Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig to retire in June

Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig is stepping down.

The announcement came Thursday that Pietig, who has been with the city for two decades, will be retiring in June. The notice comes in advance for staff to prepare for the transition between city managers, the city said in a statement. The exact date has not yet been determined.

Officials said Pietig has served as the city manager for a decade and, prior to that, was the city’s assistant manager for another 10 years. He started his career in local government with the city of Riverside, where he was for 10 years, as a budget director and was a deputy city manager in Alhambra for two years before he was offered a assistant city manager position in Laguna Beach.

Pietig was appointed to his current position in 2010.

“The city of Laguna Beach is an extraordinary place,” Pietig said in a statement. “Our community is involved, aware and very engaged.”

“Together, with the City Council and the city team, we have worked hard to preserve what makes this city so special while also moving forward and acting fiscally responsible in both good and challenging times. It is truly an honor and privilege to serve this special community,” Pietig said.

Pietig has been the city manager through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He worked with staff to improve transit and parking systems, increase fire prevention programs, enhance communication with the community and address long-term planning needs in Laguna Beach with the Downtown Specific Plan, historic preservation programs and short-term lodging.

Pietig said he’s proud of the current management team and thanked current and previous city councils and community members who served on city boards, commissions, committees and programs for their work to address past challenges in the city.

“This team is performing cutting-edge work in pandemic response, wildfire prevention, crime reduction, transit and parking management, land use planning, virtual city meetings, Leadership Laguna programs and community dialogue,” Pietig said. “Our city team has exhibited an incredible commitment to serving the public on the front lines of the pandemic.”

“Serving alongside these dedicated public employees has been a highlight of my career,” Pietig said.

His retirement follows several other Laguna Beach officials in just the last year, which includes City Clerk Lisette Chel-Walker and Laguna Beach Police Chief Laura Farinella.

“Laguna Beach has benefitted tremendously from [Pietig’s] years of experience, his technical expertise, his work ethic, his understanding of our community and his steady hand in challenging times,” Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen said in a statement.

“[Pietig] also is an excellent judge of talent,” Whalen said. “While he will be missed greatly, he will leave behind a motivated and experienced group of professionals who will keep us moving forward.”

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