The newsletter is authored by former City Manager Jack A. Simpson. You may see the entire newsletter and all back issues without cost here.
Jurupa Valley is the very northwest community of Riverside County. Riverside County LAFCO Executive Officer George J. Spiliotis reported the LAFCO action to approve the incorporation of Jurupa Valley in July, subject to the approval of the voters. The Board of Supervisors set an election for March 8, 2011, and the incorporation was approved effective July 1, 2011. Gary Thompson of the Santa Ana based Consulting Engineers Winzler & Kelly did much of the base work for the incorporation, including the Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis. A panel appointed by the Jurupa Valley City Council-elect is recruiting a city manager.
West Hollywood City Manager Paul Arevalo runs about three marathons each year. He estimates that he has completed in some 30 marathons, including the 2011 Honda Los Angeles Marathon.
Veteran Riverbank City Manager Rich Holmer, 64, has been placed on administrative leave. Rich has been the Riverbank City Manager for more than 15-years.
St. Helena City Manager Mary Neilan has ended her employment with the City. Finance Director Karen Scalabrini has been named St. Helena’s Interim City Manager.
While Greenfield City Manager Roger Wong contemplates a long and enjoyable retirement officially commencing in July, the Greenfield Community Development Director Brent Slama has been appointed Interim City Manager to fill in behind Roger. Roger has actually left on a two to three week vacation and does not plan to return prior to his retirement date, except to help with some ongoing projects.
Huntington Beach Principal Human Resources Analyst Brigitte Charles serves as President of the Southern California Public Management Association – Human Resources organization. She is a former Human Resources Director for Rialto. Brigitte has also worked with the Orange Unified School District and the Cities of La Palma and Santa Ana. She has a Master degree in Education from Arizona State University and an MBA from California State University, Long Beach.
New Martinez Assistant City Manager Alan Shear filled the office vacated when former ACM Karen Majors retired. Alan’s prior post was Assistant City Manager in Huntington Park where he worked with then-City Manager Greg Korduner. He and City Manager Phil Vince previously worked together as staff members in Novato. Alan earned a BA and MPA at California State University, Long Beach. Alan began his career as a member of the League of California Cities staff.
San Leandro City Manager Steve Hollister submitted his resignation effective June 30. He was hired in San Leandro in 2004 as the Assistant City Manager. He became City Manager (first as “interim”) following the 2008 retirement of City Manager John Jermanis.
City Manager Gene Albaugh of Nevada City announced last year that he would retire when his employment agreement expires June 30.
Police Chief George Troxcil is serving as the Interim City Manager in South Gate since City Manager Ron Bates took the helm in Pico Rivera.
Veteran Alameda County Counsel and a former Oakland City Attorney Richard Winnie, 63, passed away on Sunday, March 27, in Sebastopol after a long illness. He also worked for the Cities of Berkeley, Palo Alto and Santa Rosa.
Vallejo Interim City Manager Phil Batchelor has announced the appointment of Deborah Lauchner to succeed the City’s retiring Finance Director Rob Stout. Deborah has worked with Novato, Rohnert Park and Santa Cruz County.
According to a Los Angeles Times report, the City of Montebello is so cash strapped that it may have trouble making payroll, or pay vendors in the near future. Interim City Manager Peter Cosentini is doing his best to appropriately deal with the emergency.
Jon B. Roberts, Steamboat Springs, Colorado City Manager, who is a former Victorville City Manager, recently surprised members of the Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs by appearing at a luncheon meeting. Jon has been rehabilitating from a January 2 skiing accident that left him unconscious for eight days with a traumatic brain injury, three broken ribs, a broken bone below his left eye and a separation of his left shoulder at the collarbone. He does not remember the circumstances of his accident. He has returned to work at city hall.
Chief Administrative Officer Douglas G. Willmore of the County of Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, Utah, is the new El Segundo City Manager starting this month. Doug takes over for retiring Interim City Manager Jack Wayt, a former Police Chief. Doug is originally from Washington, D.C., and grew up in northern Virginia. He has a BA from George Mason University and an MPA from the University of Utah.
In an analysis of the advantages of a Charter City over a General Law City, Buellton City Manager Jim Kunkel said, among other things, that the city could potentially save from 20 to 30 percent on some public works projects if the Charter does not require the use of the prevailing wage rates as general law cities do.
Retired Dinuba Deputy City Manager Dan Meinert will serve as the new Tulare Interim City Manager during the recruitment to replace former City Manager Darrel Pyle. Dinuba City Manager Ed Todd applauds Dan’s appointment. Dan worked in Dinuba for nearly 20- years before his retirement.
Yucaipa City Manager Ray Casey has announced that there will be a professional fireworks display this Fourth of July at the Yucaipa High School sponsored by the local Lion’s Club.
