The City of Berkeley will soon bid farewell to City Manager Christine Daniel, who has accepted the assistant city administrator position in neighboring Oakland. Daniel’s decision will conclude 15 years of work for the city. She was appointed to the city manager position in 2012 following the retirement of Phil Kamlarz.
“The news that Berkeley City Manager Christine Daniel is leaving to become Assistant City Administrator in Oakland means that Berkeley will be losing a highly valued, dedicated public servant,” said Mayor Tom Bates. “But while I’m disappointed for Berkeley’s sake, I want to congratulate Ms. Daniel and am happy that Oakland will be gaining one of the most capable civic administrators I’ve had the pleasure to work with. And I am glad that Ms. Daniel will have the opportunity to apply her skills to new challenges.”
Daniel said she was grateful to have worked on behalf of such a passionate and creative city.
“I want to express my appreciation to Mayor Bates and every member of the City Council, each of whom serve Berkeley with deep commitment. We are fortunate to have such an engaged, thoughtful City Council who are devoted to this community and are willing to address the tough issues facing cities today,” she added.
Daniel’s July departure will come on the heels of several other high-level shifts. Last year, Deputy City Manager William Rogers left to join Goodwill Enterprises in San Francisco and has since been replaced by Dee Williams-Ridley. Finance Director Robert Hicks also left in 2014. Berkeley Police Capt. Erik Upson and Jane Micallef, director of the Health, Housing & Community Services Department, departed this spring.
Read more about Christine Daniel’s announcement here.