HomeMy WebLinkAboutSteve Berry-2009-11 (2) SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE
AGREEMENT
RECITALS
THIS SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE AGREEMENT is hereby made by and among
the City of Grand Terrace (the"City) and Grand Terrace Redevelopment Agency, the
("Agency")and Steve Berry(jointly,the"Parties")as follows:
WHEREAS, Steve Berry has been employed by the City and Agency as Assistant City
Manager/Assistant Executive Director; and
WHEREAS, in June, as a result of a debilitating medical condition which prevented the
City Manager from performing his duties, Mr. Berry was appointed Interim City Manager and
subsequently,Acting City Manager; and
WHEREAS, on July 28, 2008, the City Council terminated Mr. Berry's temporary
appointment as Acting City Manager; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Berry consequently resumed his position as Assistant City Manager;
however, as a result of said position having been eliminated from the 2009-10 City and Agency
budgets, Mr. Berry was laid off effective August 1,2009; and
WHEREAS, the basis for the City Council's decision was not based upon Mr. Berry's
integrity or skills, nor intended to reflect negatively thereon, but rather was based upon the City
Council's belief that the current circumstances prevented Mr. Berry from providing the
necessary leadership to the staff and community.
WHEREAS, rather than pursue any legal remedies as Mr. Berry believes may exist, in
settlement of any potential claims as reflected in this Agreement, the Parties have reached this
agreement, and
AGREEMENT
A. The Parties agree that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and are
incorporated herein as if set forth in full hereat.
B. For and in consideration of this Agreement, in lieu of immediate layoff, the City
agrees to place Mr. Berry on paid leave through September 30, 2009, at which time his
employment will be concluded. During that time, the City shall pay Mr. Berry's insurance
premiums as the City has to date. Mr. Berry will be compensated at the rate for Assistant City
Manager. Following the conclusion of his employment, Mr. Berry will be reimbursed for one (1)
month of any health insurance premium he pays pursuant to the provisions of COBRA.
C. For and in consideration of that consideration related in Paragraph B above, the
undersigned Steve Berry ("Releasor") does hereby release, acquit and forever discharge the City
of Grand Terrace and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Grand Terrace, their elected
officials, officers, agents, servants, successors, and employees, ("Releasees") of and from any
and all claims, actions, judgments, causes of action, demands, rights, damages, costs, loss of
service, expenses, and compensation whatsoever, which the Releasor now has no matter when
the same arose, or which may hereafter accrue on account of or in any way growing out of any
and all known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen, damages and the consequences thereof,
resulting or to result, from the termination of Releasor's employment status.
Said consideration is made with the understanding that all claims are resolved, in their
entirety. It is the intent of this Agreement to compromise any and all claims which the Releasor
now has or may hereafter acquire in any manner by reason of,or even remotely arising out of the
Releasor's termination of employment. It is understood and agreed that this settlement is the
compromise of a doubtful and disputed claim, and that the payment made is not to be construed
as an admission of liability on the part of the party or parties hereby released, and that said
parties deny liability therefore and intend merely to avoid litigation and to buy their peace. It is
further understood and agreed that all rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of California
and any similar law of any state or territory of the United States are hereby expressly waived.
Said Section reads as follows:
"1542. Certain claims not affected by general release. A general release does not
extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at
the time of executing the release, which if known by him, must have materially
affected his settlement with the debtor."
The undersigned represents and warrants that no portion of any claim, right, lien, demand,
action, or cause of action, that Releasor has or might have arising out of said occurrence against
said released parties has been assigned or transferred in any manner, including by way of
subrogation or operation of law except as herein noted and expected.
Mr. Steve Berry does declare and represent that he is effecting this Settlement and
executing this Release after having received full legal advice as to his rights from legal counsel.
This Release contains the entire Agreement between the parties hereto, and the terms of
this Settlement and Release Agreement are contractual and not a mere recital.
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Mr. Berry further states that he has carefully read the foregoing Settlement and Release
Agreement and knows the contents thereof, and has hereto signed the same as his own free act.
Executed on this day of August, 2009 at Grand Terrace, California.
By: S r -
+ /
Steve Berry
CITY OF GRAND TE E AND GRAND
TERRACE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
By: /.t.G�//
Maryett erre, Mayor and Chairperson
Approved as to orm and Content:
B law
John R. H: . ity Attorney
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CTC ?CX -1-It
EXCERPT FROM MINUTES OF MEETING
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF GRAND TERRACE, CALIFORNIA
HELD JULY 28, 2009
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace was called to order in the Council
Chambers of the City Council at 22795 Barton Road, in the City of Grand Terrace, at the hour of 6:00 p.m.
on the 28th day of July, 2009, with Mayor Maryetta Ferro presiding.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mayor Maryetta Ferro, Mayor Pro Tern Lee Ann Garcia,
Councilmembers Bea Cortes, Jim Miller, and Walt Stanckiewitz
ABSENT: None
A quorum of the City Council was present.
CLOSED SESSION
9A. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) to Consider the Appointment of Acting
City Manager Pursuant to GTMC 2.08.030
CC-2009-99 MOTION BY MAYOR FERRE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED
4-0-0-1 (COUNCILMEMBER MILLER ABSTAINED),that this decision by the Council is
not intended to reflect on Steve Berry's integrity or skills. The Council however, feels that
under the current circumstances it is impossible for Steve to provide the leadership of staff and
the City necessary to continue as Acting City Manager. The City Council therefore names
Bernie Simon as the Acting City Manager until the City selects a permanent City Manager.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO )ss.
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
I,BRENDA MESA,City Clerk of the City of Grand Terrace,California,DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the
foregoing is a full and correct excerpt of the minutes of the meeting of the City Council held on the 28th day
of July, 2009. M
BRENDA MESA
CITY CLERK
This 11'h day of August, 2009.
August 6, 2009
Acknowledgement to Settlement, Retirement and Release Agreement between the City of
Grand Terrace and Thomas Schwab dated June 15, 2009.
Funds representing amounts to purchase four additional years PERS retirement will be
transferred to a personal account designated by Mr. Schwab in order to purchase "air
time". Both parties acknowledge that the amount presented to support is an estimate that
may change. The amount appropriated as part of the approved FY 2009-10 will be used
accordingly to settle the amount due.
Signed,
Thomas J. Sc ab Bernie Simon, Acting City Manager