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The City Council this week adopted an amendment to the contract between Seal Beach and Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallegos. The reason for the amendment: His recent appointment to interim city manager, which goes into effect on Nov. 1. (See “Gallegos to be interim city manager,” at sunnews.org.) Gallegos will get a 10% pay increase, according to the staff report. This was the last item on the Monday, Sept. 9, agenda.
The vote was unanimous.
In related news, the council met in closed session earlier that night to discuss the appointment or employment of the city manager. The council appointed Gallegos to be acting city manager. (See “Gallegos is appointed acting city manager,” page 1)
The city attorney presented the staff report (which he wrote) to the council There was no council discussion after that.
Background
The council accepted City Manager Jill Ingram’s resignation on July 12. Her resignation is effective Oct. 31. (See “Ingram resigns” and “Ingram Severance pay” at sunnews.org.)
The council unanimously approved Gallegos’ appointment to interim city manager on Aug. 26, according to the staff report by City Attorney Nicholas Ghirelli.
“The City Attorney’s office has prepared an amendment (Amendment No. 3) to Mr. Gallegos’ current employment agreement that formally appoints him as Interim City Manager and establishes the terms of his employment in this interim role,” Ghirelli wrote.
The attorney spelled out what he called key terms included in the contract amendment:
“Effective November 1, 2024, Mr. Gallegos shall be appointed Interim City Manager and exercise the powers and perform the duties of the position of City Manager, subject to all applicable laws and City Council direction; and”
“Mr. Gallegos will remain in the role of Interim City Manager until the earlier of the date on which a permanent City Manager is appointed or such earlier date determined by the City Council; and,
“In consideration for Mr. Gallegos’ added workload and duties during the current transition period and as Interim City Manager, he will receive a 10% increase to his current base salary for a total base salary of $267,091.11, or approximately $22,257.60 per month. The temporary 10% salary increase will take effect immediately; and,
“Mr. Gallegos will return to his position and prior salary as Assistant City Manager upon the conclusion of his service as Interim City Manager,” Ghirelli wrote.
“Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953, the City Attorney will be prepared to provide an oral report of the Interim City Manager’s compensation,” Ghirelli wrote.
According to the report, the city would likely see a net salary savings by not paying for both an assistant city manager and an interim city manager.
