south pasadena city manager south pasadena city manager

(626) 737-8486 Ext. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. 1414 Mission Street 7 But by then, the city was already falling behind not only in cleaning up the financial morass, but in the preparation of the citys annual audit and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.. She will start her new position with South Pasadena on Monday, May 31, 2021. Tamara worked to create Sundown Town Resolution 7750 adopted February 2, 2022 Condemning the Citys History as a Sundown Town and Past Practices of Institutionalized Racism, and was awarded Housing Rights Center - Fair Advocacy Award for the City of South Pasadena in April of 2022. Colorado Boulevard is your place for informative news and social living for the greater Pasadena area. Which Bands Will March in the 2024 Rose Parade? The City Council wishes her the best in the next chapter of her life, said South Pasadena Mayor Bob Joe. She will start her new position with South Pasadena on Monday, May 31, 2021. DeWolfe served the City as its City Manager from November 6, 2017 until last Friday, the statement said. Required fields are marked *. Fax:(626) 403-7211 This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The South Pasadena City Council on Wednesday is set to vote on the appointment of Christopher A. Jordan as the new City Manager. The Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the approval of Gonzalezs contract. 8, Eddie Rivera | erivera@pasadenanowmagazine.com M-Th 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, City Manager Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Technology, Grants Management and Special Projects, Request a Public Accommodation for a City Event or Program, Fourth of July / Festival of Balloons Committee, Mobility and Transportation Infrastructure Commission, Natural Resources & Environmental Commission, Ad Hoc City Leased Recreational Facilities Committee, Community Improvement and Code Enforcement, Natural Resources and Environmental Agendas and Minutes, Planning Commission Agendas & Minutes (New), Public Safety Commission Agendas & Minutes, Public Works Commission Agendas & Minutes, 1414 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030. He serves on his alma maters Board of Trustees and is a member of the Municipal Management Association of Southern California and the International City/County Management Association. Prior to this role, she served as the Economic Development Manager at the City of San Gabriel, where she helped stabilize and grow the local economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. South Pasadena to introduce city manager, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), South Pasadena to introduce city manager candidate to public, Baby girl Winter of Lake Arrowhead is born amid raging blizzard, Theres a dire need for male teachers of color. Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Please provide your name, phone number or email address. Jason Henry is an investigative reporter with the Southern California News Group. We are excited to welcome Armin as our new City Manager. Pasadena City Council have welcomed former Justice Miguel Mrquez as the next city manager. She will start her new position with South Pasadena on Monday, May 31, 2021. The City Council has an ambitious agenda for addressing making South Pasadena even more special than it already is. South Pasadena will begin the recruitment process, which usually takes several months, for a new City Manager, and will likely appoint an interim city manager during the recruitment process so that the Fire Chief can return his full attention to his critically important duties. The City of South Pasadena is a General Law City, incorporated March 2, 1888, operating under the Council-Manager form of govern-ment. Jordan had controversial tenures in Los Altos and West Linn, Ore., prior to applying for the South Pasadena position. DeWolfes resignation took effect on Sept. 12. West Linn made national headlines in 2020 when the city agreed to pay $600,000 to settle a wrongful arrest lawsuit filed by a Black man arrested in 2017 by West Linn police as part of a scheme to discredit him and prevent him from suing his employer, the owner of a local tow company, for racial discrimination. We are excited to welcome Armine as our new City Manager, said Mayor Diana Mahmud. Fax:(626) 403-7211 Prior to his role in Santa Clara, Mrquez served as an Associate Justice of the California Sixth District Court of Appeal, as the County Counsel for the County of Santa Clara, as the General Counsel of the San Francisco Unified School District, and as a Deputy City Attorney in the San Francisco City Attorneys Office. Before that, she served as a redevelopment manager in Santa Clarita and as an senior project manager in Ontario, according to her LinkedIn. Understanding that no one serves as a city manager for fourteen years without accumulating some controversies, and understanding that city managers are sometimes fired for political reasons and personality conflicts that dont reflect poorly on them when fully understood, Chris Jordan has been fired twice or invited to resign twice as a city manager, following some apparently serious controversies that are easy to find with a five-minute