"r distances from the City than
any other CJ.tegory of employee, These employees "oII'ouTd be called upon to respond
during the first few hDurs foIlov.-ing a disaster, The intent of this pilot program is to
provide rental preference to a s.mall group of employees from the Public \'larks,
Utilities, Fire and Police Departments who would serve as a first responder group. This
group may be cros.~·trained in a variety of skills and may be called back follo\\,lng a
disaster to assist on-duty pers.onnel with the most criticai emergencies :Jrail additional
help could arrive. It must be assumed that in the event of a major earthquake, many o(
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these employees, some of whom currently H:.,>ide more t~al1 an hour from Palo AliO, may
be prevented from responding to work by downed bridge:, and c10sed freeways.
The current rents at o.ak Manor 3re cons!stent ',I.';th market rates in the area. Follcv.'in,g
are the rents for the ty.'o options in the complex:
2 Bedrooms, 1/2 Baths, 1170 square [e" -$975 (18 units)
3 Bedroom" 2 Baths, 1350 square feet, $1200 OS units)
A survey was conducted to ascertain employee interest in this type of program. Given
LJ:Je above description of the property and outline of the progralT'.., 5 employees out of the
SO that respond~d to the sun,;ey indicated they would give comider::nion to panicipation
in the program. Unkss directed otherwise, staff will pursue this matter further by
establishing program guidelines and participation criteria.
Housing Survey of Employees
A~ stared above, a survey was conducted to determIne employees' needs and inten;s:llii
relative to hOlJSing. Of the approximately 930 surveys sent to alJ employees, 140 were
returned. Ninety-three indicated they would be interested ifi owning doser to Palo .AJto,
and 28 indicated they would be in!erested in renting closer to Palo Alto. Seventy-six ot
the respondents currently ov.'I1, while 60 are renters.. Thirty-eigr:t of the employees stated
that they wou!d be willing to ~trade·down;' in order to live closer to Palo Alto, while 44
stated they would not be v.illing to live in a smaller dwelling in order tn live closei to
Palo Alto.
While reviewing a sampling of the surveys with Sylvia Seman, Executive Du-ector of the
Palo Alto Housing Corporation. it was noted that some of the employees. qualify for
below·market programs. Qualifying employees who expre.ssed an interest in Hving closer
to Paio Alto will be put in contact 'o\1lh the PAHC.
Recor.r:mcndaticn
Staff recommends changes to the Reimburs.eml~nt for Relocatinn Expense: Pnlicv as
indicated in Attachment 1. Staff also recommends Additional Relocation BenefitsnJcr
.counql-AwoiDted Offker&. Assistant City Manager and Department Heads as indicated
in Attachment 1. These changes win update and impro .... e the relc-cation assistance policy
for new management employees and provide a flexible policy frar.1ewo!"lr for structuring
relocation assistance benefits for new relocating Cou.ncil-appDinted officers and
department heads.
With regard to the 3UTvey, staff \lr,111 continue to pursue est-ahlis.nl1lem of the Oak ~Janor
pDot program and refer qualify~ng employees idenl;fied in the sUr\'ey to existing Housing
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Corporation programs. Given current funding limitations, staff cannot recorr-.meiid
pli15uit of additional employee"assisted housing programs. at tbis time.
Re.;pectfuHy submitted,
JAY C ROUNDS
Director of Human Resources.
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L Reimbyrsement for Relocation Expense
The City of Palo Alto will pro\~de a Basic Relocation Benefits Package for all
new management employees. In addition, upon the approval of the City Mar..ager
or designated subordinate, Relocation Benefit.s 'Will be available to no[]
management positions. Pro .... i5ions or ~Optional Bent:!Its" or portioTlS thereof. are
intended only fOT r.are instances and require the approval nf the City Manager or
designee. or, forcol1ncil-appointed officers. tbe City Council.
]>rocedure
Oualifications
In order to qualify for relocation benefits, the following conditions must be met:
1. The employee mus.t qualify for Moving Expens~ Deducticns as contained in
the Federal Tax Regulations. for the year in which the move occurred.
2. Actual relocation, or contracts designed to establish a fixed domicile, shall
occur within siN: ft'laftt8s one :year of the initial date of employment
3. Existing employees promoted [0 a covered posi~jon are not eligible.
4. Record keeping rcquiremenl..s. will parallel those required for expense
reimbursement for travel, conferences and meetings.
