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Council waives 180‑day rule to rehire retired deputy public works director for short term
Summary
Facing multiple recent retirements in Public Works, Santa Clara’s council approved an exception to the CalPERS 180‑day waiting period to rehire retired deputy director Dave Staub as a limited‑hours annuitant; supporters cited continuity during high‑demand periods and large events, while some members urged stronger succession planning.
The Santa Clara City Council on Jan. 13 approved a resolution granting an exception to the CalPERS 180‑day separation rule to rehire retired deputy public works director David Staub as a retired annuitant.
Public Works Director Craig Moback said the department experienced three senior retirements near year‑end — a design division manager, a transportation and traffic division manager, and a streets division deputy director — creating immediate operational gaps. Moback asked the council to permit a limited‑term rehiring so the department can manage capital budgets, Super Bowl/FIFA event preparations, regulatory coordination and mentoring of new staff.
Moback said the rehired annuitant would be limited to 960 hours per year, not receive city benefits and be rehired for up to two years, per CalPERS rules for annuitant rehiring. “Bringing him back allows for the continuance of services and provides time for an organizational assessment and any restructuring,” Moback said.
Council debate focused on succession planning and whether recurring use of 180‑day waivers short‑circuits promotion opportunities for internal staff. Opponents voiced concern about perceived financial advantage to rehired annuitants who may draw pensions while receiving wages. City Manager and legal staff said CalPERS rules and the 960‑hour cap are designed to limit double‑dipping; staff said rehiring is rare and used only in unusual circumstances.
The council approved the exception on a 6–1 vote with Councilmember Park dissenting; staff said they would continue an organizational assessment to strengthen succession and training.
What’s next: the city will execute a two‑year rehiring agreement with hourly limits and return to the council with updates from the organizational assessment and recruitment status for permanent replacements.
