Controversial ex-city manager hired by Millbrae for same job
Former Milpitas city manager Tom Williams, who resigned amid controversy in September, has been hired as the interim city manager of Millbrae, his hometown.
The Millbrae City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to hire Williams, who ran Milpitas for more than a decade. Millbrae’s former city manager Marcia Raines retired earlier this month after 10 years.
Williams has lived in Millbrae for more than 20 years, according to city staff.
He was Milpitas’ planning director for a year before taking over as city manager in 2006. He previously directed planning for the city of San Bruno for two years, according to his LinkedIn profile. At the Tuesday meeting, he said he also has about 12 years of private consulting experience.
“It’s a privilege and honor to step in and be the interim city manager for the city,” Williams told the council.
“You still have a lot of important decisions ahead of you in the next six months. Obviously, as you know, those decisions are going to forever change the fabric of this community, so I am honored to be a part of it, to help you through that process, and I look forward to working with you,” he said.
Williams was placed on paid leave by the city of Milpitas in May 2017 as he was investigated for allegedly using taxpayer money to pay personal attorney fees, which he racked up while exploring a lawsuit against the city and Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran for discrimination and harassment.
“I would never intentionally misuse public funds,” Williams said in an interview Thursday, regarding the accusations against him.
“The last year that I was in Milpitas just got very political,” he said, but would not elaborate further.
Millbrae hired a consultant to conduct background and reference checks on candidates for the job. Millbrae Councilman Reuben Holober said in an interview Wednesday the council does not believe much of what Williams was accused of.
“Everything came back very positive,” Holober said, adding that Milpitas department heads who reported to Williams and elected officials who worked with him were interviewed by the consultant.
Holober said Williams’ longtime Millbrae residency didn’t hurt, either.
“He knows our key issues well; he knows people in the community,” he said.
Asked about the hiring of Williams in Millbrae, Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran said he respects the decision-making of the Millbrae City Council. However, he added, “I’ll be praying for the people of Millbrae.”
Millbrae has approved two major mixed-use developments near the city’s BART and Caltrain stations, and is seeking money to rebuild a community recreation center that was burned down in 2016.
“My skills, background and experience in land planning and development processes and municipal
operations I think is wellsuited to help the city,” Williams said.
Holober said Williams’ experience will be a boon for the city in shepherding those projects.
“I think he’ll be a great fit,” he said.
Williams will be paid roughly $120 per hour, Holober said. According to city staff, Williams will be limited to 960 hours per
fiscal year because he is a CalPERS retiree receiving a pension. His contract with the city ends Feb. 28, 2019.