5. Provision of Optional Benefits is com:ngent upon completion of a
m.irri1Il~~.of Effie two years.' City emplo~,'ment ,,-ita t1ge Cil':.' unless a longer
~rm is spe~ifled. Provision of Aru1i_tional RelQcation Benefits for Cguncil
AliPninted OfrICel'S As,j'ta.n1 City Manager and Departm?n! Heads is
\1'P!!~gentpp(lncompletion of a minimum of L'Ve years' City employment.
Failure to complete the minimum fuH.-~ term will require
repayment of those benefits on a pro-rate ba.s.ls computed on the actual
time of C_ity service. Acceptance of rey.. ... " .. • .. ation benefits by an employee
does not constitute a cummiUl!ent by the City to any minImum term of
~mployment.
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reifl'ltHfJea ~. the Cip. fer II Ii el eost:;, F.1eals BP.e:! lesidAg fer etlflElielates ~..I.fle--te~tll area, ~ll>,e 1sel;l] aF€El: is defiiled ELi Bl+-"'ci~te-:r--er--~ftS
1eeti+et!--4'I ithiH a 100 Fflile fHail:'l'; of tRe Or) sf Psis A:w;---n-TfB:.el t8StS
reifHfH:h.iefflI!Rt is re .. lrie1:ee t8 tl=le ~---of---eommn_"l eaFFier n:e:; BF the
estal:!l::sfled Cif:) Tdice---ffif-fttitOfflobile !;!5C, Cos{-s---fer m ... els ere re5t:r:etea t8
!:he estal=llis:-.ed City--pcr diem Fales.
1. ProfeS5jonal Relocation Cnunse1l1n~ -An agency des~gnaled by the City
'~'m provide-retoc,.aLion information and counselling to the employee.
Information !.o be pro·,..ided tncludes items such as a personalizco oost-of
Iivi.Dg anaiys.is. home and rental locations, transportation. weather patterp.s,
schools, recrc:ation, etc.
2. En Rgyte Expenx;s -Direct common carrier transporta[ion will be
provided in full for all family members. Automobile expenses are limited
to two vehides at the established City rate with a minimum of 350 Irolles
per day to be traveled. Per diem 1.-:, allowed at established Cirj rates for
employee and spouse/rr.arc and at 50 percent of the employee rate for
dependents. Travel days allowed are limited to the actual mileage divided
by 350 miles per day. Lodging is reimbursed in full on an actual and
reasonable basis for all ramOy members.
3. Household Goo4s...s.DJ.p,ment -Full CllitS \I."ill be paid for the shipment of all
personal items normally considered "Household Goods," Item.<;. excluded
include reoCreational vehicles, firewood, building malerials, sand, boatlii,
airplanes, and perishable iteITl5 such as food or p!a~!5;. Shipment of up to
two automobiles is permitted. Storage of household goods will be provided
for 30 days.
Optional Benefit.s
1. ~Dis~esBl anC: FurcbJ!K-CQ5.ts: -The City will reimbur5e eeYef costs that
arise in the ~e ~ and/or purchase of residences including:
e. Cssts Is 'tIFeeli &fl eliisting lease ·"ill Be E8;efet!.~ir--to{al
flH/ffi:eRt Bf ~hfee ltftles the el:lf. elit f'floolhiy . efltB:! ra-te-:
a. Re:ll estate commissions on tbe sale of the former residence up to 6
percent of the sales price.
b. The employee's portion of non-recurring closing costs on both sale
and purchase of residences limited to the following:
2
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f • Title [nsurance Policy and Escrow Fees .
Loaf', and Ao;sumption Fees
Private Mortgage Insurance
City and County Trar.sfer Taxes
Tax Sen'ke, Norary and Recording Fees
Credit and Appraisal Re:porl'i
Property Sarvey Fees
Inspection Fees
BFi~;~_J2f,--lJ:n The Cit) will ftff8:Rge fer !l 9g..effy-ffik..~esi-fr-~'~-ffifU1 l:l}'l tf3i 90
pefeeRt sf hfl emfJ1B)ee's efil:lit .. ia t19eif el:lJfern-~'"'e--e5r-dete!'fl1:iReEl b)
tiiree iflsefleEaeRt BfJJ3FBisals. 1l=ie--~med---Fa+r----M-iH-ket Val tie ."iJ!be tile
8.erage ef ll:e 1:' .. 8 hi~est 6f'~ilJS;--fh~-lhe5£ S:pj3fei.ials 8; e \II'iiflL.
