Council Approves Interim City Manager Agreement

The Hermosa Beach City Council introduced John Jalili as its choice for interim city manager while a search for a permanent city manager continues.

The council is recruiting a new city manager to replace Steve Burrell, who at the end of March.

"We do have an item tonight on the consent calendar that has to do with an interim city manager to take care of the city when Steve leaves," said Mayor Howard Fishman during the council meeting.

The item was for the council to approve an agreement "which provides that John Jalili will serve as the city’s interim city manager," according to the meeting agenda (see accompanying city staff report under photo.)

Jalili previously has served as city manager of Santa Monica, and during his tenure, the city received recognition for its downtown revitalization, sustainability, housing, the arts, and transit services.

The American Society for Public Administration has honored Jalili with its Dykstra Award for Excellence in Government. The International City-County Management Association honored Jalili for his 35 years of service in city government.

Jalili has previous experience serving as an assistant city manager, director of community development, and director of planning, according to his resume, which Hermosa Beach's public relations firm has provided to Patch.

Jalili retired as city manager of Santa Monica in 1999, and since worked in independent management consulting. Jalili also has stepped into interim city manager positions for Malibu and Lomita.