Title
Report Regarding a Resolution Approving Amendment No. 1 to the Employment Agreement between the City of South San Francisco and Laura Snideman (Leah Lockhart, Human Resources Director)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to the Employment Agreement between the City of South San Francisco and Laura Snideman to extend the term of the agreement to June 30, 2029, and modify other specified terms.
Body
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On November 12, 2025, City Council approved an Employment Agreement with Laura Snideman appointing her to the position of City Manager commencing January 5, 2026. The Employment Agreement provided for an initial one-year term, which could be extended for up to three years upon mutual agreement and contingent upon completion of performance evaluations as scheduled.
Following a performance evaluation conducted in June, 2026, staff were directed to prepare an amendment to the Employment Agreement for City Council consideration, based on successful performance evaluation and mutual desire to extend the term of the Agreement.
The terms of the amendment, included as Exhibit A to the Resolution include:
1. Extending the term of the Agreement through June 30, 2029
2. Increasing the vacation accrual rate to the equivalent of the highest service tier in the Executive Management Compensation Plan (9.23 hours per pay period, or 30 days per year)
All other terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement not listed in the Amendment remain in full force and effect. The proposed amendment does not include increases to salary or other direct compensation. A cost-of-living adjustment equivalent to that which was granted to all other full-time employees was approved by City Council on July 9, 2026 in accordance with the original Employment Agreement, and this amendment does not alter those continued terms.
FISCAL IMPACT
The increase to the vacation accrual rate equivalent to an additional ten (10) days per year, does not have a direct impact to the City’s operating budget, but may have a modest impact on the City’s outstanding liabilities.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
As the City’s chief administrative executive, the City Manager plays a vital role in sustaining the City’s services, advancing key projects, and ensuring that the priorities of the City Council are carried through to completion. Maintaining and extending the Employment Agreement for the City Manager will provide for continued executive leadership on the City Council Priorities Action Plan.
CONCLUSION
Extending the Agreement for the City Manager provides organizational stability and ensures continuity of executive leadership as the City continues to advance significant projects and City Council priorities, and is recommended in recognition of Council’s satisfaction with performance to date.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
1. Resolution File 26-2153