The Avalon City Council fired City Manager Ben Harvey this week, following a performance evaluation Tuesday that was closed to the public. Harvey said he wasn’t fired for cause and no reason was given. He said that basically, three council members decided they would rather have a different leader.
Council members Joe Sampson, Richard Hernandez and Mayor Anni Marshall voted to terminate Harvey. Council members Oley Olsen and Cinde MacGugan-Cassidy voted against firing Harvey.
The Avalon City Council fired City Manager Ben Harvey this week, following a performance evaluation Tuesday that was closed to the public. Harvey said he wasn’t fired for cause and no reason was given. He said that basically, three council members decided they would rather have a different leader.
Council members Joe Sampson, Richard Hernandez and Mayor Anni Marshall voted to terminate Harvey. Council members Oley Olsen and Cinde MacGugan-Cassidy voted against firing Harvey.
Chief Administrative Officer/City Clerk Denise Radde is the interim city manager. Sampson referred questions on the matter to Radde.
Marshall said she wasn’t at liberty to say why the council voted to terminate Harvey. “I personally believe we want to have a city manager who resides on the Island full time,” Marshall said.
Marshall said the council was “kind of” estimating a four-month search for Harvey’s successor.
Marshall said the council would meet this weekend to plan the city manager search.
“I really want the community to know that it is going to be business as usual,” Marshall said.
Council member Oley Olsen, one of the dissenting voters, said, “I thought that he was doing a great job.”
Olsen said he was worried that Harvey’s dismissal would have a negative impact various city projects. He also said he was worried about the cost of looking for a new city manager.
Council member Cinde MacGugan-Cassidy expressed similar concerns in an email:
“Along with Mayor Pro Tem Olsen, I was in the minority of this decision where my vote was not to terminate his employment. In looking at the bigger picture and what is best for our community making this decision could dramatically and negatively effect the immense progress that has been made the past two years. Ultimately, I did not feel as though Mr. Harvey’s flaws outweighed the progress he has led for our city,” according to MacGugan-Cassidy.
She also raised concerns about the personnel resources and money required to find Harvey’s successor.
“Our community should be aware that this decision could also require the City to have to retain additional consulting services to direct the daily operations during this time. I believe in the process of democracy however I am very sad for our community that this decision was made. My City of Avalon flag will be flying at half staff for some time to come,” according to MacGugan-Cassidy.
Harvey was hired in September 2013. He was one of 40 individuals who applied for the job. Harvey and Radde were the two finalists.
“I leave with my head held high,” Harvey said. He said his accomplishments during his tenure as city manager included bringing the Whatever USA event to Catalina, improving water quality in Avalon Bay, and digging Avalon out of a “financial hole.” As of 2012, the average tenure for a U.S. city manager was about seven years, according to the International City/County Management Association.
