PublicCEO presents his Picking Up the Pieces:
Former La Mirada City Manager Andrea Travis-Miller is the new Assistant City Manager in San Bernardino.
Portola City Manager Jim Murphy announced his retirement in early June. Jim served nearly 14-years as the Portola City Manager. Leslie Tigan, Administrative Services Manager/City Clerk, will fill in behind Jim. Jim is off to hike and fish in the High Sierras. Those who want tips on fishing Lake Davis can call Jim at home: 530-832- 5202.
City Manager Joe Hoefgren, who came to Palos Verdes Estates in 2007 after 15-years of service in Del Mar, has been terminated. Joe had replaced long-time veteran Palos Verdes Estates City Manager Jim Hendrickson when he retired after 17- years as city manager. It appears that Assistant City Manager Judy Smith will serve as Acting City Manager in Joe’s absence.
Pittsburg City Manager Marc Grisham, 60, retired in June, 2011. Marc is credited with the success of the downtown Pittsburg redevelopment project.
Firebaugh City Manager Jose Antonio Ramirez, 39, has been selected to be the new Livingston City Manager. Prior to coming to Firebaugh Jose was the City Manager in Orange Cove at age 28. Former Livingston City Manager Richard Warne is the new City Manager in Twentynine Palms. Interim Livingston City Manager Vickie Lewis will remain in the post until her retirement on July 15.
Fremont Department of Community Development Business Manager Don Dorman has been selected the next Tulare City Manager. He will replace Interim City Manager Dan Meinert, who has served since Darrel Pyle resigned in November.
John Gillison, 43, has been appointed City Manager in Rancho Cucamonga as recommended by retiring City Manager Jack Lam. John has been the Assistant City Manager for the past two years. Previous to joining the Rancho Cucamonga staff John served as City Manager in Sierra Madre. Jack Lam leaves on retirement August 31.
Retired City & County Manager, and ICMA Past President Roy Pederson is recuperating from successful cardiac by-pass surgery. He is a former City Manager in Porterville, Montebello, Scottsdale and Colorado Springs.
Vista Assistant City Manager Patrick Johnson and Assistant to the City Manager Aly Zimmerman have been working with San Diego Gas & Electric to be able to report all the intricacies of turning out local street lighting for city budget savings. The Vista City Manager is Rita Geldert.
Campbell Assistant to the City Manager Al Bito is the Interim City Manager to fill in behind City Manager Daniel Rich, who is leaving for Mountain View.
Mike Parness, 57, Napa City Manager, returned to City Hall in May following medical leave, which began April 12 so that he could undergo a medical procedure for an unspecified medical condition.
Martinez City Manager Phil Vince pointed out, that though it is a tough call, privatizing (contracting out) some services saves the city money on benefits. Also, contractors are only paid for the hours they work, and can be terminated when not needed.
Dixon Chief of Police Jon Cox has been appointed Interim City Manager with Dixon City Manager Nancy Huston set to become the Solano County Assistant Administrator.
Former City Manager Nelson Oliva (Hercules and Hawaiian Gardens) had successful surgery this past month, and is on the mend.
Lelia Chimbole, known to her family and friends as “Vicki,” passed away on Friday, June 10. She is the wife of former Palmdale Mayor and Council Member, and State Assemblyman Larry Chimbole, a past President of the California Contract Cities Association. Larry often attributed his election to the State Assembly to his wife’s sparkling personality, innate kindness and good will to everyone she met. Trackdown condolences and prayers go out to Larry and his family. Vicki Chimbole is missed by all who knew her.
Benicia City Manager Brad Kilger has appointed Michael Dotson as the new Benicia Parks and Community Services Director effective July 18, following the retirement of Director Mike Alvarez. Mike Dotson has worked for the City of Benicia for 15-years and is currently the Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services.
Vallejo Water Superintendent Erik Nugteren, on paid leave since late May, officially left city employment June 30. He is a well-respected 20-year Vallejo public works employee. Reportedly, Public Works Director David Kleinschmidt and Interim City Manager Phil Batchelor met with Erik prior to the decision. Erik will pursue other opportunities outside city service.
American Canyon, where Richard Ramirez is City Manager, is mobilizing opposition to the draft redistricting plans of the California Citizens Redistricting Committee that would separate American Canyon from the rest of Napa County in its Congressional, State Senate and State Assembly Districts.
Michael Allan Bedwell served as the Menlo Park City Manager from 1964 until 1991. He died March 9, 2008 at the age of 77. After his retirement in 1991 he served as the Interim City Manager in East Palo Alto in 1993.
