Milpitas council appoints Deanna Santana as interim city manager; vote 4-1
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Summary
The Milpitas City Council voted 4-1 on April 15 to appoint Deanna Santana as interim city manager, subject to a mutually agreeable employment agreement. The council approved a contract framework that lists annual compensation at $379,000; the appointment is effective upon execution and lasts until a permanent manager is selected.
The Milpitas City Council voted 4-1 on April 15 to appoint Deanna Santana as interim city manager, a role the council said will run until a permanent city manager is selected and a mutually agreeable employment agreement is approved.
Council action came after a closed-session selection and a public report-out by Acting City Attorney Christopher Creech. Creech said the closed-session decision followed the council’s April 1 closed-session interviews and that the council had directed the city attorney to negotiate terms. The proposed employment agreement listed compensation at $379,000 annually, according to Creech.
The council approved the appointment by roll call, with Vice Mayor Barbara Barbadillo, Council member Chua, Council member Lam and Mayor Carmen Montano voting in favor and Council member Lianne voting no. The appointment is subject to final contract approval and customary employment provisions included in the draft agreement.
Mayor Carmen Montano disclosed during the meeting that she had received a $150 campaign contribution in July 2024 from Diana Santana, the appointee; Montano said the contribution predated the city’s interim recruitment process. Acting City Attorney Creech advised the council that the disclosure did not create a reportable conflict and that no legal conflict of interest existed.
Council members who spoke in favor framed the appointment as necessary to ensure continuity of city services and an orderly transition following the departure of the prior city manager. Council member Chua moved the motion to approve the three staff recommendations on the agenda for item 17; Vice Mayor Barbadillo seconded.
The action authorizes the mayor to execute the interim employment agreement on behalf of the city and authorizes the assistant city manager or designee to take related administrative steps to implement the appointment. The interim manager’s term will be effective upon approval and continue until the council appoints a permanent city manager.
City staff said the council had retained an executive recruitment firm and that the council and subcommittee had participated in candidate screening earlier this year. The council’s discussion included questions about cost and process; Council member Lianne said she opposed the appointment because of the additional expense amid the city’s budget gap. City attorneys and staff answered procedural and disclosure questions during the meeting.
