“I’m real proud of my contribution here,” said Cosentini, who noted the move to Half Moon Bay is “really a family move for us,” with close relatives within driving distance and just several minutes away.Half Moon Bay has only 12,000 residents but it’s annual budget is $18 million, comparable to Santa Paula’s. Also in common is that Half Moon Bay has a strong economic foothold in agricultural and flower growing and another source being strived for by Santa Paula, tourism.“The annual Pumpkin Festival draws a quarter of a million people,” said Cosentini, and revenue from one local hotel alone is $1.6 million annually.Santa Paula, he thinks, is “Heading in a very positive direction, has some wonderful growth opportunities that will help with the economic situation. I see good things for Santa Paula in the future; I think the sphere of influence expansion was a huge accomplishment and moved us that much further to building in the city.”Tourism is in a “fledgling” state with the California Oil Museum, tourist train, and the “beautiful surroundings we’re in, tourism will continue to evolve in a positive way; we’ll get there. People love to come to Santa Paula and see the beauty it, things that are so beautiful for people who live in the asphalt jungle. These things take time,” as demonstrated by the growth more mature tourism locations.“Of course,” said Cosentini when asked if he will miss Santa Paula. “I can’t say enough about the managers and rank and file,” of City Hall. “They really put their oar in the water, believe in the community and do their best. . .it’s a good group and I can’t say enough about them.”The council will have a special meeting Monday night at 6:30 p.m. to discuss how to fill the vacancy and the timing of Cosentini’s departure; Half Moon Bay would like to see him come on board as soon as possible.Cosentini joined the city after an 18 month search and several council members said they want to fill the position permanently in a much more timely fashion.
SP City Manager Cosentini resigns for move to Half Moon Bay
October 26, 2001
Santa Paula News
Citing a wish to be closer to family members, City Manager Peter Cosentini gave notice that he has accepted the top job in Half Moon Bay in San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco and home to the hugely popular Pumpkin Festival. Cosentini joined Santa Paula in February 1998; his last day will be Dec. 23.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesCiting a wish to be closer to family members, City Manager Peter Cosentini gave notice that he has accepted the top job in Half Moon Bay in San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco and home to the hugely popular Pumpkin Festival. Cosentini joined Santa Paula in February 1998; his last day will be Dec. 23.“The Northern California location gives my family close proximity to other family members, which we have missed in our almost four year stay in Southern California,” Cosentini said Thursday.Some of the “more noteworthy” accomplishments Cosentini cited during his tenure include the “successful LAFCO approval of the city’s sphere of influence application. . .providing the most generous police and fire labor contracts in the city’s history,” strengthening the city’s troubled budget, launching the city’s housing preservation program and creation of Santa Paula’s Tourism Committee.His tenure was not easy: Cosentini came in just weeks before a large portion of the city had to be evacuated due El Nino flooding, inherited a divided council, had to oversee returning about $2 million in Redevelopment Agency (RDA) bonds and borrowing almost $1 million from the sewer fund reserve to pay the RDA back for overhead and salary misallocations initiated during the term of his predecessor. Cosentini also had to contend with the cost overrun of about $500,000 on the city’s downtown redevelopment project and the U.S. Department of Justice voting rights lawsuit which was recently settled.“I want to stress that everyone looks at all the things I had to deal with here but every city has its challenges, it’s just different everywhere you go. As managers we are problem solvers,” who expect to run into such challenges. Santa Paula’s seemingly cornucopia of troubles was “not overwhelming and not that unique. . .I’ve met the challenges, helped the city in a positive way and enjoyed helping the city.”“I wish him well,” said Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa, who was often pitted against Cosentini on many issues.“I’m real happy for Peter and believe he did a good for the city of Santa Paula,” said Mayor Don Johnson. “He did what he was hired to do, put city finances into shape and set some policies and procedures that will help us in the future.”The council had been aware Cosentini might leave; his new position will boost his Santa Paula salary - not counting benefits - of $100,900 to $125,000 in Half Moon Bay.
