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Palmdale council keeps Sal Mendez as interim manager, orders search and removes clause granting automatic permanent appointment
Summary
Council directed staff to initiate a search for a permanent city manager while allowing Sal Mendez to continue as interim, and amended his employment agreement to remove language that would have automatically made him city manager on Jan. 19, 2026. The motion passed after debate over transparency and the need for a search process.
The Palmdale City Council on Oct. 7 amended and approved an employment agreement for Sal Mendez, allowing him to remain interim city manager while directing staff to initiate a search for a permanent city manager.
Janelle Sampson, director of operations, presented the proposed employment agreement that would formalize Mendez’s interim role; the council had already appointed him to the interim position in closed session earlier. Public commenters urged a nationwide…
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