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. The City Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer, ensuring that the policies of the Mayor and City Council are executed effectively and efficiently. City Manager's Office | South Pasadena, CA Her starting annual salary is $215,000. We are excited to welcome Armine as our new City Manager," said Mayor Diana Mahmud. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from California State University at Los Angeles. 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. Following fervent objections from some South Pasadena . (626)737-8486 Ext. Fax press release to : (888) 650-9712, James Macpherson, Co-Publisher | [email protected] document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Please provide your name, phone number or email address. Interim South Pasadena City Manager Sean Joyce, one of the most highly regarded city managers in the State, wasn't fooled. City Manager's Office; Management Services; Community Services; Finance; Fire; Library; Community Development Department; Police ; Public Works; City Council Meetings. While the City of South Pasadena is not a direct Social Service provider, City staff has established a Social Services Task Force to bring together the (626)737-8486 Ext. The City of South Pasadena is a General Law City, incorporated March 2, 1888, operating under the Council-Manager form of govern-ment. The council planned to appoint Christopher Jordan, the former city manager of Los Altos, to a four-year, $225,000 annual contract at its regular meeting Wednesday, April 21. 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 . Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Mrquez has also worked for two private law firms (Cooley Godward LLP and Remcho, Johansen & Purcell), and as a management consultant at KPMG Peat Marwick, where he was part of a national financial and organizational consulting practice. DeWolfe had drawn her own controversies over her management of the city, according to the South Pasadenan. The City Manager's Office in South Pasadena has introduced a Social Services Resource Guide, which includes a list of providers and resources that can be utilized by community members. Before joining the City of Pasadena in 2022, Miguel Mrquez served as the Chief Operating Officer of the County of Santa Clara, responsible for all operations of the county, the largest in Northern California. DeWolfe served the City as its City Manager from November 6, 2017 until last Friday, the statement said. It will be broadcast live via Zoom on the City Councils meeting website. Office of the City Manager - Pasadena, California 04. South Pasadena City Manager DeWolfe Steps Down 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. Raised in Ohio, Jason began his career at a suburban daily near Cleveland before moving to California in 2013. 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 Names Armine Chaparyan City Manager South Pasadena withdraws job offer to former Los Altos city manager It is governed by the City Council/City Manager form of government. 82, Jeff Vaughn, Sales Manager | [email protected] 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. . South Pasadena farmers market is open Thursdays, 4, Local High Schools Ranking According to U.S. News Report. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. Mrquez is expected to be formally introduced. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. Trackdown Management's Picking Up the Pieces - PublicCEO 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. Our News Desk department consists of a collective of news gatherers in order to keep the community informed and safe. The virtual forum with Chaparyan will be from 6:30-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 28. The Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the approval of Gonzalezs contract. M-Th 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, City Manager Former WeHo Community Development Director Stephanie - WEHOville Raised in Ohio, Jason began his career at a suburban daily near Cleveland before moving to California in 2013. 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. See All News. We are excited to welcome Armin as our new City Manager. It received several honors, including recognition for being an energy-wise, environmentally sensitive and walkable city. A full-service city, South Pasadena . Chaparyan has 15 years of experience in municipal government and holds a B.A. Pasadena Now strives to provide factual, unbiased reporting. Hours of Operation: Op-Ed | Is South Pasadena's City Council Deliberately Deceiving the Domenica K. Megerdichian, MPA, MURP on LinkedIn: The City is soliciting 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. Water Utility Manager - MMANC 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. Fax press release to : (888) 650-9712, James Macpherson, Co-Publisher | [email protected] Breaking News Tips: (626) 737-8486 Extension 7 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. She grew up in the area and graduated from John Muir High School in Pasadena. Email:CM Office Pasadena Black History Month Magazine, Parents: National Catholic Schools Week Guide. Pasadena, CA 91101 City Manager - South Pasadena, California The publication will remain free to readers and will not erect paywalls. City of South Pasadena. Under the direction of the City Manager, oversees and provides a variety of administrative and support . She joined San Gabriel as its community development director in 2014. 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. The Hermosa Beach City Council unanimously chose Gonzalez, 45, from a field of nearly 60 applicants. She will start her new position with South Pasadena on Monday, May 31, 2021. Jason Henry is an investigative reporter with the Southern California News Group. 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. 