Seal Beach Aide Named City Manager of Lawndale

Daniel P. Joseph, assistant city manager of Seal Beach, has been named city manager of Lawndale.

In an interview Friday, Joseph, 37, said he plans to take time “to observe and to learn” before proposing changes at City Hall.

He said that in Seal Beach, his greatest accomplishment has been to help improve the city’s financial stability in spite of Proposition 13 revenue limits.

Before joining the city staff at Seal Beach eight years ago, Joseph was assistant to the city managers of Pico Rivera (1979-80) and Alhambra (1977-79). He holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Cal State Fullerton and a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Long Beach.

A resident of La Palma, in Orange County, Joseph has two children, ages 11 and 13.

Under a contract approved by the Lawndale City Council in a closed session Thursday night, Joseph will start June 6 at $62,424 a year.

Assistant City Manager Paula J. Cone has filled in as Lawndale’s acting city manager since the departure of Paul J. Philips, who resigned under fire after a series of closed-door sessions with the council in December.

Council members were dissatisfied with Philips’ job performance because of problems that developed in the Planning Department and Neighborhood Watch program, according to Mayor Sarann Kruse.

The city’s top ranks were decimated last year with the departure of Philips and two other key officials.

$1.68 Million Lost

City Treasurer Ray Wood was fired for authorizing speculative investments in which the city lost $1.68 million. John Bramhall was hired to replace him.

Also, City Atty. David J. Aleshire found that because of mistakes in the Planning Department, permits were given for buildings that did not meet city regulations. When Aleshire released his findings to the council in October, Planning Director Nancy Owens submitted her resignation. She was replaced by James Arnold.

In a surprise development last week, city officials said Owens has filed a sex discrimination claim against the city.

After Thursday’s council meeting, Assistant City Atty. Robert Owen declined to provide details of the claim, except to say it was filed with the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing and was received by city officials a few days ago. The city has two months to respond, he said.