Martinez Poised To Name Michael Chandler Next City Manager

MARTINEZ, CA – The Martinez City Council unanimously provided direction in closed session at its Oct. 19 meeting to instruct city staff and the city attorney to develop an employment agreement naming Michael Chandler as city manager, effective Jan. 4, the city announced in a news release.

Chandler's employment agreement has been placed on the Nov. 2 City Council meeting agenda for formal approval.

Chandler is currently serving as acting city manager. Chandler has been filling in for current City Manager Eric Figueroa during his leave; Figueroa’s last day with the city is Jan. 3, city officials said.

"We're thrilled to name Michael as our next City Manager," Mayor Rob Schroder said. "His decades of service to our community and strong leadership skills make him ideal for this important role, and I'm confident that he’s the right choice to take us forward. His deep knowledge of Martinez, exemplary professional relationships with community members and staff, and lengthy experience managing many aspects of municipal operations will serve him well as City Manager."

Chandler has served more than two decades with Martinez and currently oversees numerous city departments and core operations, including major projects to update the General Plan, Housing Element and Waterfront Master Plan. His previous roles with Martinez include assistant city manager, deputy city manager, and several other positions, with responsibility for City Administration, City Clerk, Community Services, Human Resources, Community and Economic Development, Risk Management, and other essential programs.

As city manager, Chandler will earn a base annual salary of $245,000, according to his employment agreement on Wednesday's City Council agenda. He is also set to receive a one-time $6,000 bonus for serving as acting city manager since July.

"I am humbled and gratified by the confidence placed in me by the City Council," Chandler said. "My entire career has been dedicated to public service, first as a naval officer, and then as an employee at the City of Martinez."

Chandler's significant achievements with the City include serving as project manager for the successful Measure D Road Improvement and Maintenance Special Sales Tax Measure, developing City Employee Safety and Employee Recognition Programs, developing the Community Grants Funding Program that supplies funding to local nonprofit organizations, developing the City’s Climate Action Plan and fostering the City’s sustainability initiatives, coordinating Measure H Park Priority Projects to bring upcoming enhancements to local parks, serving on the City’s labor negotiations team, and many others.

"This is a wonderful community, and I'm looking forward to my new responsibilities," Chandler said. "We’ve taken great strides in recent years, yet we have many significant challenges that I'm confident we can overcome with the support of the community and the commitment of City staff."