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1 <br /> THE CITY OF <br /> -�•• �'` CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT <br /> pLEASANTON <br /> August 20, 2019 <br /> City Council <br /> TITLE: APPROVE SECOND AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT OF <br /> CITY ATTORNEY DANIEL SODERGREN TO PROVIDE FOR AN EIGHT <br /> PERCENT SALARY ADJUSTMENT <br /> SUMMARY <br /> The City Council appoints and evaluates the City Attorney. Daniel Sodergren has <br /> served as Pleasanton's City Attorney since May of 2016. The City Council has reviewed <br /> Mr. Sodergren's performance and considered a salary survey for his position. Based on <br /> this review, and relevant market conditions, it is recommended that Mr. Sodergren's <br /> employment contract be amended to provide for an eight percent salary increase (his <br /> current salary is $210,000, so his new salary will be $226,800). A contract amendment <br /> incorporating this change is attached. <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Second Amendment to Employment <br /> Contract between the City and Daniel Sodergren. <br /> FINANCIAL STATEMENT <br /> This contract amendment can be paid from available resources in the General Fund. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> Daniel Sodergren has served as Pleasanton's City Attorney for three years and has 30 <br /> years of legal experience. Mr. Sodergren, with staff attorneys and outside counsel that <br /> he manages: defends the City against lawsuits; initiates litigation in the interest of the <br /> City; writes or reviews all ordinances, resolutions and contracts; advises elected <br /> officials, appointed officials and staff; provides advice on open records (the Brown Act), <br /> Conflicts of Interest (the Political Reform Act), elections, the California Environmental <br /> Quality Act (CEQA), land use matters, and numerous other issues. <br /> The last amendment to Mr. Sodergren's employment contract was in 2017, so with this <br /> 2019 amendment, the recommended salary adjustment is effectively four percent for <br /> 2018 and four percent for 2019, for eight percent total. City Attorney Sodergren's <br /> compensation is currently below market as compared to City Attorneys staffed in <br /> surrounding agencies. While the recommended salary increase will not attain the <br /> market average, it will position the City Attorney's salary closer to the average market. <br /> Without this adjustment, Mr. Sodergren would remain substantially below market, which <br /> does not accurately reflect his legal experience and acumen. <br />