The city Tuesday named Dave Carmany, city manager of Seal Beach, as Manhattan Beach’s new city manager, pending City Council approval next week.
The announcement came nearly a year after the departure of former city manager Geoff Dolan, during which time Community Development director Richard Thompson has been serving as the interim city manager.
“The search was exhaustive,” Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery said. “It took a whole year and was definitely a challenge. But I think [Carmany] will be an amazing manager.”
A subcommittee led by Mayor Pro Tem Nick Tell and Councilmember Mitch Ward oversaw the search, reviewing over 90 candidates in the past year, 15 of whom were interviewed by the subcommittee and 10 of whom were brought before the council in private meetings.
Carmany, who has served for the past three years as Seal Beach’s city manager, applied for the position in late October, during the second opening of the search by recruitment firm Ralph Andersen and Associates.
“Manhattan Beach has a reputation as a preeminent, full service city, and from a city manager perspective it would be a great community to work in,” Carmany said. “It’s important to allow the city to continue its history of success.”
The City Council will vote at its Dec. 7 meeting whether to approve a three-year $213,200 per year contract.
In addition, the contract includes assistance in purchasing a house in the city valued at no more than $1.2 million, a $400 car allowance and up to $5,000 in moving costs.
Carmany’s salary at Seal Beach is $217,000.
If the Council approves his appointment, Carmany will start as Manhattan Beach’s city manager on Jan. 10. He said the assignment to the city’s highest staff position is one he wants long-term.
“I think my education and work experience are uniquely in sync with what the city is seeking,” Carmany said. “They are looking for someone who in the short term can help them meet their goals for continued success.”
Carmany, 52, lives in Huntington Beach with his wife of 30 years, Lori. The couple has three adult children: Christy, who works for the U.S. Dept. of Justice; Brian, a Ph.D student at the University of Chicago; and Diana, a first grade teacher.
Carmany received his bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs with a specialization in Urban and Regional Planning and a certificate in Environmental Studies, along with a minor in Public Administration, from USC in 1979. While at USC, Carmany interned for one semester at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C.
Since 2007, he has served as the city manager for Seal Beach, where he manages a budget of $48 million dollars — similar to Manhattan Beach’s roughly $49 million budget — and directs 91 employees in five departments, including Police, Public Works, Administrative Services, Marine Safety Lifeguards and Development Services.
Under Carmany’s watch, Seal Beach was named the recipient of a 2010 national award from the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association for a beach sand nourishment project. He is a member of the Independent City Management Association.
Reports of a long-standing conflict between Carmany and Seal Beach Councilmember Gary Miller do not worry Montgomery. According to October news accounts, Miller called for Carmany’s termination and replacement after Carmany’s job performance was reviewed three times in the past year.
Carmany declined to comment directly on his dealings with Miller.
“I wish him the best,” he said.
Calls to Miller were not immediately returned.
Montgomery said Carmany’s answers to the Council about the conflicts were satisfactory and that he came highly recommended by Seal Beach’s mayor and vice mayor.
“I can tell you it’s difficult for any city manager to get along with all five Council members at the same time,” Montgomery said. “We asked and he answered about the personality conflict. And I get it. We also spoke to Seal Beach’s mayor and vice mayor and there are no two bigger cheerleaders for this guy than them.”
Prior to working for Seal Beach, Carmany was a regional manager for Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS). He has also worked as a city manager for the cities of Pacifica, from January 1997 to March 2003, Malibu from 1993-1996 and Agoura Hills from 1987-1993.
Carmany’s nearly 30 years of experience in public and private sector management, knowledge of PERS and the fact that he is a native Southern Californian who understands how the state works set him apart from other candidates, Montgomery said.
“Plus he’s got a green streak in him,” Montgomery said. “With all those things rolled into one, this is the guy you want.”
Montgomery said that Carmany’s background in pension and planning will be a huge plus for the city with plan checks, which have become backlogged, and labor negotiations that will begin after the first of the year.
From February until a few weeks ago, Carmany oversaw contract negotiations with the Seal Beach Police Officers Association, establishing a three year collective bargaining agreement that includes a two-tier retirement pension system. He estimated the agreement will reduce the city’s retirement costs from 20 percent to 13 percent of its payroll.
“Everything is on the table this time for everybody to be aware of,” said Montgomery, regarding whether a two-tier pension system would be brought up in Manhattan’s negotiations.
Carmany will also be faced with the immediate challenge of filling the city’s police and fire chief positions. Interim Fire Chief Ken Schuck has led the MBFD since March, when former Chief Scott Ferguson resigned to become Santa Monica’s fire chief. MBPD Police Chief Rod Uyeda Tuesday announced his plans to retire shortly after the beginning of the year.
“I tend to do these searches myself,” Carmany said. “One of the tricks is to spend lots of time on the job description and doing a good job of getting the flier out there.”
He said most of his time early on will be spent getting to know the city and the community.
“I’m looking forward to being out in the community with my ears wide open and a smile on my face,” he said. “In fact, I’ll probably be the guy in the back row just listening.” ER
