Yucaipa council votes 3-1-1 to place City Manager Chris Mann on paid administrative leave

The Yucaipa City Council voted 3-1-1 to place City Manager Chris Mann on paid administrative leave, the city attorney reported after the council returned from a closed session at 7:33 p.m.

The move follows a night of public comment at a special meeting in which multiple residents urged the council to remove or review Mann, citing loss of community trust, litigation related to a recall petition, and contract provisions they said require closer scrutiny.

Those who addressed the council said concerns include perceived lack of transparency, alleged political activity, and specific contract language. Kathy Sellers, a resident, told the council that “the lack of leadership exhibited by the city manager has left you no choice but to take decisive action to safeguard the well-being of our community.” Sellers cited the International City/County Management Association Code of Ethics during her remarks and urged the council to “vote in favor of removing Chris Mann and outlining the process for selecting a new leader.”

Lloyd Rekstead, a resident, cited recent planning and tax decisions and said the city manager led efforts the speaker described as promoting denser housing and a sales-tax measure that was presented to voters in a way Rekstead characterized as misleading. Stephanie Harlan, a resident who reviewed the city manager’s employment contract during public comment, asked the council to “review the city manager's contract with a fine-tooth comb” and compared Yucaipa’s contract provisions to those in nearby cities such as Redlands and Rialto, saying Yucaipa’s contract permits outside consulting and lacks a clear conflict-of-interest provision.

Other residents defended Mann. One speaker, identified as Thomas Snodgrass in the public record, listed several accomplishments he attributed to Mann, including completing an audio-visual installation for meetings, posting city documents online, identifying hidden budget deficits, and helping keep a fire station open. Chuck, identified as speaking for District 5, accused an activist group called Save Yucaipa of spreading misinformation and urged council members to make decisions based on facts rather than pressure from that group.

Several commenters raised the city’s recent lawsuit against individuals involved in a recall petition; they said that action and other management decisions have cost the city in money and public trust. Robin Miskin, speaking for her husband, described certain contract provisions she called “unreasonable,” including an allegation that the contract could obligate taxpayers to provide lifetime health benefits after five years of service.

The council first took public comment on the item and then moved into closed session. When the meeting reconvened, the city attorney reported the 3-1-1 vote to place Mann on paid administrative leave and said that was the only reportable action from closed session. The city attorney's statement concluded at 7:33 p.m., and the council then adjourned open session.

The council did not provide further details in the public report about the terms of the leave, who moved or seconded the motion, or the names of members voting for or against it. The transcript records only the vote tally and the city attorney’s report as the public summary of closed-session action.

The public comments and the council action highlight points of contention residents identified: contract language about hours and outside activities, the city’s involvement in litigation connected to a recall petition, and the presentation and passage of Measure S. Several residents asked the council either to terminate Mann’s contract or to initiate a competitive selection process for the city manager role; others urged restraint and pointed to management accomplishments.

No additional administrative details or next steps for oversight, investigation, or replacement were reported publicly at the meeting’s end.

The meeting adjourned immediately after the city attorney’s report; open session was canceled and the special meeting ended at 7:33 p.m.