Glendale reshuffles exec role after loss of redevelopment
The man in charge of Glendale’s now-defunct redevelopment agency has been promoted to a new executive position that will focus on marketing the city to outside businesses.
Philip Lanzafame’s new job comes as the city embarks on a mission to encourage economic development without the financial support of its redevelopment agency.
For decades, the city lured heavyweights such as the Americana at Brand and the Walt Disney Co. with the help of development incentives funded by incrementally higher property taxes, but in February, the state dissolved local redevelopment agencies, sending that tax revenue instead to Sacramento.
In his new post as officer for economic development and asset management, Lanzafame will report directly to City Manager Scott Ochoa.
When asked if the new job will be difficult without the support of redevelopment money, Lanzafame said, “It’ll be different.”
He will transition from managing financial assets to marketing and promoting in order to draw investment to Glendale.
Lanzafame won’t get a salary bump with the new title, Ochoa said.
As Lanzafame moves to the executive team, which includes other department heads, he must step down from his seat on a board in charge of overseeing the wind-down of redevelopment activities.
One city official on the board, which also includes school and county appointees, must be from an employee organization representing the largest amount of former redevelopment employees — in Glendale, the Glendale Management Assn.
Lanzafame will be replaced on the board by Mark Berry, a principal development officer.
The oversight board reviews all City Council decisions about post-redevelopment activities before they are sent to state officials for final approval.
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