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Irvine council names Sean Crumby interim city manager, approves two-year employment agreement
Summary
The City Council on June 24 approved a two-year interim employment agreement with Sean Crumby by a 7-0 vote, setting compensation and severance terms and defining that Crumby may return to his prior position if a permanent city manager is later hired. Councilmembers praised Crumby’s project-delivery record and asked staff to proceed with a timely
The Irvine City Council on June 24 unanimously approved a two-year employment agreement to appoint Sean Crumby as interim city manager following the departure of City Manager Oliver Chi. The vote was 7-0.
Key terms: The agreement sets annual compensation for the interim city manager at $403,520 and aligns fringe benefits with those provided to executive-level employees, with a provision allowing administrative and personal leave to convert to vacation consistent with prior practice. The contract term is two years but includes standard termination provisions: the council may end the agreement at any time, and if the city separates the interim city manager without cause, the agreement provides for six months’ severance. Because Crumby is an internal promotion, the contract also contains a return-to-position clause allowing him to resume his prior role if the city later hires a permanent manager or appoints another interim manager.
Council remarks and rationale: Speakers at the dais praised Crumby’s record of project delivery. Mayor Larry Agren said Crumby had been “hard driving” on capital projects and implementation, and several council members described him as a steady hand to lead the city while the council completes a permanent recruitment. Council members emphasized the appointment is an interim step and noted the council can terminate the agreement at any time and pursue a national search for a permanent manager.
Public comment: A small number of residents urged an open recruitment process rather than a multi-year interim agreement. The city attorney and staff said the two-year length was chosen to avoid repeated contract renewals and that the council may terminate the appointment at any time and has discretion over the permanent hiring process.
Next steps: Staff will administer the employment agreement and continue the process for selecting a permanent city manager according to council direction. The council’s action authorizes the mayor and city attorney to finalize and sign the agreement.
Ending: The council’s unanimous vote formalizes leadership succession and provides continuity for ongoing projects while preserving the council’s discretion to conduct a permanent external recruitment or make other changes.
