‘New Information’ Prompts Alameda To Delay Hiring Of Pleasanton City Manager

PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasanton City Manager Gerry Beaudin is a finalist to become the city manager of Alameda, though the Alameda City Council unexpectedly voted Tuesday to delay his appointment based on “incomplete information.”

On April 9, the city of Alameda announced that the council was poised to appoint Beaudin as the next city manager, pending approval of the city council as part of the consent council. Beaudin had served as Alameda’s assistant city manager from 2019 to 22, and was set to begin his new role June 30, according to the city.

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However, at the Tuesday meeting, Alameda Councilmember Greg Boller made a motion to move the consent calendar item to May 5 based on “new and important information” the city recruiter had received.

“We didn’t actually receive this until after 10 a.m. today,” Boller said. “None of this reflects in any way on the excellent candidate we have or on his merit or his credentials. He’s an impressive candidate, given his broad experience, his expertise and his knowledge, particularly of Alameda. Essentially, we previously received incomplete information, and as fiduciaries, we need to discuss the information in a closed session, and that’s the only place this can be discussed.”

Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft said she was “totally unaware” of what Boller was talking about, and refused to second the motion. The item was seconded and approved by four council members, with Ashcraft as the lone dissenting vote.

“I’m really confused by what Councilmember Boller has just stated and so if I don’t understand something I’m certainly not supporting it,” she said.

Beaudin has served as the city manager of Pleasanton since 2022, right after his stint as the assistant city manager of Alameda. Before that, he was community development director for Pleasanton, and has also worked with the cities of Mountain View, South San Francisco, Los Altos, and Toronto, Canada. He holds a Master of Science degree in Planning from the University of Toronto.

“I am delighted to be selected by the Mayor and City Council and look forward to collaborating with City leadership, the City's talented executive team and staff, and connecting with the broader community. Alameda is an innovative, progressive, and welcoming community, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return as City Manager. The community is truly a place where everyone belongs, and Alameda shows limitless potential,” Beaudin said in a statement.

If approved May 5, he would start June 30.