Key Staff Bailing from Long Beach

Several key staff are leaving the City of Long Beach. 

Kevin Wattier, Executive Director of the City's Water Department announced his retirement after 14 years of service. Wattier is credited with guiding the department during difficult water issues but butted heads with city officials over its taking millions in "pipeline fees" without taking the matter to the voters. As a result of the fee, the Water Department began charging city departments for water -- which has severely impacted the budget of the Parks and Recreation Department which oversees parks, golf courses and street medians.

Apparently City Hall is about to lose the Director of Human Resources, Debbie Mills. Mills who came up through the ranks in the City, was appointed Director in 2010. She and her staff sat at the bargaining tables when council demanded that employee unions and associations begin paying their share of pension costs. Staff recommended that in turn, all employees be given a salary increase.

Mills and her staff should soon have to begin negotiations again for the numerous labor union contracts are set to expire.

An ad on line, points out that her replacement will be paid up to the low $200,000 range. Only five years and a BA are required. (What no certification as an HR Professional which is required by most companies that employ 6,000 employees?)

Parks, Recreation and Marine Department head, George Chapjian announced he is leaving to become Director of Community Services for Santa Barbara County. Chapjian only worked in the Long Beach position since 2011. His department budget and staffing have been slashed to the bone since he first took his job. Talk around city hall is more cuts are planned as the new mayor and council have to deal with reduced revenues and increased expenditures.

City Clerk Larry Herrera-Cabrera retired late April after commuting to Long Beach from San Clemente since 2002. Larry tried to bring many modernizations to a department that had been previously plagued with problems. Some cities actually elect the City Clerk so that he/she can be totally independent from the mayor and council. The City council appoints the Clerk in Long Beach.