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ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPOINTING POSITIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution that:
1. Appoints new employees to fill two of the three upcoming vacancies in the Office of the Mayor; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to take whatever actions are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
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Summary
Measure O, approved by voters on November 8, 2016, amends the Stockton City Charter to provide funding for no less than three positions in the Office of the Mayor: an Executive Assistant to the Mayor, a Public Information Officer, and a Senior Policy Advisor. It is at the pleasure of the Mayor, with City Council consent, that these positions are employed.
Kevin Lincoln will complete his term and vacate the Office of the Mayor--along with his administrative staff--on December 31, 2024. Christina Fugazi will begin her term as Mayor of the City of Stockton on January 1, 2025. The approval of the resolution before you will allow for the Mayor-Elect to transition into her role with administrative staff in place at the beginning of the term.
DISCUSSION
Background
Article XI, Section 1102, paragraph (n) of the City Charter authorizes the Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council, to appoint employees to the Office of the Mayor as may be necessary or desirable to assist in the work of the Mayor. Funding for Mayoral staff, however, was not previously required by Charter. Measure O, approved by voters on November 8, 2016, amended the Charter to require funding for no less than three Mayoral staff positions to be included in each annual budget. These positions include an Executive Assistant, a Senior Policy Advisor, and a Public Information Officer. To comply with Measure O, and Article XI-A, Section 1151 of the City Charter, a Public Information Officer must be one of the three positions funded and assigned to the Office of the Mayor.
In November 2024, voters approved Measure M, which further clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the Mayoral Public Information Officer, under Charter Article XI-A.
Present Situation
On December 31, 2024, the term for current Mayor Kevin Lincoln will end. The term for Mayor-Elect Christina Fugazi will begin on January 1, 2025. In an effort to ensure a smooth and efficient transition into office, it is the desire of the Mayor-Elect to approve the appointment of two of her three positions in the Office of the Mayor. The appointments are as follows:
Executive Assistant to the Mayor:
Under direction of the Mayor, the Executive Assistant to the Mayor provides varied and often confidential administrative assistance to the Mayor and associated staff; performs work related to scheduling, preparation of ceremonial recognition documents, constituent correspondence and related work as assigned. The incumbent in this position serves at the pleasure of the Mayor. The City’s Class Specification has been included as Attachment A.
Mayor-Elect has selected Lynn Smith to serve in the position of Executive Assistant to the Mayor, starting at step 2 of the salary schedule, or $71,471.76 per year. A resume has been provided as Attachment A1.
Mayor’s Senior Policy Advisor:
Under direction of the Mayor, the Mayor’s Senior Policy Advisor plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates the overall operations of the Mayor’s Office, to include a variety of advanced professional duties and analytical projects for the Mayor; acts as a liaison to City Council members; performs other duties for the Mayor’s Office as assigned. The incumbent in this position serves at the pleasure of the Mayor. The City’s Class Specification has been provided as Attachment B.
Mayor-Elect has selected Esperanza Vielma to serve in the position of Mayor’s Senior Policy Advisor, starting at step 3 of the salary schedule, or $103,432.56 per year. A resume has been provided as Attachment B1.
Mayoral Public Information Officer I/II:
Under direction of the Mayor, the Mayoral Public Information Officer I/II gathers and disseminates to the public and to the news media, in a timely manner, accurate and complete information concerning the Mayor's Office; performs other duties for the Mayor's Office as assigned. The incumbent in this position serves at the pleasure of the Mayor. The City’s Class Specification has been provided as Attachment C.
Mayor-Elect has not made a selection for appointment to this position at this time.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The annual cost for salaries and benefits for the Mayor’s staff are budgeted for, and approved, through the regular budget process. Funds are available in the General Fund - Mayor’s Regular Salaries account.
Attachment A - Class Spec - Executive Assistant to the Mayor
Attachment A1 - Redacted Resume - Lynn Smith
Attachment B - Class Spec - Mayor’s Senior Policy Advisor
Attachment B1 - Redacted Resume - Esperanza Vielma
Attachment C - Class Spec - Mayoral Public Information Officer