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. DeWolfe had drawn her own controversies over her management of the city, according to the. During her two-year, 10-month tenure, she replaced over a half dozen department heads and went through five finance directors, the newspaper reported. In Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel and Alhambra. Domenica Megerdichian has worked for four Los Angeles-area municipalities. 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. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. The City Council has an ambitious agenda for addressing making South Pasadena even more special than it already is. Your email address will not be published. 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. Which Bands Will March in the 2024 Rose Parade? Profiles in Management: Aram and Armin Chaparyan | California City Pasadena, California - Wikipedia The South Pasadena City Council has unanimously voted to hire Armine Chaparyan as city manager, officials announced Friday. Gonzalez replaces former City Manager Tom Bakaly, who resigned in August 2016 to become the Beach Cities Health Districts chief executive officer. 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. News provided by the City Manager's Office The City Manager's Office has launched a Social Services Resource Guide, providing a list of providers and resources available for community members. Your email address will not be published. Contact Form, Hours of Operation: 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. Pasadena welcomes new city manager, Miguel Mrquez 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. He began his public service career as a Deputy County Counsel in San Mateo County. 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. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district.. Its population was 138,699 at the 2020 census, making it the 44th largest city in California and . Chaparyan has 15 years of experience in municipal government and a masters degree in public administration from USC. E-mail press release to : [email protected] We strive to inform, educate, and work together to make a better world for all of us, locally and globally. Our News Desk department consists of a collective of news gatherers in order to keep the community informed and safe. CITY OF PASADENA CITY MANAGER Section 10 - Page 1. 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. Chaparyan Traveled a Long Way to Serve the City | South Pasadena Review The contract included $20,000 for relocation and 160 hours of vacation time per year. Ms. Chaparyan has worked for the cities of Ontario, and Santa Clarita. She also previously worked for the City of Santa Clarita as a Redevelopment Manager and a Senior Project Manager for the City of Ontario. Lucy Demirjian - Los Angeles County, California, United States Human Resources | South Pasadena, CA Copyright 2023. She also previously worked for the Cities of Glendale and West Hollywood in the City Clerk Elections and in City Council support roles while pursuing her graduate degrees. These formative experiences inspired Mrquezs commitment to public service. E-mail press release to : [email protected] Which Bands Will March in the 2024 Rose Parade? Its very interesting. Trackdown Management's Picking Up the Pieces - PublicCEO (626)737-8486 Ext. South Pasadena New City Manager Search | Prospective Candidate Has 8, Eddie Rivera | [email protected] 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. Before . 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. We are excited to welcome Armine as our new City Manager, said Mayor Diana Mahmud. 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. 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. Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m. The installation followed four community focus groups, input. 8 Sean served as the South Pasadena City Manager from 1996 to 2004 before heading to Irvine. He and his wife, Cathy, have twin daughters, Olivia and Sofia, age nine. (626) 737-8486 Ext. Email: City Clerk Aram was appointed city manager of Torrance in October 2020, and Armin took South Pasadena's top administrative office in May 2021. Pasadena Now | Terms of - Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection. During his tenure in South Pasadena, Joyce hired Josh Betta to be the city's Finance Director at that time. Breaking News Tips: (626) 737-8486 Extension 7 He served as city attorney for the City of Vernon as a part of the Citys good governance initiative reform efforts. 1414 Mission Street The City Council wishes her the best in the next chapter of her life, said South Pasadena Mayor Bob Joe. in 2018, Armin Chaparyan was appointed as the new Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director for the City of San Gabriel. Required fields are marked *. 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. Click for Directory. She will start her new position with South Pasadena on Monday, May 31, 2021. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds offer another way to get Pasadena Now content. 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. He is a self-identified technophile, data nerd and wannabe drone pilot. The towing companys owner hatched a plan with his fishing buddy, Terry Timeus, who was the police chief of West Linn, to carry out the arrest, according to the Washington Post. City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe on Feb. 27 announced the appointment of Karen Aceves as South Pasadena's new finance director. Ms. Chaparyan has 15 years of local government experience, most recently serving as assistant city manager of San Gabriel. When African Royalty Visited South Pasadena, Artists to Unveil Collaborative Mural During ArtNight Pasadena. 2, David Cross | [email protected] 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. 