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 Toufic “Ted” Semaan as Interim Public Works Director and Approval of an Employment Agreement with Toufic Semaan (No Budget Impact) (Human Resources Director Jenkins).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-0084
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-0084.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action, as the existing budget for the Public Works Director's salary will be utilized for the Interim Director’s salary.
BACKGROUND:
In order to ensure the continuity of operations within the Public Works Department and continue the trajectory of capital improvement projects, the City Manager recommends bringing on board an interim director until a permanent replacement for the Public Works Director position can be identified. The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) governs 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 CalPERS regulations are met in onboarding Interim Public Works Director Toufic “Ted” Semaan.
DISCUSSION:
The Public Works Director has announced his upcoming retirement, and his last day with the City will be Thursday, July 3, 2025. In order to ensure the continuity of operations and effective functioning of the Public Works Department, the City Manager recommends the appointment of a qualified interim director who has specialized knowledge and experience in Public Works, municipal leadership, and public sector management.
Mr. Ted Semaan served as the Public Works Director for the City of Redondo Beach from 2015 through 2024, overseeing all functions of the department. In this capacity, he implemented a proactive approach to maintenance and CIP functions and led employees across the department. Prior to the City of Redondo Beach, Mr. Semaan held progressively responsible positions at the City of Torrance, including 11 years as an engineering division manager, and previously worked for the City of Lynwood and in the private sector. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from California State University Long Beach and is a registered Civil Engineer and Traffic Engineer. His expertise in public works operations, engineering, budget management, and leadership uniquely qualifies him for the role of Public Works Director. The attached resolution fulfills CalPERS requirements for appointing Mr. Semaan to this interim position.
Staff is recommending that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution, making the interim appointment effective Monday, July 7, 2025.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
After analysis, staff determined that public outreach was not required for this issue.
LEGAL REVIEW:
Special counsel has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 25-0084
2. Employment Agreement - Toufic (Ted) Semaan