City Manager Out Over Low Employee Morale

An acting city manager on Tuesday took over the duties of Monterey Park City Manager Mark Lewis, who has been fired by the City Council.

Council members have blamed Lewis for a rash of resignations and low city employee morale, and accused him of violating city policy on matters ranging from expenditures to personnel decisions.

The council on Monday voted 3 to 2 in a closed session to suspend Lewis for 30 days--in effect giving him a 30-day notice--before firing him. Lewis declined comment. The city’s management services director, Chris Jeffers, will assume his duties until a permanent replacement is found.