Two Alameda city council members who allegedly tried to pressure City Manager Jill Keimach to hire their union-backed choice for fire chief are now officially under investigation. The probe, approved at a meeting on Oct. 17, is being carried out by Jenkins & Hogin, a 16-year-old municipal law firm in Manhattan Beach.
The firm’s findings will be presented to the city council as soon as the investigation is complete. There is no deadline, said City Attorney Janet Kern.
Under the City Charter, hiring decisions for key personnel are vested in Alameda’s city manager. But, according to Keimach, Vice Mayor Malia Vella and City Councilman Jim Oddie repeatedly tried to interfere in the selection of the city’s fire chief -- even going so far as to threaten Keimach’s employment if she didn’t pick their preferred candidate.
Vella and Oddie wanted Keimach to name Domenick Weaver, an Alameda fire captain and union leader, to the job. She ultimately chose Salinas Fire Chief Edmond Rodriguez based on his experience. He takes over on Nov. 13.