Pinole City Manager Andrew Murray To Seek Other Opportunities

PINOLE, CA — Pinole City Manager Andrew Murray has decided to leave his post to pursue other career opportunities, the City of Pinole announced Wednesday.

Murray was appointed to Pinole’s top management position in January 2020 after serving in various leadership capacities with other Bay Area public agencies. Murray guided the city’s response to COVID-19, during which the city continued to provide all standard municipal services — uninterrupted.

In addition to navigating the challenges brought on by the pandemic, the city underwent a reorganization under Murray’s leadership. Through the assessment of many aspects of city operations and the onboarding of several new department heads, the city became more efficient and effective, city officials said.

Pinole also achieved some major milestones in the last few years. The city partnered with ConFire to reopen Fire Station 74; approved over 600 units of new housing; and began planning for a more equitable, sustainable and resilient Pinole.

"It has been a great honor to serve as Pinole’s city manager for the past four years and I am proud that the city now has an organizational structure, staff members, and thoughtful plans to create a healthy, sustainable, prosperous community for all residents and businesses," said Murray, who plans to leave his post at the end of September.

Murray earned an annual salary of $225,000 under a three-year contract with the city that began in January 2020 and ended in January 2023. He also received a monthly car allowance of $450 and a monthly cell phone allowance of $65.

Prior to Pinole, Murray was the assistant city manager for Pleasant Hill, where he worked for seven years. He also worked as the assistant to the city administrator for Oakland and held roles as a director and an analyst for the city and county of San Francisco.

"On behalf of the City Council, I want to thank Andrew for his dedication and service to the City of Pinole over the last few years," Mayor Devin Murphy said in a statement. "We wish him the best in all his future endeavors."

Prior to Murray's departure, Pinole City Council will appoint an interim city manager to lead the city until a permanent replacement is hired. The City Council plans to launch a nationwide search for a new permanent city manager.