By Gus Herrera
It’s official! The City of Pasadena recently welcomed newly-selected City Manager Steve Mermell, to the tune of a hefty six-figure contract, which is estimated to be worth $404,099 (includes salary and benefit), according to city staff’s report.
Mayor Terry Tornek made the announcement during council’s regular meeting on July 11, but formal contract negotiations ensued for almost another month. The hiring process finally concluded on Monday night when council approved Mermell’s employment agreement without any opposition, as part of a motion sweep of the evening’s consent calendar.
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.”
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 July’s initial 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. According to TransparentCalifornia.com, former City Manager Beck’s salary and benefits totaled $394,270.72 in 2015.
Mermell lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