Google search, Bray wrote in a letter to the council. As the Assistant to the City Manager, Tamara serves as the Citys Social Services liaison, and leads the City Social Services and Mental Health Task Force. M-Th 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, 1414 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030 | P:(626) 403-7200 | Contact Us. Ms. Chaparyan, a graduate of John Muir High School in Pasadena, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from U.C.L.A and a Masters of Public Administration from U.S.C. "Sergio's strong reputation. Your email address will not be published. (626)737-8486 Ext. (626) 737-8486 Ext. 8 Municipal politics, Bureaucracy and Corruption, No Way! Community input was a key feature of the recruitment process, which included 4 stakeholder panels consisting of more than 30 residents, former elected officials, business and community leaders. The South Pasadena City Council will host a candidate forum on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm to introduce City Manager candidate Armin Chaparyan. We know that Armine is very familiar with our city and looks forward to putting her energy and talent to good use in South Pasadena. Tamara Binns has over 15 years of government service, including local and federal, with a background in Bio-Medical Engineering. South Pasadena City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe announced Sunday she has retired from her position as City Manager, as of Saturday, September 12, according to a statement from the city. He brings vitality, experience and a fresh perspective to Hermosa Beach at a time when the city is making decisions and plans that will chart the citys future.. Paul Riddle has been serving as the Acting City Manager. Click for Directory. Specific areas of responsibility include oversight of eight operating departments, public information and community engagement, legislative affairs, economic development, following up on citizen concerns, providing recommendations to promote organizational efficiency and overseeing the development and presentation of the annual budget. South Pasadena withdraws job offer to former, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), South Pasadena withdraws job offer to former Los Altos city manager, Baby girl Winter of Lake Arrowhead is born amid raging blizzard, Theres a dire need for male teachers of color. She was only in WEHO for five years of her 20+ year career. Breaking News Tips: (626) 737-8486 Extension 7 In 2008, Jordan received a 100-page confidential report detailing a series of allegations of racism and sexism against Timeus, but took no action against the chief, according to the Portland Tribune and the Oregonian. City Manager's Office; Management Services; Community Services; Finance; Fire; Library; Community Development Department; Police ; Public Works; City Council Meetings. It added amenities, including a new dog park, and improved its fire safety rating, resulting in lower insurance rates for residents and businesses. Huh? There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the forum, time permitting. The City Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer, ensuring that the policies of the Mayor and City Council are executed effectively and efficiently. During his tenure in South Pasadena, Joyce hired Josh Betta to be the city's Finance Director at that time. 4, Faith Fernandez, Chief Administrative Officer | ffernandez@pasadenanowmagazine.com Your email address will not be published. The proposal drew flak from some residents who felt the councils deliberations should have been done publicly to address Jordans sudden resignations from city manager roles in Los Altos and in West Linn, Oregon. 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Jordan was West Linns city manager when Timeus, who had worked with Jordan in a prior city, was hired as the police chief. A press release from the City of South Pasadena that was released on Sunday said that DeWolfe had submitted her resignation from the position, which she assumed on Nov. 6, 2017. Colorado Boulevard is your place for informative news and social living for the greater Pasadena area. Pasadena has found a new city manager after tapping Miguel Mrquez from his current post as chief operating officer of the county of Santa Clara. DeWolfe was criticized by former South PasadenaFinance Director Josh Betta, who released a reportsaying the citys proposed 2020-21 budget figures were blatantly false. The South Pasadena reports that finance professionals Stephen and Sheila Rossi said they had identified millions of dollars in discrepanciesbetween the proposed budget Aceves got approved by the citys finance commission and the one she submitted for approval by the City Council. To the best of CCMF's knowledge, Aram and Armin Chaparyan are the first brother-sister city manager pair in California history. But the announcement of Jordans impending hire triggered immediate backlash from residents who questioned the candidates sudden resignations from his last two cities and the transparency of the selection process. The City Council will not consider approval of an employment agreement with Mr. Jordan and will now direct its attention toward the other candidate., The press release does not identify the second