Memorandum
Date: January 14, 2025
To: The Honorable Eddie Crandell, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Lars Ewing, Public Services Director
Subject: A) Consideration of a Resolution for an Exception to the 180-day Wait Period to Hire a CalPERS Retiree as an Extra-Help County Employee; and B) Consideration of Advanced Step Hiring of Brian Powers as an Extra-Help Employee
Executive Summary:
State law prevents a CalPERS retiree from employment with a public employer in the CalPERS system for a period of 180 days following the date of retirement, unless the appointment is necessary because the retired employee has skills needed to perform critical work of limited duration, in which case the waiting period can be waived by the appointing governing body.
As your Board is aware, the Public Services Department is managing multiple capital improvement projects. Included among these projects is the renovation of the former National Guard Armory into the Lake County Sheriff Administration Center, the Courthouse Campus Solar Carport Array, the design and construction of the Eastlake Sanitary Landfill Phase 2 and 3 Cell, and the Kelseyville Senior Center Renovation. In light of the anticipated construction management demands of these projects, I believe it is in the best interest of the County to augment the construction management of these projects on an extra help basis by Brian Powers, who recently retired from the department as the Public Works Construction Project Manager. Mr. Powers is uniquely skilled for the responsibilities of the position and has significant prior experience in all facets of the department, including critically needed experience in construction management.
Should your Board adopt the Resolution, I am requesting approval for an advanced step hire for Brian Powers at Step 5. Mr. Powers has over twenty years of construction and project management experience, including ten years working for the County as Facilities Project Supervisor, Parks and Project Superintendent, and Public Works Construction Project Manager.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
☐ Economic Development ☐ Disaster Recovery ☒ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☐ Community Collaboration ☒ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☒ Cost Savings
Recommended Action: A) Adopt the Resolution for an exception to the 180-day wait period pursuant to government code sections 7522.56 and 21224 for Brian Powers; and B) Approve the Advanced Step 5 Hiring of Brian Powers.