Trackdown ManagementTrackdown Management’s City Manager Newsletter: Volume No. 19: Issue No. 11

For over 15 years, Jack Simpson’s Trackdown Management has published the City Manager Newsletter. Jack is a retired city manager and former Willdan executive. His newsletter content weaves together the personal side of the profession in California and helps keep the city manager community, especially retired city managers, connected with each other.

Picking up the Pieces

San Ramon City Manager Steven Spedowfski has elevated eighteen-year community development department veteran Lauren Barr to be the next San Ramon director of community development. He most recently has worked as the planning division manager since 2017. He joined the San Ramon city staff in 2007 as a Senior Planner. Lauren is succeeding Director of Community Development Debbie Chamberlain, who retires in August 2025. He previously worked for the City of Laguna Woods (2002-2007).

People in Hemet are unveiling a new LED clock at City Hall. This renewed feature displays both the time and current temperature. The clock is part of the final touches for the recent upgrading to city hall, including a full exterior repaint and the restoration of original wooden architectural features. Mark Prestwich is the Hemet city manager. Mark previously served as city manager for the cities of Nevada City, St. Helena, and Palos Verdes Estates. Mark is a former President of the Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC) in 2017.

City Administrator Frank Kennedy is retiring after 11 years as the Williams city manager. Frank joined the staff as city administrator in May 2014. The City of Williams wants all Resumes submitted by August 21, 2025. Interview will be planned on August 27 and the new city manager will begin work on September 17. Williams is located on Interstate 5 at the Highway 20 junction, with Clear Lake to the west and Colusa to the east. It is known for one of the best Deli’s in the California and beyond called Granzella’s Restaurant & Delicatessen. Frank served as a Correctional Lieutenant for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department from September 1983 to May 1999. He worked as the Volunteer Center of Sacramento from 2000 until 2013, when he joined the Williams city staff as a Management Analyst. He earned a BA from Saint Mary’s College of California.

Arroyo Grande has a new Chief of Police in David Culver, who brings 17 years of law enforcement experience to the position. He has served as the Interim Chief of Police since May 30. David has worked as an academy instructor for the Allan Hancock College law enforcement program./ He earned a BS in criminal justice from the California Coast University. The Arroyo Grande city manager is Matthew Downing.

The Battistone Foundation, a family nonprofit organization that owns more than 190 low-income housing units for seniors in downtown Santa Barbara, announced plans to sell the properties. Some tenants have organized and started the Edgerly Tenants Association. They are fearful of losing their homes and want to raise awareness of the pending sale. Craig Griffith said the tenants can see three options with the sale: “To be purchased by a nonprofit, by the city or county, or by a for-profit.” A Housing Authority could be established and organized by the city. The Santa Barbara city administrator is Kelly McAdoo.

Miles Slattery was appointed Eureka’s city manager in July 2020. After serving as Interim City Manager, Miles was sworn in as City Manager in December 2020. He previously served more than 12 years as the city’s Parks and Recreation Director. Miles first joined the Eureka city staff in March 2006 as a Project Manager. He was a Chemist for the city of San Diego from August 1998 to February 2006. Miles earned a BS in fisheries biology from Humboldt State University.

South San Francisco Karen Chang previously worked for the cities of San Leandro (Assistant Finance Director), Pleasanton and Pittsburg. Karen also has experience as a Senior Financial Accountant at ARCO CHINA INC. She earned a BS in accounting and finance from San Francisco State University. *EKA Managing Partner Kellie Hawkins announced that retired Long Beach City Manager Pat West has joined EKA as a Joint Venture Partner.

Shorts

  • Laguna Beach resident Jan Perkins, ICMA consultant, worked for the city of Fremont for a dozen years (1992-2004) and served as city manager starting from 1993, following her service as Morgan Hill city manager (1990-1992).
  • Colusa City Manager Jesse Cain also works as the Streets Department and Wastewater Treatment Plant manager.
  • Linda Lowry retired in December 2019 after serving as the City of Pomona city manager for 14 years.
  • Former La Verne Chief of Police Colleen Flores retired early in 2024 due to a medical condition.
  • After a public service career of more than 30 years working in Santa Barbara (1997-2021) and Santa Monica (1991-1997), Paul Casey launch a management consultant firm in January 2022.
  • Fort Bragg Chief of Police Neil Cervenka will continue serving the city through September and then retire.
  • Fullerton’s Kim Chaudhry tells us that Fullerton has be recognized as one of the safest suburbs in America by a national study conducted by SmartAsset.
  • Cathy Terrones, senior executive assistant to the city manager, in Indian Wells has retired.
  • According to writer Will Huntsberry of Voice of San Diego, the City of Encinitas, where Jennifer Campbell is city manager, is closer to meeting its State-mandated housing number than any other city in San Diego County.
  • Retired San Diego County Counsel Claudia Silva, whose annual salary was $363,000, negotiated a retirement payout agreement with the county amounting to $530,000 plus health benefits for 18 months.
  • San Diego County includes eighteen (18) incorporated cities.
  • Long Beach Public Works Director Eric Lopez is leaving the city for a private sector position, and City Manager Tom Modica has appointed Deputy Director Joshua Hickman as acting director beginning in September.