LOS ALAMITOS : Consultant to Search for 2 New Officials

The City Council has hired a consultant to coordinate the search for a new police chief and director of public services.

The council last week selected David Griffin & Associates of Sacramento to help find the successors of Police Chief James Guess and Public Services Director Jerry Andersen, who are both retiring this year.

City Manager Robert C. Dunek said David Griffin & Associates submitted a bid for $23,000, plus $6,500 in expenses, but the fee will still be negotiated.

Guess, currently on vacation, will retire in August, while Andersen will retire in October. Police Cmdr. Gary Biggerstaff is acting police chief, Dunek said. He said the recruitment will take about three months.

The new public services director will also serve as the city engineer.

“Andersen’s retirement provided us with the opportunity to combine the public services director and city engineer position,” Dunek said. “That will save us some money.”

A consultant, BSI Inc. of Santa Ana, performs engineering services for the city. The contract will be terminated after a 30-day notice, Dunek said.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Thompson, the city engineer from 1989 to 1992, was hired as temporary city engineer. He will hold the position until a public services director is hired.