Tag: City Manager

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, May 19, West Hollywood City Manager David Wilson announced his retirement during the regular meeting of the City Council. He will retire in early 2026 with more than 26 years of dedicated service to the West Hollywood community.

According to a news release from the city’s website, Wilson started his tenure as City Manager in West Hollywood in July 2021. During his time in the role, he helped guide the city through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery, ensuring continuity of services while prioritizing public health and safety. He led efforts helping the city’s financial position, putting West Hollywood in a solid fiscal position for future investments.

Before becoming City Manager, Wilson served as Assistant City Manager from 2018 to 2021. He served as West Hollywood’s City’s Director of Finance and Technology Services, overseeing General Accounting, Revenue Management, and Information Technology, as well as acting as the City Treasurer and Risk Manager. He also served in various other roles for West Hollywood including Budget and Compensation Manager, Senior Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Department, and Project Development Administrator for the City’s redevelopment and housing functions.

Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from the University of California at Berkeley and a master’s degree in Planning from the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California.

He holds management certificates from Harvard University’s Leadership Decision Making Program, the International City/County Management Association’s Leadership ICMA Program, and the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute.

West Hollywood’s City Attorney’s Office and Human Resources Division will lead the recruitment process for the next City Manager, that will be chosen by the West Hollywood City Council.

For more details contact Christine Safriet, West Hollywood Assistant to the City Manager, at (323) 848-6467 or at csafriet@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

By Dann Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills announced on Friday, May 16 that City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey is retiring after 35 years. She will retire in June 2026.

“As the first female City Manager in the history of Beverly Hills, Nancy leaves a legacy of respected leadership, superior institutional knowledge and humility,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian. “On behalf of the City Council and our entire community, we thank Nancy for her tireless dedication to making Beverly Hills a better place and wish her and her family the very best in the years ahead.”

Hunt-Coffey was hired after her stint with the city of Glendale in 2008 as Assistant Director of Community Services. She became the Director in 2016 leading Beverly Hills’ Recreation and Parks, Library, Human Services and Administrative Support divisions.

In 2019, she was appointed Assistant City Manager before being named City Manager in 2023.

“Watching Nancy ascend to the highest levels of leadership within our organization has been a pleasure to witness,” added Mayor Nazarian.

“I would like to thank the Mayor, City Council, our devoted City staff and this incredible community for allowing me the privilege to serve for all these years,” said Hunt-Coffey. “It’s been an honor to represent you, and I will always cherish my time in Beverly Hills.”

The Beverly Hills City Council is expected to discuss selecting a new City Manager at an upcoming meeting.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Tuesday, May 13, the city of Malibu announced that Acting City Manager Joseph Toney announced his resignation, effective May 22, 2025.

“This decision comes after much deliberation and reflection,” said Joseph Toney.

“It has truly been an honor and privilege to help lead and work next to such a dedicated team of staff, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to serve our community over the last three years. The staff are some of the most professional and committed I have ever served with. We have accomplished a lot and faced unspeakable challenges with the recent disasters. The resilience and commitment of the team have been nothing short of inspiring, and I am proud of all we’ve achieved in the face of adversity. The Council has an opportunity to shape a new direction with the next City Manager. I support their efforts and will ensure a smooth transition,” Toney added.

His accomplishments include:

-Passage of a half-cent sales tax generating over $4 million annually
-Enhanced school safety
-Overhauled Development Services
-Created a Code of Conduct
-Upgraded recruitment, cybersecurity, and IT
-Strengthened the City’s investments, beating Treasury benchmarks
-Stabilized the Planning Department while serving as Acting Director

“Joe has been a steady hand and proven leader through some of the most challenging times in our City’s history. We thank him for his service and wish him continued success,” said Mayor Marianne Riggins.

The city announced the appointment of Ambassador Candace Bond as Interim City Manager. Bond has lived in Malibu for 30 years.

