The Piedmont City Council voted unanimously to appoint Frederick W. Chavis as the city's next police chief, with employment to begin July 22, 2025, and authorized Captain Chris Monahan to serve as interim chief from July 18'21, 2025.

City Administrator Bayonne Moore told the council the hire includes a starting salary of $297,300 per year and specified fringe benefits, noting in open session: "Proposed employment begins on 07/22/2025 with the starting salary of $297,300 per year and a $2,083.03 33' per month contribution to a deferred compensation plan." The council adopted the resolution and the associated employment terms by roll-call vote.

The appointment followed a multi-stage recruitment process described by Bayonne Moore. The city retained Terry Black & Company to lead the search, ran multiple interview panels including external police chiefs and department heads, and advanced finalists to a final council interview before selecting the candidate presented in open session.

Council Member Long moved the motion to adopt staff's recommendation; the motion was seconded by the Vice Mayor and passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The council also approved terms for the short interim appointment: Captain Chris Monahan is to serve as interim chief July 18'21, 2025 and receive 12% above his current pay for that period as described in the staff report.

Discussion (noted in the staff presentation) covered the recruitment steps, the resolution that sets salary and benefits, and the statutory notice required under California Government Code section 54953(c)(3) for employment terms disclosed in open session. The council did not take other related personnel actions at the meeting.

The new chief is scheduled to begin on July 22; the council and staff expressed welcome and plans for a public introduction at the start of his term.