The South Pasadena City Council has accepted the resignation of City Manager Arminé Chaparyan after a 5-0 vote that terminates her role as the city’s top executive, effective immediately.
In a press statement released last week by the city of South Pasadena, Chaparyan expressed her gratitude toward the City Council for the opportunity to serve the community of South Pasadena for the past three years.
“I thank the City Council for affording me the opportunity to serve this community positively and I am grateful to have worked with such a great team of dedicated public professionals, Chaparyan said.
The City Council appointed Police Brian Solinsky and Community Services Director Sheila Poutsch as co-acting city managers with a 5-0 vote.
Solinsky has been chief of police since 2021. Poutsch recently announced her imminent retirement after 15 years of serving the community as community services director.
Chaparyan signed her separation agreement on June 24, 2024.
As part of her departure, Chaparyan agreed to relieve, release and discharge the City of South Pasadena, its City council members, city officials, employees, agents and attorneys “from any and all charges, complaints, grievances, claims, debts, obligations, causes of action, demands, liabilities, promises, agreements, costs, or expenses of whatsoever kind of nature.”
Chaparyan will also receive a lump-sum severance benefit in the amount of $307,500, $1,727.10 of unused management leave and a cash payment for all properly accrued and unused vacation time.
The separation agreement also states Chaparyan will not “institute any action or actions including administrative action(s), causes of action (in law or in equity), suits, debts, liens, claims, demands known or unknown, in state or federal court.
According to City Attorney Roxanne Diaz, prior to Chaparyan’s separation from the city, the council held six close sessions entitled “Public Employee Performance Evaluations” about the city manager.
Chaparyan’s departure comes days after the council approved a “Resolution of Continuing Appropriations,” which allows the prior year’s appropriations to remain in effect until a new budget for the new fiscal year was approved, according to Diaz.
Chaparyan came to the city with 20 years of local government experience. That service included time as community development director and then the assistant city manager in the city of San Gabriel.
She also worked as redevelopment manager for the city of Santa Clarita and as a senior project manager for the city of Ontario. A short bio on South Pasadena’s website, which remained posted as of Monday, July 8, noted that Chaparyan navigated the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, “and has brought the organization to new heights during her time in South Pasadena.”
South Pasadena Mayor Evelyn Zneimer said the search for a permanent city manager is imminent.
“Selection of a permanent City Manager is the top priority of the Council,” Zneimer said. “The City Council appreciates the hard work of all its employees and we are confident that together we will continue to move the City forward.”
