City Council Names Interim City Manager

The voted 3-1 Tuesday to appoint the city's finance director, Mark Alvarado, to the post of interim city manager to fill the shoes of , according to a city official.

Alvarado will take over the city's top managerial position in January when Ochoa leaves to take the city manager job in Glendale. Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said Alvarado was chosen to make the transition to a permanent appointment go smoothly.

"We just thought that it was important we keep that continuity," Lutz said. "We've got somebody we don't have to teach the shorthand to."

Alvarado will continue to serve as the city's finance director, according to Councilman Tom Adams, who voted against his appointment. In explaining his dissenting vote, Adams said he wanted the finance director and city manager positions to be held by two separate people.

"I think that's asking too much of one person to fill both positions," Adams said.

Lutz said she wasn't concerned about Alvarado's ability to handle both jobs, noting that he's filled in for Ochoa in the past when the city manager has gone on vacation.

Ochoa had compiled a list of candidates for the council to choose from, according to Adams. The council has yet to meet with , Adams said.

Alvarado said in an interview Wednesday that he was pleased with the appointment and feels he can handle both positions. He said he will rely on his finance department staff to take on more of his old responsibilities.

"I'll definitely give it my best effort," Alvarado said. "Everything we do here we do as a team approach. We definitely have good people to handle the finance side."

Though he will handle the city's top administrative position temporarily, Alvarado said he will not be applying for the permanent position. He lives outside the city and has two small children and is not prepared to uproot his family, he said.