City Council Votes Monday to Finalize Hiring of Steve Mermell as City Manager

The Pasadena City Council is expected to approve Monday an Agreement for Employment between the City and Steve Mermell, almost a month after Mermell was chosen and assumed the title and day-to-day operational role of new City Manager. The agreement sets the tone for Mermell’s formal assumption effective August 8, 2016 for a term of five years.

Mermell emerged as the best choice among a group of “well-qualified and experienced candidates” after the Council held two rounds of personal interviews with the applicants deemed most qualified. His appointment was announced by the City Council at its regular meeting on July 11.

According to an Agenda Report prepared by City Mayor Terry Tornek for Monday’s City Council meeting, the Agreement for Employment for Mermell was the “result of discussions between the parties regarding the terms and conditions of his employment.”

A draft of the agreement shows Mermell will receive a base salary of $275,000 annually, subject to legally permissible or required deductions, prorated and paid on the city’s normal paydays.

The agreement also sets Mermell’s eligibility for a lump-sum bonus for performance above expectations, salary increases based on the City Council’s performance review, benefits generally applicable to non-safety executive management employees, and other city employee benefits.

Tornek said in the Agenda Report that the total annual cost including salary and benefits under Mermell’s employment agreement is estimated to be $404,099. He said approximately $429,483 has been appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2017 Operating Budget for the City Manager position.

The nationwide search for a new City Manager began in March after former City Manager Michael Beck announced he was resigning. An executive search firm hired by the City Council held two community meetings in Pasadena, and the public was encouraged to share feedback about the search during City Council meetings.

The search firm also interviewed city employees, representatives from the city’s labor unions and each member of the City Council for inputs on the search and the candidates.