At its Thursday evening meeting the Clearlake City Council will discuss hiring interim City Administrator Dale Neiman on a permanent basis, according to the council agenda.
On March 15, Neiman submitted to the council a report regarding his potential hire, along with a proposed contract.
“I have enjoyed working for you the past six weeks and will consider it an honor if I am appointed as the City Administrator,” Neiman wrote in that report. “I believe we can work together in the future as a team in a productive manner to improve the lives of the people who live and work in the community.”
Neiman noted his successes in cutting administration costs – he pointed to $7,000 in savings from not requiring the city attorney to attend all Planning Commission and Council Meetings, which he said isn't always necessary.
The city also is changing how it administers claims, avoiding costly consultants whenever possible, Neiman reported.
He said he'll also take on a salary survey that the city had expected to pay a consulting firm $60,000 to complete, and he and staff will take on additional planning services and fee studies in order to save about another $105,000, Neiman said.
Further, he proposes taking on the development of housing and economic development programs for the Redevelopment Agency, which will mean that as much as 25 percent of his salary will be covered by the Redevelopment Agency and removed from the General Fund.
Neiman's proposed contract would be for four years, which the council could extend or renew “in its sole discretion.”
His base salary would be $120,000 annually, with future increases offered at the council's discretion following annual employee evaluations.
In lieu of health benefits, the contract calls for Neiman to receive city-paid contributions to a deferred compensation plan “in an amount equal to the city's contribution toward health benefits for management employees.”
Under the proposed contract, Neiman also would be entitled to an annual car allowance of $3,000, and moving expenses of up to $5,000 if he decides to move within the city limits within six months of the contract going into effect.
Kathy Kivley, who preceded Neiman as city administrator, had a base salary of $96,000 to start, with an annual vehicle allowance of $4,800 and a maximum of $4,000 in moving expenses, according to a copy of her contract provided by city staff.
David Lane, whom Kivley succeeded, received an annual base salary of $105,780, with $4,800 annually for auto reimbursement, with health care and other benefits, according to Mayor Judy Thein.
Neiman said Wednesday he's being offered more than Kivley and Lane received based on his experience. He previously served as the City of Fortuna's city manager for nine years.
Neiman will be an “at-will” employee, with the city, and according to the contract may be terminated “for any reason, at any time, without cause,” by the council providing 90 days written notice to him.
If the council did terminate him without cause, the contract would require he be paid salary and benefits through the last day of work plus three additional months, which Neiman said would cover moving and other costs.
Termination for cause is another matter, according to the contract, with compensation ending with the actual last day of work. Determination as to cause would be at the City Council's discretion.
The contract lists reasons for termination for cause as acts in bad faith and to the city's detriment; refusal or failure to act in accordance with City Council direction; “unfitness or unavailability for service” regarding his employment, unsatisfactory performance, misconduct, dishonesty, habitual neglect or incompetence; being convicted of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person; breaches any material term of the agreement.
Thein said she expects the council will make a decision regarding Neiman's hire at the meeting tonight.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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