With all the coming’s and going’s in California local government, it can be hard to keep track of where your friends are or what’s happening in your neighboring municipalities. But Trackdown Management helps keep the state up-to-date with their newsletter.

PublicCEO presents his Picking Up the Pieces:

Santa Clarita retiring City Manager Ken Pulskamp has signed on to serve as the Interim City Manager in Burbank. Santa Clarita Assistant City Manager Ken Striplin is stepping up to be the new Santa Clarita City Manager.

Cupertino City Manager David Brandt previously worked three-years as the City Manager in Redmond, Oregon. David is a Cupertino native and grew up in the East Bay. He takes over for City Manager Dave Knapp, who resigned to take the City Manager post in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois.

New Chico City Manager Brian Nakamura, 47, did his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California (USC) with former Chico City Manager Tom Lando.

Former Santa Fe Springs City Manager Donald R. Powell has been appointed to serve as the Interim City Manager in the City of Artesia with the retirement of City Manager Maria Dadian. Maria has served as the Artesia City Manager for the past 12-years. Don worked in Santa Fe Springs for 33-years, starting in 1966 as an Administrative Intern. He served as Santa Fe Springs City Manager from July, 1980 until his retirement in 1999. Since retiring he served for a time as the Villa Park Interim City Manager. Don was the 1990 recipient of the ICMA William H. Hansell Sr. Award. Bill Kelly of Kelly Associates Management Group is assisting Artesia recruit for its next City Manager.

Temecula Community Relations Director Grant Yates, 48, has been appointed to serve as the next Lake Elsinore City Manager. Former City Manager Bob Brady was dismissed in March. Grant joined the Temecula staff in 1991 in financial services after working in Carlsbad from 1987 to 1991 as the Employment Services Manager. Grant served as the Deputy City Manager in Temecula when he was promoted in 2006 from the Assistant to the City Manager post. When Bob Brady left Lake, Parks and Recreation Director Pat Kilroy served as Acting City Manager until Western Municipal Water District Board Member Tom Evans was appointed Interim City Manager in April.

Former Westminster Assistant City Manager Eddie Manfro has been appointed to replace his former boss as City Manager. Eddie has been serving as Interim City Manager since City Manager Mitch Waller was forced from office last July. Mitch worked for Westminster for 29-years. He is a former Chief of Police.

Laguna Niguel City Manager Tim Casey retired effective November 2, but he will continue serving as Interim City Manager on an hourly basis until the City selects his replacement. Tim has been the only permanent City Manager to serve the City of Laguna Niguel. He has served as the Laguna Niguel City Manager for 22-years.

Carlsbad City Manager Lisa Hildabrand has announced that she will retire at the end of the year. Lisa started with Carlsbad as the Finance Director in 1991 and was appointed Assistant City Manager in 2004. She became interim City Manager when former City Manager Ray Patchett retired in 2007, and she was selected for the City Manager post in 2008.

Former Upland City Manager Robin Dale Quincey, 52, was taken into custody in October on charges filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office alleging misappropriation of public funds, gaining personal benefit from an official contract and giving false testimony under oath. He was dismissed as City Manager in May, 2011.

History note: When former Artesia City Manager Eugene Romig resigned in August, 1988, Lois O’Sullivan was appointed Interim City Manager. In February, 1989 Lois was appointed to the post without the “interim.” She had worked for the City of Artesia for about 4-years and served as Assistant City Manager prior to being selected to serve in the Interim position.

Atascadero City Manager Wade McKinney, CCMF Board President, tells us that CCMF is inviting participation at “The New and Future City Manager Seminar” scheduled for November 9-11, 2012 at the Fairmont Hotel, Newport Beach (Near the John Wayne Airport). The Seminar registration cost of $325 includes: materials, hotel accommodations, and all meals. Those interested should make inquiries to Melissa Au-Yeung of Laguna Hills at telephone no. 949-707-2621, or email Melissa at: mau-yeung@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

Rick Dudley has served as the Murrieta City Manager since 2007. In October, 2012 he was given a “very positive review” by the City Council.

Among those on the Keenan Public Agency Council, charged with assisting Keenan with the oversight in developing relevant innovative, leading edge programs for California schools, community colleges and government agencies, are: Frank G. Tripepi; Mike Madrid; John Keisler; Fran Mancia; Chris Marcarello; and Ryder Todd Smith.

Blythe Chief of Police Steve W. Smith has informed City Manager David Lane that he will “…take an early retirement…” effective November 30.

Folsom City Manager Evert Palmer served as the City’s Assistant City Manager, Director of Administrative Services, and Assistant Director of Finance/Information Technology Manager prior to his appointment. Evert joined the Folsom staff in 1996.

Huntington Beach has completed the annexation process and survived a legal challenge to annex the Orange County unincorporated island that is the Sunset Beach community. Judge Frederick P. Horn ruled against the legal challenge and now Sunset Beach is part of the City of Huntington Beach.

Citigroup Chief Executive Officer Vikram S. Pandit stepped down October 16 to be succeeded by the head of the bank’s European and Middle Easter division, Michael L. Corbat. John P. Havens, the bank’s President has also resigned.

Timothy Scott Bochum, Deputy Director of Public Works in San Luis Obispo, is the 2012 recipient of the MMASC “Excellence in Government” Award. This award is presented to an MMASC member who has made a significant contribution to professional service in the public sector, advanced the success of others by affording professional development opportunities, with an emphasis placed on a singular significant accomplishment.

New East Palo Alto City Manager Madga Gonzlez was previously the Redwood City Deputy City Manager, and before that she served in Belmont and San Bruno. She takes over for former City Manager ML Gordon.