The Sacramento City Council announced Thursday that it hired two interim city managers in the wake of interim city manager Gus Vina’s resignation.

Mayor Kevin Johnson announced that the council had selected William H. Edgar as interim city manager, and Betty Masuoka as interim deputy city manager.

Edgar will take the lead in the interim city manager duties and Masouka will assist him.

Masuoka is a former Sacramento assistant city manager and Edgar is a former city manager.

“We were asked to consider the idea of coming on as a team,” said Edgar, “and we thought it was a great idea. We are pleased and honored to accept this appointment.”

The closed session meeting began at 3:30 p.m., and less than 30 minutes later, the mayor and council members returned with the announcement.

“The City Council by unanimous vote has appointed Bill Edgar as the interim city manager for the city of Sacramento, effective April 9,” Johnson said. “And we also have appointed Betty (Masuoka as interim deputy city manager during the time of Bill Edgar’s appointment.”

The council opted to begin a national recruitment search for a permanent city manager instead of offering the position to Vina. On March 25, Vina announced his resignation effective April 8. 

Sacramento City Clerk Shirley Concolino spoke briefly to The Sacramento Press as the council was deliberating behind closed doors.

“The average statewide tenure for a city manager is around four to five years,” Concolino said. “Gus Vina was our second one in about 16 months.”

After the mayor made the announcement, Edgar took the podium to speak to the council.

“We believe our major goals and priorities during this period are really threefold,” Edgar said.

“First, to complete the adoption of the budget prior to the 2011-2012 distribution, second, to assist you in the timely recruitment of a new city manager for our great city … and three, to provide some departmental oversight during this period to ensure that the business of the city is carried out in a professional manner,” Edgar said.

“Again thank you, to you mayor and the members of the council for allowing both of us to be of service,” Edgar added.

Masuoka said the city faces a challenging time. “But we are very excited about the opportunity we’ve been given,” she said.

Marcia Mooney and Linda Norman, business representatives from the International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Local 39, responded positively to the appointments.

“We feel the council made the right decision,” Mooney said. “(Edgar and Masuoka) bring a lot of experience with them.”

Mooney said that city employees have suffered six waves of layoffs in recent months. “It’s really been bad for everyone,” Mooney said.

“We’re hopeful that they will accomplish some good. Especially with the budget,” Norman said. “That’s really the biggest issue right now.”

The budget is scheduled to be released by May 1 and must be approved by June 30.

Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy said she was pleased with the council’s appointment of both an interim city manager and a interim deputy city manager together.

“I have no doubt in my mind that they can do a good job,” Sheedy said. “They’ve both been here before, and they understand how the city ticks. They can step right into the job.

“It’s a win for the city,” Sheedy said.

Videos by Melissa Corker

Mayor Kevin Johnson announces the appointments of Bill Edgar as interim city manager and Betty Masuoka as interim deputy city manager.

Bill Edgar addresses the council and accepts the position of interim city manager.