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Home My WebLink AboutRES2026-055 City Clerk Amendment 3Sponsored by: City Clerk CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2026-055 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, APPROVING AMENDMENT #3 TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY CLERK AND APPROPRIATED FUNDS WHEREAS, Kris Peck has been appointed by the Seward City Council as the City Clerk since May 23, 2023; and WHEREAS, the City Clerk is an at -will contract employee of the City Council, and as such, does not participate in standard employee step increases (2.5%) or cost of living adjustments (COLA increase in 2026 was 3%) as outlined in the Seward City Code; and WHEREAS, the employment agreement states the City Council agrees to review the City Clerk's performance and contract annually, and may consider a salary increase or other amendments to this contract upon favorable review; and WHEREAS, this amendment #3 seeks to add a built-in 5.5% percentage, comparable to a step increase and a COLA increase that other city employees receive annually. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA: Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby approves Amendment # 3 to the City Clerk's employment agreement to add an annual recurring 5.5% increase as outlined in the attached contract and retroactive to the employment anniversary date of May 23, 2026. Section 2. Funding in the amount of $7,346.06 is hereby appropriated from the general Fund Unassigned Fund Balance account 01000-0000-3400 for salary and benefits to cover the cost for this position in line item 01000-1110-6XXX. Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval. APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA THIS 8th DAY OF JUNE 2026. SiA.dfriino at, Sue McClure, Mayor CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2026-055 Page 2 of 2 AYES: Draper, Osenga, Crites, Calhoon, Barnwell, McClure NOES: None ABSENT: Warner ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: Kris Peck City Clerk Meeting Date: To: From: Subject: Resolution 2026-055: Approving Amendment #3 to the Employment Agreement with the City Clerk and Appropriated Funds City Council Agenda Statement June 8, 2026 City Council Kris Peck, City Clerk Background and justification: Kris Peck has worked in the City Clerk's office since December 2021. Peck entered into a contract with the City Council for City Clerk services with a start date of May 23, 2023. The city clerk does not participate in standard employee step increases or cost of living adjustments (COLA) as outlined in the Seward City Code, and any increase in pay must be by an amendment to the employment agreement via council resolution. The attached resolution would add a built-in 5.5% increase upon each successful annual evaluation. The 5.5% is intended to be comparable to a standard City of Seward annual step increase of 2.5% plus the 3% COLA increase received by city employees. This percentage based increase would keep the city clerk salary in line with every other city position on the wage scale without drafting new legislation each year. A 5.5% increase including employer -paid benefits would be $7,346.06 between May 23, 2026 and May 23, 2027. Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ $7,346.06 This legislation (✓): Creates revenue in the amount of: Creates expenditure in amount of: Creates a savings in the amount of: Has no fiscal impact X Funds are (✓): Budgeted Line item(s): 01000-1110-6XXX — various to cover salary and benefits. X $ $ $7,346.06 $ Not budgeted Not applicable Fund Balance Information Affected Fund (✓): General Boat Harbor Motor Pool X SMIC Parking Other Electric Water Wastewater Healthcare Note: amounts are unaudited Available Unassigned Fund Balance as of 12.31.25 $ 9,578,661 Finance Director Signature: 'z' ""te CITY CLERK EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT #3 This Employment Agreement ("Agreement), effective as of May 23, 2023, ("Effective Date"), and amended April 15, 2024, and June 23, 2025, and June 8, 2026 is between the City of Seward, Alaska ("City) and Kris Peck ("City Clerk") This agreement shall continue indefinitely under the following terms: 1. The City acknowledges that City Clerk is committed to the ideals of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks ("IIMC"), and both parties mutually desire that City Clerk be subject to and comply with the IIMC Code of Ethics. The City agrees that no member of City Council or any employee of the City may give any order, direction, or make any request that would require the City Clerk to violate the IIMC Code of Ethics. 2. Professional growth and continuing education and obtaining and maintaining clerk certifications through training and education, is allowed and encouraged for City Clerk and the staff of the clerk's office. 3. City Clerk is encouraged to participate in community and civic affairs. 