Former Manhattan Beach City Manager Lands New Job

Less than a month after he was ousted by the Manhattan Beach City Council, former Manhattan Beach City Manager David Carmany will take the helm for the city of La Puente, according to a press release.

Carmany was dismissed from his position with Manhattan Beach on Nov. 4 with a 5-0 vote by City Council. He will begin his position as city manager in La Puente on Jan. 1, 2014, with an annual salary of $175,000. He made $213,220 in Manhattan Beach, according to an online document.

When dismissed without cause on Nov. 4, Manhattan Beach Mayor David Lesser said in a statement, “At this time, the City Council has decided to move in a new direction. The City Council wishes to express its appreciation to Dave Carmany and thank him for his service to the city of Manhattan Beach and its residents.”

A Manhattan Beach attorney who performs city attorney functions for numerous cities told Patch it's more typical to fire a city manager without cause than with. Firing a city manager with cause usually translates into no severance pay or benefits, however, finding cause can prove problematic.

Dismissing a city manager without cause is much easier, said Christi Hogin of Jenkins & Hogin, LLP. "It's not a surprising thing because it's a relationship, it's chemistry. There's an element of chemistry that's always involved," she said. "More often than not, it happens after an election."

Tuesday night, the La Puente City Council unanimously selected Carmany as its next top administrator during a public meeting. In a 4-0 vote [La Puente City Council member David Argudo was out of town on city business and did not vote], the Council approved his employment agreement.

“In choosing Dave Carmany, we have an experienced, seasoned professional city manager who will serve La Puente well,” said Mayor Charlie Klinakis. “David is a proven leader and brings a long successful career of budget and financial management to our city.”

Carmany has previously held the city manager slot in Manhattan Beach, Seal Beach, Pacifica, Malibu and Agoura Hills. He began his career in the San Gabriel Valley in the City of Alhambra.

“I am very excited and look forward to working with the residents, businesses and the La Puente City Council,” said Carmany.  “I am honored to have been selected and look forward to hitting the ground running.

“Each time we turn on the water in our kitchens, set the trash out for pick up the next day, or drive through the city on well-maintained roads, we access our local governments," said Carmany. "Providing essential services that ensure the quality of our lives is what local governments are all about.” 

As La Puente's city manager, Carmany will oversee the city's daily operations, implement policies adopted by city council, and provide leadership and direction to city staff, said Klinakis.

• Related: City Manager Carmany Dismissed; Interim Appointed