This from an EU source who has been consistently solid in the past.
Murphy is reportedly gone as of October 2, and will be taking a job with the City of San Diego.
Murphy was hired by former City Manager Gus Vina, and had a rocky relationship from the start with both the council and the public. The perpetually failed Housing Element Update was the responsibility of his department, and residents say Murphy's Planning Department often encouraged property owners to build denser developments out of character with their neighborhoods. The City Council famously ripped into Murphy in 2013 when he tried to replace the 4/5 majority rule for upzoning with a 3/5 simple majority.
Murphy was most recently responsible for the new full-time, pensioned code enforcement officer who did almost nothing to address the downtown problems but instead harassed a Cardiff bar that wasn't bothering anybody.
A longer, but surely incomplete, history of Murphy's travails can be found here.
Well, more like he left. He wasn't ousted from what it sounds like, but there's some good turnover right there...
ReplyDeleteThe San Diego position has been vacant for more than a year, but Murphy left upon the arrival of a new City Manager. I don't think that's a coincidence.
DeleteAgree. Murphy was exposed the day Vina left... no one left to protect him from the pesky activists who persisted in pointing out Murphy's duplicity and code twisting.
DeleteGood riddance.
ReplyDeleteGood riddance to that arrogant, presumptuous son of a bitch!
DeleteThose comments are actually flattering compared to what folks in Encinitas really think of that clown with no plan.
DeleteGoodbye Mr. Murphy, you have accomplished next to nothing during your time here in our town. I can point out however a few things that you did do. It is widely known in and out of City Hall that you alienated your entire staff and bullied many of them as only a coward would do. You should be ashamed of yourself, but we all know that's not possible. You used this position as a short stepping stone to move on to now make other good decent people miserable to work under you. You earned respect from no one; nice job!!. Try not to get too upset watching your staff dancing in the aisles these next few weeks, its the first time these good people working under you have something to be happy about. You are now someone else's problem.......Adios!
DeleteTrue, the Council did rip into Jeff, but, how was he supposed to know that Teresa, Tony and Lisa were repeatedly disposed to violate local, regional and state laws? The new Manager is going to surprise people, she ISN"T going to break the law.
ReplyDeleteRegional laws? What legislative body makes regional laws?
ReplyDeleteGreat news. More house cleaning can't come soon enough.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sddt.com/news/article.cfm?SourceCode=20150910czi&_t=Jeff+Murphy+new+SD+planning+director#.VfImF2ZHanM
ReplyDeleteGood luck, San Diego - you're gonna need it!
Manjeet is next in command and every bit as sneaky as Murphy, but with the added kick of what appear to be anger management issues. The City better not even think about moving him into Jeffy's place!
ReplyDeleteAgree with this, completely. Manjeet is also about marketing and packaging, finding ways to twist the codes and the truth.
DeleteHere's a link to Seaside Courier's article about Murphy's departure:
http://www.seasidecourier.com/news/encinitas-planning-director-hired-by-city-of-san-diego/article_738990d4-5818-11e5-9d24-ef2d6960b079.html
Great News. More Directors need to go and quick. I know two the public and City Council can not stand. I'll give you a hint recent hires under Vina. More to come.
ReplyDeleteHope one of them is Lisa from Parks and Rec.
DeleteA few weeks ago Lisa Rudloff had something on the agenda about saving money--but not until after she had wasted $80,000 on Green Play for another survey of no value. She also said that she had been working on this for over a year-which means that she spent over $100,000 of her own time for a survey that about 50 city residents filled in. She needs to go!
DeleteWorking on something for over a year is not the same as saying a years worth of work has gone into it. She could have worked a total of one week's worth of work, but spread it out over a year's time. Not trying to defend, just pointing out the hole in your logic.
DeleteMurphy clearly pleased Gaspar's goals, with Shaffer praising him ad nauseum and his slickness no doubt fooling Tony. Muir - who knows? and Blakespear still wet behind the ears falling for his Byzantine explanations and excuses.
ReplyDeleteWhat will Manjeet do now without HIS protector?
Will the Council recognize that they need to hire someone who won't scheme, or does that not fit their various agendas, all of which end at overdevelopment as the goal?
Thank you Karen so much. This is a great start and welcomed news. Please continue to sweep the ineffectual slackers out of there. Next up, Manjeet and his minion, Masih the destroyer, and Lisa Rudloff.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to see you up there on the dais, at last, on Wednesday evening. You bring a fresh hope to this community that substandard performance will not be tolerated and thanked for constantly. There are others that have been skating by for far too long and I hope they will see the light and do their jobs instead of always farming out to highly paid outside consultants. So much waste has gone on but we finally have a local who knows what needs to be done and dumping Murphy is a great start. I am glad he has a job to go to as long as it is not here.