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 will start her new position with South Pasadena on Monday, May 31, 2021. Would love your thoughts, please comment. South Pasadena City Manager Sergio Gonzalez to be Hermosa Beach City The Mayor is selected from the City Council members and serves a one-year term. Jason Henry is an investigative reporter with the Southern California News Group. Pasadena Black History Month Magazine, Parents: National Catholic Schools Week Guide. Municipal politics, Bureaucracy and Corruption, No Way! M - F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. The statement said that effective immediately Fire Chief Paul Riddle will assume the role of Acting City Manager., At the direction of the South Pasadena City Council, Acting City Manager Fire Chief Riddle will continue to lead the remaining COVID-19 response and begin taking the action necessary to safely move our community forward.. When African Royalty Visited South Pasadena, Artists to Unveil Collaborative Mural During ArtNight Pasadena. The City is soliciting bids for city attorney services! Coffee with the Chief. 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. City of South Pasadena Launches Social Services Resource Guide He is a self-identified technophile, data nerd and wannabe drone pilot. (626)737-8486 Ext. Your email address will not be published. Following the community forum, its expected that an employment agreement will be presented for consideration at the regular May 5, 2021 City Council meeting. South Pasadena City Manager named - PublicCEO Mr. Rodriguez received his bachelors degree as a College Scholar of the College of Arts and Sciences from Cornell University and his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. After sifting through 35 applications, the South Pasadena City Council picked a new city manager Wednesday in part for her familiarity with this small, bucolic city as well as her 30. South Pasadenas City Council originally planned to hire Jordan, but backed down from the decision during a special meeting April 20 in light of some community opposition. Los Altos Hills residents question recruiter's track record (626)737-8486 Ext. 82, Jeff Vaughn, Sales Manager | [email protected] And to think she got all her experience in West Hollywood City Hall. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds offer another way to get Pasadena Now content. If you are also interested in hearing from the candidate on specific topic areas, you can send an email to [email protected]. In a letter, Chris Bray, a South Pasadena resident and critic, said the council should have hosted an open community dialogue about the chosen candidate before placing his employment agreement on its agenda. 801, Andr Coleman, Managing Editor | [email protected] Gonzalezs annual salary will be $219,000. The City Manager is appointed by the Council to oversee the activities of the city. (626)737-8486 Ext. M-Th 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, 1414 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030 | P:(626) 403-7200 | Contact Us. Required fields are marked *. Pasadena Now | Terms of - Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection. Her starting annual salary is $215,000. It added amenities, including a new dog park, and improved its fire safety rating, resulting in lower insurance rates for residents and businesses. Learn how your comment data is processed. Registration is not required, but those interested in hearing from the candidate on specific topic areas are asked to email their questions in advance to [email protected]. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. New Interim City Manager is On-Board - South Pasadena News For Advertising, Call (626) 737-8486 Ext. Our opinion section is open to all. 7, Candice Merrill, Co-Publisher | [email protected] 801, Andr Coleman, Managing Editor | [email protected] Margaret Lin - Senior Project Manager - Impact Sciences - LinkedIn Additional questions may be asked at the end of the forum, if time permits, according to the citys announcement. South Pasadena, CA | Home 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. (626)737-8486 Ext. 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. Copyright 2023. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Proposed South Pasadena Budget "Astonishingly Incomplete," Ex Finance She had previously worked at Pasadena City Hall, at one point serving as Interim Assistant City Manager., according to her biography on the South Pasadena website. Armin Chaparyan, Deputy City Manager 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. South Pasadena's previous city manager, Stephanie DeWolfe, retired from the city in September. 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. Fax:(626) 403-7211 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. The only agenda item will be a public employment matter concerning embattled City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe, the South Pasadena reported. Retired Santa Monica City Manager John Jalili has been serving as interim city manager since October. Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m. South Pasadena, CA 91030 Domenica brings a dynamic, proactive, team-oriented and solutions based approach to her work and to the agency. The City Manager also holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. City Manager at City of South Pasadena Los Angeles Metropolitan Area Mary Jerejian, MPA Management Analyst at the City of South Pasadena Los Angeles, CA Christina Muoz Deputy. Special Projects . 4, Faith Fernandez, Chief Administrative Officer | [email protected] Betta said he did not seek to contact Shea because it would be a violation of Shea's "professional privacy." Jordan, the former Los Altos city manager, confirmed April 21 he was out of the running in an email response to the Town Crier. 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. 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. Former Los Altos city manager out of running for new post