LAMORINDA WEEKLY | City appoints interim city manager


Niroop Srivatsa Photo Jeff Heyman, City of Lafayette

As the search continues for a new city manager following the resignation of City Manager Steven Falk effective at the end of this year, the city has appointed longtime staff member Niroop Srivatsa as interim manager. The council anticipates its search for a permanent city manager will be completed by spring.

The city council voted for the appointment at the Dec. 10 meeting. Srivatsa has over 30 years of local government experience with 24 of them in Lafayette. She has served as the city's director of planning and building services for the past 17 years during which time she has led city staff and advised the council and planning commission on land use policy, strategic growth initiatives and housing and economic development matters.

Srivatsa has acted as incident commander during emergency operations drills and has held leadership roles during real emergencies such as the 2000 flooding in Lafayette. She has also served as acting city manager from time to time and is one of the most visible staff members, having met with many residents over the years on land-use projects.

Srivatsa serves on the League of California Cities' Revenue and Taxation Committee, which provides policy direction on pending legislation to the League board and advocates for local control. She was recently appointed as an alternate commissioner to the California Statewide Communities Development Authority, where she will review and approve applications from more than 500 cities, counties and special districts for funding community infrastructure, affordable housing, and environmental projects.

Falk, who has held the position since 1996, said in a statement from the city released Dec. 12, "Ms. Srivatsa's personal work ethic can be summarized in three words - 'whatever it takes' - and her love for and dedication to Lafayette and its mission to preserve and enhance the city's semirural character is pure.

"She has a rich and unmatched understanding of the city's major physical, engineering, and development challenges," added Falk. "Ms. Srivatsa will serve ably as the city's interim city manager."

Srivatsa has a bachelor's degree in architecture and town planning from Madras University in Chennai, India. She and her husband, Sanjay, have two sons who attended Lafayette schools.

"I am honored and excited to be appointed as the interim manager for a city that I truly love," said Srivatsa.

"Our community is profoundly fortunate to have Niroop working for them as interim city manager," said Mayor Cam Burks. "She is an outstanding, deeply qualified leader who will play an integral role in moving our city forward," adding, "I couldn't be more pleased with the council's selection."