The Chico City Council approved the appointment of Gillian Haen as the new city manager in a 5-2 vote at its July 7 meeting. Four speakers voiced concerns about Haen’s appointment during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Mayor Kasey Reynolds and councilmembers Tom van Overbeek, Addison Winslow, Bryce Goldstein and Katie Hawley voted in favor of the appointment, while Vice Mayor Dale Bennett and Councilmember Michael O’Brien were opposed.
Under the proposed employment agreement, Haen would earn an annual salary of $285,000, plus relocation and other benefits.
Several audience members mentioned that there have been two lawsuits or other issues related to Haen’s tenure as assistant city manager in Vallejo.
Elizabeth Griffin, a Chico resident, asked councilmembers whether they were aware of Haen’s past record and raised questions about Haen’s medical leave during a housing project. “To me, this just sounds like this person was not adequately vetted,” Griffin said.
Councilmember Goldstein later said that it would be “completely illegal” for the Council to consider a medical condition in the hiring process. “I just want to clarify that, but we have carefully considered the pros and cons of all candidates,” Goldstein said.
Chico resident Julian Zener described Vallejo as “the worst-run city in Northern California.” Zener said Vallejo had experienced “absolute chaos,” with “six temporary or permanent city managers in the past five years,” and “rapid turnover of police and fire chiefs.”
Zener also said that Vallejo had to pay back $2.6 million in housing grant funding because of “bungled” management. Zener said it was “inconceivable” that Chico “could not find someone more qualified and with less baggage to be our next city manager” given the “generous benefits” offered.
Chico’s Dave Garcia mentioned Vallejo police killings as well as “the police secrecy problem.”
But others spoke in support of Haen.
Kim Nott supported Haen, pointing out that Haen already has local knowledge because of her family ties in Chico.
Another supporter was Vallejo Councilmember Helen-Marie Gordon, who spoke via Zoom. Gordon described Haen as a “thoughtful and dedicated” public servant.
“During the COVID 19 pandemic, she helped with the Vallejo housing and homeless responses, advancing projects and providing shelters and permitted housing for vulnerable residents,” Gordon said.
“She has also played a key role in economic development and infrastructure projects,” Gordon added.
Gordon defended the City of Vallejo, saying that Vallejo is not the “worst” city, but rather “a growing city that has issues.”
Vice Mayor Bennett, who voted against the approval, said that his ideal candidate for the position would be Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge.
“He’s been a member of the city team for decades, and knows our city department employees and department heads,” Bennett said. “I truly believe early on, Aldridge would have been an extraordinary, successful, very responsive and truly forthright city manager.”
O’Brien echoed Bennett’s comment about Aldridge and said he would vote against the appointment because the hiring process was “incomplete.”
“I’m used to being a department head, being in a position of hiring numerous people, to have all the information at my disposal so I can make an informed decision,” said O’Brien said, a former Chico police chief. “I don’t think we have that.”
Mayor Reynolds made a motion to execute a conditional offer of employment, contingent upon a successful background check, and requested that the contract be revised to mirror some aspects of the current city manager’s contract.
She also suggested moving up the start date to July 27, if Haen is available.
Haen told ChicoSol she had been “pretty nervous” while waiting for the vote.
“I heard some of the feedback, but that’s okay,” Haen said. “I understand both positions. And I respect that.
“Being in this public position, it’s very normal and natural to get criticized,” Haen said. “Sometimes there’s merit and sometimes there’s not, but I do still have a job in Vallejo. Normally, if there are negative findings like that, you let the person go.”
Haen said her mom graduated from high school in Chico, both of her parents went to Butte College, and she has many family members and friends who live in the city.
“I was basically raised here for the last large portion of my 48 years of life,” Haen said, adding that she loves tubing the Sacramento River.
Yucheng Tang covers city government for ChicoSol.