candidate. In that position, she managed the citys Planning Division, where she oversaw zoning, design and historic preservation, and community planning. Required fields are marked *, EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT | FOOD & DRINK | THE ARTS | REAL ESTATE | HOME & GARDEN | WELLNESS | SOCIAL SCENE | GETAWAYS | PARENTS & KIDS, HOME OF THE WEEK Open House Thursday: Beautiful John Bluff Built Home Located on Greenridge Drive in La Caada Flintridge, For Newsroom, Call (626) 737-8486 Ext. Retired Irvine City Manager Sean Joyce, 57, has been appointed Interim City Manager in South Pasadena to replace City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe, who has purportedly retired following her dismissal. An unsolicited May 2020 report by the now retired Betta critiquing the city's finance practices opened a chain of events that help lead to the Sept. 12 departure of DeWolfe.. Also Wednesday, the City Council is set to authorize interim City Manager and Fire Chief Paul Riddle to seek . Our News Desk department consists of a collective of news gatherers in order to keep the community informed and safe. Deputy City Manager at City of South Pasadena 1w Report this post Report Report. The City Manager also holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. South Pasadena City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe announced Sunday she has retired from her position as City Manager, as of Saturday, September 12, according to a statement from the city. Pasadena Black History Month Magazine, Parents: National Catholic Schools Week Guide. In his new role, Gonzalez will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of Hermosa Beachs city government, which includes the oversight of 145 fulltime employees and an annual budget of approximately $37.7 million. Zillow has 9796 homes for sale. Pasadena Now strives to provide factual, unbiased reporting. Functional areas within the Management Services Department are: InformationTechnology, Grants Management and Special Projects, Human Resources Management, Recruitment, Employee Training, RiskManagement and Labor Relations, Records Management, Elections, Boards, Commissions, and City CouncilSupport, Audio and Visual Support, City Hall South Pasadena, having rescinded its initial job offer to a prospective city manager after community pushback, will host a virtual public forum April 28 to introduce the City Councils new pick for the position. Your email address will not be published. It is governed by the City Council/City Manager form of government. Pasadena Now has been published daily since April, 2004 and is among the very oldest continuously operated community news websites in the U.S. Pasadena Now strives to publish a full spectrum of news and information articles in service to the entire community. She had been on staff at the City of Pasadena since 1990 in various roles including Acting Assistant City Manager, where she worked with the City Manager on policy issues and management of the City Council. . Following a national search, the City of Hermosa Beach announced today that South Pasadena City Manager Sergio Gonzalez will be Hermosa Beachs new city manager. The Office of the City Manager provides oversight and direction to ensure that all departments are responding to City Council goals, applying policy consistently, identifying key issues that need Council direction, keeping abreast of the changing needs of the community, and planning the services, programs and projects that will ensure Pasadena maintains its status and character as a great community in which to live, work and play. South Pasadenas previous city manager, Stephanie DeWolfe, retired from the city in September. 7, Candice Merrill, Co-Publisher | editor@pasadenanowmagazine.com For Advertising, Call (626) 737-8486 Ext. Phone:(626) 403-7230 Pasadena Now has been published daily since April, 2004 and is among the very oldest continuously operated community news websites in the U.S. Pasadena Now strives to publish a full spectrum of news and information articles in service to the entire community. A press release from the City of South Pasadena that was released on Sunday said that DeWolfe had submitted her resignation from the position, which she assumed on Nov. 6, 2017. Others sent emails and called city council members about their concerns with the hiring. Domenica Megerdichian has worked for four Los Angeles-area municipalities. Contact Form, Hours of Operation: Would love your thoughts, please comment. CITY OF PASADENA CITY MANAGER Section 10 - Page 1. Aceves, who'd been serving as one of the City's two acting financing directors, has been with South Pasadena since January 2017. Your email address will not be published. Retired Santa Monica City Manager John Jalili has been serving as interim city manager since October. According to the South Pasadenan, the newspaper that covers South Pasadena, DeWolfes resignation took effect the day before the 4 p.m closed session meeting that the Pasadena City Council had arranged for this past Sunday. Learn how your comment data is processed. DeWolfe had drawn her own controversies over her management of the city, according to the South Pasadenan. Beyond the budget in any municipality, its helpful to keep an eye on the Demand Register, published