Old Hand at New Cities Put in Interim Job

Veteran administrator E. Fredrick Bien, who has helped launch five cities in Los Angeles County during his 34-year career, was named Thursday as interim city manager of the new municipality of Santa Clarita.

Bien, 65, most recently guided the cities of West Hollywood, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village through the first stages of incorporation. He was introduced to Santa Clarita by Mayor-elect Howard P. (Buck) McKeon at a news conference at McKeon’s Western clothing store in Canyon Country.

McKeon said Bien was selected from among six applicants interviewed by the five-member City Council-elect. Bien will serve as top administrator while the City Council conducts a nationwide search for a permanent city manager, McKeon said.

“I think we got the best man for the job,” said Councilwoman-elect Jan Heidt, who headed the search for an interim city manager.

Council members-elect Dennis Koontz and JoAnne Darcy also were present for the announcement of Bien’s appointment. Council members will be sworn in at their first official meeting Dec. 15.

Bien was the first administrator for Norwalk, where he stayed for 14 years, and Carson, which he left after 11 years in 1981 amid a political scandal.

The scandal involved W. Patrick Moriarty, a fireworks magnate and developer, and former Carson City Councilman Walter J. (Jake) Egan. Both are serving jail terms after being convicted in 1983 of political corruption and mail fraud in connection with a mobile-home park and other developments that Moriarty wanted to build.

The City Council let Bien know that his services were no longer wanted when, he said, he wouldn’t approve the developments Moriarty wanted to put up.

His Own Firm

Bien now has his own consulting firm, EFB Management Associates of Carson.

In Santa Clarita, Bien will receive a monthly salary of $7,000 plus a monthly $250 car allowance as long as he stays. He said his average stay in West Hollywood, Westlake Village and Agoura was five to six months.

“In each of these cities, it was my responsibility to propose an organizational structure, hire and train the first group of city employees, provide a basic financial system and aid the City Council in recruitment and selection of a permanent city manager,” he said.

Bien said his priority in Santa Clarita will be to “see what the City Council wants to get done.”

His first duty in West Hollywood was to hunt office space for city employees, he said. But, in Santa Clarita, City Council members-elect already have found a location for a City Hall, McKeon said. He would not tell where, saying that negotiations are not final.

Bien said Santa Clarita City Council members-elect have done “a bit more” than other new councils he has helped in setting up cities.

“They’re hitting the ground running,” he said.

McKeon said the council will announce its choice for an interim city attorney today.