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:
New Carlsbad City Manager John W. Coates, 56, likes to mountain bike, road bike, hike, camp, swim and surf. He moved to California in 2002 from Virginia when he was selected to serve as the Community Services Director in Santee.
Retired long-time Laguna Beach City Manager Ken Frank volunteered to serve as a recent Thursday evening “guest host” with Mayor Kelly Boyd at the restaurant “Dizz’s As Is” in Laguna Beach. One of the co-owners Marc Pitz, was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig was there too. His and Marc Pitz‘s boys play soccer together. The restaurant had more than double a typical Thursday night’s business.
Valerie Barone is removing the “Interim” from her title as she has been appointed Concord City Manager, replacing City Manager Dan Keene, who is currently the Vallejo City Manager. Valerie took the Interim City Manager role when Dan resigned. She served as the Assistant City Manager when Dan was in Concord.
63-year old Pall Gudgeirsson becomes San Clemente City Manager on March 20 as City Manager George Scarborough, 62, retires after 10-years of service to the city. Pall, Assistant City Manager and City Treasurer, has been with the city 21-years. He is an avid runner who runs between 35 and 40 miles each week.
Sacramento City Manager John Shirey has indicated that talks are progressing well regarding the building of a new sports arena in the Sacramento Downtown Plaza. The facility would house the NBA’s Sacramento Kings should the league reject a deal the team’s owners have presented to sell the franchise to a group in Seattle.
With Thousand Oaks Assistant City Manager Mark Watkins being appointed to be the new Ventura City Manager, Thousand Oaks City Manager Scott Mitnick has appointed public information officer Andrew Powers as Acting Assistant City Manager. He earned a BA in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University. Andrew joined the Thousand Oaks’ staff in 2007.
Retired Arcadia City Manager Don Penman currently serves as the Interim City Administrator in San Fernando. He was appointed following the resignation of City Administrator Al Hernandez. Don previously worked as the San Fernando City Administrator from 1982 to 1990. Don also was the Baldwin Park City Manager and Assistant City Manager in Simi Valley. Don has said that he plans to use his free time to take ballroom dancing lessons.
Costa Mesa, for the second year in a row, and Huntington Park are the only California cities to received a “Sunny Award” transparency grade of “A+”. The Sunny Awards honor the most transparent government websites in the nation. The Sunny Awards are presented by the Sunshine Review, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to government transparency. Bell, Berkeley, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco are the California cities that received “A-” grades.
After working for San Carlos for 27-years, Assistant City Manager Brian Moura will resign in July, 2013 to “explore new projects and opportunities.”
El Cerritos Environmental Service Division Manager Melanie Mintz graduated with a BS from Humboldt State University and with an MCRP from the University of Oregon.
Richmond Library and Cultural Services Department Finance Manager Stacie Plummer, 43, circulated a 59-page document, including photographs, charging misconduct by Assistant City Manager Leslie Knight, 57. An independent investigation by a Sacramento-based firm “rejected most of the allegations.” City Manager Bill Lindsay, noting that the report finds that Leslie did not abuse her power or retaliate, harass or treat subordinates unequally, finds that “…the problems do not merit the termination of any employee.”
City Managers spotted among the attendees at the March meeting of the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities include: Glendale City Manager Scott Ochoa; Lancaster City Manager Mark V. Bozigian and Assistant City Manager Jason Caudle; Beverly Hills City Manager Jeff Kolin; Diamond Bar City Manager Jim DeStefano; and Monterey Park City Manager Paul Talbot. Former City Managers Wes Wolf of Wolf & Company and Frank G. Tripepi of Willdan also attended.
Lemon Grove City Manager Graham Mitchell has been jogging the streets of his town. He has jogged Lemon Grove’s 93-miles of streets, avenues, lanes and drives after being motivated by Lemon Grove HEAL Zone steering committee member Mark Stapleton. Graham has charted his routes on maps and notes data following each run.
Colusa Fire Chief Randy Dunn, who has been serving as the Acting City Manager since last summer, has now been officially appointed Interim City Manager for a term of one-year on a 3-2 vote. The city has also cancelled its executive recruitment efforts to find a new city manager.
