Category Archives: El Segundo

News and information about or related to the city of El Segundo, California 90245.

Highest paid El Segundo City Employee in 2009

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Mike

by Michael D. Robbins
Director, Public Safety Project, PublicSafetyProject.org

August 17, 2010

SWORN POLICE OFFICERS

Generally, El Segundo sworn police officers, from lowest level Police Officer up to Police Captain, are by far the highest paid city employees except for sworn firefighters. Police Chief David Cummings was by far the highest paid city employee in calendar year 2009.

    Highest Paid El Segundo City Employee in Calendar Year 2009

Former El Segundo Police Chief David Cummings, who retired in 2009 with about eleven weeks left in the year, had total 2009 compensation of about $596,657, including his city contract and CalPERS pension income while he continued working as the El Segundo Police Chief after his retirement. Cummings’ post-retirement City employment contract acknowledged that he would be receiving his $210,000 per year CalPERS pension income while he continued working as the City’s police chief after his retirement.

Below are two tables, one showing how former El Segundo Police Chief David Cummings was paid a total of at least $596,657 in 2009, and the second showing how Cummings’ salary, vacation and sick leave payout, and pension were all spiked by the 23% raise he was given about a year before his retirement. Following these two tables is a list of links to related documents.

The following is an in-line HTML table containing the formatted spreadsheet data of former El Segundo Police Chief David Cummings’ calendar year 2009 total compensation and pension income.

Note: This Public Records Act request data was provided by the City of El Segundo, California on December 15, 2010 in response to a PRA request made by Michael D. Robbins on December 5, 2010. It is provided here as a courtesy of Michael D. Robbins and the Public Safety Project, P.O. Box 2193, El Segundo, CA 90245, PublicSafetyProject.org. The estimated (calculated) data and additional data annotations were provided by Michael D. Robbins.

David Cummings – El Segundo, California Police Chief
Paid in Calendar Year 2009
   
Pay and Income for the first 41 weeks (289 days) of 2009
(1/1/09-10/16/09):		  
   
Regular Earnings 225,627
Special Compensation (Uniform Allowance) 480
Regular Earnings + Special Comp 226,107
Leave Payout (Vacation and Sick Leave Payout) 199,668
Total Earnings 425,775
   
   
CalPERS Pension – Employer Contribution – Paid by the Employer (City) 48,894
Percentage of Regular Earnings + Special Comp – Paid by the Employer (City) 21.6%
   
CalPERS Pension – Employee Contribution – Paid by the Employer (City) 16,755
Percentage of Regular Earnings + Special Comp – Paid by the Employer (City) 7.4%
   
CalPERS Pension – Employee Contribution – Paid by the Employee 0
Percentage of Regular Earnings + Special Comp – Paid by the Employee 0.0%
   
CalPERS Pension – Employee Contribution – Total Amount Paid 16,755
Percentage of Regular Earnings + Special Comp 7.4%
   
TOTAL CALPERS PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS PAID BY THE EMPLOYER (CITY) 65,649
Percentage of Regular Earnings + Special Comp – Total Paid by the Employer (City) 29.0%
   
NOTE: CalPERS pension contributions were made for the period 1/1/09 – 10/16/09 (41 weeks)  
   
   
401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan  
401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan – Amount Paid by Employer (City) 11,592
401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan – Amount Paid by the Employee 0
401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan – Total Amount Paid 11,592
Annual Regular Earnings + Special Comp for period 9/27/08 – 9/25/09 231,839
Percentage of Regular Earnings + Special Comp 5.0%
   
Total Insurance Benefits Paid by the Employer (City)  
A D & D 17
Dental 853
Life Insurance 154
Long Term Disability 692
Executive Long Term Disability 1,031
Vision 168
TOTAL 2,915
   
Post-Employment Health Insurance for 11/09 & 12/09 2,302
   
2009 TOTAL EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION 508,233
   
   
Pay and Income for the last 11 weeks (76 days) of 2009 (10/17/09 – 12/31/09):  
   
Estimated Contract Employee Pay 43,956
(At $111 per hour x 36 hours per week average x 11 weeks)  
   
Estimated CalPERS Pension Double-Dipping Income 44,468
(At $210,213.36 per year for 11 weeks)  
   
ESTIMATED TOTAL 2009 EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND PENSION INCOME 596,657
(All pension income was obtained while “double-dipping” by working as a contract employee El Segundo City Police Chief)  

    Regular Earnings, Leave Payout, and Pension Benefit Spike

Police Chief David Cummings received a 23% pay increase effective October 1, 2008, about a year before his retirement, which spiked his 2009 total earnings and leave payout, and his annual pension. The raise spiked his regular earnings by $42,190 (from $183,437 to $225,627), and his accumulated vacation and sick leave payout (cash-out) value by $37,336 (from $162,332 to $199,668), for a total earnings spike of $79,527. His annual pension was spiked by an estimated $39,308 (from $170,905 to $210,213).