as part of the City CouncilAgenda which actually shows where the $$$$s are going. Pasadena Now | Terms of - Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection. The. Copyright 2023. The City Council narrowed the finalists to five, then two, before initially deciding to offer the job to Jordan, according to a staff report. In light of the backlash, the council pledged to do an additional background check on the next candidate. Coffee with the Chief. The only agenda item will be a public employment matter concerning embattled City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe, the South Pasadena reported. South Pasadena farmers market is open Thursdays, 4, Local High Schools Ranking According to U.S. News Report. (City of Pasadena/Submitted) H istory was made beneath the spires of city hall on July 11. Ms. Chaparyan, a graduate of John Muir High School in Pasadena, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from U.C.L.A and a Masters of Public Administration from U.S.C. He served as city attorney for the City of Vernon as a part of the Citys good governance initiative reform efforts. Following fervent objections from some South Pasadena . Finance Director Josh Betta, who released a report. Pasadena Now | Terms of - Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection. Our News Desk department consists of a collective of news gatherers in order to keep the community informed and safe. Following pushback from residents, the South Pasadena City Council decided late Tuesday to rescind a job offer to a city manager candidate with a rocky history at his last two employers. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1977, and worked as an attorney for both El Centro De Accion Social, Inc., and Gronemeier, Barker & Huerta before joining the Pasadena City Attorneys Office. By News Desk The South Pasadena community is invited to meet Ms. Chaparyan during the virtual forum as she presents her experience and interest in serving in the City's top . Retired Irvine City Manager Sean Joyce, a former South Pasadena City Manager, has been serving as Interim City Manager, though his agreement expired March 31, 2021. Before . She has led the City in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and has brought the organization to new heights during her time in South Pasadena. His first day on the job is scheduled to be May 15. Mar. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); ColoradoBoulevard.net - By Coloradoblvd.net and WMF. . Armin Chaparyan serves as the current City Manager with over 20 years of local government experience, including serving as the Community Development Director and then the Assistant City Manager in the City of San Gabriel prior to this role. We look forward to working with Armin to advance infrastructure projects and services that improve the quality of life of every South Pasadenan. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); ColoradoBoulevard.net - By Coloradoblvd.net and WMF. The new leading candidate for the South Pasadena City Manager position is Armin Chaparyan, the Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director for the City of San Gabriel. During his tenure in South Pasadena, the city significantly increased its financial reserves while also investing over $12 million on infrastructure. Though council members did not give a reason for the resignation, Jordan had clashed with them in the past, including in one instance in which he defied a 4-1 decision by the council to relocate its meetings. The Hermosa Beach City Council unanimously chose Gonzalez, 45, from a field of nearly 60 applicants. Click here to join on Thursday, April 28, 2021, at 6:30 pm (registration is not required to participate in the live forum). Sergios strong reputation became known to us during our search, and we expect he will enjoy even more success in Hermosa Beach, said Hermosa Beach Mayor Justin Massey. Chaparyan has 15 years of experience in municipal government and a masters degree in public administration from USC. The City Manager is appointed by the Council to oversee the activities of the city. Mrquezs parents immigrated to the United States from Mxico with only a limited amount of formal education. With benefit of the insights of four community focus groups of 31 South Pasadena community leaders, each describing the ideal qualities they wish to see in the next city manager, the City Council retained executive recruiter Mr. Gary Phillips, of Bob Murray & Associates to undertake a national recruitment to gather qualified candidates to fill the citys vacant city manager position. Stephanie DeWolfe, the former Community Development Director for the City of West Hollywood, has been pushed out of her job as South Pasadenas city manager. In a series of stories, the South Pasadena has described Wolfe as having become the focus of a raging controversy over her management of the city and especially its finances. Jordan, who served a total of 15 years as city manager in two West Coast cities with populations similar to South Pasadena, will report to work May 10. Council members expect to vote on an employment agreement with Armine Chaparyan, the current assistant city manager in San Gabriel, at their May 5 meeting, according to an announcement from the city. Pasadena Now strives to