City Manager Under Probe Is Put on Leave

Yorba Linda City Manager Arthur C. Simonian has been placed on administrative leave by the City Council, which has hired an attorney and an accountant to look into the job performance of the longtime official.

Mayor John M. Gullixson would not elaborate further on the council’s action, saying only that Simonian--who, with 27 years of experience, is the longest-serving city manager in Orange County--has been under investigation for undisclosed issues since June.

“I have all of the respect in the world for the accomplishments he’s made in the city,” Gullixson said Tuesday. “We have a longtime relationship with Art. . . . We’re just doing what we’re supposed to do.”

Simonian could not be reached for comment. He became Yorba Linda’s city manager in 1972, at an annual salary of $20,000. The job now pays more than $160,000.

Officials said two ad hoc committees of council members were formed several weeks ago to discuss Simonian’s job performance. During a closed session Monday, the council voted 3 to 2 to place Simonian on paid leave. Councilmen Mark Schwing and Henry W. Wedaa opposed the move.

“The action was premature,” Schwing said Tuesday, adding that he did not believe the council had collected enough information to warrant a mandatory leave.

Councilwoman Barbara Kiley said that it is unclear how long the review of Simonian’s performance will take but that the results will be released when the audit is completed.

“We’re going to have a full investigation,” Kiley said. “And it will be made public. . . . We’re fighting for full disclosure.”

The council has scheduled a closed session for 3 p.m. today to discuss the issue.

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Times staff writer Jean O. Pasco contributed to this report.