Retiring City Manager Recalls Decade of Development

San Clemente City Manager George Scarborough will retire effective March 20 after nine years in San Clemente and 35 in working in municipalities, according to a Tuesday release from the city.

Scarborough's succession will be decided by the San Clemente City Council. Scarborough himself has recommended that the city promote in-house by hiring on Assistant City Manager and Treasurer Pall Gudgeirsson.

In an email interview Tuesday, Scarborough highlighted some accomplishments he is proudest of being part of while serving in San Clemente over the past decade.

High on the list, Scarborough cites his role in overseeing big capital projects like the construction of the Coastal Trail; the "long-awaited" Golf Course Clubhouse; rebuilding and renovating San Gorgonio and Steed parks; the new downtown Senior Center and Fire Station; and the Vista Hermosa Community Park and Aquatic Center.

Scarborough also noted improvements in customer service at city hall, the city's solid financial foundation and improvements in traffic flow around town.

But he was quick to spread the credit around.

"I believe the real question is not what I accomplished in the last nine years, but what did our excellent city employees accomplish with the support and guidance of myself and the city council," Scarborough said. "Their accomplishments are numerous."

He said he plans to spend his retirement "surfing, diving, tennis, fishing and lobstering, various home maintenance and improvement projects and an assortment of other hobbies."

Aside from these hobbies and traveling, Scarborough will be playing the role of house-husband for his wife, who will continue teaching, he said.

The city council will decide at its Dec. 4 meeting whether to promote Gudgeirsson or do a recruitment search, according to a release from the city.

Scarborough in his staff report to the city council said it would cost about $26,000 and take six to nine months to hire a search firm and find a city manager from outside.

"I believe Pall has the confidence of city council, the community and the city employees," Scarborough writes. "And would be an excellent choice for San Clemente City Manager."

Scarborough said he would in his final months be bringing Gudgeirsson up to speed on various issues the city has been working on at the manager level.

Updated at 2:40 p.m. Nov. 27