provide factual, unbiased reporting. E-mail press release to : editor@pasadenanow.com She grew up in the area and graduated from John Muir High School in Pasadena. (310) 378-9116, Published on Sunday, September 13, 2020 | 4:45 pm. Required fields are marked *. Four focus groups, made up of a total of 31 residents, offered input on the qualifications, experiences and qualities necessary for the ideal candidate for the next South Pasadena City Manager.. Prior to joining the City of South Pasadena, Gonzalez served for 13 years in the nonprofit management sector. DeWolfe had drawn her own controversies over her management of the city, according to the. In November 2020, Jordan and Los Altos entered into a settlement agreement wherein he agreed to step down and waive his right to sue in exchange for $183,821, or nine months of severance, three months more than required by his contract, according to the agreement. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds offer another way to get Pasadena Now content. Required fields are marked *, EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT | FOOD & DRINK | THE ARTS | REAL ESTATE | HOME & GARDEN | WELLNESS | SOCIAL SCENE | GETAWAYS | PARENTS & KIDS, HOME OF THE WEEK Open House Thursday: Beautiful John Bluff Built Home Located on Greenridge Drive in La Caada Flintridge, For Newsroom, Call (626) 737-8486 Ext. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Following the community forum, its expected that an employment agreement will be presented for consideration at the regular May 5, 2021 City Council meeting. Many. 2, David Cross | newsdesk@pasadenanowmagazine.com With benefit of the insights of four community focus groups of 31 South Pasadena community leaders, each describing the ideal qualities they wish to see in the next city manager, the City Council retained executive recruiter Gary Phillips, of Bob Murray & Associates to undertake a national recruitment to gather qualified candidates to fill the citys vacant city manager position. Mrquez is expected to be formally introduced. May 2014 - Oct 20217 years 6 months. We look forward to working with Armine to advance infrastructure projects and services that improve the quality of life of every South Pasadenan. A native of Sacramento, Mrquez received his law degree from UC Berkeley Law School, his masters degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and his bachelor's degree in public policy from Stanford University. After returning to the City of Pasadena, Mr. Rodriguez handled special assignments with the City Attorneys Office and as a special assistant to the city manager prior to his appointment as assistant city manager in 2016. (626)737-8486 Ext. Back Submit. Copyright 2023. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Hours of Operation: While working in the City Attorneys Office from 1989-2012, Mr. Rodriguez served as the lawyer for the Rose Bowl Operating Company and several City departments, eventually becoming the Citys chief assistant city attorney. 801, Andr Coleman, Managing Editor | andrec@pasadenanowmagazine.com Spanish was his first language, so programs like Head Start were critical to his early education. The South Pasadena City Council had selected Jordan as its top candidate to fill the city manager's job and "was prepared to appoint and enter into an agreement" with him at its Wednesday. These formative experiences inspired Mrquezs commitment to public service. Email:CM Office Click for Directory. Gonzalez will also be responsible for implementing and enforcing city policies and ordinances, and he will help the city complete and implement PLAN Hermosa, an update of Hermosas general plan and adoption of a local coastal program. Following a national search, the City of Hermosa Beach announced today that South Pasadena City Manager Sergio Gonzalez will be Hermosa Beach's new city manager. Real Estate: Hot Properties & Latest Listings, NEW! We strive to inform, educate, and work together to make a better world for all of us, locally and globally. The city announced the resignation only a half hour after its closed special meeting and said that Fire Chief Paul Riddle would assume the role of Acting City Manager. Ms. Chaparyan has 15 years of local government experience, most recently serving as assistant city manager of San Gabriel. But especially controversial was DeWolfes handling of what she had described as inappropriate accounting practices by the citys Finance Department. Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Request a Public Accommodation for a City Event or Program, Fourth of July / Festival of Balloons Committee, Mobility and Transportation Infrastructure Commission, Natural Resources & Environmental Commission, Ad Hoc City Leased Recreational Facilities Committee, Community Improvement and Code Enforcement, Natural Resources and Environmental Agendas and Minutes, Planning Commission Agendas & Minutes (New), Public Safety Commission Agendas & Minutes, Public Works Commission Agendas & Minutes, 1414 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030. Gonzalez has served as city manager, assistant city manager, community services director and in other positions for more than 14 years in South Pasadena, a city with a similar size population and city staff and government system.