Atwater council rules Frank Pietro can keep chief, city manager jobs – for now

City Manager and Police Chief Frank Pietro will be able to keep both jobs, the City Council determined during a special meeting Monday.

The decision came after city officials questioned whether the two offices Pietro occupies are incompatible and present a conflict. Under the city’s municipal code, the police chief reports to the city manager, creating a problem since Pietro holds both positions.

However, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday to change the city’s supervisorial structure. The police chief will now report to the City Council, instead of the city manager. Councilman Joe Rivero was absent for the meeting.

The ordinance requires a second reading and final approval, which is expected at a council meeting next month. But the approval on Monday allows Pietro to remain in both positions, City Attorney Tom Terpstra said during the meeting.

The ordinance also specifies that the police chief can be appointed only by the City Council, not the city manager. The council would have the authority to remove the police chief, if necessary. The city code changes would be in effect only until the two jobs are no longer occupied by one person, according to city documents.

“This finally puts an end to the conflict,” Mayor Jim Price said following Monday’s meeting. “Frank has been loyal to the city, and I think he was happy with the decision. I wanted to do what was right for him, and he’s proven he’s able to take on both positions.”

Pietro, who grew up in Atwater, became police chief in 2011 after more than 30 years with the department. He took over as interim city manager in 2012 just as the city flirted with bankruptcy.

Pietro was credited with saving the city from bankruptcy by negotiating a 22 percent pay cut for police officers, laying off nine employees and making phone calls to collect nearly $1 million in debt owed to the city. Pietro collected one salary to do both full-time jobs, though he receives a small bump in pay for public safety.

Pietro’s total compensation is $188,667, according to City Clerk Jeanna Del Real, including $18,000 in medical benefits.

Councilman James Vineyard said Monday the city can’t afford to hire two full-time administrators, but will consider the option when its financial condition improves. Vineyard commended Pietro for keeping Atwater afloat during its financial crisis.

“When we get to the point that we are financially stable, we’ll look at filling both positions,” Vineyard told the Merced Sun-Star. “He’s adding more (police) officers and he’s done a wonderful job. He’s kept the city out of bankruptcy. He’s kept the city alive.”

In a city where the past council often publicly bickered at meetings, the members on Monday had a united front. They agreed that Pietro is good for Atwater.

“The city hasn’t had that unity in a long time,” Councilman Brian Raymond said. “When people see us working together, they may be more inclined to be more engaged in their government.”

This story was originally published March 23, 2015 at 12:48 PM with the headline "Atwater council rules Frank Pietro can keep chief, city manager jobs – for now."