Written Public Comment
January 30, 2023
From: _
To: Public Comment
Subject: Public Comment - January 30, 2023
Date: Monday, January 30, 2023 1:33:47 PM
SAVE Y U CA I PA
Good afternoon. My name is Lucinda Brinks. I have been a resident of the City of Yucaipa for 36 years. I worked at the University of Redlands for over twenty years before retiring as the Associate Director of Human Resources.
I find it disturbing the manner in which our long time City Manager, Ray Casey, was terminated. From experience, when someone abruptly retires, it is typically when given a choice of termination or retirement. The retirement most often comes with a severance package and the ability to collect unemployment benefits. When vying to find future employment, applicants have a better chance to get the job if they left their prior employer voluntarily as opposed to an involuntary termination.
In the case of a City Manager, under Yucaipa's municipal code 2.08.080 section C states "the City Manager shall not be removed from office, other than for misconduct in office, during or within a period of 90 days next succeeding any general municipal election held in the city at which a member of the city council is elected or when a new city council member is appointed, the purpose of this provision is to allow any newly elected or appointed member of the city council, or a reorganized city council to observe the actions and ability of the City Manager in the performance of the powers and duties of his or her office. After the expiration of the 90-day period aforementioned, the provisions of this section as to the removal of the City Manager shall apply and be effective. (Ord.6 8, 1989)" Some of the key dates pertaining to the above: General Election was November 8, 2022, Election was certified December 8, 2022; new members were sworn in December 12, 2022.
The personnel action taken was on January 9, 2023. The 90-day observation period was not adhered to as required by the above Yucaipa municipal code. As a result this action should immediately be reversed.
When Matt Garner was asked why he voted to remove Ray Casey, he said, "Because Justin Beaver told me to." This has the appearance of collusion.
When it comes to the appointment of Chris Mann as the New City Manager, I am appalled.
Where is the job posting? Where is the resume? Where is the background check? Where are the other candidates? Why was the Assistant City Manager not considered? Why was there no public input?
The same questions could be asked of the appointment of Steven Graham as the new City Attorney.
After much research, Chris Mann is not the right candidate. There are so many concerns of conflicts of interest. He is the founder of I.E.T.A. He has made contributions to the election campaigns of both Bobby Duncan and Matt Garner. Neither council member recused themselves from the closed door meeting. The comparison between the City Manager position in Canyon Lake and the City of Yucaipa is laughable. Very concerning is his company Mann Communications. His website states "Mann Communications has extensive experience gaining positive results for our land use clients through aggressive government, media and community relations programs." Elsewhere it states "Whether seeking project approvals looking to effect an outcome at the ballot box, or working as a government agency to inform and educate the public. Mann Communications has the right experience, relationships and strategic approach to achieve your goals."
Please don't ignore the concerns of the citizens of Yucaipa. Take your time and make decisions that are best for the City. Be transparent. Do your due diligence. Reverse this ominous decision. Save Yucaipa.
Thank you.
Lucinda Brinks