Modesto Official Leading Candidate for Oxnard Post

OXNARD — The interim public works director for Modesto is a leading candidate for the Oxnard city manager’s post, officials said Friday.

Richard Ramirez, the Modesto official, met with numerous employees at Oxnard City Hall on Thursday after a series of interviews with City Council members, interim City Manager Prisilla Hernandez confirmed.

Ramirez was among three finalists whom Oxnard council members interviewed this week for the city’s top administrative post. Ramirez could not be reached for comment. City officials would not disclose the names of the other two candidates.

Council members described Ramirez as an impressive candidate with a long background in civil service, but stopped short of naming him as the top candidate.

“We [City Council] are going to meet at 1 o’clock next Tuesday, and I think there’s still more research to be done--some reference checking, and maybe even a site visit,” said Councilman Dean Maulhardt, who emphasized he is considering all three candidates.

According to Modesto city officials, Ramirez has served as city manager in two other California cities, Paso Robles and Lincoln. He was also director of community development in both Stanton and South El Monte, officials said.

Ramirez came to Modesto in May on a temporary basis to oversee restructuring of the San Joaquin Valley community’s public works department. He made it clear that he was looking for a permanent job somewhere else as city manager, said Robin Renwick, that city’s personnel director.

She said Ramirez is in his 40s and “has been very well-received . . . a really key player” in Modesto, a city of about 180,000 residents.

In the interim post, Ramirez earns $2,200 per week, Renwick said.

“He’s a good candidate,” City Councilman John Zaragoza said. “But we’ve still got to meet. We’re not there 100% yet.”

Councilman Tom Holden declined to discuss the candidate, saying, “At this point, it would jeopardize the process.”

Mayor Manuel Lopez and Councilman Bedford Pinkard were not available for comment Friday.

Hernandez, previously assistant city manager, has served as Oxnard’s top administrator since City Manager Tom Frutchey was fired 10 months ago amid accusations that he tyrannized employees with an autocratic style.

Hernandez said of the three candidates, Ramirez was the only one who visited workers at Oxnard City Hall.