The salaries of city managers in the area have come under scrutiny following the city of Bell's scandal involving overpaid city officials. Bell's now-ousted city manager Robert Rizzo was earning close to $800,000. Arcadia city manager Don Penman's salary of $214,032 is shown in a chart along with other nearby city managers.
City clerks often earn six figure salaries. Pasadena has the highest paid clerk in the San Gabriel Valley with an annual salary of $143,006, and 10 cities have clerks that make more than $100,000. The City Clerk is responsible for all city records and for orchestrating city elections. Arcadia's city manager Don Penman said the role of city clerk as chief record keeper is essential and the pay is justified because of the level of responsibility the position demands. Arcadia's city clerk is paid $90,870 per year.
In lieu of pay raises, Arcadia City Council members and city employees will see an increase in the city's contribution to their health benefits. "It is fair because in these economic times, we couldn't afford to give (employees) anything else," said Mayor Peter Amundson. The total fiscal impact will be $56,750 for all employees.
Dominic Lazzaretto will be the new Arcadia City Manager, pending City Council's approval next week. He replaces Don Penman and is expected to start on March 26. He has been City Manager of La Palma for 6 years.
Pension reform is happening with Arcadia city employees. Arcadia City Council approved an ordinance last week whereby police officers and firefighters hired by the city are now required to pay their full employee share, or 9 percent, of their pension costs--an amount previously covered by the city. In addition, tentative agreements are in place with 4 out of 5 employee unions, to have members pay their full share by the next 3 years. Annual increases in employee costs during that period would be offset by equivalent annual raises. Other San Gabriel cities may follow suit.
With about a dozen Southern California cities, including Arcadia, potentially seeking new city managers this fall, some local officials are worried demand could drive up the salaries. Arcadia City Councilman Roger Chandler, whose city manager Don Penman is retiring in October, after 3 years as top administrator, said the opportunity to work for certain cities will outweigh the competitive market. He said this will not create a bidding war for city managers. Penman's annual salary is $214,032 plus $4000 in deferred compensation. He receives $14,076/year in medical benefits, 4 weeks vacation, 2 weeks management leave, and use of a car and BlackBerry.
Arcadia's new city manager Dominic Lazzaretto is ready for the job. He starts March 26 and replaces Don Penman who retired last November. He comes to Arcadia from a City Manager position in La Palma.
Arcadia Library Board of Trustees appoints Mary Beth Hayes as interim Director of Library and Museum Services, following the sudden death of Jackie Faust-Moreno. Mary Beth Hayes has been employed by the City of Arcadia since 1989 and is currently Library Services Manager.
Jerry Collins Picnic Pavilion dedication ceremony will be held July 19, 2016 at Wilderness Park at 2240 N. Highland Oaks Drive in Arcadia. There is a memorial plaque to commemorate his life. He was a former Director of Parks and Recreation for City of Arcadia. He started his service with City of Arcadia in 1970 and had a 24 year career. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 12, July 21, 2016.
Arcadia Circa 2020. Economic Development Analyst Tim Schwehr (photo) will present a commercial development preview of City of Arcadia circa 2020 at the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum.
City of Arcadia is highlighted as part of the Strong Cities-Strong State Campaign, a project of the California City Management Foundation and the League of California Cities.The city's profile is at www.strongcitiesstrongstate.com/city/arcadia. The website promotes city success stories with profiles of elected officials and city managers.
Temple City hires Don Penman, former City Manager of Arcadia, as Interim Temple City Manager, while city officials search for a permanent replacement for Jose Pulido, who was terminated January 13.
Arcadia City Council approves $30,000 for officials' trip to China and Taiwan. The purpose is to foster a better understanding of Asian culture in order to better serve Arcadia, which is heavily populated by residents from China and Taiwan. Establishing sister city relationships with Chinese and Taiwanese municipalities is another goal of the trip. See VF Sister City.