4. Travel by the City Clerk shall be in accordance with City Code 3.60.025. Reimbursement for expenditures on behalf of the City shall not be paid unless reimbursement is sought in accordance with standard City procedures, including receipts, and supporting material. 5. City Clerk shall accrue annual leave and holidays in accordance with Chapter 3.45 and 3.50 of the Seward City Code. City Clerk shall be covered by the standard City health insurance and retirement plans. 6. The provisions of Title 3 of the Seward City Code shall not apply to this agreement with the following exceptions, which may be amended from time to time in the city code: A. 3.15.100 Annual bonus. B. 3.15.090. Retirement. C. 3.15.095. Insurance and medical benefits. D. 3.35. Employee Development. City Clerk will have collateral responsibility for employee development within the City Clerk Department. E. 3.45. Annual Leave. The City Council will administer Annual Leave policy for the City Clerk. This includes FMLA (3.45.095) and bereavement leave (3.45.040 f). F. 3.50. Holidays. G. 3.60. Special Provisions. H. 3.70. Standards Relating to Drugs and Alcohol. I. 3.75. Standards Relating to Employee Conduct. J. 3.80. Worker's Compensation. Seward City Clerk Employment Agreement Page 1 of 3 7. Because of the peculiar nature of the City Clerk position, it is agreed that the City's business can only succeed if the City Clerk and the City Council enjoy a working relationship based on mutual respect, trust and positive attitudes. It may, therefore, be impossible to quantify "poor performance" or "just cause" for termination given these complexities which often involve personality factors as opposed to legal or contractual factors. It is therefore the intent of both the City and City Clerk, to provide for termination by either the City or City Clerk without resort to any determination of cause or any necessary explanation by the City. Accordingly, this agreement may be terminated as follows: A. By City Clerk, for any reason or no stated reason, upon giving sixty (60) days written notice to the City. Upon receipt of notice, the City may immediately terminate the relationship, or may require City Clerk to continue for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days at their regular rate of pay from the date of receipt of the notice. The City shall make the election promptly and within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of notice, and the City's failure to make an election shall be deemed as election to terminate the relationship sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of the notice. If the relationship is so terminated, the City shall not be responsible for any severance or termination pay, and City Clerk shall be entitled to any annual leave balance to the date of termination. B. By the City Council for any reason or no stated reason upon giving written notice to City Clerk. The City Council may, at its option, terminate the relationship immediately and provide City Clerk with ninety (90) days' pay in lieu of notice, or, the City Council may require City Clerk to continue service at their regular rate of pay for a period of ninety (90) days. City Clerk shall be entitled to their annual leave balance at the date of termination. C. If the City Clerk retires from full-time public service with the City, City Clerk will provide six (6) months' notice, and the actual retirement date will be mutually established. D. The City shall defend, indemnify, and hold the City Clerk harmless for claims against City Clerk for acts or omissions resulting from their employment by the City and within the scope of the duties as City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 2.35 of the Seward City Code. 8. City Clerk shall be paid at the rate of $100,000 per year. Beginning on the anniversary date of May 23, 2026 and for each successive year of this agreement, the City Clerk shall receive a 5.5% increase upon favorable annual review. The City Council agrees to review the City Clerk's performance and contract annually and may consider a salary increase or other amendments to this contract. If the review is mixed or negative the Mayor may send written notification to Human Resources to halt the increase. Seward City Clerk Employment Agreement Page 2 of 3 9. This agreement is the entire agreement and wherever approval of the City is required, it is understood that such approval will be by the City Council of the City of Seward. This agreement supersedes any previous agreement and may be modified only in writing, signed by each of the parties. This agreement will be interpreted and enforced in Alaska in accordance with the laws of the State of Alaska and is subject to all applicable Charter and ordinance provisions of the City of Seward. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA Kris Peck, City Clerk Sue McClure, Mayor Kat Sor::nsen, Cager Attest " �.•`'0� FSE� �' �l . ' F '•;`SEAL'•= �_ Seward City Clerk Employment Agreement Page 3 of 3 6// p/ Z026 Date 6 / io/zo2� Date 6/a Date