In a special meeting this past week, the City Council of La Palma has voted to hire an interim City Manager to replace outgoing City Manager Conal McNamara.
The Council hired Michael Egan as City Manager on an interim basis, effective April 28. In addition, the Council voted to hire Ralph Andersen & Associates at a cost of $23,000 to conduct an executive search for a permanent replacement, according to city officials.
According to Mr. Egan’s personal website, he served as a director for Tripepi Smith, a firm hired by the City of La Palma during the 2024 election to support a ballot initiative that would allow some of the Council members to extend their terms in office.
The site also reveals Egan has significant experience as a city manager, having served as Interim City Manager in Artesia and City Manager for the City of Norwalk and the City of Bellflower.
McNamara, who leaves the office amid an exodus of talent and controversy over the undignified dismissal of a popular city employee (see related story), served five years in the city as its City Manager before returning to Whittier, a city at which he was previously employed in a variety of capacities.
Despite the current turmoil, Mayor Michael Waldman said overall, especially through the pandemic, McNamara led the city through a period of growth.
In a statement issued by the city, Waldman said McNamara “led the City through a significant period of growth, much of it during the global pandemic.”
“Conal did a great job of working with the Council to ensure we remain fiscally stable for years to come,” said Waldman.
“During the past five years, the City not only posted budget surpluses and grew reserves but completed numerous initiatives such as increasing the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax, updating fees, implementing online permitting, bringing a second Captain position to the Police Department,” said Waldman.
As city manager, Waldman said as City Manager, McNamara was responsible for “securing new revenue sources, constructing pickleball courts, completing a comprehensive medians construction project using federal funding, and renovating both the City Hall and Public Works yard facilities.”
“Under his leadership, we implemented many of the Council goals associated with succession planning and supporting our local businesses, so we are on very firm footing for the future,” said Mayor Pro Tem Nitesh Patel.
La Palma’s recruitment process for a permanent City Manager will begin immediately, the city statement said.