City Administrator Addresses Retirement Issues

Dear Editor,
OK, enough is enough. Over the last several days there have been
several stories in the Dispatch about Gregg Giusiana and Lanny
Brown’s pending retirements, and the circumstances around them.
City Administrator Addresses Retirement Issues

Dear Editor,

OK, enough is enough. Over the last several days there have been several stories in the Dispatch about Gregg Giusiana and Lanny Brown’s pending retirements, and the circumstances around them. Since the “blame” is being aimed all over the place, I must step in. As the administrator of the City of Gilroy organization I owe it to you to give you the full story.

First, there never was any intent to give Gregg or Lanny a “sweetheart” deal. Both of these fine, dedicated professionals were talking about retiring for the last few years. As part of the city’s succession planning, we knew this was going to happen soon. The wild cards in this discussion were the completion of the new police station and to plan a smooth transition for new administrative personnel (the top two administrators leaving at the same time is a problem to avoid).

Concerning the new police station, Lanny and Gregg were and continue to be vital in the monitoring of a very difficult construction project. If the building had been completed on time, both men could have retired at the end of last year, and that would have been it. However, the building was not complete, and I felt that keeping them on, despite their interest to retire, was in the best interests of the city. They agreed to stay (Lanny to see the building transition out six months, and Gregg to help make for a smooth transition to the new chief – one year), but since they were maxed out on their PERS retirement, we negotiated an agreement that would pay them the base pay rate (no benefits, etc.) for their positions. Yes, they will get their retirement plus their city pay, but the city will save more than a $100,000 in benefits, etc.

Most importantly in this discussion was that the city’s interests were paramount, not Gregg’s or Lanny’s. It does not happen often, but in all cases where a past retired employee is kept on, or rehired there must be a compelling city interest to do so.

Second, there was never any intent to do this “secretively”. As stated above, though it does not occur often, the city has kept on and/or rehired retirees before. As an aside, this is common practice in many other California local governments. The process is done as a matter of normal course. Therefore, when Gregg’s and Lanny’s agreements were reached, I felt the process was consistent with past practice. Based on the reaction, I was wrong. Since there was nothing wrong with the agreements, I should have found a way to inform the Council and the public of the agreements.

Third, I feel very badly for what Gregg, Lanny, and this organization are having to endure. Gregg and Lanny did nothing wrong. They could have just as easily retired and been done with the city. They didn’t, and this tells me and hopefully you, what kind of public employees, and more importantly, what kind of men they are. I apologize to them specifically and the total organization in general for putting them in this situation.

The bottom line is I should have made this process more transparent and for that I take full responsibility. However, as I explained above there was never any hidden intent in any of this. It is too bad it came to this, because actually it is a pretty positive story: “City saves money, and keeps key police personnel to help in transitions.”

Jay Baksa, City Administrator

Sunrise Area Residents Deserve Full fire Coverage

Dear Editor,

It is my understanding that the Sunrise Fire Station Covers all the homes from Mantelli Drive to Sunrise Drive west of Santa Teresa and all the homes in the Country Estates development.

I find it very hard to believe that the City Council and the city administrator would allow this large area of homes to remain without a fully staffed fire engine to respond to emergencies. A recent story spelled out that on any given day the Sunrise station is only staffed with two personnel on an ambulance type (“rescue”) piece of equipment.

My understanding is that the other two fire stations in Gilroy are continually staffed with four firefighters on a fire engine that actually carries water on board and has the capability of putting fires out. I realize that the fire department is currently “understaffed” and the city is in the process of hiring more firefighters but in the meantime is it ok for this large area of homes not to receive the same level of service as the rest of the citizens of Gilroy?

I don’t think so … I believe it is time to reevaluate this situation and come up with an immediate solution. Why doesn’t the city ask its current firefighters to step up and work a couple extra days a month until more personnel can be hired and give the citizens the fire protection they deserve and pay for? The mayor was recently quoted as saying “this is the council to get things done.” Let’s start with the basics like the safety and security of all Gilroy residents.

A. James, Gilroy