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Council exempts CalPERS waiting period to retain retired art coordinator for downtown public‑art master plan
Summary
Council adopted a resolution exempting the 180‑day CalPERS waiting period so the Community Services Department can hire retired employee Jennifer Goddard on a limited, two‑year basis to oversee a public art master plan; the resolution passed 7–0 and funding will come from existing departmental savings.
The City Council voted to adopt a resolution exempting the CalPERS 180‑day waiting period so the Community Services Department may hire retired employee Jennifer Goddard as a retired annuitant to continue work on the Reimagine Downtown public art program.
Deputy Director Janet Palaios told the council that Goddard led the downtown Reimagine project since its inception and that staff considers her knowledge and experience “unique and irreplaceable” for developing and implementing a citywide public art master plan. Palaios said Goddard retired on Dec. 31, 2024, and the department seeks to retain her services on a post‑retirement, extra‑help basis for up to two years. The offer letter attached to the staff report specifies hiring into the community services supervisor hourly salary range without benefits beyond the hourly rate.
Palaios said funding for the part‑time position will come from Community Services’ existing operating budget, using savings from vacant unbenefited part‑time positions, and that the hire would have no additional financial impact on the current budget.
A motion to adopt the resolution granting the CalPERS exemption passed with seven yes votes. Councilmembers expressed support for retaining Goddard’s expertise to continue public‑art installations and to advance the downtown vision.
The resolution instructs staff to proceed with the hiring process consistent with CalPERS requirements for retired annuitants and to monitor the fiscal impact through the department’s budget reports.
