Oxnard’s New City Manager Is Introduced

Ending a week of closed-door contract negotiations, City Council members Tuesday publicly introduced Edmund F. Sotelo as the new city manager.

Sotelo, now Pasadena’s assistant city manager, will begin his job in Oxnard on Feb. 22. Sotelo shook hands with about 50 audience members at the meeting and said he is eager to move to Ventura County.

“I’m elated,” he said. “I’ve kept my eye on Oxnard and envisioned being city manager.”

Officials released the new administrator’s contract at the beginning of Tuesday night’s council meeting. Sotelo, 52, will receive an annual base salary of $120,000, making him Oxnard’s second-highest-paid official. Police Chief Harold Hurtt receives a base salary of $128,214.

In Pasadena, Sotelo drew a base salary of $115,235 and received about $15,000 a year toward his retirement.

Sotelo has been an assistant administrator most of his career, rising to assistant city manager in Compton during 22 years there. He was Colton’s city manager for one year before a salary dispute ended with his departure for Pasadena in 1991.

There Sotelo oversaw major Rose Bowl events, negotiated with union officials and worked on numerous budget issues.

Mayor Manuel Lopez said Oxnard has made a strong choice among candidates to replace Tom Frutchey, the city manager who was ousted by council members one year ago.

“The cities he has worked in and the experience he has mirrors the challenges he faces in Oxnard,” Lopez said.

For instance, Pasadena has both wealthy and impoverished neighborhoods--and Sotelo worked well with all residents, Lopez said, predicting the new city manager will similarly serve residents of all income levels in Oxnard.

The mayor also praised Sotelo for working his way up after a start as a heavy-equipment operator in Compton, and for getting his college education at night. “That tells me he has energy,” Lopez said.

Like Sotelo, City Councilman John Zaragoza--a former Oxnard refuse disposal chief--started his career as a blue-collar city worker and climbed the ranks in City Hall. He said Sotelo’s broad work experience should prove to be an asset.

“He’s worked well with labor unions,” Zaragoza said. “He understands both sides of the fence.”

The contract does not specify a length of service, but can be terminated at any time by a council majority or the city manager, officials said. Sotelo becomes Oxnard’s fourth city manager in 12 years.