Chief Jared Rinetti (“Chief Rinetti”) took office as Chief of Police beginning December 15, 2018.  Chief Rinetti currently receives benefits pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the City Council. 

The City has approved memoranda of understanding with both the Union City Police Officers’ Association and the Union City Police Management Association (the “Police Groups”) which provide for revised terms of compensation and benefits.     

Staff now recommends that the City Council approve an employment agreement with Chief Rinetti to provide commensurate benefits with the Police Groups in order to ensure equity and avoid compaction. 

This action supports Strategy 8 of Goal B, Governance and Organization Effectiveness, by ensuring salaries are competitive in order to retain talented staff and to provide an attractive recruiting environment.

On December 11, 2018, the City Council approved the appointment by the City Manager of Chief Rinetti, effective December 15, 2018.

Since that time, Chief Rinetti has served in that role pursuant to the terms and conditions previously approved by the City Council.  As an unrepresented employee, the terms and conditions of Chief Rinetti’s employment have generally been consistent with the terms and benefits provided to employees subject to the Union City Police Management Memorandum of Understanding and certain terms and benefits provided to the City’s unrepresented Department Head positions. 

The proposed Resolution authorizes the proposed employment agreement and authorizes the benefits provided in the following sections of the Union City Police Management Memorandum of Understanding effective January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024:  Section 2.00 LEAVE; Section 4.00 HOLIDAYS; Section 5.00 EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE; Section 6.00 INSURANCE COVERAGE; Section 7.00 UNIFORMS; Section 8.00 RETIREE MEDICAL PLANS; Section 9.00 SALARIES subsection (a) Longevity Pay; Section 10.00 RETIREMENT; and Section 11.00 RETIREMENT BENEFITS.  The proposed Resolution also establishes a salary step schedule consistent with California regulations.

Other compensation components include:

• Base salary of $22,573 per month (step 3), effective March 7, 2022;
• One-time lump sum, off-salary schedule payment of approximately $2,726.25 (to reflect the difference in existing salary and proposed salary if effective January 1, 2022);
• One hundred and fifty (150) hours of administrative leave which may be taken as leave or otherwise utilized as provided in the Union City Police Management Association Memorandum of Understanding referenced above;
• Twenty-seven (27) floating holiday hours which may not be accumulated;
• Annual evaluation on January 1 of each year in order to determine eligibility for step increase consistent with the Council approved salary schedule;
• 3% adjustment to base salary of publicly available salary schedule effective on the first full pay period following January 1, 2023 and on the first full pay period following January 1, 2024;
• City-owned vehicle to use in discharging duties and for personal use;
• Vacation accrual of 7.69 hours per pay period (5 weeks per year) that can be utilized as provided in the Union City Police Management Association Memorandum of Understanding referenced above;
• CalGoVEBA contribution by the City of $300.00 per month;
• 401(a) contribution by the City of $300.00 per month.

The cost of the Chief of Police’s salary and benefits is annually included in the City’s budget. However, the costs associated with the changes in salary and benefits included in this employment agreement were not included in the adopted FY 2021-2022. The additional costs related to this employment agreement, for the remainder of this fiscal year, total $12,859, which will be covered by salary savings in the Police Department’s budget.

City staff and the City Attorney recommend that the City Council adopt the Resolution approving an employment agreement with Jared Rinetti as Chief of Police and approving an amendment to the City’s salary schedule in conformance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5.