5 pereem ef eBffl etfter.
3;---MBFtga~e ]r:teRSt-lJiff:efefltj8JJ?_!l~ The Cit;, ..... ill pre -iele InH!!Fe.;t
Rete---I)~tifll P9jffieRts t1f'1aer the gHifLlifleJ of t!:1e reclettt!--tr.mfofm
-ReeJ-.P.r8~e~ AequlsitieR Bf'lB Relf:'leatiofl: Pelieies :\wt 1J17--tu--ft--ifl~'---of
S3Gg{ffiSmfl for 36 ffl:8fltfl5.
2. Miscellaneous E~ • The City will reimburse miscellaneous expenses
associated "With the relocation. The amount shaT! not exceed ~ $2"UOO.
3. Temporary Livin~ Expense. L"p to thirty (3D) days' temporary Living
expenses. will be available under the following guidelines:
~ . 100 percent of actual and reasonable costs far all family
members.
Per Diem· 100 percent of the e~tabli5hed City rates for employee
and spouse/mate. and 50 pen:ent of the establi;hed City rate for
dependents for the flrs-t 15 day"); 50 percent of the establlshcd City
rale for employee and spome/male, and 25 percent of the
establis.hed City rate for dependents over the last 15 cia21'S.
Car Rental -Up to 30 day,> for a single vehicle is available until
such time as the employee's perso~.:] vehicle becomes available.
4. Home Huntins Expen~ -The City wlll reimburse e;!(pen~es for one house
hunting trip for both employee and spouse/mate. The trip shall be limited
to a maximum of seven days. Travel expen.<;.es are llrrjled 10 the lesser of
common carrier rates or the estJblished City rale for automobile use.
Lodgil1g is provided on an actual and reasonable basis. Per Diem expenses
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are allowed 3CC'ol'ding to the established City r3tes. Expen."es for children
are Dot covered.
&pen.-o;cs for Renters· The City may reimburse the following expcns-es for
employees moviog from or into relltal housing:
Costs arising from the need to break an .Kisling lease ul' 10.a
total paymeDt of three tirr:es t.1]e current monthly rental rate.
The first ar.o last month's rent to a. maximum of $3,500 on a
Palo Alto area renw.l acoommodatioI'~
AdrlitiOuafReloCatiQD ~(jt.SJQr CouDql-Aplh,jnled Officer\: Assistant City M~
2I!d Department Heod<
~'PaI1,:¢i~ /!rnploymect -offer, additional re1oca!ion benefits may be authorized by the
Cily,~ (jr counnl·appointed office", or the City Manager for Assistant City
M~fi j)nlel'artment heads. If ",n>ideration for additional benefits is requested by a
fiil!iltaridi)l~f~" the City "ill pro";<le Ill. candidate through an agency designated by the
~;:",p~'thlr~)eIQCation assistan<e analysis. ThJs analysis v.ill include: An assessment
Pl".tl1eHiillIUet(lf the lIDm. inthe existing location and an estimate of the proceeds tbat tile
ca.c~~~~reiIlitef!~ the sill., an analysis and recommendations of the new home
j:IIfu:!ias#·<fr·remaJ, .!oan assistance options and tbeir cost to Ille City. aCId area counseling
~~~I,'l;!.for in 1Iem 4. of the Basic Package. Once this analysis is complete. the
~.a~fi<ftj!y will design. relocation assistance package based upon the
iJldiYi~;:~dS' ~d' (:irc~IIlslance5. and the recomme ndatioru from the Pre~Hlre
liIi~fu.i$";rrn. 'ptogra!J:i waY. cOnsist of any of tbe elements from the Basic Package
imd,orih<iOptionaJ Bem,fits .. , weE as those descnbed below. All direct City Io.lnsare
Silbjeq lo .. City Council aulllorizatlon,
t· . Markeljn& Management PrOeRrn· If mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Lie neW CAO/Assctian! City Manager/Department Head may wmk VIl'ith 2n
agency designated by the City to market hisjher nome in the old location
through " "Marketing Management PrDgr am'. The pu rpose of this program is
to provide the City and the new official wlth a reaHstlc projection of the fund'S
thatwiil be available for housing in the new location and to e'l'Odite tbe sate
of the house in the old location.
