ADMINISTRATION:
Strategic Planning & Fiscal Sustainability
Continued working with all City Departments to implement the City’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan Update.
Worked closely with all City Departments to prepare the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget. Reassessed all operating accounts and capital expenditures to reprioritize expenditures and presented a fully balanced budget.
Negotiated and finalized an agreement with EDCO to allow the Transfer Station to capture additional tonnage, thereby increasing and diversifying annual revenue for the City.
Worked with the Finance Department to strengthen the City’s investment portfolios and increase City revenue available to support operations.
Addressed the City’s CalPERS Unfunded Actuarial Liability by implementing the Fresh Start Program and reducing the City’s costs and liability over time.
Worked with the Finance Department to develop a Financial Reserve Policy to guide future financial decisions regarding the City’s strategic reserves. Concluded the Fiscal Year with Reserve Funding within the City Council’s adopted parameters.
Public Safety & Community Well-being
Collaborated with the business community to enhance public safety-related issues.
Worked with the Police Department and Human Resources Division to address staffing, deployment, and recruitment efforts for the Police Department. Collaborated with the Chief to address overtime needs within the Police Department Operating Budget.
Worked with the Police Department Command Staff to transition operations to Captain Kenneally; provided ongoing support and mentorship to ensure a successful transition to the new Chief of Police.
Worked with the Chief of Police to launch a crime monitoring system to make more effective use of Police Department resources.
Oversaw the Neighborhood Enhancement Team to address various quality of life issues and enhance the City’s livability.
Worked with the City of Long Beach City Manager’s Office to address longstanding homeless encampments at Jenni Rivera Park.
Maintained the City’s Zero-Functional Homeless status and worked with the City of Long Beach to address encampments at Jenni Rivera Park Initiated a new pilot program for homeless prevention services with Kingdom Causes Bellflower through a collaborative partnership with the City’s homeless liaison and the Police Department.
Economic Development & Business Support
Initiated the Opportunity Study Areas (OSAs) initiative to drive future redevelopment and economic growth in key underutilized areas of Signal Hill and created a dedicated landing page to house key updates, including the Economic Study.
Completed the Economic Study for the OSA and initiated work to assess infrastructure, zoning, and development standards to develop future overlay zones for consideration by the City Council.
Executed a Development and Loan Agreement with National CORE for the Walnut Bluff Workforce Housing Development.
Successfully negotiated a purchase agreement to acquire property on 21st Street to incorporate into the Signal Hill Master Plan.
Developed an ICSC branding strategy to promote the City of Signal Hill to developers and retailers at the ICSC conference. Staff developed collateral marketing to highlight the City’s OSA sites and attract hotel developers to the Spring/Atlantic site Developed working relationship with the City’s auto dealerships to promote city programs and services.
Continued working with Audi management to coordinate and assist with the planning of the 2025 Grand Opening of the Audi Dealership Implemented new business check-ins program to assess how the City can support the needs of our business community.
Developed a Shop Local Campaign as a year-round staple and branding to support local businesses. Finalized the logos and marketing for the Shop Local Campaign Launched the Open Rewards program as a part of a larger Shop Local Campaign to support local businesses, resulting in an economic impact of $64,000, with more than 1,300 users Communications
Leveraged the City’s website, social media, print media, and newsletters to highlight City events and communications efforts Published and mailed three editions of the City Views magazine to more than 5,900 households/businesses; published the City’s E-Newsletter (12), received by more than 360 subscribers.
Created short form videos to showcase City events, highlights, resources, programs, and other information, including the Mayor’s Minute (2025) Highlighted employment opportunities in Signal Hill, including Police Department roles, while showcasing a positive work culture through appreciation days and behind-the scenes content.
Worked to increase resident engagement by actively promoting community events and other updates on all social media channels.
Revised the Small Business Spotlights to highlight local community businesses. Produced a total of six videos Continued to distribute the monthly Senior Scoop to more than 250 subscribers, with focused marketing and attention for seniors ages 50+.
Capital Projects & Asset Management
Provided executive oversight for construction of the Hillbrook Park Project and worked with the Public Works & Parks, Recreation and Library Services Departments to organize a grand reopening event, which included elected officials.
Worked closely with Public Works to advance renovations to Signal Hill City Hall, including updating design, finishes, fixtures, and addressing structural challenges with the renovation project.
Provided general oversight and assisted Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Library Services with the adoption of the Civic Center Master Plan in August 2024.
Advanced final design of the Civic Center Master Plan Amphitheatre and presented the updated design to City Council for adoption.
Worked closely with the Public Works Department on the updated five-year water rate structure and capital program.
Maintained City assets to ensure these are safe and well suited to support City services.
Governance, Elections & Administration
Conducted the 2024 Signal Hill General Municipal Election Processed 7 Ordinances, 54 Resolutions, 121 Public Records Act Requests Conducted Commission Appointments
Supported recruitments for the Civil Service Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Planning Commission.
Human Resources & Organizational Development
Completed the Second Edition of the Leadership Academy
Successfully managed the following recruitments: Assistant City Clerk, Police Administrative Support Services Manager, Management Analyst (Public Works).
Successfully managed the following Promotional Management Recruitments: Chief of Police, Deputy City Manager, Accounting Manager, Public Works Management Analyst.
Conducted forty-six recruitments resulting in seventeen new full-time hires and thirteen part-time hires.
Hired two lateral Police Officers and two Police Recruits that will begin the academy this year.
Implemented three-year Labor Agreements with initiatives that included market equity adjustments, annual cost-of-living increases and additional employee benefits.
Training and Development: Leadership Series, and various ongoing training through California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore.