From what I have observed, Manjeet is more universally loathed than Jeff. He has a sketchy background and only seems to stay in a job a couple of years before he is gone.
ReplyDeleteHe has obligated us to nearly $700,000 in consulting contracts for the Housing Element that he was brought in to write. Counting his payment for the position that Jeff created and the outsourcing of his job, chalk up another million dollars in wasted taxpayer's funds for the Housing Element.
Apparently, Jeff Murphy placed Mike and Laurie under Manjeet so that they could train their boss! Let's hope that Murphy finds him a new position.
DeleteManjeet (and we) should be so lucky!
DeleteKaren had nothing to do with Jeff's ousting, but he had to know his days were numbered. With the curtain pulled back on the growing body of evidence of his underhandedness, he was riding for a fall. Vina worked hand in glove with Murphy; that surely would not have been the case with Brust.
Why not just end Manjeet's position entirely? It was created for him, and instead of doing the Housing Element, he has hired consultants to do it. It is bad enough to pay for poor performance one time but to have two layers of inept people doing the same job? No way!
DeleteEnd the funding for his job. He already has blown through 6 or 7 years of what was budgeted for his job. She could get rid of him today since Manjeet has gotten rid of himself by wasting the money for the job that he can''t do.
Get your facts straight. Ranu was hired to replace Tom Curriden who retired as City Planner. It was an existing position in the department which was the senior position in the section that handles development project review. The City Planner is also the secretary for the Planning Commission.
DeleteWhat has changed since Ranu was hired was transforming the City Planner position into the Deputy Director. The City Planner position was eliminated so there is no change to the number of employees. However, the Deputy Director still serves as the City Planner and now has other duties. It appears that Ranu is playing a large role in the Housing Element update.
So now we have a name and face to blame for this monumental failure!
DeleteIt appears that Ranu is every bit as sneaky and conniving as Jeffy.
DeleteWith regard to so called "facts," Tom Curridan had many year of experience and the respect of his staff and others at the city. He had knowledge and experience but a lesser title and less pay. Jeff Murphy brought in Ranu who is disliked by all but was given a fancy new title and more money without the experience and background. Giving someone a title and more money does not assure that they can do their job!
Delete7:39 PM
DeleteThanks Julie. We know you don't like Ranu.
Ranu likes Ranu, but can anyone name any other Ranu supporters?
DeleteWith all the slander about him being thrown around here I doubt anyone here would. Why don't you try running for council again and then you can take care of it.
Delete3:29 PM
Delete"So now we have a name and face to blame for this monumental failure" And what would you suggest? You don't still think the unpermitted accessory units are the answer.
As part of the BIA settlement, the city is on the hook to finish the housing element update and get it on the ballot next year. To get HCD's blessing there will have to be some up zoning, pure and simple. I realize everyone here wants things to stay the same but that isn't going to happen. If that effort fails then a judge will take over. The judge would probably suspend the Prop A requirements so the council can approve the HE changes which will be the same as the one on the ballot with possible minor tweaks. And to those who have professed a preference for having a judge overseeing things, forget it. The judge isn't going to get involved at the detail level unless the council utterly fails to approve an update. And yes, judges can suspend or invalidate local initiatives it they frustrate state statutes.
The problem here is many people are in denial and want to believe what is happening is due to evil people. Get over it.
I don't want things to change but I know that isn't realistic.
A judge cannot simply suspend a voter initiative. Only if a referendum or initiative, passed by the general public, is found to be unconstitutional can it be "suspended."
DeleteWe aren't really talking about "unpermitted" accessory units, but UNCOUNTED accessory units. Accessory units were allowed by right under the County, and the City of Encinitas codified this in 1993 with municipal code that allows one accessory unit BY RIGHT in single family residential zones. By right means, normally, no separate permit is required. Also, permit records pre city incorporation are notoriously incomplete, and the City Attorney and Planning know this.
The challenge is to count all existing accessory units in Encinitas, for our affordable housing. Jeff Murphy lied at a Council Meeting, telling Council they were all counted through the Census. Not true.
