LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Chief Legislative Analyst Gerry Miller announced in a retirement letter to the City Council this week that he will be the next top city official to step down.
Since Mayor Eric Garcetti took office last July, several department heads, including Geraldine Knatz, Port of Los Angeles general manager, and Ron Nichols, general manager for the Department of Water and Power, have left. One of the mayor's campaign vows was that he would interview all of the city's department heads about key goals and improving customer satisfaction.
Miller, who has advised the council on some of its most significant policy decisions during his tenure, said his decision to retire on August 29, "did not reflect any dissatisfaction with the city."
"After nearly 30 years, and much thought I have decided that it is time to move on to explore other interests and spend more time with my spouse and family," Miller wrote.
Miller has worked closely with Miguel Santana, the city administrative officer, in advising the city council and mayor's office on financial and policy issues across the gamut.
"In his nine years as chief legislative analyst, Gerry Miller has been involved in every major initiative of our city," Council President Herb Wesson said. "He has been a wise counselor and a valuable resource to all of the council members, and he will be missed."
Garcetti called Miller "a key partner in the fiscal reforms that helped Los Angeles weather the Great Recession," adding that Miller will be missed.
In an interview, Miller explained why he is giving the city four months' notice.
"It is a key position for the city council, I want to give them time to find another person," Miller said.
He said also wants to close out some projects before he retires.
Earlier in his career, he was involved in negotiations to build Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.
The multi-purpose sports arena, which opened in 1999, was originally envisioned as a catalyst for further development to accentuate the city's convention center. Since then, billions of dollars have been invested to develop L.A. LIVE, a multi-block entertainment district that includes the Nokia Theater, several restaurants, and two high-rise hotels adjacent to the Staples Center.
Miller has been involved in negotiations with Anschutz Entertainment Group, L.A. LIVE's developer, to develop a National Football League Stadium and reconfigure the city's convention center by building a new contiguous convention hall. That project - which hinges on AEG attracting a football team - began in 2011, but has been stalled by AEG's inability to attract the NFL.
The massive entertainment group has until October to attract a team before the contract with the city expires, Miller said. The city has been developing a Plan B to build on to the convention center without AEG since last April. The city recently signed an agreement with AEG, however, for the entertainment group to manage the convention center.
Under the agreement with AEG, the convention center improvements would have been funded by up to $358.4 million in bonds to be repaid by payments from AEG through a ground lease agreement for the stadium site. The financing plan also includes between $93.4 million and $109.7 million in Mello-Roos bonds, which cities can issue by creating special tax districts.
Miller rose through the city ranks, from being a clerk in the CAO's office 29 years ago to his position as CLA, where he has worked for nine years. He moved over to the CLA's office as executive officer in 1998 from a position as the city's "bond guy," as he put it, or more formally the debt manager position now held by Natalie Brill.
The CLA's office worked closely with Santana's people in the city administrative office on the convention center and stadium financial plan.
Miller also worked with Santana on a report given to the city council in March recommending the city put a half-cent sales tax on the ballot in November to pay for nearly $1 billion in street and sidewalk repairs. The council has yet to act on the report.
"It's going to be a huge loss to the city," Santana said. "Gerry and I work closely together. He's been a real partner in getting the city through some of the most difficult times."
The CAO adds that both Miller's and his office have good working relationships.
"I hope that will continue," Santana said.
In Miller's remaining months, his work is cut out for him.
The city has made a tremendous amount of progress getting through the fiscal challenge, Santana said.
"The goal is to eliminate a fiscal deficit," Santana said. "We continue to build on that progress. We can't just rest on our laurels."
Garcetti said Miller has helped turn ideas into reality.
"If something had to be done he always found a way, whether through his experience, his intelligence, or his mastery of every policy tool out there."
