The Temecula City Council voted Tuesday to appoint Acting City Manager Aaron Adams to interim city manager.
Adams' employment contract to serve as acting city manager—which takes his salary from $182,000 to $192,000—was up for approval Tuesday.
Prior to it being approved, Temecula City Attorney Peter Thorson announced city council had voted unanimously in closed session to instead appoint Adams to the interim position.
The move gives the city more time to decide on a permanent city manager instead of first searching for someone to fill the interim job.
Adams has been serving as acting city manager since the City Council voted to place then-City Manager Bob Johnson on administrative leave. Johnson was formally terminated Nov. 27 due to "differences in management philosophy and goals," city officials said.
Prior to Adams' being selected to fill the temporary role, he served as executive community services director.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence in this transition interim assignment," Adams said, following the announcement of the Council's decision. "I am very much looking forward to working hard and taking the city to a new level."
The $10,000 raise is to compensate Adams for his increased duties while serving in the new role, Thorson wrote in the agenda report.
Adams' benefits will remain the same, according to the staff report.
In the event the City Council selects someone else for the permanent position, Adams would be returned to his role as executive community services director or a comparable position of assistant city manager.
According to an online professional profile, Adams holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and human resources management from Northern Arizona University and a master's degree in management and international business from the University of Redlands.
He began working for the city of Temecula as an intern in 1995, then was hired as a management analyst at the city of San Clemente. He returned to work for the city of Temecula in 1996, where he has remained for 16 years. He has held positions of management analyst, senior management analyst, assistant city manager and executive community services director.
New Mayor Appointed
Also on Tuesday, Councilman Mike Naggar was nominated to serve as mayor of Temecula for one year, while Councilwoman Maryann Edwards will serve as mayor pro tem.
Pechanga Tribe Recognized
In other Council business, it was announced that Nov. 15 of every year will dedicated as Pechanga Pu’éska Mountain Day in recognition of the tribe's purchase of land on which the controversial Liberty Quarry was to be built.
Several tribal leaders and members were on hand to receive a city proclamation.
"The valley, with the city and Pechanga, are intertwined...it is hard to separate that," said Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. "Our view has been and will continue to be what is good for the air, is best for all of us."
Temecula city council members read the proclamation aloud and added their own remarks.
"I think it is ironic yet fitting that history has come full circle; that which was taken from the tribe has come back to them full circle," said Councilwoman Edwards.
Great Oak Girls Cross Country Recognized
City Council presented the girls cross country team from Great Oak High School a certificate of achievement. The team won the CIF state championship in November.
Work to Continue on Butterfield Stage Road
City Council also awarded a $6.17-million construction contract to Corona-based Hillcrest Contracting, Inc. for phase two of the Butterfield Stage Road improvements. The project will complete the missing link of Butterfield Stage Road between Calle Chapos/South Loop Road and La Serena Way.
