Dave Kiff, selected this week by councilmembers as the new Laguna Beach city manager, said he will focus on collaboration and innovation to address the community’s needs when he takes over City Hall’s top post on May 6.
Kiff, a former Laguna Beach resident, last worked as the division director for Sonoma County Health Department Services, overseeing homeless programs totaling $30 million annually. He’s also held interim city manager posts in Sonoma, Healdsburg and Huntington Beach. And, he worked in Newport Beach for 20 years, nine of them as city manager, when he retired in early in 2018; his contract would have been up in 2019.
“I am deeply committed to serving the people and community of Laguna Beach,” Kiff said in a statement. “My goal is to work collaboratively with residents, businesses, and community organizations to ensure that Laguna Beach remains a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and visit.”
The council approved Kiff’s selection on Tuesday, April 9. He will fill the role left vacant in September by Shohreh Dupuis, who retired as part of a settlement agreement with the city after alleging a hostile workplace because of conflicts with a councilmember. Following Dupuis‘ vacancy, Sean Joyce, a retired city manager, filled in until the council made a permanent hire.
“He’s had good experience and worked in a coastal city where he managed a budget much larger than what we have,” said Mayor Sue Kempf of Kiff’s time in Newport Beach, adding that she also heard good things from residents who knew Kiff when he lived in Laguna Beach.
“He’s a good communicator and is about getting the business of the city done,” she said, adding that Kiff coming out of retirement to manage the city also impressed her.
“Laguna holds a soft spot for him and encouraged him to get back into the game,” she said.
Though Kiff isn’t officially on duty until May, Kempf said he’s met with her to get up to speed on some of the council’s…
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