Marina has repealed the outdated local requirement that the Marina City Manager live in the city, as the executive recruitment efforts continue to find a new City Manager. Former City Manager Tony Altfeld left the post about a year ago.
Livermore Economic Development Director Rob White is resigning his position to accept the appointment of Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Davis. He will be working with development agencies, the high-tech industry and UC Davis to deliver more efficient city services and create jobs in Davis. Rob’s last day in Livermore is March 22.
Atwater Finance Director Glen Carrington, 61, has retired. He joined the Atwater staff in November, 2007. Atwater’s Police Chief Frank Pietro also serves as the city’s Interim City Manager.
Hemet Assistant City Manager Mark Orme has resigned to take the Assistant City Manager position in Chico under City Manager Brian Nakamura. Mark served as Interim City Manager in Hemet for a short time before Ron Bradley was appointed City Manager. Mark served on the Hemet city staff for about 13-years.
Retired American Canyon City Manager Rich Ramirez has concluded an assignment as the Interim General Manager for the El Dorado Hills Community Services District, and is currently retained as the Interim General Manager of the Mountain House Community Services District. Rich has become a modern day Paladin from “Have Gun Will Travel” fame, as the “Need Interim Will Travel” public management professional.
Many former city managers serve on redevelopment oversight boards. For instance, retired Paramount City Manager and former CEO of the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Bill Holt serves on the Artesia Redevelopment Oversight Board. Newly elected Cerritos City Council Member George Ray also serves on that Board.
Imperial Beach City Manager Gary Brown has announced that he will retire effective June 1, 2013. Gary has served as the Imperial Beach City Manager since December, 2003.
Former City Manager and acting Chief Administrative Officer Charlie Wagner is no longer working for the City of Avalon.
Public Works Director Dennis Speer has been serving as Ridgecrest Interim City Manager since City Manager Kurt Wilson took a Stockton Deputy City Manager position in August, 2012. The city is currently recruiting for a city manager.
Former Planning & Development Director Luis Patlan was appointed to take over for the retired long-time Kerman City Administrator Ron Manfredi. Luis previously worked with the Sanger Redevelopment Agency. Ron has been appointed Interim City Manager in Firebaugh.
Consultant Stephen P. Compton, 59, is the new Colton Interim City Manager behind City Manager Rod Foster‘s resignation to become the Laguna Niguel City Manager.
Former Hanford City Manager Hilary Straus is currently the Assistant City Manager in South Pasadena working with City Manager Sergio Gonzalez. Hilary is a past President of Cal-ICMA, and he also previously served on the California City Management Foundation Board (CCMF).
Regency, a Division of Keenan & Associates, is expert in the investigation of claims involving public agencies. Well-managed, efficient and cost effective investigations can reduces claims exposure. Inquiries should be addressed to Valentina Tripepi-Shoop at vshoop@keenan.com or 951-715-0190, extension 1165.
Sonora City Administrator Timothy A. Miller previously served as the Community Development Director for both the cities of Atwater and Los Banos, and he worked for the County of Merced. As City Administrator, Tim joined the leadership team of the Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA) under the direction of county CAO Craig Pedro and former Sonora City Administrator Greg Applegate.
MMANC Vice President Hazel L. Wetherford is a Community Development Analyst in the City of Dublin where Joni L. Pattillo is City Manager.
Woodland City Manager Paul Navazio was the Keynote speaker for the League of Women Voters of Woodland at their 19th Annual State of the Community Luncheon. Paul complimented Interim City Manager Kevin O’Rourke, who crafted a budget outline before leaving the city. Paul previously worked in the Cities of Oakland, Berkeley and Davis. Kevin is currently the Interim City Manager in Santa Ana. Laguna Hills Deputy City Manager David Reynolds received special recognition for his 10-years of service to the city. David joined the Laguna Hills staff in 2003 as a Management Analyst.
Dan Massiello, formerly with Kinsell, Newcomb & De Dios investment banking, Wedbush Morgan Securities, and Miller & Schroeder Financial, is now a Senior Vice President with the Kosmont Companies.
Petaluma City Manager John Brown has had his employment agreement extended for six-years. Originally from Southern California, John previously served as the City Administrator in Woodburn, Oregon and as City Manager in Jackson.
Visalia City Manager Steve Salomon will retire this fall.