Three weeks later, City Manager remains on paid leave

Editor's note: Story has been updated to correct the position of Rebekah Kramer.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

It has been almost three weeks since City Manager Armando Villa was placed on administrative leave with pay, and there still is no update on the “personnel investigation” associated with that action, a City source said today.

Villa remains on leave following action that “is not punitive or disciplinary; it is simply to allow the personnel investigation to be completed,” said Phil Southard, public information officer for the City of Menifee. The action was announced Oct. 18 following a 3-2 vote of the City Council in closed session.

“City operations are continuing as normal,” Southard said.

What was not announced coming out of that closed session was that Assistant City Manager Rochelle Clayton also has been placed on paid administrative leave. Southard said that was not announced because it was not part of the council’s action and was a personnel decision made separately by Rebekah Kramer, Assistant to the City manager and acting City Manager in Villa’s absence.

Although she is listed in the No. 4 position on the City Manager website, Kramer actually ranks below all the department heads on the city organizational chart. She served two years as Assistant City Manager in San Bernardino but has no City Manager experience.

Southard said that Clayton’s leave also is “not punitive or disciplinary.” No details of the investigation were announced, nor has any timetable for its resolution been announced.

An outside counsel representing the City’s insurance company is handling the investigation. The three council members who voted in favor of the action were Dean Deines, Ricky Estrada and Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin. Mayor Bill Zimmerman and Lesa Sobek voted against the action.

The Oct. 18 announcement was made during the City Council meeting by Ajit Thind, assistant city attorney. City attorney Jeffrey Melching was present at the council meeting but did not attend the closed session. No reason was given for his absence.