In the wake of former San Juan City Manager Steve Julian’s
recent departure and revelations about a relatively lucrative
contract for a community of fewer than 2,000 people, the Free Lance
reviewed similar agreements held by Hollister’s top officials.
Terminating top city officials can be a costly proposition.
In the wake of former San Juan City Manager Steve Julian’s recent departure and revelations about a relatively lucrative contract for a community of fewer than 2,000 people, the Free Lance reviewed similar agreements held by Hollister’s top officials.
Those documents showed that all of the city’s top department heads – if terminated by the council – would be likely recipients of severance packages paying them full salary and health benefits for periods of six to 12 months.
The Free Lance submitted a public records request to review contracts for City Manager Clint Quilter, City Attorney Stephanie Atigh, Administrative Services Director Robert Galvan, Development Services Director Bill Avera, City Attorney Stephanie Atigh and Director of the Airport and Code Enforcement Mike Chambless.
The following are some of the key provisions in those contracts:
Clint Quilter
– Quilter signed on as city manager in July 2005 and his compensation is noted as 5 percent more than the highest-paid department head.
– He cannot be fired within 180 days of an election in which any new council members are selected.
– If terminated without gross misconduct or gross negligence, he would receive a lump sum equal to six months of salary and health benefits. If he would not find comparable work (as a city manager or getting paid at least 90 percent of his Hollister salary) for up to another six months he would receive the monetary equivalent of his salary and benefits every two weeks until he found comparable employment.
– He receives a car allowance of $275 monthly.
Stephanie Atigh
– The deal commenced in August 2006 and she was paid $124,800 a year at the outset.
– She also can’t be fired within 180 days of an election that changes the council makeup.
– If terminated without gross misconduct or gross negligence, she would receive a lump sum equal to six months of salary and health benefits.
– She receives a $275 monthly car allowance.
– Atigh must maintain office hours in Hollister no less than four days per week.
Robert Galvan
– The agreement commenced in December 2004 and he was paid $104,688 annually.
– If terminated, possible without cause, he would receive a lump sum equal to six months of salary and benefits except health coverage, which the city would fund for up to six months or until he were to find other work.
Bill Avera
– Avera’s deal commenced in April 2006 and he was paid $103,010 at the outset.
– If terminated, also possible without cause, he would receive a lump sum equal to six months of salary and benefits, except health coverage, which the city would fund for up to six months or until he were to find other work.
Mike Chambless
– His deal commenced in October 2008. As the director of the Hollister airport and code enforcement, he was paid $76,512 at the outset.
– If terminated, also possible without cause, he would receive a lump sum equal to six months of salary and benefits, except health insurance coverage, which the city would fund for up to six months or until he were to find other work.
Two departments heads, meanwhile, function without a contract. City Clerk Geri Johnson and Community Services Director Clay Lee do so because they were under agreements before the city council changed the status of department heads to at-will employment.
