HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager employment agreement - GrillEMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and eritered into this A4-,bd8y of December, 2024, between the
City of Oshkosh, *WI (the "City"), and Rebecca N. G'rill ("'Ms. Grill,") (the City and Ms. Grill are
collectively referred to as the "Parties") in regard to the position of City Manager.("Manager')
WHEREAS, the City wishes to employ the services of Ms. Grill as City Manager of the City
of Oshkosh, WI.; and
WHEREAS, s..Grill wishes to accept employhient as City Manager of the -City of
Oshkosh, WL; and
WHEREAS, the City a*nd Ms. Grill desire to enter into agreement for the duties,
corboensation and other conditioh8 of Ms. Grfll*'s employment with the City.
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the facts mentioned above and the mutual promises set
out below, the parties agree as follows:
TERMS OF AGREEMENT
1. Duties:
a. City agrees to employ Ms. Grill as the Manager of the City of Oshkosh to perform all
duties specified for that position in the City Ordinances, position descriptions and
policies, the laws of the State of Wisconsin, and to perform such other pro -per duties
as assigned by the Common Council.
b. Ms. Grill agrees to accept the position of Manager of the City of Oshkosh and to
perform all duties specified for that position in the City Ordinances., position
descriptions and policies, the laws of the State of Wisconsin, and to perform such
other duties as assigned by the Common Council.
c. Ms. Grill will provide input on ordinances, resolutions and policies and execute the
decisions of the Common Council; shall have the authority to make day-to-day
operational decisions; and will provide policy guidance, direction and oversight to
City employees.
2. Compensation:
a. Ms. Grill shall be compensated on an annual salary basis paid every two weeks as
provided in the City of Oshkosh Employee Handbook (the Handbook). Fo.r calendar
year 2025, Ms. Grill shall receive an annual salary of $210,000.00 pro -rated from the
commencement of employment (February 24, 2025).
b. Upon a satisfactory mid -year review on or around August 1, 2025, Ms. Grill's annual
salary will be .adjusted to'$216,300, prorated for the remainder of 2025.
c. The base salary for 2026 and thereafter shall be determined by the Common Council
during the budget or evaluation process -and will be 'commensurate with the across-
the-board adjustments for non -represented employees of the City.
d. Ms. Grill will also be eligible for additional compensation or financial enhancements
at the discretion of the Common Council based on merit and/or annual performance
evaluations.
3. Performance Evaluations:
a. The Common Council will meet annually prior to the end of each calendar year with
Ms. Grill to review her work performance and achievement of goals. Additionally,
Ms. Grill, within her first four months of her employm6nt, and prior to the August I
evaluation, will recommend nd to the Common Council a written work plan that
outlines her suggested performance goals and objectives for her first year of
employment,
b. Ms. Grill's.salary will be eligible for increase upon satisfactory performance of her
duties following a performance review.
c- Grill gill receivetimelyfeedback to meet performance expect-ations.
d. The".Common Council will provide this feedback in a manner that allows Ms. Grill to
address -any areas of concern.
4. Term of Office:
a. This Agreement shall be effective upon the commencement of employment. Ms.
Grill is an at -will Employee and is appointed to an indefinite term..s.ubject to
termination for cause or without cause at any time.
b. If Ms, Grill resigns, she must provide 60 days' written notice.
c. If -Ms. Grill is terminated for cause, the City shall provide written notice of cause or
causes of termination and an .opportunity to grieve the determ.ination in" accordance
with the Handbook. The decision of the Common Council shall be final. For the
purposes of the Agreement, "cause," shall mean inefficiency, neglect of duty, official
misconduct, and malfeasance In office, as defl.'ned in Wis. Stat. §17.001. Willful
neglect of duty, officia
l misconduct., and malfeasance in office shall include, without
limitation by enumeration:
ConViction or adjudication of a gross misdemea.nor or felony the
circumstances of which relate to the position of City Manager.
Any dishonest or fraudulent conduct by Ms. Grill as determined. at the
discretion of the Common Council.
Any material breach of this agreement.
Any Willful violation of the City's policies, ordinances, or laws,
Failure to report to work for a period of time deemed unreasonable at the
discretion of the Common Council.
'Continued substandard work performance after corrective efforts have
Continued -
been undertaken as determined by the Common Council.
If"the Employee is ter*mi,noted for cause., the'n the City-s*hall hdve no obligation to pay the
severance payment designated in section (d) below, but .shall only pay accrued vacation
and holidays,
d. If the City terminates -the employment of Ms. Grill Without cause, the City will pay
Ms. Grill severance compensation eoual to six.(6) 'Months aggregate salary and pay
the employer's contribution to health insurance premiums for up to six (6) months
following termination. The payment for insurance premiums will run concurrently
with COBRA. The severance shall be paid in the same manner as salary. If -Ms. Grill
becomes employed by a WRS empl Joyer during the severance period, the City will
pay the remaining severance in a lump sum. The severance payment and the health -
insurance coverage shall constitute a full settlement payment to the Ms. Grill of all
existing claims regarding employment with the City. The City's oblig8tion.to'pay the
severance compensation to the Ms. G*r11I shall be conditioned upon .the Ms. Grill
executing and delivering to the City a full, final, and complete release of any and all
claims that the Ms. Grill may claim she has against the City, including but not limited
to, any claims of wrongful discharge-, discrimination or other employment related
claims. The release shall be in a form and shall contain such terms -as shall be
required by Counsel for the City. If Ms. Grill regains employment anytime within six
(6) months of termination and health insurance is avail -able through the new
employer, Ms. Grill shall enroll in the new employer's health insurance plan and
notify the City, at which time the City shall terminate the Ms. Grill's health insurance
with the City.