Police officers and firefighters are credited and allowed to accumulate and roll-over from year to year huge numbers of vacation and sick leave hours, which can be cashed out at a higher pay rate in later years and upon retirement. His total 2009 earnings was $425,775 – consisting of $225,627 Regular Earnings, $480 Special Compensation, and $199,668 Leave Payout. He retired in 2009 with a pension of $210,213.36 yearly ($17,517.78 monthly) according to CaliforniaPensionReform.com, plus medical insurance, for the rest of his life.

The following table summarizes Police Chief David Cummings’ spikes resulting from his 23% raise.

  Regular Earnings Special Comp. Overtime Leave Payout Total Earnings Yearly Pension
Before 23% Raise 183,437 480 0 162,332 346,248 170,905
After 23% Raise 225,627 480 0 199,668 425,775 210,213
Spike Amount 42,190 0 0 37,336 80,007 39,308

The reason given for Cummings’ 23% pay increase that spiked his pay, leave payout, and pension was salary compaction, also known as salary compression, caused by large pay increases given to the police union members.

Links to Related Documents: … Continue reading →

Posted in El Segundo, El Segundo News, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Highest paid El Segundo City Employee in 2009

Eye-Popping El Segundo 2009 Firefighter Compensation Data

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Mike

SWORN FIREFIGHTERS

As mentioned previously, El Segundo sworn firefighters, from lowest level Firefighter up to the Fire Chief, are by far the highest paid city employees. Generally, sworn police officers from lowest level Police Officer up to Police Captain are a close second. As we shall see, the Police Chief was by far the highest paid city employee in 2009.

The current firefighters union contract, commencing on July 1, 2008, and ending on September 30, 2011, gave the firefighters an 11.25% raise over three years during the 2008-2010 recession … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Doug Willmore's Great Chevron Shakedown, El Segundo, El Segundo News, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Firefighter Union Corruption, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cut administration costs – Letter to the Beach Reporter by David Burns

Posted on January 21, 2010 by Mike

Cut administration costs

ESUSD can costs of the administration. The superintendent is paid a gasoline stipend and car allotment that should be cut; it amounts to more than $10,000 annually. The superintendent should also take a 10-percent to 15-percent pay cut as the top administrator, showing leadership by example. The other administrators (superintendent’s staff) should take a 10-percent cut across the board. The ESUSD administrators have sat idle and quiet in dealing with the economy, taking pay increases and using reclassifications to mask past pay increases. They also want to take the same percentage cut that teachers may have to take.

Asking the teachers who make between $30,000 and $70,000 annually to take the same percentage pay cut as a person making more than $150,000 annually is grossly unfair and demonstrates poor leadership. The ESUSD should implement graduated pay cuts, like the University of California system did in 2009. The example of cuts could be like 2 percent for those earning less than $50,000, 3 percent for $60,000, 4 percent for $75,000, 5 percent at $90,000, 6 percent at $110,000, 8 percent for $125,000, 10 percent for $150,000 and above, 15 percent for $190,000 and above. … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Reporter Letters, El Segundo News, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions, Letters to the Editor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Cut administration costs – Letter to the Beach Reporter by David Burns

City of El Segundo Police Officer Recruitment Ad in October 1, 2009 El Segundo Herald

Posted on October 1, 2009 by Mike

EL SEGUNDO HERALD – October 1, 2009 – Page 24 The following is a City of El Segundo Police Officer recruitment advertisement in the October 1, 2009 El Segundo Herald newspaper that appeared on page 24. The add does not … Continue reading →

Posted in El Segundo, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on City of El Segundo Police Officer Recruitment Ad in October 1, 2009 El Segundo Herald

Union bosses and well-funded outside special interests tried again in 2008 to take over small town El Segundo

Posted on April 2, 2008 by Mike

2008 EL SEGUNDO CITY ELECTION

Union bosses and well-funded outside special interests tried again in 2008 to take over small town El Segundo

Former City Councilmember Mike Robbins fought against a big city-style political machine in small town El Segundo

“El Segundo Fire and Police Union bosses unilaterally endorsed candidates with the worst public safety, spending, and integrity records.”

Candidates were supported with tens of thousands of dollars from outside special interests, including developers, a trash hauler, someone who tried to obtain a large city contract without competition, and others who may have expected something in return. One of these candidates was Eric Busch. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo News, Elections, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Firefighter Union Corruption, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions, Police Union Corruption, Political Corruption, Politics, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Union bosses and well-funded outside special interests tried again in 2008 to take over small town El Segundo

What is a Fire or Police Union Endorsement Really Worth? by Michael D. Robbins

Posted on April 2, 2008 by Mike

What is a Fire or Police Union Endorsement Really Worth ?

    El Segundo Fire and Police Union bosses have unilaterally endorsed candidates:

  • With the Worst public safety and spending records.

    In the last City Council election (2004), the El Segundo Fire and Police Union
    Bosses     endorsed the candidates with the worst public safety records and failed to
    endorse the two candidates with outstanding public safety records – Jim
    Boulgarides, a firefighter and paramedic in another city and also an L.A. County
    Lifeguard – and former multi-term Mayor Carl Jacobson, who was instrumental in
    the successful relocation into El Segundo and modernization of our 911 emergency
    call/dispatch center and our public safety records management system.

