Gutierrez named new city manager
Pomona official changes her title from acting to top executive; the first Latina to serve in that role
Three months after she was tapped to step into the role on a temporary basis, Anita D. Gutierrez is now Pomona’s top executive.
The Pomona City Council appointed Gutierrez, the first Latina to serve as Pomona city manager, with a unanimous vote Monday.
Gutierrez, who has worked for the city for over five years in various positions, began her new role Tuesday. Her contract will renew automatically every two years, under terms of her appointment.
The appointment comes after Gutierrez stepped into the role of acting city manager nearly three months ago following a leave of absence and then the seemingly abrupt departure of the previous city manager, James Makshanoff.
At their meeting Monday, some councilmembers shared gratitude for Gutierrez filling a “void” left after Makshanoff parted ways with the city. Councilmembers said she has the necessary professional and personal skills for the position.
“You have proven yourself as a community person and someone who doesn’t just want to stay in the office but wants to get out into the community, and people notice that,” Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-cole told Gutierrez during the meeting.
“It is critical in a city manager that they have the skill sets that bring people together and to build a team of people. (Gutierrez) is not perfect. No one is. She is excellent,” Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval said. “She’s excellent at figuring out what she knows and what she doesn’t and building the team that she’s going to need to help move the city forward.”
In addition to the support voiced by councilmembers, community members and business owners praised Gutierrez’s professionalism while in the city’s planning department.
“The chamber has worked closely with the city for many years, and Anita Gutierrez has been an excellent partner in working with the business centers and basically looking out for the best interests of the city at large,” said Neff Cortez, Pomona Chamber of Commerce board chairperson.
Some in the audience Monday, however, expressed doubt and displeasure with the council’s appointment of Gutierrez.
“Decisions like this feed cynicism and discourage civic participation. A refusal to engage the community in this decision will reverberate for years to come,” Guillermo Gonzales said during public comment. “It will be used as the basis for future bad decisions. And in fact, today you are creating a precedent that will further undermine and erode confidence in City Hall.”
Another speaker, Larry Ortega, questioned the $295,000 salary approved for Gutierrez and why that was only $15,000 less than the Los Angeles city administrator’s salary.
“Mr. Mayor, this appears to be another giveaway and we’re going to be locking ourselves into another contract that once again sets us up for a massive giveaway like the one we just got out of with the last city manager, $600,000 to go away,” Ortega said.
As part of its separation agreement with Makshanoff, the city will pay the former city manager $604,975 in severance over several installments, according to documents reviewed by this news organization.
Some speakers also expressed concerns about why Gutierrez needs a coach paid for by the city during her first year as city manager.
“That’s not so unusual,” Councilmember Steve Lustro explained, addressing questions about the coach. “The International City Managers Association provides that type of assistance and service not only to new city managers but to experienced city managers that may be having issues that they’re dealing with in their communities.”
After the council voted unanimously to appoint Gutierrez, she shared her gratitude in a brief statement, saying she is appreciative of the opportunity and looks forward to continuing her service in Pomona.
“I thank the staff for working with me and their collaboration these last three months, which has been particularly challenging for all,” Gutierrez said.