Council extends city manager's contract by one year despite public objections over pending litigation

The Cotati City Council voted June 9 to approve a third amended and restated employment agreement for City Manager Damian OID that extends the contract through July 8, 2027 and applies a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment.

Assistant City Attorney Ali Wolf summarized the item on the record under Government Code section 54953, saying the amendment brings the city manager's agreement in line with the non-represented-employee benefit term and includes a 2.5% COLA and non-substantive cleanups. "The term of the existing employment agreement will be extended by one additional year changing the contract expiration date to July 8th of 2027. There is a cost-of-living adjustment. The city manager will receive a 2.5% cost of living adjustment to the base salary," Wolf said.

During public comment, a resident (Lori) urged the council to delay action and consider an interim manager, saying the city manager is personally named in a federal lawsuit and warning that renewing the contract could trigger large severance or other payouts; she asked council to avoid what she described as "rewarding" alleged mismanagement while litigation is pending. The transcript records public concern but no formal legal findings during the meeting.

Council members who spoke in favor said aligning the city manager terms with other non-represented employees and the 2.5% COLA were fair and that they value the city manager's service. The resolution authorizing the mayor to execute the third amended and restated employment agreement passed on a voice vote.

The council did not take separate action on the public allegations during the meeting; staff and the city attorney did not present a legal motion to delay contract action. The meeting record reflects the council's approval of the contract amendment and the public comment opposing immediate renewal.