Alameda City Manager John Russo recently announced the appointment of Mike Noonan as Alameda Chief of Police. Mike has been serving as the Interim Police Chief since July of last year. He has been with the Alameda Police Department since 1986.
In Long Beach, where Pat West is City Manager, Transportation Programs Manager Sumire Gant, 55, has retired leaving Department of Public Works Director Mark Christoffels with a difficult job to fill. Before coming to Long Beach some 10-years ago, Sumire worked with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Vallejo Interim City Manager Phil Batchelor has appointed Tracy’s Economic Development Director Ursula Luna Reynosa to head the newly created Vallejo Economic Development Department. She will report to Vallejo for work on July 25.
Temecula City Manager Shawn Nelson, 51, has announced that he will retire in December after a dozen years as the Temecula City Manager, and 21-years at City Hall. He plans to devote some of his time to a nonprofit project called Jacob’s House. Shawn’s son, Jacob, was killed in an automobile accident in 2006.
Newly appointed Lindsay City Manager Rich Wilkinson is the former Chief of the Lindsay Department of Public Safety. He will continue in that roll along with his City Manager duties.
Encinitas City Manager Phil Cotton has retired.
Riverside City Manager Brad Hudson has resigned to take the Sacramento County Chief Executive Officer post. Brad previously worked for Riverside County for more than 14-years.
Sonoma City Manager Linda Kelly will be awarded the ICMA Community Partnership Award for her work on the successful Maloney Family Water-Wise Education Garden at the Sonoma Community Center. The award will be presented during the 2011 Annual ICMA conference in Milwaukee on September 21.
Eutimio “Tim” Chapa is the new Arvin City Manager. Tim previously worked in the Cities of Sanger and Fresno, and the school districts in Sanger and Parlier. He has a BA from Stanford University and an MBA from Santa Clara University.
Pacific Grove is exploring the levying of a “bag tax” to regulate single-use carryout bags (paper or plastic). Senior City Planner Sarah Hardgrave notes that such a regulation could encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags.
Veteran City Manager Raul Romero has served as the La Puente Interim City Manager since January when he replaced Al Holliman. Al was appointed Interim when City Manager Josi Kenline resigned in December.
Erin Carlstrom, President of the Redwood Business Alliance, points out that Santa Rosa’s Police Department has 45% of the City’s employees who are paid in excess of $100,000. Santa Rosa City Manager Kathy Millison has proposed a $315 million budget, but points out that it does not fix the City’s long-term deficit. The Police Department has a $41.6 million budget baseline, and the 440-member Santa Rosa City Employee Association has reached impasse with the City and is heading to mediation.
Pittsburg is restoring the 91- year-old California Theater, and converting it to a community playhouse in the City’s redeveloped downtown. Assistant City Manager Joe Sbranti is hopeful the project will be complete in about a year giving the building its original 1920s look.
Pam Carder, 61, is the Interim City Manager in Riverbank. Pam is serving while the City decides on a new City Manager following the dismissal of City Manager Rich Holmer, who was placed on Administrative. Leave at the end of March. Pam is a retired Lathrop City Manager.
City Manager Chris Zapata of National City was among the top five finalist considered for the Chandler, Arizona City Manager position. Interim City Manager Rich Dlugas, the former Chandler Assistant City Manager got the nod for the permanent post.
Mindy Jacobs tells us that MGO and IntelliBridge Partners have moved their Newport Beach office to MacArthur Court. The telephone numbers remain the same. The new address is: 4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 60; Newport Beach 92660.
Deanna Santana, 40, is Oakland‘s new City Administrator.
Irwindale City Manager Sol Benudiz has resigned to take a job with Southern California Edison.
Assistant City Manager Jeff Collier, 52, will succeed Whittier City Manager Steve Helvey when Steve begins his retirement no later than January 1, 2012.
Franklin Dixon “Frank” Lay (March 18, 1933 – January 26, 2010) passed away in Long Beach on January 26, 2010 at the age of 76. He earned a BA from USC. He worked as an Administrative Assistant in Montebello and was the Assistant to the City Manager in Salinas. He also served as a Deputy Director of the Pasadena Redevelopment Agency. In 1968 Frank was appointed City Manager in Brawley, and in 1972 he became the City Manager in Tracy. After that he served as the Urban Renewal Director in Burbank and then embarked on a long and successful career as a Southern California realtor. In 1991, after obtaining his teaching credential from San Diego State University, Frank was hired as an English and History teacher at Markham Middle School in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He taught for 16- years. His passions were deep sea fishing and USC Trojan football.