REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Travis K. Hopkins, Assistant City Manager
PREPARED BY: Theresa St. Peter, Interim Human Resources Director
Subject:
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Appointment of Sunny Han as Chief Financial Officer and Approval of the Employment Agreement
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Statement of Issue:
The prior Chief Financial Officer resigned from the City of Huntington Beach on January 12, 2023. Effective January 13, 2023, Sunny Han was appointed as Acting Chief Financial Officer.
As such, the City Manager recommends the City Council approve the appointment of Sunny Han as Chief Financial Officer due to specific terms within her Employment Agreement that require Council approval.
Financial Impact:
Funding for this position is included in the FY 2023/24 budget.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the “Employment Agreement between the City of Huntington Beach and Sunny Han” for the position of Chief Financial Officer.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the Recommended Action, and direct staff to present an alternative solution.
Analysis:
Sunny Han was initially hired by the City of Huntington Beach in December 2010 as a Senior Accountant. Ms. Han received promotions during her tenure with the City and was most recently appointed Assistant Chief Financial Officer on May 20, 2020. She has served as Acting Chief Financial Officer since January 13, 2023, and has done an excellent job of leading the Finance Department and overseeing the City’s overall budget. As a result, she is recommended to permanently fill the Chief Financial Officer vacancy.
In accordance with City Resolution No. 2022-09 regarding Non-Associated Employees Pay and Benefits, Section A, Item 7: “The City Manager is authorized to set the salaries of executive management positions identified in Exhibit 1A at any rate at or below Step E of the designated salary range….However, no salary for a new employee may be set above Step E at any time without City Council approval.” It is recommended that Ms. Han be appointed to Step G, the top step of the salary range for Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, it is requested that a severance of nine (9) months be granted to Ms. Han should she be terminated not for cause during the first twelve (12) months of her appointment as Chief Financial Officer. Thereafter, the severance would be for six (6) months should she be terminated not for cause. Therefore, City Council approval of the “Employment Agreement between the City of Huntington Beach and Sunny Han” is requested.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Sunny Han - Employment Agreement