Successfully conducted a benefits fair that included the City’s providers and other vendors. Processed a successful open enrollment for 90 employees Continued Employee of the Quarter and Employee of the Year recognitions and held 6 employee recognition/appreciation events.
Established Employee Engagement Committee and hosted several employee appreciation events such as the Employee BBQ, Halloween Social and Costume Contest, Employee Recognition Holiday Luncheon, Super Bowl contest, St. Patrick’s Day Social, Mental Health Awareness and Therapy Dog visit, Yoga, and Public Service Recognition Week.
Recalibrated Executive Management Salary Ranges to promote long-term retention of key management positions.
Implemented new Longevity Pay Program for Police Officers and Dispatcher/Jailer positions to promote retention of important public safety positions.
Community Organizations
Implemented the City’s first Youth in Government Day for 85 participants Provided ongoing support to the Diversity Coalition Committee.
Adopted a Work Plan for the Diversity Coalition Committee.
Implemented the 2025 Commemorative Flag Schedule
Organized the February Black History and Youth Art Month ceremonies.
Planned, organized and executed the Diversity Breakfast in recognition of Ron Settles Day of Remembrance.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Provided support to the Administration Department to advance the Opportunity Study Area project.
Continued working with National CORE on the development of the Walnut Bluff workforce housing project Prepared the General Plan annual review and submitted mandated progress report to HCD Continued implementing the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element Completed and submitted application for PLHA year 5 funding Reviewed drafts of the Environmental Justice and Environmental Resources General Plan Elements and will prepare Elements for Planning Commission and City Council review Processed building permits applications for the construction of Audi dealership Processed building permits Secure Space Self-Storage Facility Provided ongoing support to the Sustainable City Committee Received the Gold Energy Action award from the Gateway Cities Processed the EDCO Conditional Use Permit Amendment application increasing EDCO’s transfer station tonnage capacity and fiscal benefit to the City PARKS, RECREATION, AND LIBRARY SERVICES:
City’s 100th Year Centennial Celebration
Model T Hill Climb Event
Halloween Carnival and Laser Light Show
Tree Lighting and Festival of Lights
Historical Walking Tours
Summer Concerts “Through the Decades”
Infrastructure and Amenities
Completed Hillbrook Park Renovation
Communications and Community Engagement
Implemented Free Tutoring Program to 33 participants during the academic school year helping to improve grades and testing scores Provided six weekly story time programs to 5,369 attendees in three different languages (English, Spanish & Khmer) Implemented the 2025 Commemorative Flag Schedule
Initiated full facilitation of the Diversity Coalition Committee and support their work plan efforts Issued 2,232 new library cards and circulated 41,313 library materials Rebranded the monthly “Senior Scoop” newsletter, specifically designed for informing senior populations of programs that are of interest to ages 50+.
Quality of Life Initiatives
Reinstated the Summer Camp program for Tweens, which had been reduced due to Covid, and had more than 15 participants enrolled in the program.
Continued to facilitate the Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET), an interdisciplinary committee of staff from multiple City Departments working to address community issues related to quality of life, code enforcement, and homeless outreach services Continued to provide comprehensive and ongoing homeless outreach program by coordinating services with the Los Angeles Pathway Home Program, Los Angeles Homelessness Services Authority, and People Assisting the Homeless Maintained Zero-Functional Homelessness, a NET initiative, that worked with regional service providers to successfully house over 50 people and provide supportive services and initiated a pilot program to prevent homelessness.
Provided Food Distribution services for 636 seniors and families Initiated a brand new Garden Education Program for public engagement and held 8 workshops Special Events
Hosted senior luncheons, weekly In-person activities and excursions for 1,142 Active Adults (increasing from 585 in the previous year) Co-sponsored various programs with the Signal Hill Community Foundation and Signal Hill Police Foundation Developed new events in collaboration with Long Beach Gem & Mineral Society with over 500 Attendees and the Signal Hill Community Foundation Continued collaborative events with Long Beach Animal Care Services, Community Animal Medicine Project, Sustainable Health Empowerment for community Health Fair, Museum of Latin American Art, and United Cambodian Community of Long Beach Initiated partnership with Community Animal Medicine Project (CAMP) and vaccinated more than 600+ pets through monthly clinics and licensed 299 pets Served 603 youth in the After School Recreation Club (ARC), 134 youths in sports programs, and 183 youths in Day Camp programs Hosted Concerts in the Park, Movies in the Park, Paws on the Hill event, Spring Fest, State of the City, and seasonal special events, including the annual Holiday outreach programs
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Continued partnership with Signal Hill Police Foundation to support the efforts and community programs implemented by the Signal Hill Police Department Promoted a Police Chief to continue to provide long-term leadership to the Signal Hill Police Department Implemented a trespass letter to assist business and property owners with after-hours enforcement of trespassing and other quality of life issues Updated the City Emergency Operations Plan
Updated the Hazard Mitigation Plan
Enhancing our Wellness Program by reviewing several Early Detection Medical Screening providers in addition to exploring other wellness initiatives Continued Community Policing efforts through holiday outreach, neighborhood watch, National Night Out, and the Signal Hill Police Foundation
PUBLIC WORKS
Infrastructure and Amenities
Initiated design phase for the Amphitheater Project
Completed Water Rate Master Plan and the Water Rate Study; presented updated rates to the City Council for adoption.
Commenced City Hall Renovation
Enhanced landscape maintenance at all City Parks and City Facilities Improved bus stop shelters condition and maintenance throughout the community Completed Temple Disinfection System Project
Completed Hillbrook Park Renovation project
Completed California Avenue Improvements project
Completed repair of 5,260 square feet of sidewalk and 19,000 square feet of concrete alley repairs ATTACHMENT A: ACCOMPLISHMENTS