Futrell Opts to Stay in Riverside, Will Not Serve as Pasadena’s Next City Manager

Mike Futrell will not be Pasadena’s next City Manager.

According to a rare Saturday statement released by Mayor Victor Gordo and the City Council, Futrell will remain in Riverside and continue serving as City Manager there.

“Earlier today, City Manager candidate Mike Futrell informed the Pasadena City Council that he has decided to remain in his current position in the City of Riverside and will withdraw from further discussions with the City of Pasadena,” according to the statement.

“The Council respects his decision and wishes Mike the very best. Interim City Manager Matthew Hawkesworth will continue to serve in his current role as the Council determines its next steps to select a new city manager.”

Futrell was scheduled to come to Pasadena from Riverside on May 13.

Shortly before noon, Futrell’s wife, Susan C. Freeman, posted a message addressed to “Riverside friends.” In that message, Futrell said he plans to continue serving as city manager and described the city as both his workplace and home.

“After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to remain in Riverside and continue serving as your City Manager,” Futrell wrote.

The message did not mention Pasadena.

However, there was evidence before the social media post that Futrell may not be coming to Pasadena.

Days after the April 15 announcement that Futrell had agreed to take the job, the City Council discussed the position again on April 20 in closed session, but no announcement was made in the open session following that discussion.

Friday night when the City posted an agenda for a rare Saturday closed-session meeting, three Councilmembers were scheduled to attend via teleconference, including two internationally.

That meeting was cancelled hours before it was scheduled to take place.

Early Saturday morning, all of the Instagram posts by Susan Freeman, Futrell’s wife, regarding the Pasadena appointment including a Pasadena Now story announcing the decision to hire Futrell, had been removed.

The City Council has been searching for a new City Manager since last year when Miguel Marquez announced his retirement. The City honored Marquez last Monday at City Hall.