After an extensive recruitment, the City Council is likely to appoint Jennifer Ott as Alameda’s new city manager at its Dec. 6 council meeting. Ott is expected to begin her new position on January 3, 2023.

"I am truly excited about returning to the City of Alameda as its next city manager,” said Jennifer Ott in a city press release. “My previous 13 years working for Alameda, and the many relationships I developed, will allow me to hit the ground running and immediately begin implementing Council and community priorities.”

Alameda’s city manager is appointed by and reports directly to the mayor and City Council. As the city’s Chief Administrative Officer, the city manager provides leadership and organizational direction for city operations.

“On behalf of the City Council, I’m delighted to welcome Jennifer Ott back to Alameda as its new city manager,” stated Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft. “With more than 20 years of local government experience, including 13 years serving the City of Alameda, Jennifer understands Alameda’s unique opportunities and challenges. I have no doubt she will provide exceptional leadership for this organization, and be a valuable partner to the City Council, while serving our residents, businesses, and visitors.”

Since 2018, Ott has worked for the City of Hayward where she currently serves as assistant city manager and development services director. From 2005 to 2018, Ott worked for the City of Alameda as redevelopment manager, acting assistant city manager, Chief Operating Officer of Alameda Point, and Base Reuse and Transportation Planning Director. In 2009, Ott oversaw the renovation of the Alameda Theatre, which won numerous awards, including from the California Redevelopment Association, California Preservation Foundation, and California Art Deco Society.

Ott holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Spanish from the University of California, Davis. She is also fluent in Spanish.

Ott is replacing Public Works Director Erin Smith who has been the acting city manager for several weeks.

City officials hope Ott’s hire will bring stability to the city manager position after numerous position changes this year. Ott will be the sixth person to hold the city manager position, whether on a permanent or interim basis, in a span of 10 months. Former City Manager Eric Levitt took the same position for the City of Fullerton in May ("City Manager Leaves for New Position," March 23; https://alamedasun.com/news/city-manager-leaves-new-position). Then Assistant City Manager Girard Beaudin was named interim city manager on April 19, on the same day he took the city manager position for the City of Pleasanton ("Assistant City Manager Appointed to Two City Manager Positions," April 22; https://alamedasun.com/news/assistant-city-manager-appointed-two-city-ma...). Beaudin served as Alameda's interim city manager until May 23 before starting the job in Pleasanton.

Next up on the city manager carousel was Dirk Brazil. The former City of Davis city manager was hired as the interim city manager on May 17. However, he resigned in August citing a family emergency. Before he resigned, he appointed Smith and Human Resources Director Nancy Bronstein as co-acting city managers ("Nancy Bronstein To Be Named Interim City Manager," Aug. 18; https://alamedasun.com/news/nancy-bronstein-be-named-interim-city-manager). Bronstein retired earlier this month.