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Dana Point appoints Kelly Reinders as city manager; council approves employment terms effective Dec. 31
Summary
The Dana Point City Council unanimously appointed Assistant City Manager Kelly Reinders as the city’s next city manager on Oct. 21. The employment agreement posted under the Brown Act sets a $300,000 base salary, 9 months severance, 5% deferred compensation and 240 hours of annual leave.
The Dana Point City Council on Oct. 21 appointed Assistant City Manager Kelly Reinders as the city’s next city manager and reviewed the basic terms of an employment agreement that will take effect Dec. 31, 2025, upon the retirement of outgoing City Manager Mike Killebrew.
The city attorney explained that, under the Brown Act, a public presentation and the draft employment agreement must be available to the public. The attorney summarized the main terms of the proposed agreement: a base salary of $300,000, nine months of severance, deferred compensation structured at 5% of base pay, and 240 hours of comprehensive annual leave per year (capped at 480 hours), along with other provisions consistent with city policy.
Council discussion and vote - Mayor Pro Tem Gabbard said the appointment followed a subcommittee interview process and praised Reinders’s alignment with the city’s strategic plan. He moved to appoint Kelly Reinders as city manager. The council moved, seconded and approved the appointment by voice vote ("Aye"). No public comments were received on the item during the hearing.
Remarks and context - Several council members and the outgoing city manager praised Reinders and noted that she has been mentored by City Manager Mike Killebrew. "Kelly Reinders... she's an amazing lady. We're very, very fortunate in this city to have her leadership in the years ahead," Mayor Pro Tem Gabbard said during his remarks.
- Reinders addressed the council after the appointment: "I just want to take this opportunity to thank the council for your confidence. I'm truly, truly humbled by this opportunity and I really look forward to continuing our collaboration to serve the community," she said, and acknowledged outgoing City Manager Killebrew for his mentorship.
Effective date and next steps - The employment agreement is scheduled to become effective Dec. 31, 2025, coinciding with Killebrew’s announced retirement. Staff said the draft agreement was posted on the city website and summarized under the Brown Act requirements; the council approved the appointment and the basic terms as presented.
Provenance: the city attorney summarized terms of the agreement in open session and the council recorded a motion, second and unanimous voice vote to appoint Reinders. Reinders’s acceptance remarks are recorded in the transcript.