    The Union bosses endorsed George Nakano for our State Assembly district in
    2002, even though Nakano voted only three days after the 9-11 Terrorist Attack
    to give official California driver licenses to Illegal Aliens, Identity Thieves, Drug
    Smugglers, and Terrorists using the identity of their choice (AB 60, 9/14/2001).
    Nakano voted for dangerous laws and bloated budgets that led to the Governor
    Davis recall.

… Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo News, Elections, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Firefighter Union Corruption, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions, News, Police Union Corruption, Political Corruption, Politics, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What is a Fire or Police Union Endorsement Really Worth? by Michael D. Robbins

Email – Agreement with Chevron for gas UUT in lieu fee

Posted on August 18, 2004 by Mike

From: Plumlee, Bret
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 1:33 PM
To: Domann, Cathy
Subject: Agreement with Chevron for gas UUT in lieu fee

Cathy,

I would like to get a copy of an agreement the City has with Chevron for payment in lieu of paying gas UUT on cogenerated electricity. I think the agreement is many years old, but I would like to review it if you can track it down. … Continue reading →

Posted in El Segundo Chevron Public Records Act Request | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Email – Agreement with Chevron for gas UUT in lieu fee

El Segundo Firefighter Union Bosses used Threats and Intimidation in City Election

Posted on April 10, 2004 by Mike

BREAKING NEWS:

Saturday, April 10, 2004 7:27 am

FIRE UNION BOSS’S SENIOR SCARE LETTER

Firefighter Union bosses use scare tactics against El Segundo senior citizens.

They sent a letter on Union letterhead dated 4/9/04, signed by all three fire Union bosses, to El Segundo seniors threatening that if they don’t vote for Eric Busch, Sandy Jacobs, and Bill Fisher for City Council, hospitals may be closed and there may not be emergency service in El Segundo when needed!

Click on the letter to the left to see a larger readable image of the complete letter (150 KB).

Click on the envelope below to see the text of the letter.

The Fire Union bosses who signed the letter are:

Kevin Rehm, President
Breck Slover, 1st Vice President
John Bilbee, 2nd Vice President
El Segundo Firefighters’ Association

Click on the envelope below to see an analysis and the text of the Senior Scare Letter. Notice how the envelope also carries the fire Union logo.

Click HERE on the image of the Fire Union envelope that the Fire Union Senior Scare Letter was sent in to see an analysis and the text of the Senior Scare Letter (on the old website). Notice how the envelope also carries the fire Union logo.

Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, Elections, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Firefighter Union Corruption, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions, News, Political Corruption, Politics, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on El Segundo Firefighter Union Bosses used Threats and Intimidation in City Election

A History of Police and Firefighter Union Corruption in El Segundo

Posted on April 10, 2004 by Mike

by Michael D. Robbins
Directory, Public Safety Project
El Segundo, California
PublicSafetyProject.org

– WORKING DRAFT –

April 13, 2004 El Segundo City Election

http://www.publicsafetyproject.org/elsegundo/index.html

Union bosses and well-funded outside special interests are trying to take over small town El Segundo for at least the next four years

Former City Councilmember Mike Robbins fights against big city-style political machine in small town El Segundo

“El Segundo Fire and Police Union bosses unilaterally endorsed candidates with the worst public safety and spending records.”

“The $50,000 plus election campaign with many $1,000 to $6,000 contributions is highly unusual for small town El Segundo.

“Campaigns used to cost less than $5,000 and a lot of shoe leather. We are at risk of having all future Mayors and Councilmembers selected before the election by Union bosses and outside special interests. We may lose our Democratic elections.”

Michael D. Robbins, 4/9/2004
Founder, El Segundo Public Safety Project
Former El Segundo City Councilmember (1992-1996)

Read all about it and see more pages, documents, and images posted throughout the week!

DOCUMENTS

Read Mike’s Flyer – It was distributed city-wide on Saturday, April 10, 2004 … Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo Tax and Fee Increases, Firefighter Union Corruption, Measure P - Firefighters Union Initiative, Police Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A History of Police and Firefighter Union Corruption in El Segundo

El Segundo School Teachers may be disciplined for having students make campaign signs in high school wood shop

Posted on April 9, 1996 by Mike

Campaign Controversy

April 9, 1996

Two teachers at El Segundo High School may be disciplined for their involvement in helping a City Council candidate get hundreds of campaign signs made in the school’s wood shop. El Segundo Unified School District Supt. William Manahan said he will make a decision before April 23.

Peter MacDonald, attorney for the school district, launched an investigation after 246 signs for council candidate Mike Gordon were found in the wood shop early last month. Gordon, running in today’s city election, said he was paying the students to assemble the signs after class. … Continue reading →

Posted in El Segundo News, Historical News, Political Corruption, School Teachers Union Corruption, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on El Segundo School Teachers may be disciplined for having students make campaign signs in high school wood shop