Meet Santa Cruz's Interim City Manager

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Santa Cruz Water Director Rosemary Menard was tapped to serve as interim city manager as the city conducts a nationwide search to replace retiring City Manager Martín Bernal, the Santa Cruz City Council announced.

The council said it planned to vote on her appointment at its Aug. 24 meeting, days before Bernal retires at the end of the month. If confirmed, she would begin her new role Sept. 1.

Menard comes to the position with more than four decades of public sector experience under her belt. She's been with the city since January 2014 and previously held executive-level leadership roles at water utilities in Seattle, Portland and Reno, Nevada, according to the city's statement.

Mayor Donna Meyers lauded Menard's track record in the statement "as a visionary leader and strategist."

Menard pulled together a plan of action to address longtime water supply reliability issues in the city following a community water supply planning effort designed to build consensus, the city said. She also began a major renovation of the water system to invest in infrastructure, "increase resilience and prepare for climate change," the city said.

Menard “also holds a deep commitment to meaningful community engagement in charting a course for the future," Meyers said. "We are confident Rosemary will be able to quickly step into this role and provide effective leadership during a critical time of recovery for the City."

Bernal announced his plans to retire in February after 24 years of working for the City of Santa Cruz.