Rigorous Nationwide Recruitment Ends After Five Months
By Gus Herrera
Interim City Manager Steve Mermell will soon be able drop the “interim” prefix from his formal title. At city council’s regular meeting on Monday evening, July 11, Mayor Terry Tornek surprised those in attendance with the announcement.
As soon as the Pledge of Allegiance concluded, Mayor Tornek jumped at the opportunity to inform the public that Pasadena’s search for a new city manager had come to a conclusion. The mayor’s declaration was met with warm applause.
After the applause subsided, Mayor Tornek made sure to add that the appointment is still subject to an agreement of terms and conditions (i.e. contract negotiations).
The city has had several meetings in closed session regarding the matter over the past few weeks, the most recent of which took place prior to Monday’s council meeting.
Tornek announced that the decision to offer the position to Mermell was unanimous, noting that after 27 years with the city, council agrees that he has a “pretty good grasp of what this community is about.” Tornek added that “council has tremendous confidence in his ability, leadership, and dedication to the community.”
Mermell, giddy as a schoolboy, asked the mayor for a moment to speak, a request which was quickly granted: “I am very thankful to the mayor and council for selecting me … I am humbled by the level of support I have received from my co-workers and other members of the community … Pasadena is a great city … I can’t decide if this is best day of my career or if it was back in ’89 when I was first hired by the city … ”
The search for a new city manager began five months ago in early February, when city council authorized a $35,000 contract with the recruitment firm Bob Murray & Associates. According to Mayor Tornek, this firm was ultimately selected because of its national reputation and its history with Pasadena (the firm has been hired by the city in the past).
Interestingly enough, at the time, certain council members were hesitant about the contract’s ability to ensure a thorough search. Council Member John Kennedy was particularly skeptical, arguing that $35,000 was insufficient for a national search of the magnitude and quality that the city would like to conduct.
During last Monday’s announcement, Mayor Tornek confirmed that the recruitment process was indeed “rigorous” and that it investigated candidates from “all around the country.”
Despite the nationwide hunt, in the end, the city “found the best person right here at home,” to quote the mayor.
Mermell received a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in public administration from California State University, Northridge.
He began his professional relationship with the city in 1989 as an administrative analyst at Pasadena Water and Power. Mermell worked his way through the city’s finance department, filling numerous positions, including: purchasing administrator, budget administrator, and deputy director of finance.
Ultimately, he assumed the role of assistant city manager and was unanimously elected interim city manager on Feb. 8, 2016, after Michael Beck left to accept the position of administrative vice chancellor at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Mermell lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
Mayor Tornek concluded by revealing that he was “delighted” about the decision to appoint Mermell and that he is not sure if the city will be lucky enough to “get another 27 years of him … ”