2. Direct City Loans ~ The, City £T'lay extend mortgage loa:1s to new
CAO/Assistant City Manager/Department Heads as part of. relocation
assT.stance Packag~. The tv.'v 103..1"1 options are:
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Adjustabre RBle Mortgage -This loan may be secured by a first or
seccnd deed' of l.rti~t and rna)' be fully amortized or for interest onl)<.
The interest rate will be set at 1/4 percent above the Otis earning
late on :lS investment portfolio and ..... i11 be adju'Stcd annually. The
term of the loan wilt be set by the Cin Council for a period not to
exceed 15 years.+ but will be due and payable v-.ithin six months of
te.minatLon of employment f0r whaltller reason.
Sltared Appreciation Loan -TI-Js loan may be seCllred by a first or
5econd deW {If trust and may be fuHy amortized or for interest only.
The interest rate is set at 5 percent. Additionally, the 0\0/ A.5~ist3.!1L
City Manager/Department Head is required to pay deferred interest
equal to ii! portioL of the future appreciation. That portion is
determined by the proportion of the original City loan to the original
house price. For example, if the City provided a loan amounting to
40 percent cf the value of the borne purcbased, the employee. would
be required to pay 40 per{:ent of net appreciation. if any, as deferred
L.'lterest On ,the Joan (Det appreciation means appreciation after
$eDing ~.,e deduct<d from sales price). The term of the loan ",ill
be 5et by the City Council for a period not to exceed 15 years, but
'Will be'due and payable y,.ithln six months of terntinatLon of
employnlent for whatever reasor •.
Location of Property· To quality for a Dfreo! City lnan. the home being
purcbased must be located '.\1thin a twenty-mile radius of tile CiVlc Center.
LoaD Limits -Direct City Loans cannot e~ceed four times the annual salary
of the londeejemployee.
3: Short Term Im.reSt BlIY-lrown -The City may pay a portion of the interest
for the first t ... ...ree year! on a joan oh~aLned by tbe CAO/.o\..,s:stant City
Manager/Department Head (ram a comrne:dal lender. The City'S portion of
this ocy-down" :,;' greatest in the firs! year and declines by 50 percent tbe
second and third )"ear ""iIb the Iendee p3)ing t.~e fu!) interest rare on the Joan
beginning with the founn year. The 'buy-dow"" for the iirst year will be 2
~rceIlt, unless 'otbeJ'\.Vb;e detamined by City Council.
4., Additional Purchase Co:;.ts -For CA.O/ A.s .... istaIlt City Manager/Department
~eads only, ·points' OD the purchase of a new re;;idene< are eligible [or
inclusion in tbi5 program.
$.", RerltaJ Subs~ -If it is determined that by cboice, or for wbatever reason.,
the new CAO{A:<.istant City Man,ger/Department Head .. ,11 be a long-term
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~i'.~e~tyfilay provjderentHl subsidies up to a paximum of $5()()Jrnonlh
flff 48 ;months.
Regulations and Guidelines
1. The City Man:lger. or designated subordinate, will institute anG
revise internal procedures to assure the efficient delivery of services
to the ne ..... employee and minimize costs to the City. This v.~ll
include the determination of whether direct City payments" advance
of funds or employee reimbursement is most appropriate for a given
program element or employee.
2. The City Manager, or designated subordinate, will determine the
appropriatene!is of inclusion of specific items for reimbursement
under this program.
3. Expenses incurred by the employee during relocatIon ~"hich are not
covered are:
a. Payments to friends for b.\istance.
b. Automobile repairs.
C. COSl~ incurred during [he reloca(;o]1 but not directly related to
personal tramportation or forv.;arding of household
belongings, i.e. uninsured losses during transit, entertainment
expenses, e-tc.
4. Budgeting of all Relocation Expenses \.rill occur in the Human
Resources and Utflities Departments.
5. Upon approval of the City Manager, provision of bene:fits under the
secnon House Hunting Expenses and Professional Relocation
Coun..~lling may be provided before an employee formally accepts
an offer of employment with the City.
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