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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Appointment of Odis Jones as City Manager; and (2) Approval of an Executive Employment Agreement Confirming Such Appointment
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Meeting Date: December 8, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Dana Anderson, Human Resources Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-5658
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (12/03/2025)
Department Approval: Dana Anderson, Human Resources Director (12/08/2025) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) appoint Odis Jones as City Manager; and (2) approve the Executive Employment Agreement, effective December 15, 2025, which reflects the terms negotiated under City Council direction and includes compensation, benefits, and employment provisions consistent with the Executive Compensation Plan.
BACKGROUND
On December 1, 2025, the City Council met in closed session to discuss the appointment of a City Manager. The Mayor reported that the Council reached consensus to select Odis Jones as the new City Manager, contingent upon approval of the Executive Employment Agreement to be considered at the December 8th City Council Meeting. The City Council previously directed staff to negotiate terms consistent with the City’s executive compensation framework. The resulting Agreement reflects such direction and is included as Attachment 1.
DISCUSSION
As authorized by and in consultation with the City Council at the December 1, 2025 closed session meeting, the proposed Executive Employment Agreement outlines the compensation, benefits, and conditions of employment for the City Manager. The Agreement provides a base annual salary of $370,000, with an annual adjustment beginning December 2026 tied to the published Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) for the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area or any salary adjustment provided in the Executive Compensation Plan, whichever is greater. The City will provide up to $25,000 for relocation expenses and up to $5,000 per month in temporary rental assistance for the first nine months following relocation. The Residency Incentive Program offers a down-payment loan of up to 90% of the home purchase price, capped at $1.2 million.
Additional benefits include a $600 monthly transportation allowance, contributions to the City’s deferred compensation plan, annual retention bonuses into the deferred compensation plan of $12,500 after year one, and $17,500 each year thereafter, the executive technology and physical well-being stipends, and CalPERS retirement benefits under PEPRA, including a mandatory employee contribution rate of one-half of the normal cost plus the 3.5% employee cost-sharing contribution. The Agreement confirms the at-will employment relationship and provides severance up to nine months of base salary and benefits, if separation occurs without cause. This report provides the information necessary to support the oral summary required under Government Code Section 54953 prior to taking action on executive compensation.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 includes sufficient funding for the prorated 6.5 months of the $370,000 annual salary totaling approximately $200,000. Likewise, the Adopted Budget contains sufficient funding for the $600 monthly transportation allowance, the executive technology and physical well-being stipends, health benefits, and CalPERS retirement benefits. Due to the existing vacancy in the second Assistant City Manager position, there are salary savings that can be reallocated to fund the up to $25,000 in relocation expenses and the up to $45,000 in temporary rental assistance. Staff will transfer $70,000 from Account No. 10110100.411100 (City Manager’s Office - Regular Salaries) to Account No. 10110100.550140 (City Manager’s Office - Employee Reimbursements General) to fund these benefits.
Funding for the annual retention bonuses into the deferred compensation plan will be included in future fiscal year budgets.
Funds were not appropriated in the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the City Manager Residency Incentive Program. Should the Residency Incentive Program offer of a down-payment loan of up to $1.2 million for a residence be exercised, staff will return to City Council for approval of a budget adjustment to appropriate the funds from the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-12-08_ATT_Odis Jones Executive Employment Agreement
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Appoint Odis Jones as the City Manager;
2. Approve the Executive Employment Agreement confirming such appointment effective December 15, 2025;
3. Authorize the City Attorney to finalize the Agreement; and
4. Authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City.