*Authorize Director of the Bureau of Human Resources to offer an Employment Agreement to the City Administrator

The City of Portland ordains.Section 1. The Council finds:This Ordinance supports the City of Portland's Core Values including Transparency and Communication. On December 13, 2023, the Council approved five new non-represented classifications to support the transition to the government structure supported by City Charter (Ordinance 191554), and one of these classifications is for a City Administrator. The City Administrator position requires a very high level of skill and expertise, as the position is responsible for running the operations of the City. Employment agreements for the position of city administrator and city manager, particularly in larger cities, is a very common practice, as it provides security to people in a highly political position that often sees a level of high turnover. Allowing the Bureau of Human Resources to offer and enter into an employment agreement with the City Administrator is necessary to attract and retain competitive people for the position of City Administrator.NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:The Bureau of Human Resources Director is hereby authorized to offer an employment agreement to the City Administrator that includes a targeted severance agreement under the targeted severance program that is equal to one year of their annual salary for the first year of this contract and six months of their annual salary for each remaining year of this contract as a lump sum, conditioned upon execution of the targeted severance agreement.The duration of the employment agreement will be up to three years, at the discretion of the Mayor, with the ability to continue on an at-will basis without a contract or to negotiate new contract terms as authorized by City Charter, Code, Ordinance, or Administrative Rule or under the terms authorized in this Ordinance.Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because the expeditious appointment of a City Administrator is critical to support continuity between the outgoing and incoming City Administrator and an employment agreement is an important element of the appointment; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.