Council names city manager

The City Council on Monday named Michael J. Beck city manager after a seven-month search process, city officials said.

Beck is now the assistant city manager in Riverside, where he oversaw a $1-billion operating budget.

Pasadena received 62 applications for the position, which was held by Cynthia Kurtz for 10 years before she retired in January, officials said.

Some residents, who protested Beck’s appointment because he was reputed to prioritize development over preservation, criticized the city for soliciting too little input from the community in the selection process, said city spokeswoman Ann Erdman.

“There has been quite a lot of scuttlebutt over the process,” Erdman said.

The city sought input from citizens through a public meeting and online, she said.

Beck will start working Oct 1.

-- Victoria Kim