TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Lisa Jenkins, Human Resources Director
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of a Resolution Appointing Michael Lang as Interim Fire Chief and Approval of an Employment Agreement with Michael Lang (Human Resources Director Jenkins).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 24-0139
Body
_________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-0139.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action, as the existing budget for the Fire Chief will be utilized for the Interim Fire Chief’s salary.
BACKGROUND:
Chief Michael Lang has announced his retirement from the City of Manhattan Beach, effective December 30, 2024. In order to provide a dedicated focus to the Fire Department and ensure the continuity of operations, the City Manager recommends appointing Michael Lang as the interim Fire Chief following his retirement from the City.
The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) enforces the rules and regulations for the hiring of retirees from the pension system after the date of retirement. The attached resolution and employment agreement will ensure that the interim appointment of Chief Lang complies with the Public Employees’ Retirement Law and CalPERS regulations.
DISCUSSION:
Following the planned retirement of Fire Chief Michael Lang, the City Manager recommends the appointment of Chief Lang as the Interim Fire Chief in order to maintain the continuity of operations and lead the Fire Department during the recruitment process for the City’s next Fire Chief.
Before joining the City of Manhattan Beach, Chief Lang dedicated 21 years to the City of Arcadia, where he advanced through various ranks and was ultimately promoted to Fire Chief in 2016. He also spent four years with the San Bernardino County Fire Department. Since his arrival in Manhattan Beach, Chief Lang has effectively overseen all aspects of fire operations for the past three and a half years, including administration, training, fire prevention, emergency response, and fire suppression.
Chief Lang’s continued service as Interim Fire Chief will ensure continuity of leadership and service during the executive search for a permanent replacement. Based on his current and prior employment in public safety, Chief Lang has the requisite skills necessary to serve as Interim Chief. Government Code section 7522.56(f)(4) provides an exception to the regular one-hundred eighty (180) day waiting period after retirement for a CalPERS retiree to work for a CalPERS agency for public safety officers that serve in a public safety position after retirement. That exception applies here and does not require a separate resolution by the City Council. The attached Resolution fulfills CalPERS requirements to appoint Mr. Lang to the interim role, effective Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Staff is recommending that the Council adopt the attached Resolution.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
After analysis, staff determined that public outreach was not required for this issue.
LEGAL REVIEW:
Special Counsel has approved the resolution and employment agreement as to form.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 24-0139
2. Employment Agreement - Michael Lang