As the City of Brentwood continues its search for their next city manager, the council has offered revisions to a policy that highlights where they must live within a year of being hired.
During Tuesday nights discussion, the council decided that a city manager living 35-miles away from the city was too far and directed staff to update the policy to state they should live within the boundaries of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.
The current policy states:
“2.36.020 Appointment.
The city manager shall be appointed by the city council solely on the basis of his/her executive and administrative qualifications and ability. Residence in the city of Brentwood shall not be required as a condition of employment; however, no later than six months after employment, the city manager shall reside within a radius of thirty five miles of the Brentwood City Hall. No member of the city council shall receive such appointment during the term for which he/she shall have been elected nor within one year after the expiration of his/her term of office.”
Since Brentwood is looking for a new city manager, City Attorney Damien Brower suggested it was time to update the policy since it was last updated in 2011. Based off the councils discussion, a re-written ordinance will be brought back at the next meeting.
Brower explained to the council that the residency requirement is all over the Board and that the law says this requirement is for legitimate government purpose–meaning be available to serve in the time of an emergency.
Brower did warn that if a policy was put in place, it may limit the number of applicants.
Councilman Erick Stonebarger said his preference was that the next city manager live within city limits, but understands by law they cannot require that. He thought the Fire District Boundaries were the most logical and defensible in court–the Fire District includes: Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Byron, Bethel Island and Knightsen.
“I was on the council when we did relax the standard from 10 miles which may not have been enforceable to 35 miles. I think its vitally important for our city manager to be a part of the community and its important they live within our community. I would like to see them live within our city limits understanding that we cannot put that requirement on that but I think the ECCFPD is a logical boundary for them to live in,” said Stonebarger. “I would hope that our city manager would choose Brentwood over other communities.”
Stonebarger did request the requirment of re-locating within six-months after employment should be extended because of the time it may take to acquire a house and suggested it be moved to 1-year so they can work through the system and find the right location to them.
Councilman Steve Barr agreed saying that setting the limit is secondary to their desire to have a city manager readily available while interacting with the community.
“I think its really important for a city manager to have a feel for our community and make better decisions based on that. I would love for it to be within the city limits but we know that is not going to be the case so I am okay with fire protection district being a line, the only thing is that if we look at it from emergency standpoint, some of the areas may not be accessible to get back to the city,” said Barr.
Councilman Gene Clare also agreed with the suggestion of Stonebarger saying the fire district boundary makes sense.
“We have an outstanding city that we can all take pride in and that if our city is desirable enough for this indivial to work in then it should be desirable enough for them to live in. The fire district boundaries make sense and a year would be okay because children may need to finish school,” said Clare. “Living in close proximity to the city is paramount to connecting with the citizens.”
Vince Mayor Joel Bryant stated he would like some flexibility written into the timeline of moving into the required area because sometimes things happen when moving and you may need a month or two longer.Bryant made the argument that a boundary may not even be needed.
“I am not sure if there is an overwhelming benefit to going with the Fire District boundary versus striking the requirement all together and just making it well known we would just like for them to live within the city,” said Bryant. “But it’s not a hill to die on for me.”
Stonebarger argued that the problem with that is not this process, but the next process by not having expectations in place. Not that a future council could change it, but they have to come back to this.
The council also wrestled with the idea of including the City of Antioch since the fire district often runs calls to the city, however, Mayor Taylor said he did not want it included since they were choosing to go with the fire district boundary then they should not make exceptions.
4 comments
Excluding Antioch, Pittsburg and Bay Point may not pass muster with state law, since they are within the accepted distance for responding in emergencies. I’m sure Mayor Taylor appreciates the CONFIRE taxpayers responding to emergencies in the ECCFPD district and wouldn’t want to see that end 🙂
Antioch has had several City Managers that live in say, San Ramon or Lafayette or Danville. Has it caused a problem? No. Not a requirement in my book. Might be nice. Not something you can enforce.
Do what Oakley did, buy there city manager a house and give him a sweetheart deal and this would not be an issue.
Reality Check. The City Manager was the crook/con-artist in that maneuver.
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