Council appoints city manager
IMPERIAL – Dennis Morita, who has served as city manager here on an interim basis since December, was selected by its City Council on Wednesday as their new city manager.
The appointment followed a nationwide search that prompted the interest of dozens of applicants and several interviews.
Morita, who has also served as legal counsel for the city for nearly 42 years, was not among those initial applicants or interviews, said Mayor Darrell Pechtl during Wednesday’s regular meeting.
“It’s worth noting that Mr. Morita was reluctant to the level that he didn’t even throw his hat in the ring for this,” Pechtl said.
Despite that reluctance, city officials were able to convince Morita that his leadership during the interim proved to be highly beneficial to the city, and that he should consider such a career change.
Such career changes are not that common, and Morita said he was thankful for such an opportunity.
“I hope that I can do all of us justice,” he said Wednesday following his unanimous selection by an enthusiastic council.
The lifelong Valley resident graduated from Central Union High School, and obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles before attending Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.
As part of a three-year contract, Morita will earn $155,000 per year with the option of a 2.5 percent merit increase based on a performance evaluation. He will officially assume the position on a permanent basis July 1. The city will look to find a replacement to serve as its counsel, as well.
Nor was the council alone in thinking Morita was the right man for the job. Former city manager Stefan Chatwin told him as much prior to Chatwin’s departure to assume a similar role in Fairfield in December, Morita said during Wednesday’s meeting.
“I think I was the most surprised person in the room when Mr. Chatwin suggested I should be the interim,” Morita said.
On Thursday, Chatwin expressed gratitude for having worked with Morita in the past and confidence that the council made an excellent choice.
“Congratulations to Dennis and best of luck as he takes on this new role,” Chatwin said in a written statement provided by the city.
Despite his long ties to the city, Morita conceded during Wednesday’s meeting that after having taken the helm on an interim basis he soon discovered he had much left to learn, and credited staff for their dedication
and patience.
“I have to say these last six months have certainly opened my mind in a very significant way,” Morita said.
As someone who frequents Morita’s office, Assistant City Manager Alexis Brown told the council on Wednesday that the interactions have been nothing short of academic, and have
taught her much about the process and refinement that such a position requires.
Although Councilwoman Karin Eugenio jokingly acknowledged that Morita has several weeks to reconsider the move, she also told Morita that she was glad he has been there to help lead the city during a very difficult time.