Monterey Park City Manager to Quit May 29

Lloyd de Llamas, who has been city manager for nearly 11 years, has resigned, effective May 29, but will continue in the position as an independent contractor until a successor is named.

De Llamas, 46, said he is leaving to join Robert Hinderliter, former city administrator in Commerce, in the firm of Hinterliter, de Llamas and Associates, based in Claremont. The firm will provide a variety of services to cities.

His decision to leave Monterey Park “has nothing to do with the recall or the politics in town,” de Llamas said, but reflects a desire to make a “mid-life career change.” The City Council has been divided over a number of issues and two members face a recall election June 16, but de Llamas said he felt his relationship with the council was good.

The council has instructed de Llamas to solicit proposals from professional recruitment firms to help the council select a new city manager. De Llamas said it should take four or five months to find a replacement.

After he leaves full-time employment with the city, de Llamas will be paid $65 an hour to continue as city manager and executive director of the Redevelopment Agency on a part-time basis. His full-time salary has been $75,000 a year. De Llamas said he expects to spend “a couple of days a week” at City Hall until his successor is chosen.