“This is a labor of love,” Bond said. “Malibu is home. I raised my children here. I want to use every bit of experience I’ve gained in public life to help this city recover and move forward with resilience, vision, and care.”

Bond is a Harvard College and Harvard Business School graduate, former U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, and recipient of multiple national and international honors for diplomacy and leadership.

“Ambassador Bond brings the heart of a neighbor and the skills of a world-class leader. We are fortunate to have someone of her caliber stepping into this role during such a critical moment,” said Mayor Riggins.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On January 22, the city of Santa Monica announced that The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday announced that Elaine Polachek will serve as interim city manager, replacing outgoing City Manager David White during the national recruitment for a permanent appointment.

Polachek previously served the city in various roles for nearly two decades, most recently as Assistant City Manager from 2010-2017.

White announced his departure in December 2024, following more than three years with the city. The Santa Monica City Council also directed staff to immediately begin a national recruitment for a permanent city manager.

“On behalf of the City Council I want to express my gratitude to David for his leadership and service to the community, particularly as we faced regional impacts from the devastating Palisades Fire in his final weeks at the helm, and we wish him the best in his new endeavor,” said Mayor Lana Negrete. “Elaine will provide much-needed stability and a wealth of knowledge of Santa Monica, allowing staff to continue important work to serve residents, businesses and visitors as we proceed with recruitment.”

Polachek first joined the city in 2000 as open space manager. She served as director of the Department of Community Maintenance, deputy city manager, interim city manager and then assistant city manager/chief operating officer. After leaving the city, she was interim executive vice president at Santa Monica College for two years before starting her own government, community and legislative affairs consulting firm, Kings Road Consulting, in 2020.

“Having spent almost 28 years in Santa Monica, I am fortunate to have worked with many of the talented staff who serve this city and I am excited to return to serve as interim city manager during the formal recruitment process to fill the position,” Polachek said. “My commitment is to continue to support Santa Monica as the region recovers from the terrible fires and address the needs of the community. I am confident that together we can make progress in achieving the goals of the council and community.”

Polachek spent 10 years as the operations manager for the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation and served as executive director of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and vice president of marketing for the Pacific Design Center.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.

Pending final approval of her contract by the Santa Monica City Council, Polachek will join the city effective Monday, February 3 to assist with the transition ahead of White’s departure and will begin as full-time city manager starting February 21, with a salary of $197.41 per hour.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The City of Malibu announced on July 10, that Alexis Brown will be the city’s new Deputy City Manager. She’ll serve at the direction of the city manager and assistant city manager.

Brown served a similar role in Imperial where she worked as assistant city manager. She oversaw eight departments while serving Imperial. Before her position as city manager, she worked in several roles at the city of nearly 15,000: as a management analyst, public information officer and executive assistant to the city manager.

City officials praised what was called Brown’s collaborative nature and communication skills, as well as her track record as a problem solver and developer of strategic vision.

“Malibu welcomes Alexis Brown as the new deputy city manager, and we are excited to have her available to serve our community,” Mayor Bruce Silverstein said in a release. “Alexis has an impressive and varied background, with valuable experience working in relevant roles in local government and serving the residents.”

Brown was named among the “Top 20 Leaders Under 40 in Imperial County” by Valley Women’s Magazine in 2022. She also held the following positions in her career: director of marketing and special events for the Imperial & Brawley Chamber of Commerce and business development specialist for the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation.

“I am excited to serve the Malibu community in my new role,” Brown said. “I am looking forward to working with city leadership and staff, and building relationships with all stakeholders.”

Deputy city manager roles include, among others, planning, managing and providing administrative direction and oversight for all activities and operations of the City of Malibu; coordinating assigned activities with City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fostering cooperative working relationships among City departments and various community and regulatory agencies; providing highly responsible and complex administrative assistance to the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and City Council in coordinating and directing City-wide departmental activities and operations; serving as acting City Manager in the City Manager’s and Assistant City Manager’s absence.

By Christianne