Manhattan Beach city manager dismissed ‘without cause’
Dave Carmany
The Manhattan Beach City Council unanimously voted in a closed session Monday morning to dismiss Dave Carmany, who has served as the city manager for nearly three years.
The council terminated Carmany’s three-year contract without cause and chose finance director Bruce Moe as acting city manager. Mayor David Lesser told Easy Reader News that the “new council decided it was time for a new direction.”
This is a common move among cities in California, Lesser said, adding that the council plans to hold discussions with residents on what that new direction will entail. Council members will publicly address the termination at the Nov. 19 City Council meeting, he said.
Carmany began his post in January 2011 following a scandal that prompted the abrupt dismissal of predecessor Geoff Dolan. His contract with the city was set to expire this upcoming January, but it was automatically extended to January 2015 because neither he nor the City Council issued a timely notice of non-renewal, according to a staff report.
In an email to his colleagues and members of the media Monday afternoon, Carmany expressed gratitude and a sense of accomplishment in his nearly three years serving Manhattan Beach:
“Dear Colleagues:
Change is probably the most constant thing in the life of a City Manager. Supervision of day-to-day operations of all city departments and staff, directly and through department heads is a challenge that requires experience, patience, strong leadership and the ability to get people to work together.
It has been a real privilege and honor serving the people of Manhattan Beach, California. My family and I have enjoyed living in our great city and have made many friends, which we will always cherish.
I came to the city during a time of transition and change. Manhattan Beach was facing scandals in the government and issues in the Fire Department, the Police Department, infrastructure concerns and a lot of projects that had been started but were delayed in being finished.
My mission was clear from the first day, bring positive management practices and professional rules and procedures to the city and to increase outreach and awareness within the City to the residents. Establish a base for reform that would allow the City to continue to provide first class services that everyone expects.
In three very short years, I am very pleased to say that my mission has been accomplished and now it is time for me to move on to my next professional challenge. I have truly enjoyed working with the City Council and each and every member of the City in bringing about these positive changes and I will look forward to maintaining my strong relationships in the future with the people I have come to know and cherish in the City of Manhattan Beach.
I am proud of my time here in Manhattan Beach and all that we have been able to accomplish. I take great pride in knowing that when I leave this great City I have helped to improve the conditions of city government, contributing to make them better than when I arrived.
Please let me know if ever I can be of assistance to you in any way.
Best regards, Dave Carmany.”
Prior to Manhattan Beach, Carmany served as Seal Beach city manager for three years.