Whittier City Manager Brian Saeki, 50, will become the top administrator of the city of Vernon, southeast of downtown Los Angeles, come Feb. 24.
The Vernon City Council is set to consider his hiring as city administrator at its morning meeting Tuesday, Jan. 7, according to its published agenda.
Saeki’s last day in Whittier will be determined once his contract with Vernon is finalized.
“I’ll be submitting my formal 45-day notice to the City Council after it’s approved next week,” Saeki said.
His decision to leave the city wasn’t about a specific issue or project, he added.
“It’s about finding the right opportunity to continue my career growth while aligning with my personal values and goals,” he said. “I truly believe this next chapter will be a positive step forward for both my family and me.”
Mayor Pro Tem Cathy Warner and councilmembers Octavio Martinez and Fernando Dutra called a special meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, at City Hall, with Councilmember Mary Ann Pacheco participating remotely from Pennsylvania. According to an agenda on Jan. 1, the meeting was held to discuss a performance evaluation for the city manager.
Special meetings require only 24 hours’ notice, and not the full 72-hours usually required, so the Jan. 2 meeting was in compliance with the Brown Act, Saeki explained.
“While the timing may have seemed short, the team ensured that all proper procedures were followed to maintain transparency and allow public participation within the framework of the law,” Saeki said.
Saeki, a resident of Monrovia, is Whittier’s eighth city manager in its 127-year history. He was hired in 2019 to address the city’s highest priorities, which included homelessness, fiscal sustainability and economic development. In announcing the new hire, Mayor Joe Vinatieri said Saeki’s credentials are outstanding and that he has direct experience with many of the initiatives that are a high priority for Whittier.
In last year’s State of the City address, Saeki noted he is marking his fifth year on the job, coming in during the COVID-19 pandemic. He outlined the City Council-mandated economic vision focusing on business attraction and retention, developing its work force, mixed-use development opportunities, being more collaborative with the community and enhancing the quality of life in Whittier.
Under Saeki’s tenure, Whittier opened a homeless shelter, hired a new police chief and bolstered its department ranks and created a $500,000 program for businesses. He leaves as the city plans for revitalization in uptown areas faces opposition from community members over the fate of dozens of ficus trees.
His initial salary was $245,000 in 2019 and he received a $20,000 raise in 2021. His compensation package with the city of Vernon is $357,489, according to the published at-will employment agreement.
Before accepting the Whittier job, Saeki served in the same post in Covina. Through more than 25 years in public service, he has also worked for the cities of San Fernando, Arcadia, Rosemead and Downey.
The Whittier City Council will begin the recruitment process for a new city manager in the next weeks. Saeki said the city wants to move quickly but thoughtfully to find the right candidate.
“I just want to reiterate my gratitude to the City Council, the staff and the community of Whittier,” Saeki said. “It has been an incredible privilege to serve as city manager, and I will always look back on my time here with pride. I truly believe the city is in good hands, and I have no doubt that the leadership team will continue to accomplish great things.”