East Palo Alto City Manager Magda Gonzalez will soon be replaced, according to city officials.
“At this point, we’re going to be looking at hiring a new city manager,” Mayor Laura Martinez confirmed Wednesday.
The city is being tight-lipped as to the reasons for Gonzalez’s departure, but Vice Mayor Lisa Yarbrough-Gauthier acknowledged she received complaints from residents about Gonzalez throughout the previous weekend.
Gonzalez’s two years with the city have been rocky, prompting three closed sessions to discuss her performance. A tenant advocacy group recently accused Gonzalez of cozying up to residential landlords and inhibiting enforcement of the city’s rent control ordinance. Gonzalez was also criticized for a proposal to outsource the city’s police services and butted heads with Council Member Ruben Abrica over the replacement of police chief Ron Davis.
The council will today discuss whether or not to hire a recruiter. Mayor Martinez said the city is likely to have an interim city manager for some time. As for Gonzalez’s departure date, Abrica said it can be “inferred” by her contract, which expires on October 21.
Read more about Gonzalez’s departure here.