City Manager

It has come to our attention that the City Council has begun discussions on the selection process for the next city manager for Glendale (“Glendale city manager to retire,” July 13). We believe this change in leadership presents a singular opportunity to hire an individual who not only has the requisite expertise in the field, but someone who will be able to address the root causes of challenges that our city will face in the coming years. Hiring such an individual can only and best be accomplished through an open selection process, allowing you to choose from a diverse list of qualified individuals from across the country.

The far-reaching impact of the state's decision to dissolve local redevelopment agencies could end up walloping Glendale, inflating the city's budget deficit to $15 million and forcing widespread layoffs. In a two-page letter sent to city staff this week, City Manager Scott Ochoa mapped out the dire situation that includes the probability of layoffs in June before the start of the next fiscal year. About half of the budget shortfall comes from the loss of redevelopment - a steady stream of incrementally higher property taxes that helped bring in the Americana at Brand and affordable housing.

On the day the redevelopment money machine died, the opening scene of “Saving Private Ryan” came to the mind of Glendale's new city manager, Scott Ochoa. It was the scene where medics are frantically trying to stop the bleeding of a soldier wounded in the D-Day landing and when they do, a bullet hits the solder in the head. “That's sort of how I feel today,” Ochoa said, reflecting on the chaotic situation cities across the state are facing with the termination Feb. 1 of all 400 redevelopment agencies by the governor and Legislature.

Glendale's new city manager, Scott Ochoa, will be making nearly as much as his longtime predecessor - $235,600 plus benefits - according to an agreement approved by the City Council Tuesday night. Ochoa, who is currently Monrovia's city manager, will be replacing Jim Starbird, who makes roughly $240,000 a year, in January. The agreement approved on Tuesday is an upgrade for Ochoa, who makes $180,000 plus benefits in Monrovia - a city less than one-fifth the size of Glendale.

Monrovia, from which Glendale's new city manager hails, was named Los Angeles County's most business-friendly city in its category on Thursday. The Eddy Awards, handed out by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., recognizes two cities each year based on their commitment to economic development, business services, tax rates and fees, incentives and communication with business owners, according to an announcement from the organization....

Glendale's new city manager, Scott Ochoa, will be making nearly as much as his predecessor - $235,600 plus benefits - according to an agreement approved by the Glendale City Council Tuesday night. Ochoa, who currently is Monrovia's city manager, will be replacing Jim Starbird, who makes roughly $240,000 a year, in January. The agreement approved on Tuesday is an upgrade for Ochoa, who makes $180,000 plus benefits in Monrovia - a city less than one-fifth the size of Glendale.

CITY HALL — The City Council on Tuesday promoted Deputy City Manager Yasmin Beers to the No. 2 position at City Hall. As the new assistant city manager, Beers will work as the city's chief operating officer and oversee the general operations of all 15 city departments. City Manager Jim Starbird said Beers has extensive experience with citywide budget oversight, personnel and employee relations, and general operations after 10 years as deputy city manager. "Her experience and knowledge of the organization are a big plus," he said in a statement.

Marshall Allen LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- La Canada Flintridge City Manager Jerry Fulwood looks forward to his annual evaluation, which began this week, calling it a time of growth and reassessment. "I enjoy the opportunity to better understand how I am doing from the City Council's perspective," Fulwood said. The five members of the La Canada Flintridge City Council met individually with professional facilitator Dr. Bill Mathis on Tuesday. Each gave Mathis their thoughts about Fulwood's performance, which will be shared with Fulwood in a closed-session City Council meeting led by Mathis on June 3. The process is important because "every person wants to know from his boss how they're doing," Mayor Dave Spence said.

Buck Wargo CITY HALL -- A senior administrative assistant for the Glendale Public Library system has been named deputy city manager. Yasmin Kamria, 29, replaces Steve Adams, who in June was appointed assistant city manager manager in Westlake Village. Kamria was chosen from a field of 90 applicants, said Asst. City Manager Bob McFall. Kamria, who is president of the Soroptimist International of Glendale, will take over on Feb. 14. She will be responsible for working on the city's budget, long-range financial plan and capital improvement program.

I recently read an article in the News-Press in which City Manager Jim Starbird "blackmailed" taxpayers and the City Council for money. I believe now that we do not have a City Council running this city. We have a mayor named Jim Starbird who has the city hostage. It is a shame that for weeks we were told that the issue with the city manager was his integrity and his management of the city. However, last week we found out that the entire commotion was about one thing: money and more benefits.

