Roberts Appointed New City Manager

The city council on Tuesday appointed Marc Roberts as Livermore's new city manager.

Roberts, who currently serves as the city's community development director, will replace Linda Barton. He will assume his new post on Jan. 3, 2012.

"I'm very excited and very honored," Roberts said in an interview. "I look forward to working with the new city council. Livermore is a great place to work and I am very pleased at the opportunity to be city manager."

Roberts was chosen out of 12 applicants, officials said.

The search for a new city manager began when . She has served 10 years as Livermore's city manager.

Roberts has worked for the City of Livermore for 24 years.

A city staff report shows how Roberts has played a key role in several projects that have helped to transform Livermore:

• As a planner for the city, he was project manager for the creation and initial implementation of the South Livermore Valley Specific Plan, a program that helped revitalize Livermore’s wine country and won a National planning award.
• As assistant to the city manager, he was the project manager for the city’s permit streamlining program that resulted in the development of the city’s one-stop permit center in 1997.
• As the community development director, Roberts led the team that wrote and implemented the Downtown Specific Plan, a plan that transformed Livermore’s downtown through dozens of coordinated private and public projects.

Roberts' contract is a five-year deal with an annual salary of $196,320. He is eligible for one-year extensions after each successful annual evaluation.

City Attorney John Pomidor said Roberts will not be required to live in Livermore, but the terms of his contract says he "must maintain an active, high profile in the city."

Prior to his appointment, city leaders spoke favorably of Roberts.

Councilman Jeff Williams said Roberts has been one of the most creative forces on the city staff.

"(Roberts) is a worthy successor," Williams said.

, who likely will join the city council after , said Roberts brings a legacy of very detailed experience.

"It will allow the new city council to hit the ground running," Gary said.