The Ojai City Council officially selected the former city manager of Pacific Grove to city hall’s top post.
Council members voted unanimously Tuesday approved an employment agreement for Ben Harvey to become Ojai’s newest city manager.
Harvey, who officially begins on Monday, said he looks forward to working hard to earn the respect of council members, staff and residents.
“It will be a process,” he said at the meeting. “It will be a lot of listening and learning. I’m not going to know everything, so I’m going to rely upon all of you and the community to help me get there.”
On Thursday, Harvey said he planned to work with the council on updating the panel’s goals, likely through an upcoming special meeting. Harvey said interim City Manager Carl Alameda will return as assistant city manager, the position Alameda served before.
“I’m thrilled to work with him and we will make a great team,” Harvey said.
In an email, Alameda said Harvey’s “fresh perspective” will benefit Ojai.
On Tuesday, council members said they thought Harvey was the right person for the position.