City officially announces Melekian dropping out of CM race

As reported earlier by our Public Editor Larry Wilson, Interim City Manager Barney Melekian has removed his name from the list of candidates vying for the permanent city manager position.

Ann Erdman confirmed that Melekian, who still retains his title as the city's police chief, made the announcement during an Executive Committee meeting held on Tuesday morning. An official announcement was being embargoed until tomorrow, but was released to the Star-News early after the news broke on the paper's Web site. Following is the text of that announcement:

Interim Pasadena City Manager Bernard K. Melekian advised the City Council on April 7 that he will not apply for the position of city manager.

Melekian is slated to begin serving as president of the California Police Chiefs Association in March 2009.

“The decision not to apply was incredibly difficult,” he said.  “The primary reason for not applying is a deep desire, both personal and professional, to accept the honor and responsibility of being the president of the California Police Chiefs Association.  Additionally, I believe that making a public statement at this point in the search process will ensure the broadest possible pool of candidates.”

The presidency will cap a career of public service in the field of law enforcement that has spanned more than 35 years.

He will continue to serve as interim city manager until the council has selected a new city manager. 

Vicino said Melekian would return to his duties as police chief once a permanent city manager was found, but it is unclear how long he would remain as police chief before taking the job at the California Police Chiefs Association (the association presidency is not a full-time position).

Melekian did not have previous city management experience when he stepped in in January to temporarily replace retiring City Manager Cynthia Kurtz, but was attending USC to receive his doctorate degree in public policy and was favored by many to permanently take over as city manager. He was being paid a $230,000 salary as interim city manager, while his deputy Chris Vicino handled the day-to-day running of the police department.

The city is currently involved in a nationwide search for a permanent city manager. The executive headhunting firm Bob Murray & Associates is slated to bring the council a list of candidates by early summer.