Sunnyvale City Manager Gary Luebbers reminded us to underscore the appointment of Rick Horst as the Rocklin City Manager. Rick was previously the City Manager in Ocala, Florida.
Redwood City Interim City Manager Robert Bell, who has served in that capacity since City Manager Peter Ingram resigned in November, 2010, has been appointed to be the newest City Manager in Redwood City. He has been with the City for more than 5-years, and has served as Human Resources Director and Assistant City Manager. His prior public service includes being the Human Resources Director in Burlingame. Retired City Manager Doug La Belle reminds everyone that the 2011 Gaylord Knapp Golf Classic, a fundraiser to help fight the ravages of Huntington’s Disease, is planned for Monday, June 13 at Western Hills Golf and Country Club in Chino Hills. Save the date and plan to join in the fun for a wonderful cause.
Former League of California Cities staff member Teresa Acosta is currently working with California Forward. She says that she is looking for input from local governments as they are major stakeholders in the public policy proposals California Forward will finalize this June.
NASCAR race driver Robby Gordon lists his hometown as Orange, California on some web sites, and as Cerritos, California on others.
Paradise Town Manager Chuck Rough (pronounced “row”), a former Ukiah City Manager and member of the Norwalk city staff, has recommended a contract with the Cal-Fire Butte County for a “Fire Chief” for three to four months, while the town recruits to fill in behind the resignation of Chief Chris Jensen. Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) General Manager Dorothy Dugger was fired on a 5-4 vote of the BART directors.
Aliso Viejo City Manager Mark A. Pulone is a California State University, Long Beach alumnus.
Oakland’s elected City Attorney, and former City Council Member, John Russo, a past President of the League of California Cities, has been selected as the new Alameda City Manager. Deputy City Manager Lisa Goldman has served as Interim City Manager since Ann Marie Gallant was put on paid leave at the end of December. Ann Marie was “interim” following former City Manager Debra Kurita’s resignation in February, 2009. Debbie recently announced her retirement from her current Assistant City Manager position in San Bernardino.
Veteran Pomona City Manager Linda Lowry and her husband Chris celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary with a relaxing trip to Kauai. We were honored to attend their Arcadia wedding 20-years ago.
Great Lakes Aviation will initiate daily service from Merced Regional Airport to LAX beginning May 15. Merced City Manager John Bramble said the flights will help Merced’s economic development efforts as assets for the UC Merced students and faculty, and will position Merced as a transportation hub between Yosemite National Park and Los Angeles.
West Des Moines, Iowa has culled their City Manager candidates to a final two: Frank Robinson, currently the Apple Valley Town Manager and Greg Sparks of Mountain Village, Colorado. The two finalist met with the West Des Moines public on March 28.
After serving as Cudahy City Manager for some 10 and a half years, George Perez has been asked to step down by the City Council. George leaves the City with a reserve of nearly one year’s budget, according to the Los Angeles Times…reserves of $7.5 million with an annual budget of $8 million.
About 160 folks attended the 2011 Joe A. Gonsalves & Son Legislative Appreciation Dinner in Sacramento on March 29, including more than 40 members of the Legislature. Anthony Gonsalves, Jason Gonsalves and Paul Gonsalves and their staff represent about 50 municipal and redevelopment agency clients.
Orland Director of Finance Daryl Brock and City Manager Paul Poczobut Jr. received good marks for the financial reporting in the City’s annual independent audit report.
Governor Jerry Brown has officially rescinded drought proclamations made in 2008 and 2009 following reports by Department of Water Resources officials indicating that California’s drought is officially over.
Retired veteran City Manager Douglas La Belle, 67, of Costa Mesa, was appointed to the Orange County Fair Board (32nd Agricultural District) in December, 2010 by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Jorge A. Cisneros is the Acting City Manager in Huntington Park where veteran City Manager Gregory Korduner retired at the end of last year. Jorge came to the city last year as the Chief of Police replacing retired Chief Paul Wadley. Jorge was with the Long Beach Police Department for 20-years.
Former Rialto City Manager Henry T. Garcia is the new Moreno Valley City Manager. Henry has worked for the cities of: Colton, Azusa, San Jacinto, Fontana and Riverside. He has 30-year local government career. He has an MPA from UCLA.
Clearlake City Administrator Dale Neiman left his post last November and former Trinidad City Manager Steve Albright has been serving as Interim City Administrator since. The City hopes to make a permanent appointment by this summer.
Retired San Ramon City Manager Herb Moniz is being replaced by his Director of Administrative Services Greg Rogers, who has been with the city since 2003.
Windham, Connecticut Town Manager Neal Beets authored an article in the April, 2011 issue of PM Magazine entitled: “Why Being a Manager is Tough.”
Ukiah City Manager Jane Chambers is closing out three years in office as she was appointed in May, 2008. Jane was the Interim Public Works Director in San Bruno prior to joining the Ukiah staff to replace Acting City Manager Pat Thompson.