During a special closed session meeting last night, the Santa Ana City Council voted 6-1 to accept the resignation of City Manager Kristine Ridge, a post she has held since May of 2019.
Ridge’s resignation comes two weeks after Police Chief David Valentin announced his retirement.
“Ms. Ridge served this City very well,” said Mayor Valerie Amezcua in a statement issued by the city, “and we are particularly appreciative of her leadership to the City and community during her tenure as city manager.”
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the great City of Santa Ana,” said Ridge in the same statement. “I wish nothing but continued success for the City and all its dedicated employees.”
Ridge has not disclosed immediate plans but did post on her Linkedin profile that she is done with full-time city work and is open to projects.
“Selection of a permanent city manager will be a top priority of the Council in the near future,” added Amezcua, “as our prime objective will be to continue our leadership in developing goals and strategies for the Council and the staff to accomplish together. The Council appreciates the hard work of all of its employees, and is confident that together we will continue to make the best interests of the City our top priority.”
At the end of the closed session, City Attorney Sonia Carvalho reported the council had “approved the severance and release agreement as provided for in [Ridge’s] employment agreement.” OC Independent has submitted a request for the severance package approved by the city council, but according to sources the severance package includes 18 months of salary – approximately $450,000 – and all accrued pay and benefits.
According to sources, the city’s director of human resources, Jason Motsick, also went on leave this week.
Ridge’s tenure took her through a turbulent period and she served under changing council majorities and three mayors. She was hired during the latter part of Mayor Miguel Pulido’s final term, continued under the progressive majority that took power in the November 2020 elections, and now is retiring during the first year of Mayor Valerie Amezcua’s term.
Ridge was city manager of Laguna Niguel for more than a year, and prior to that enjoyed a long career in Anaheim, where she rose to the position of Assistant City Manager.
Ridge’s departure presents the city with a “clean slate” opportunity to fill the top two slots in city government – city manager and police chief – after several years of conflict between city leadership and the Santa Ana Police Officers Association. Gerry Serrano, the SAPOA president who was locked in a heated political struggle with Ridge and Valentin, was forcibly retired recently in August on favorable terms, and the SAPOA leadership reins have been taken up by John Kachirisky.
Still on the horizon is the November 14 recall election of left-wing Councilmember Jessie Lopez – the lone vote against accepting Ridge’s resignation. If Lopez is recalled, the council will have the opportunity to appoint a replacement. If they cannot agree on one, the vacancy would be filled by a special election.
