El Segundo Council Fires City Manager; Blames His ‘Style’

The El Segundo City Council has unexpectedly fired the city manager over what council members described as “serious differences in management style and philosophy.”

Ronald E. Cano’s ouster came late Thursday night in a closed session of the council that was held after a public hearing on a new version of the city’s proposed General Plan. Friday morning, the city announced that Police Chief Frank Meehan will serve as interim city manager until a permanent replacement can be hired.

Meehan will also continue to carry out his duties as police chief, council members said.

A brief statement released by the council said that it acted “with regret and after considerable deliberation” in dismissing Cano.

Officials in the city clerk’s office said that the vote on the firing was by consensus and that there was no record of how individual council members voted on the issue.

“It’s best for both parties,” Cano said Friday evening. “I think we both concluded that it was a relationship that we both didn’t want to continue. I want to wish the council well, and I’m proud of what we accomplished here.”

Cano, 39, who was named city manager in September, 1989, after serving as city manager of Norco in Riverside County, earned $101,050 a year in El Segundo. His termination was effective immediately.

Council members refused to elaborate on the firing other than to quote their original statement about management style and philosophy.

“I can’t give you any more comments than that,” said Councilwoman Jan Cruikshank, one of two incumbents seeking reelection April 14.

Although council members would not talk about the firing, one City Hall source who asked not to be identified said Cano had a heavy-handed management style that demoralized the city staff.

Cano said Friday night that his management style was geared to “the needs of the council.” He said he would like to work next in a city where economic development was a high priority.

Among his accomplishments in El Segundo he listed the city’s “comprehensive revenue plan,” which revamped the city’s business licenses and utility taxes. He also said he was proud that he brought in a “highly professional” staff.

Councilman Scot Dannen, who is not seeking reelection, said he believed that the firing will be a hot issue in the upcoming election.

“This kind of makes the water real muddy as far as the election goes,” Dannen said.

However, another councilman, Carl Jacobson, who is seeking another term, said he did not believe that the firing will affect the outcome of the race.

“You really have to do what’s best for the community without thinking about politics,” Jacobson said.

Council members said they will soon set up a search committee for a new manager. Dannen said Meehan has made it clear that he plans to retire in June from the Police Department and is not interested in remaining as city manager. Meehan will work on a month-to-month contract until a new manager is chosen.