Decision Looms on Redondo Beach Official

The city manager faces possible dismissal tonight and his deputy may also soon be ousted. The information services director was fired after being arrested on charges of violating conflict-of-interest laws. And the longtime mayor, forced out of office by term limits, was rebuffed by voters this week in his a bid to return to the City Council.

In Redondo Beach, an unprecedented level of turmoil at City Hall--with more anticipated--has turned the town on its ear.

Even before a new City Council is sworn in Tuesday, the fate of City Manager Bill Kirchhoff, who has been on paid leave since Feb. 10, is likely to be decided at a special City Council meeting tonight. It’s probable that Kirchhoff will be handed his walking papers, an outcome that probably would not be any different when the new council takes office next week.

Since his arrival six years ago, Kirchhoff has received several glowing evaluations from the City Council and the city has garnered national acclaim for his sweeping public safety programs and fiscal sensibility. He has met most objectives outlined by the City Council and once was described as “a shining star” in the city government by council members.

But in recent months the longtime municipal management expert has come under fire from city employee groups, including the police and fire unions, which complain of a heavy-handed management style. Kirchhoff, 54, was forced by the council to take paid leave after three workers he supervises, including the information services director, were accused of spying on a police officers union meeting while Kirchhoff was out of town.

The employees were discovered in a video control room while officers met in a nearby conference room equipped with camera equipment. The employees said they were learning to operate the equipment, which police said had no videotape in the recorder.

Fueling the fire, in part, was a January letter that Kirchhoff wrote to the City Council that called several mid-level officials in the Police Department “inept” for permitting unauthorized overtime. Additionally, Kirchhoff expressed concern about a time card that was punched for 27 hours of work in one day.

Critics say the battle is one of many issues involving Kirchhoff that have long pervaded the city government.

“He has dominated over the people with power and control,” said Phil Garcia, president of the Police Officers Assn. “There has been a systematic breakdown in the city and the Police Department was the last one attacked.”

Councilman Bob Pinzler said Kirchhoff isolated himself from employees and created a “you’re with me or against me” environment.

Kirchhoff’s attorney counters that the issue centers mainly around the beef the Police Department has had with Kirchhoff.

“Mr. Kirchhoff has achieved tremendous goals, but it seems much of that has been overlooked,” said Steve Madison, who is representing Kirchhoff in negotiations over his fate. “Instead, he seems to be constantly vilified.”

Kirchhoff is not the only high-ranking official to come under fire. Assistant City Manager Ken Simmons was put on paid leave less than a week after Kirchhoff, while the City Council appointed an auditor to evaluate his management style, and a month later the City Council voted to eliminate Simmons’ position. Acting City Manager Paul Connolly said Simmons’ fate has not been determined.

Last week, the city terminated information services director Rick Garcia for allegedly approving a lucrative computer maintenance contract with his roommate. Garcia, who was one of three accused of spying on the police union, was arrested by police the same day the district attorney’s office declined to file charges in the spying matter. He has not been charged in the contract case.