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Council Approves Contract, Cynthia Kurtz Will Become Pasadena Interim City Manager December 2

Published on Monday, October 25, 2021 | 8:57 pm
 
Cynthia Kurtz. (Photo courtesy City of Pasadena)

The City Council on Monday unanimously approved Interim City Manager Cynthia Kurtz’s contract.

Kurtz, who has been chosen to serve as interim city manager with the Dec. 2 retirement of City Manager Steve Mermell, served as City Manager from 1997 to 2008.

 “I am really honored to be considered to fill in for the interim,” Kurtz said remotely. “I am looking forward to doing it.”

Per the proposed contract, Kurtz will be paid $145.16 an hour for 960 hours. She will not receive additional benefits.

“I feel like this is a great opportunity for us to bridge the gap,” said Vice Mayor Andy Wilson. 

Because Kurtz is receiving CalPERS benefits, she cannot exceed 960 hours of work from the city. If she does, she could suffer a loss of retirement benefits.

However, hours worked during the local emergency brought on by the pandemic will not count against the 960 hour limit, according to an executive order by Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

The City Manager position will not become vacant until December 3. Kurtz will assume the interim City Manager position on that date. 

“It is imperative for the city to have continuous leadership in its chief executive position in order to ensure proper management and operation of the city to address the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to a city staff report. “As such, all hours worked by Ms. Kurtz in her role as Interim City Manager are subject to the waiver of the 960 hour limit and will not count toward the 960-hour per fiscal year limit.”

Kurtz will start off in an “extra help capacity” on Nov. 10 as she works with Mermell to ensure a smooth transition. During that time, she will make $120 an hour.

When Mermell announced his retirement last month, he promised to assist in the transition to a new city manager. 

“Over the years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know a lot of city employees and I count many of you as friends and all of you as colleagues,” Mermell wrote. “Day in and day out you provide exceptional service to our community and it shows. It will always be a great source of pride for me to have served as your City Manager.”

Not long after Mermell announced his retirement plans rumors began circulating that Kurtz was a candidate for the interim position. 

Since completing her tenure in Pasadena, Kurtz has worked as the interim city manager in both Covina and Santa Ana, as well as the chief operating officer of River LA. She also served as president of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. She is currently vice chair of the Metropolitan Water District.

Kurtz received her undergraduate degree in Community Development and Housing from Penn State University. She also holds a master of arts degree in transportation and urban development from the University of Iowa. 

Mayor Victor Gordo and the City Council will begin a national search for a permanent city manager in the upcoming weeks, assisted by Kurtz and city staff.

The city manager is one of the three positions the City Council is responsible for filling. The council also hires the city clerk and city attorney.

Pasadena has a council-city manager type of government, which calls for the elected City Council to serve as the city’s primary legislative body and to appoint a city manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations, draft a budget, implement and enforce the council’s policy and legislative initiatives, and oversee 14 of the 16 city departments. 

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