Santa Cruz City Manager Martin Bernal Announces Retirement

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Santa Cruz City Manager Martin Bernal announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of July after spending more than 24 years working for the city in the position.

Bernal told members of the city council of his intention to step down from the position during the closed session of a meeting on Tuesday night. The city announced Bernal – who is the first Latino to serve in the city manager’s role in the city’s history – will remain in the position while a national search is held for his replacement.

Bernal said that him remaining in office until a successor is named ensures a “smooth, seamless transition.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the City of Santa Cruz over the past 10 years as city manager and (for) my 24 years at the city,” Bernal said in a statement issued by the city on Wednesday. “During that time, with the collaboration of many dedicated elected leaders and staff, we have weathered the Great Recession and responded to a global pandemic. Our shared legacy will be one of resiliency in the City of Santa Cruz.”

Prior to coming to Santa Cruz in 1997, Bernal worked as the assistant city manager in Mountain View for four years and served as the senior executive assistant to the city manager in San Jose. He worked previously as an environmental specialist.

The Texas native graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and urban studies before earning a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Texas.

In a statement, Santa Cruz Mayor Donna Myers said she is grateful for Bernal’s years of service to the city.

“(Bernal) has effectively led the City of Santa Cruz through a host of incredible challenges, particularly in the past year with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Myers said. “The city council is grateful for his dedicated service and congratulates him on his forthcoming retirement.”

City officials announced in a news release that they will announce plans for beginning the process of replacing Bernal at an upcoming city council meeting.