Jim Thorsen, Malibu’s longest-serving city manager, made a surprise announcement at Monday night’s City Council meeting that he would be retiring “in the upcoming months,” likely in early May. Thorsen has served as Malibu’s city manager since 2006.
After announcing his retirement, Thorsen was added to the list of 2015 Malibu Times Dolphin Award winners. He will receive an award at the Feb. 21 Dolphin Award ceremony for his commitment and time spent improving the Malibu community.
“It’s tonight that I’m sad and happy to announce that I will be retiring, after 32 years of public service — the last 10 years here at the City of Malibu,” Thorsen said to audible gasps from those in the audience at the Feb. 8 meeting, many of whom were longtime residents and activists in the city.
Council members did not seem surprised by the announcement; Mayor Laura Rosenthal drew chuckles from those on the dais when she asked Thorsen if he had any announcements to make at the meeting. Minutes after the announcement, a press release was sent out via the city’s e-notification system regarding Thorsen’s retirement.
“City Manager Jim Thorsen announced that he will retire effective May 2, 2016, exactly 10 years from the date he started as Malibu City Manager,” the release read.
“I think you’ll be very hard to replace,” Rosenthal told Thorsen at the meeting. “You’ve got a great blend of expertise and a great temperament for this job.”
All five council members commended Thorsen for his work managing the city over the past decade.
Information provided by the city pointed to specific accomplishments Thorsen has amassed during his tenure with the City of Malibu.
“The city’s annual budget grew from $8 million to $20 million while maintaining a AAA credit rating,” the statement read. Thorsen is also credited for overseeing award-winning projects at three of Malibu’s city parks: Legacy Park, Trancas Canyon Park and Las Flores Creek Park, which was just completed last month.
Awards for the overhaul of Legacy Park include the League of California Cities Helen Putnam award and the American Society of Civil Engineers 2011 Project of the Year award for California. Trancas Canyon Park won an award for best park by the American Public Works Association in 2011.
Thorsen has been lauded for his ability to successfully navigate the sometimes murky waters of local, regional and state government.
“I’ve worked with every city manager that Malibu has had, and [Thorsen] is hands down the best, in part because he comes from an engineering background, and he has quietly and doggedly gotten things done,” City Attorney Christi Hogin told The Malibu Times. “The Thorsen era, I think, is going to be remembered … because that’s when all the discussion turned to action.”
When asked about his achievements, Thorsen said first and foremost he is proud of the city staff.
“I think the thing that always jumps, at least to my forefront, is the great staff we have,” Thorsen said. “Nobody accomplishes anything by themselves, and having first of all a top rated professional staff jumps out to me.”
Thorsen also praised Malibu City Council, 11 members of which have come and gone during his tenure. As for personal achievements, it’s Legacy Park.
“I think from a personal pride and engineering perspective, I’m just so proud of the work at Legacy Park and the recognition it received,” Thorsen said.
Thorsen will be leaving right as the Civic Center Wastewater Treatment Facility breaks ground and the Malibu Bluffs Park Project goes into the planning stages, two projects he says he would have enjoyed seeing completed.
“I really enjoy that part of the time where things actually get built, so one I think I will miss actually being around for that,” Thorsen said. But he will be back, at least to stop by.
“It’s obviously one of the great places to come and visit, and I’ve built up a lot of friends over the years, and I’m sure we’ll continue to see each other,” Thorsen said. Some of his friends, it seems, are sitting on council.
“I’ll cry in the future when I’m talking about this,” Rosenthal said at the Monday night meeting. “I’ll cry in the future, because it’s a couple months away.”