City Council voted unanimously in support of giving City Administrator Tom Haglund a 2 percent raise ($4,299) Monday night, which brings his annual salary to $219,255.
According to Mayor Don Gage, Haglund has not had a salary increase in five years.
“The salary increase is consistent with the salary increase provided to other management-level City employees,” reads a memo from a City Council subcommittee comprised of Gage, Mayor Pro Tempore Perry Woodward and Council Member Peter Leroe-Munoz. “A 2 percent salary increase will keep (Haglund’s) compensation competitive with regional markets around Gilroy.”
“Our philosophy is basically to pay above average to keep quality people here,” Gage said Monday. “In our city administrator’s case, it’s based on performance; it’s a merit promotion for what he has done in the past year.”
Haglund also receives $6,000 a year for a car allowance, according to City documents.
In other City Council news:
Denial of two claims of injury from a GPD K9
City Council unanimously denied two separate claims of injury following encounters with Gilroy Police Department K9 units.
Emmanuel Luis Fregoso, of Gilroy, said on May 17 at approximately 11 p.m., he suffered a dog bite from a K9 under control of an unknown officer on duty with the GPD, which according to the claim, “viciously and without provocation attacked,” causing Fregoso to suffer grievous injuries.
Gilroy-based attorney Merrill Zimmershead is representing Fregoso and requested no less than $10,000 from the City for medical expenses, pain and suffering associated with dog bites to both legs.
Zimmershead explained in the claim that Fregoso and three friends were in front of an apartment complex at 985 Montebello Drive and were advised by the GPD they were being too noisy.
“The police officers then left, but returned when (Fregoso) made an admittedly unseemly gesture to their departing police vehicle,” reads the claim.
John Anthony Carillo, Jr., of Gilroy, reported being bitten by a GPD K9 at approximately 2:40 p.m. on March 28. He names Cpl. Eustaquio “Paco” Rodriguez as the officer responsible for what he called “excessive force” and nerve damage to his right leg.
The encounter took place between the Oakwood Lounge at 7421 Monterey St. and an adjacent apartment complex, Carillo wrote in his claim. He is seeking $80 million for medical expenses that “are ongoing at this time” after receiving treatment at Saint Louise Regional Hospital.
Gilroy Human Resources Director LeeAnn McPhillips did not respond to requests for comment on whether the City has formally responded to both claims, but a search of the U.S. District Court system turned up no results for either complainant.
Alcohol in parks
Council voted 5-1 in favor of introducing an ordinance that would amend Gilroy City Code to prohibit drinking in designated areas of some parks unless a permit and reservation was paid for through the Parks and Recreation Department. Councilwoman Cat Tucker cast the lone dissenting vote.
According to GPD Chief Denise Turner, consumption of beer and wine would be illegal at the Oaks and Lakeside picnic areas in Las Animas Park, at East and West Mulberry and Sycamore picnic areas within Christmas Hill Park unless drinkers pay between $50 and $350, depending on the size of the picnic area.
City Clerk Shawna Freels explained that Council’s approval will allow the ordinance to come back before City Council on Dec. 2 for formal adoption – but it wouldn’t go into effect until Jan. 2, 2014.
Payday lending
Council voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare an ordinance amending Gilroy City Code to prohibit the proliferation of payday lending businesses within the City.
Located primarily in low-income communities, said Gilroy Planning Manager Sue Martin, payday lending institutions have been banned or severely restricted in 16 states.
“(Customers) often get stuck in a cycle of debt they often can’t get out of,” she said.
Mayor Pro Tempore Perry Woodward requested that City staff also draft a letter to be sent to state legislators in support of eliminating payday lenders altogether. The ordinance and the letter are expected to be presented at the Jan. 6 City Council meeting.
