To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Heather Ruiz, Human Resources Director
Prepared By: Molly Rattigan, Community Resources and Development Director
TITLE:
Title
Appointment of Retired Annuitant Michael Allen Pursuant to Government Code Section 7522.56 & 21224
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution appointing Retired Annuitant Michael Allen pursuant to Government Code Section 7522.56 & 21224.
Body
DISCUSSION:
In accordance with the Government Code 7522.56 & 21224, the Napa City Council may appoint a retiree to a position of limited duration and may authorize an exception to the 180-day waiting period following retirement when it is necessary to fill a critically needed position sooner than 180 days.
The Planning Division of the Community Resources and Development Department is entering an unusually demanding period, with several major development proposals, a full update of the zoning code, and long-range housing initiatives underway simultaneously. The upcoming retirement of Michael Allen, Senior Planner, on December 31, 2025, after 20 years of dedicated service to the City, creates an immediate gap in technical capacity and project oversight at a time when the workload is both time-sensitive and critical to ongoing operations.
To sustain essential services for the community and to maintain progress on high-priority development projects, staff recommends appointing the retiring Senior Planner as a Retired Annuitant to provide temporary, specialized support. Under the direction of the Community Resources and Development Director, Mr. Allen will ensure continuity in the processing and review of several significant housing and mixed-use proposals, including Zinfandel Lane, 333 Soscol, and the South Oxbow project. The City has also received a pre-application for a major affordable senior housing development on Byway East, with additional applications anticipated in the coming months. At the same time, the updated Zoning Ordinance will be entering public review and advancing through the approval process in early to mid-2026, an undertaking that requires experienced technical input to keep on schedule.
Responsibilities will include preparation of complex planning reports, research, and analysis and guiding applications through the City’s Development and Planning Commission processes. Mr. Allen may support consultant work related to the Zoning Ordinance, though the role will remain technical and advisory. Mr. Allen may perform duties as assigned that are necessary to maintain essential operations during this transition.
Michael Allen will be compensated at the hourly equivalent of the top-step Senior Planner salary listed in the publicly posted salary schedule. He will receive no additional benefits or compensation. His total hours worked will not exceed the 960-hour limit in accordance with CalPERS regulations for retired annuitants.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
This appointment will be funded using salary savings in the current approved budget.
CEQA:
The Human Resources Director has determined that the Recommended Action described in this Agenda Report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Resolution
EX A - Retired Annuitant Conditional Offer Letter - Michael Allen
NOTIFICATION:
None.