RPV City Manager to Step Down

Rancho Palos Verdes City Manager Carolyn Lehr will step down from her post as the city's top employee upon the completion of her contract on June 30, according to a memorandum from City Attorney Carol W. Lynch.

The memorandum was included as part of a city staff report accompanying the addendum to Wednesday's RPV City Council agenda. The council will appoint an acting city manager Wednesday.

In a letter to the mayor and council dated Dec. 12, Lehr wrote that her husband had taken a position with a technology firm in Silicon Valley, and that she wanted "to spend more time at (her) home in northern California."

"As fulfilling as it has been for me to be a part of such exciting times in our city, the rapidly approaching end of my term reminds me that I must carefully weigh what is in the best interest of Rancho Palos Verdes and its need for consistent, professional management—together with my family's needs," Lehr wrote.

In a statement released following Lehr's announcement, Mayor Jerry Duhovic said the council understands and acknowledges Lehr's decision.

"We appreciate all of her hard work, dedication and years of service to the city of Rancho Palos Verdes and applaud her desire to assist the city in a smooth, seamless transition," he wrote. "During her tenure, the city manager has provided positive leadership and has built a strong city organization."

The city council Wednesday will approve a transition plan developed by Lehr. The plan calls for her to focus on assisting the city with the transition and perform special projects assigned to her by the council after Jan. 31 and through the end of her contract.

Because Lehr won't be performing the day-to-day city manager duties, Deputy City Manager Carolynn Petru will serve as acting city manager from Feb. 1 through the appointment of a new city manager.

Lehr was appointed city manager of RPV in 2007. During her tenure, Terranea Resort opened, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy added thousands of acres of trails and open space, and the city began storm drain projects in McCarrell and San Ramon canyons.