By Jonathan Friedman
Associate Editor

Rod Gould’s final months as Santa Monica’s city manager featured controversy, but none of that was on display Tuesday night when c
ouncil members praised him at his last meeting.

Tony Vazquez spoke about Gould’s “financial depth [of knowledge]” and Ted Winterer said he had a “freakish work ethic.”

“I always tell people that I can email the city manager at 10:30 on Sunday night, and I hear back within two minutes,” Winterer said.

Terry O’Day, who was appointed to the council in 2010 not long after Gould’s tenure began, said he “learned about management” from the city manager.

“I’ve witnessed you lead with integrity, and I appreciate that,” O’Day said. “It’s taught me a good deal about leadership and about public service.”

Mayor Kevin McKeown said Gould’s most important accomplishment came in November 2010 with the passage of Measures Y and YY. 

Measure Y was a sales tax proposal, and Gould added Measure YY to the package, which called for a recommendation that 50 percent of the tax revenue go to K-12 education.

“You helped us succeed in passing those measures, which are left as your legacy of ongoing dependable funding for education in this community,” McKeown said.

“That means students for years to come will have a better education because of Rod Gould having been city manager.”

McKeown had many other kind words for Gould, and even said the night was “emotional” for him. 

These friendly comments came about six months after McKeown had declared an evaluation of Gould’s performance should be placed on the council agenda in the wake of the controversy that arose from a staffing decision.

Gould rescinded a job offer to be the City's head of communications in June to slow-growth activist Elizabeth Riel after he learned she had been actively involved in the 2006 City Council campaign -- supporting McKeown and attacking his rival Pam O’Connor. 

The city manager never said Riel's activism was the reason for rescinding the offer, but he alluded to it being the reason in a prepared statement.

McKeown told a newspaper columnist a few days later that the incident “raises the question of who has the political clout in this town to get someone fired,” suggesting O’Connor convinced Gould to reverse the hiring decision.

Riel sued the City, and the case is pending.

Gould announced his retirement in August, but the Riel affair was not mentioned in a statement to the press.

"I've concluded that after 29 years of city management in five cities, it's time to reset my work-life balance," Gould wrote. "The next phase of my career will involve more teaching, consulting, volunteering, and service to my profession and less night, weekend, holiday and vacation work."

At the meeting on Tuesday, Gould praised the council and the City staff.

“While we don’t always get it right, the batting average is good and getting better all the time,” he said.

Gould also had good things to say about the people of Santa Monica, who he said are active and involved like no other population he has ever observed.

“Santa Monica is really a learning laboratory for so many individuals, groups and agendas,” Gould said. “This is a city with unbounded possibilities. I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in five years.”

He added, “I have nothing but optimism about Santa Monica going forward.”

Gould’s last day on the job is Jan. 31. Veteran City employee Elaine Polachek will serve as interim city manager while the council searches for his successor.