The City of La Palma has turned inward to select one of its own citizens to fill the vacant role of City Manager, appointing former Mayor and Council member Peter Kim as its new City Manager at its September meeting.
According to La Palma City Attorney Agit Thind, Kim was selected from a pool of 87 applicants following the resignation of former City Manager Conal McNamara in March, who accepted a new position in the City of Whittier.
Thind said the Council narrowed down the candidates and held “multiple” closed sessions to interview the finalists. In addition, the city had formed an ad-hoc subcommittee consisting of Mayor Mark Waldman and Mayor Pro-tem Nitesh Patel to assist in filling the position.
Kim, a long-time resident of La Palma, served two terms on the Council, including as Mayor, and is currently employed as the Chief Communications Officer of the California Board of Equalization, with more than 20 years of overall public service experience.
He is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine with a degree in political science, said Thind, and is certified in Korean by the Los Angeles Unified School District. He also attended and graduated from Walker Junior High School and Kennedy High School.
Kim, who left office in La Palma in 2020, will return to City Hall next month, this time its city manager, with a salary of $245,000 per year, and other benefits that Thind explained to the Council.
“I’m incredibly grateful and humbled for your appointment to serve as La Palma city manager,” Kim said following a unanimous vote to approve his contract.
“I’m so honored by the City Council’s trust and confidence in me, and I’m confident we will work very well together to achieve your goals and the city’s priorities,” he said.
“As many are aware, I’m no stranger to La Palma, and it is especially meaningful to me to serve my hometown. Once again, I just wanted to share that this isn’t just any job to me. I take this awesome responsibility very seriously, as this is the community and city that I truly love. I look forward to partnering with the city council, working alongside this amazing and professional city staff,” said Kim.
Kim also thanked his family members and mentors for their continuing support.
“Finally, I just want to acknowledge some former and current colleagues and mentors of mine. I know that without them, I would not be standing here today, so thank you for all this support and encouragement,” said Kim.
Mayor Mark Waldman expressed the City Council’s excitement in welcoming Kim back to La Palma.
“Peter has a terrific record of success in his prior employment and exceptional ratings from those he has worked alongside,” said Waldman. “For our City, he possesses important skills that can take La Palma to the next level, and the entire Council looks forward to welcoming him back to the community.”
Gerard Goedhart, an outspoken former Mayor, also appeared to speak on Kim’s appointment.
“I don’t want the city council to be nervous, because I want to compliment you on your decision. I served with Peter for all eight years, 2012 to 2020, and I know he’s a quality person. He’s very knowledgeable, and I think you did a wonderful job attracting people, and so I compliment you,” said Goedhart.
“I look forward to Peter serving as city manager, and I think the city is in good hands,” he said.
In April, the City Council appointed Michael Egan as interim City Manager, and he will continue in that role until Kim’s appointment becomes effective Oct. 27.