The article by Brittany Levine (“No easy answers to budget gap,” May 1) pointed out that the new city manager, Scott Ochoa, has pronounced that a “new normal” is necessary to mitigate the current financial shortfall that our city is facing. I commend Ochoa for his evaluation of the situation in the short time he has been in his position. I believe he has the integrity and management skills to deal with those challenges that he inherited. The most frustrating issue with the current and past city councils has been the disregard of public input concerning financial decisions.

The far-reaching impact of the state's decision to dissolve local redevelopment agencies could end up walloping Glendale, inflating the city's budget deficit to $15 million and forcing widespread layoffs. In a two-page letter sent to city staff this week, City Manager Scott Ochoa mapped out the dire situation that includes the probability of layoffs in June before the start of the next fiscal year. About half of the budget shortfall comes from the loss of redevelopment - a steady stream of incrementally higher property taxes that helped bring in the Americana at Brand and affordable housing.

At the April 10 City Council meeting, GWP employees showed up in numbers to state their request that the city recognize their bargaining unit, the IBEW, and give them the raises that they feel they deserve. Back when the GWP employees voted to separate from the city's union, the general manager of the GWP made no effort to try and convince his employees that they should not vote the IBEW as their representative. Now the council and the new city manager are faced with a situation that is going to be very hard to resolve.

Come next election, Glendale voters will be choosing a new city treasurer. But they may also have to decide whether they want to keep voting for that position or turn it into an appointment made by the city manager. In recent years, Glendale has had a tough time attracting candidates to run for the position. Now that there's a possibility people may run for a position that ceases to exist, some community leaders are wondering, “Who's going to run?” “If it's been difficult to attract qualified candidates before, I'm not sure how this helps,” said City Treasurer Ron Borucki, who is in favor of an appointed treasurer.

Isn't is amazing that Glendale Water & Power, having transferred millions and millions of dollars to the Glendale General Fund, is now running a projected $21-million deficit (past performance ensures it will be far more than $21 million)? This fiasco (“Utility says it's drowning financially,” March 20) was overseen by highly compensated managers at Glendale Water & Power, a now-departed city manager and the always enlightened Glendale City Council. It makes me sleep better to know our city is run by such incompetence.

On the day the redevelopment money machine died, the opening scene of “Saving Private Ryan” came to the mind of Glendale's new city manager, Scott Ochoa. It was the scene where medics are frantically trying to stop the bleeding of a soldier wounded in the D-Day landing and when they do, a bullet hits the solder in the head. “That's sort of how I feel today,” Ochoa said, reflecting on the chaotic situation cities across the state are facing with the termination Feb. 1 of all 400 redevelopment agencies by the governor and Legislature.

Glendale's economy appears to be turning the corner, but it will still have to adapt to the “new normal,” said City Manager Scott Ochoa during an economic outlook event Wednesday. There are some bright spots on the horizon, he said, such as property tax revenues flattening out and sales taxes starting to rebound from a double-digit reduction. “We saw that in the second half of last year, and hopefully it will continue,” Ochoa said in his address at Glendale Outlook 2012, sponsored by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and held at the Hilton Glendale.

In government, there are “paycheck players” and “true believers.” Or so says Scott Ochoa, Glendale's new city manager. He thinks he's the latter. “When you're a true believer, you're in this to try to improve a place,” Ochoa said recently as he took a break from moving into his new office. He took his seat on the Glendale City Council dais for the first time Tuesday after assuming the role formerly filled by Jim Starbird, who retired in December. Ochoa's ascension is the culmination of a long history in the public sector.

The Burbank Management Assn. this week became the latest group of city employees to forgo bonuses and contribute to their pensions. The City Council on Tuesday approved the new contract, which runs through June 2012 and will require managers to start paying 1% of the city's 8% share of their contribution to the California Public Employees' Retirement System. New hires will pay 4% of the contribution. Eventually, the city's goal is to have all city manager cover half the cost.

Assistant City Manager Yasmin Beers will be making about $1,000 more this month as she takes over as interim city manager. The City Council unanimously approved the temporary pay increase on Tuesday. City Manager Jim Starbird retired last week, attending his final City Council meeting after about 14 years with the city. Scott Ochoa, who currently is city manager of Monrovia, will replace him on the job in January. Beers will be making $15,219 during her tenure as interim city manager.