Concord City Manager Looks to Make Vallejo Move

Final steps are in place for the appointment of Concord's City Manager as Vallejo's, according to a Thursday press release. 

Dan Keen, who has held the position in Concord since 2008, was unanimously approved in Vallejo's interview process and now awaits final approval and contract negotiations, according to the news release.

"I was not looking for a new position, and I have been very happy working here with all of you," Keen told Concord employees in an email acquired and published by Claycord.com. "But sometimes, a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity presents itself," he added.

That opportunity, he said in the email, is to steer Vallejo forward, a city that has been in "dire straits" and only recently emerged from bankruptcy in November of 2011.

Despite praising his achievements, Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister told the Contra Costa Times "... disappointment is an extreme understatement," after only learning of the potential move on Thursday. Hoffmeister told the CCTimes that when Keen interviewed for the job, he told council members he planned on working with Concord for five years or more. 

The Vallejo City Council will meet behind closed doors Monday, Jan. 10 to finalize Keen's appointment and to set up contract negotiations. The position appointment is expected to be announced in two weeks.