DEL MAR — Del Mar will host a welcome reception for its new city manager from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Powerhouse Community Center. Light refreshments will be served.
Hosting a reception is the ideal opportunity to introduce the new city manager to the community while also providing an opportunity for the community to meet and mingle with him, a Nov. 14 staff reports states.
City Council authorized $1,000 for the event, which is being organized by staff and council liaison Lee Haydu.
Scott Huth took over Jan. 1 from interim City Manager Mark Ochenduszko, who was appointed in June to replace Karen Brust.
According to Huth’s three-year contract, he will receive $180,000 a year and be subject to a performance review after six months, one year and annually after that.
Brust, who earned $170,000 a year when she started in Del Mar in 2007, resigned to take the city manager position in San Juan Capistrano for $218,000 annually plus benefits.
Ochenduszko was paid $15,000 per month without benefits.
The city hired Teri Black & Company to help recruit a new city manager. More than 100 applicants responded when the position was advertised.
The field was narrowed and council selected six candidates for interviews. Huth was the unanimous choice.
The city held a workshop in August to allow for public input on the essential qualities for the city leader but only two residents attended.
