Central Coast roundup

By El Latino newsroom
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The Ventura City Council approved a settlement agreement and general release with its City Manager, Alex D. McIntyre, during its City Council meeting on December 12.

In the agreement, Mr. McIntyre agreed to resign from his position effective at the close of business on December 13.

“Mr. McIntyre has indicated a desire to resign from his employment with the City of Ventura. The City Council voted 7-0 to approve and authorize Mayor Sofia Rubalcava to execute a separation agreement and general release to avoid the expense of litigation that could exceed $100,000,” stated City Attorney Andy Heglund.

The City Council agreed to pay Mr. McIntyre a $150,000 settlement to waive any claims against the City. 

Since November 14, City Manager, Alex McIntyre, has been on paid administrative leave.

“The Council and I have full confidence in the organization’s leadership and dedicated staff who continue to carry the City forward positively and productively. We remain focused on preparing our City for the future and continuing the great things we’ve accomplished,” stated Mayor Sofia Rubalcava.

McIntyre started in Ventura in November 2018 after serving as the City Manager in Menlo Park. He began after City Manager Mark Watkins retired in 2017.

Akbar Alikhan, Assistant City Manager, will continue to serve as the acting City Manager.

SBUSD TO GIVE INCENTIVES TO STAFF

The Santa Barbara Unified School (SBUSD), Board of Trustees approved a $2,500 stipend for employees throughout the district.
The proposal was brought forward after faculty and staff members brought concerns about the rising costs of housing, inflation, and healthcare expenses during a recent listening tour at the district’s schools. 

The Superintendent, Hilda Maldonado, select board members, union leaders, and cabinet members visited all schools and invited staff to share their concerns. 

“I have been meeting with employees and have heard firsthand how hard the cost of inflation here is, particularly for those who care for family members, whether it’s childcare or elder care. We care about our employees and their families. We are committed to looking for ways to improve our employees’ compensation and benefits, and we hope this helps to ease some of that pressure,” said Superintendent Maldonado. 

Inflation was brought up frequently during these meetings, along with other topics like professional learning and curriculum needs.
As a result, on last Tuesday night’s meeting, the board approved a $2,000 one-time payment, similar to an end of the year bonus, to employees and a $500 one-time payment for increasing healthcare costs. 

Additionally, substitute teachers will be receiving a $1,250 stipend per semester as incentive if they worked a total of 45 assignments over that time period.
The payments will cost more than $4,958,000 and it’s funded by the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant.
The SBUSD said employees can expect to see the check arrive next month.

NEW HEALTH DIRECTOR IN SB

After a nationwide search, the County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors has approved the appointment of Mouhanad Hammami, MD, as the new Public Health Director valid on January 23, 2023. 

Dr. Hammami will assume the duties from Interim Public Health Director Daniel Nelson, who was appointed to the interim position following the departure of Dr. Van Do-Reynoso in July 2022.  

Nelson will continue to lead the County of Santa Barbara Social Services department.

Dr. Hammami has more than 20 years of experience in public government administration and healthcare. During the COVID pandemic he served as the Chief Health Strategist for Wayne County, Michigan. 

There he assembled the COVID Command Center and team to address the County’s pandemic preparedness efforts; expanded testing and established and implemented a successful vaccination plan.

“I am so excited to be joining the public health team at Santa Barbara County and grateful for the trust of County Executive Miyasato and the Board of Supervisors have placed in me to lead the department.  This is such an important time for public health as we are recovering from a pandemic that reaffirmed the importance of public health,” said Hammami.

Deeply committed to public health, public service and collaboration, Dr. Hammami spent 18 years working for Wayne County Michigan where in his tenure he was Director and Chief Health Officer for the Department of Health, Veterans and Community Wellness serving 1.2 million residents.  

In his time at Wayne County, Dr. Hammami implemented a “no wrong door” customer referral management system, integrated clinical services into the public health department forming a “wrap around” model of care delivery, and established new health centers in underserved areas. He has also served as Senior Vice President at a not-for-profit health system operating 94 hospitals in 22 states. 

“Dr. Hammami is just what our County needs as we move forward from the pandemic.  He is going to be a great asset to the County leading the strategy to improve health for all individuals and improve the underlying social determinants of health in our communities,” said Board Chair and Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann.

“It is a great honor and a privilege to serve residents of Santa Barbara County in ensuring that all their health and wellbeing needs are met as we advance towards a, ‘One Healthy, Santa Barbara County’.”

Hammami received a medical degree from the University of Aleppo, Syria; a certificate in the foundations of public health from the University of Michigan and a master’s in health services administration from the University of Michigan.