e. Upon satisfactory completion of each annual perform a nce *review, one month will be
added to the severance period, not to exceed an aggregate severance period of 12
niohths.
f. If resignation is recliuested by the City and Ms, (3611 agrees to resign-f or the City,
residents, idents, or legislature act to create or amend any statute or municipal code
provision that materially affect Ms. gill's role, powers, or duties, it will be
considered as termination Without cause.,
g. If the City at any time reduces the salary, compensation, or other benefits of the City
Manager in a greater amou-nt than other non -represented employees of the City
without Ms. Grills" consent Ms. Grill may, at her option, consider such reduction as
termination without cause.
h. Upon termination without cause or resignation from the position, Ms. Grill shall
receive compensation for .any accrued vacation, in accordance with this Agreement,
5, Benefits: Except as modified herein Ms. Grill shall receive those benefits provided by the
Handbook with the following modifications:
a. M'f
s. Grill will be afforded vacation time starting at the level of an employee with 18
years of seniority, 25 days. Upon hire, the amount will be prorated for 2025,
b. Up.9n hire, Ms', Grill will be advanced 30 days of sick leave.. which will be immediately
available flable to her. She wil-1 otherwise accumulate. sick leave at one day for each month
val
of employment after 30 monthsasou outlined in the- Employee Handbook.
c. Ms. Grill will receive a car allowance of $500 per month.
d. The City agrees to provide Ms, Grill with a smartph.one for City business use. If Ms.
Grill prefers to utilize her own--pprsonal phone, an allowance of $5o per month will
be provided in lieu -of a City *Issued phone. Ms. Grill acknowledges that phone use
and its content -are subject to Open Records law.
e. The City will contribute an amount equivalent to 2.5% of Ms. Grills salary monthly to
a deferred compensation plan.
f. Ms. Grill will be eligible for -participation in the Wisconsin Retiremen't'Syste'Iri in an
equivalent manner as non -represented City employees..
6. Relocation and Residency Incentives,
a. The City will reimburse Ms. G ril I's moving expenses under the conditions outlined in the
City's Employee Handbook, in summary, the City's policy covers reasonable costs of
relocation with 100% of the costs should the employee reside in the City or 50% of the costs
should the employee reside outside the City,
b. In addition,, if Ms. Grill to moves to resides within the City of Oshkosh, thia City w"ll
contribute $10,o00 (net, after taxes) to be used toward the purchase of a hone in the City
of Oshkosh as her primary residence,
c. The incentives provide in this Section 6 will expire after one year of commencement of
employment and are sli k jectto a repayment (obligation: voluntary termination within 12
months iO*O% repayment; voluntary termination after 12 months but prior to 24 months*
50% repayment; after 24 months no repayment.
7. professional Development:
a. The City will pay for professional memberships (Le.- lCMA., WCMA., Alliance Iliance for
'Innovation, etc.-) and attendance at conferences, subject to budgetary constraints.
b. Participation in the Employee Development Program (tuition reimbursement), and
eligibly for -such, will *be provided in an equivalent manner as non -represented
employees, to include pursuit of aDoctorate Degree.
8. Community Involvement: The City Council expects Ms. Grill to be involved in the community
and attend community events. The City will pay for membership costs in civic organizations
and allow service on boards as approved by the Common Council (i.e. Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.).
9. Outside Employment and Activities: Ms. Grill may not accept other employment without
prior approval from the Common Council. Ms. Grill may serve as an instructor for one -day.
classes (approximately twice per year) for the UW Certified Public Manager program by
utilizing benefit tirne if classes occur during the normal workweek. She will hold no other
employment, either .directly or indirectly, or invest with any firm, corporation or legal entity
in violation of the City's and 1CMA Code of Ethics.
10. Hours of Work: In addition to keeping normal City Hall business hours,, Ms. Grill is expected
to spend additional tim 0 to accomplish the duties of the position. Ms. Grill will be al[owed
reasonable flexibilitytoestablish her own work schedule that may periodically make-up for
evening hours.
11. Terms of Agreement to Govern,. This Agreement constitvtes the entire understanding and
agreement of the parties and shall govern the terms of eMployment with the City. This
Agreement supersedes all negotiations or previous agreements between the parties. This
Agreement shall be governed by such ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies established
by the Common Council, unless otherwise specifically provided herein.
12. Conflict with the Handbook: To the extent that the terms of this Agreement conflict with the
Handbook,. the terms of.this Agreement shall prevail,
13. Modification or Changes to the.Agreement.-I This .Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect until modified by the parties. Any modification of the terms of this Agreement must
have the concurrence of a majority of the entire Common Council, be in writing, and be
executed by City and Ms. Grill.,
14.. Law of -Wisconsin to Govern: This Agreement shall be construed according to the laws of the.
State of Wisconsin, without giving effect to the conflict of law provisions thereof.
15., Severabill-ty: If any provisions, or any portion thereof, contained in this Agreement is held to
be unconstitutional, invalid, or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement or portion
thereof, shall be deemed severable, shall not be affected, and shall re*ma'ln in full force and
effect.
This agreement is now being executed by the parties as of the date stated at the beginning of
this agreement.
Er"ployee M City of 0 hkosh, Wisconsin
B
y -
Rebecca N, Grill Matt Mugeraur)mayor
T
D jane Balett, City Clerk
AP OVED ASTP FCC
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n 6nson tity-Atf rW Cney