Seal Beach City Manager David Carmany surprised a few people in the seaside town last week when he announced his resignation, effective Jan. 10 of next year.
Carmany will be leaving the city’s employ to take the job of city manager for Manhattan Beach.
As Carmany wraps up three-and-a-half years on the job in Seal Beach, he agreed to answer a few questions before heading to his new position.
Q: When you first came to Seal Beach, what did you envision doing and how successful do you feel you have been in attaining those goals?
A: The to-do list changed dramatically. The financial concern, which started with $30,000 in missing checks, became the focus of a forensic audit and then criminal investigation. The former city treasurer, Keith Evanoff, had robbed the tax payers of about $168,000. It ended with a successful prosecution and restitution, and it showed me that there was a need to change the corporate culture.
Seal Beach had been running for some time on a “beach casual” atmosphere at City Hall. This needed to change. I have tried to create more of a team in which the staff is both accountable and responsive. I feel I have been successful at that. There have been continuing personnel and process changes in that direction.
Despite the poor economy, Seal Beach remains in solid financial health and is regularly recognized as one of the best cities in the state. This is a testament to the people that live in and work for this unique community.
Q: Do you have some key accomplishments that you feel have been done in the last few years?
A: The primary focus has been to identify and address some key areas in the capital and financial structure of the city. We have now essentially quantified the unfunded liabilities in the pension programs and have taken steps like the refinancing of some of the debt through private placement [Bank of America], which effectively created a NPV [Net Present Value] savings of over $810,000. We dropped from a 7-and-three-fourths percent to a 5 percent interest rate. With the new reduction in the police force contract, we will see further savings over time.
Concurrently, we have addressed some critical facility needs including the Fire Station on North Gate Road, which was the recipient of a 2010 Distinguished Project award. This project came in under budget by $2 million and ahead of schedule by several months. With solar tiles, a third ladder bay, community room and a 50-year life horizon, this has positioned Seal Beach for the future.
The much needed police station renovation has also been completed which will extend the life of that facility, increase security in our jail and improve services for our 31 sworn officers.
We have moved forward with major sewer, storm water and well projects because it has been the right time to do so. Bids are highly competitive now and have been for the last several years. These improvements will strengthen all of Seal Beach.
I am especially proud to have earned the 2010 American Shore and Beach Preservation Association award for our ongoing beach sand nourishment project, ensuring Seal Beach remains one of the most desirable family destinations in Southern California.
Q: How did the job in Manhattan Beach come up and what made you decide to take it?
A: Well, I wasn’t looking. I had a conversation with three colleagues and they mentioned that Manhattan Beach had been looking for a city manager for the last 12 months and hadn’t found the right candidate.
Manhattan Beach is a preeminent coastal city, like Seal Beach, and in addition is a full service city with a complete fire, police and complement of city support services. With a little over 35,000 people, it is a bit larger, but still has some of that small town feel. It is a microcosm of the truly unique political, social and economic dynamic that is Southern California.
I am leaving Seal Beach with the requisite number of mixed feelings. I know that the city will be in capable hands thanks largely to an engaged and dedicated city council and staff. At the same time, my family and I are both excited about the opportunity to help steer Manhattan Beach onward to future success.
Q: What about salary and benefits?
A: There is an increase from my current salary and in addition, there was an unexpected housing package, which came as a late surprise, but was a factor.
Manhattan Beach wants its city manager to live in the community. They make that possible.
Q: What issues remain undone and what do you think the next city manager will have to grapple with?
Particularly I am asking for your thoughts on the DWP property, Council issues and other concerns of the community.
A: I recently heard a speaker comment that we are in the third year of a 10-year recession. I agree with that assessment. As a result, I have asked all department heads to take another 2 percent in hard cuts out of their budgets as we are embarking on another fiscal budgeting cycle. We currently have strong financial stability, but we need to continue to look closely at that every year.
I can’t comment on the DWP property and would refer all inquiries about it to the city attorney.
As for council, I have always done my level best to be responsive, timely, effective and clear in all of my communication. I believe that all of the city staff has also done so. I stand by my service and have only the highest respect for city council.
The next city manager will need to understand that this position is a working city manager’s job. Often you have to write your own staff reports, be fully engaged in the community and ultimately have a servant’s heart. He or she will also need to have a vision for the horizon.”
Q: It has been a tough time for many businesses. How do you think you have impacted them?
A: We have successfully repositioned the Shops at Rossmoor and there are many exciting new tenants coming into that facility. We were able to quickly fill the former Circuit City with a Marshall’s when other communities still have large numbers of vacancies.
We retained Energy Tubulars, a major contributor to our sales tax and also had success with Amonix and MagTek. We also successfully recruited, and have worked with Dendreon on their new facility.
We have deepened the relationship with the small business and non-profit community through the Chamber and other organizations which produce events, like the 5K/10K. The Christmas Holiday Parade and the Tree Lighting were both wonderful events which showcased some of the best that Seal Beach has to offer.
Q: Any other comments or thoughts for our community?
A: My family and I will always consider Seal Beach our second home. I leave with many fond memories of the city staff, wonderful residents and businesses that make the city so special.
I wish the incoming city manager, city council and staff, the very best as they move forward together in making Seal Beach an even more remarkable community.”
Carmany’s last city council meeting will be Monday, Dec. 13.
Seth Eaker is the immediate past president of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce.
