The council will consider next Wednesday a three-year extension to City Manager Jim Thorsen’s employment contract. Thorsen’s current contract expired on May 11, and the proposed extension would last through May 11, 2016, “unless otherwise terminated by either party as provided herein,” according to the staff report. He has served as Malibu’s city manager since 2006.
According to assistant city manager Reva Feldman, Thorsen’s annual contractual salar y is $200,859, with a $400 per month car allowance, 22.5 days of vacation leave and 12 days of sick leave. Thorsen’s salary could increase 2.2 percent (about $4,400) in July if the council this month approves a cost of living increase for all city employees.
Thorsen made $204,839 total in 2011, according to the office of the California State Controller. Final salary figures for 2012 have not yet been made available.
Thorsen was given a performance evaluation in closed session at a May 28 City Council meeting.
“Thereafter, the City Council met with and gave instructions to the assistant city attorney to negotiate an extension of the contract with the city manager,” a staff report states.
The amendment to his contract also specifies that the city will fund any legal criminal defense “and/or a cash settlement to employee related to termination of the employee.” Additionally, if the city manager were ever convicted of a crime related to abuse of his authority as city manager, he would have to reimburse the city for legal fees, according to the staff report.
The contract extension and amendments are part of the City Council’s consent calendar, which gets passed without discussion from the council, unless an item is pulled by a public speaker wishing to make specific comments.
For more information, download the proposed contract amendment here.