Council has put huge disincentives on those considering coming forward with pre-existing units, charging high fees, comparable to new build, in addition to an affordable dwelling unit (ADU) fee. Before Jeff Murphy, the ADU fee was instead of not in addition to other permitting fees charged only for accessory units not on record, but not forced to sign an affordable housing covenant.
Also, there was never an "in perpetuity" term for covenants under the former Community Development Director, Patrick Murphy. These are interpretations, under Jeff Murphy, which are further disincentives. Jeff Murphy did everything in his power to make sure that as few people as possible would come forward for the current amnesty, which has only a few months left. It's unfair for developers to get density bonus allowances, when they are never subject to in perpetuity covenants.
Jeff Murphy, like Patrick Murphy and past Councils, has consistently favored development companies and well heeled developers over the little guy wanting to do a remodel, to maintain and improve what is usually his biggest lifetime investment, his home.
Nice to have you back Lynn. First, accessory units are allowed by right in all residential zones. That isn't the issue. It's whether they were built with issued building permits and up to code (at least the code at the time of the permit). This would be true whether they were built before or after incorporation although the county was pretty lax back then. So why do we not know how many there are? Because many were built without building permits.
DeleteAs far as the census goes, they will count every unit they believe can support a household whether they are separate units or internal divisions of one unit. They will include all the units in the census count. What they won't do, and can't do by Federal law, is tell you where those units are.
Yes, judges can and do suspend or even strike down local initiatives if they conflict with state law. Just ask the city of Pleasanton who had a judge strike down the local initiative placing a limit on the total number of residential units within the city. Seems it prevented the city from a certified housing element.
There are fees for certain applications and then there are building permit fees. Since building inspections are carried out by a private contractor, there is almost always fees associated with it.
So the best way to count those uncounted accessory units if their owners won't step forward is to rat them out. Of course they won't like you very much for doing it. Can't say I blame them.
Wow. What a negative bunch. Truth is, when there is a leadership change, the second-tier managers often experience some turnover, too. This is normal.
ReplyDeleteI'd also like to explode some heads by pointing out that Jeff got a significant promotion. San Diego is the big leagues compared to our AA ball.
Happy Friday. See you in the surf.
Two is a good start. Let's hope that there is a herd of weasels driven from City
ReplyDeleteHall!
I love this. Murphy lands a prestigious position as head of the Planning Department for the eight-largest city in the U.S. but you think he is being run out of town. I guess our new City Manager is more powerful than I thought securing this for Murphy in only her first week on the job.
ReplyDeleteSo many of you are totally delusional.
Gus Vina also went to another city for a pay raise. Doesn't mean he wasn't skipping town just in time to avoid a public negative performance review and possible termination.
DeleteThis is just how things are done in government. Failures are allowed to move on gracefully. Dance of the lemons.
And the position is so "prestigious" that San Diego didn't even bother filling it for more than a year, or even post the vacancy for months.
Deletehttp://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2015/jul/02/ticker-faulconers-planning-director-nobody/
Vina went to a comparable sized city. The pay raise comes from the fact that it's in the Bay Area.
DeleteI'm not surprised that San Diego took so long in filling such an important position since only four years ago under Mayor Sanders the department was folded under the Development Services department with the Planning Director position eliminated. Then newly elected Mayor Filner (the sleazeball) resurrected the Planning Department as a standalone department and recruited a high profile professional, Bill Fulton, as its Planning Director. Down comes Filner, in comes Faulconer with a philosophy more akin to Sanders and out goes Fulton. The first thing any potential candidate is going to ask is where does the department stand. This is just a guess but I imagine that Faulconer took awhile making up his mind. I know when discussing cuts in the Planning Department, Faulconer spoke about getting back to completing the updates to many of the community plans that were woefully out of date.
So I doubt many potential candidates wanted to jump into a fluid situation. Who would want to change jobs and move only to have to do it all over again in a short time?
Whatever the motivation, going from Encintas Planning Director to San Diego's is definitely a step up in prestige.
As far as important positions going unfilled, look at surrounding cities, Oceanside as one example, who have a hard time finding a city manager. I think you could say the city manager is an important position.
But I know you'll believe what you want to believe.
10:46 AM
Delete"This is just how things are done in government. Failures are allowed to move on gracefully. Dance of the lemons"
I guess you don't follow the corporate world. Golden parachutes anyone? Even in the case of United's CEO whether or not the board fired him or allowed him to resign, he's laughing all the way to the bank. Maybe, although there is little evidence in recent years, he'll be indicted. What will probably happen is United will pay a fine.
Spin it all you like, but his record was catching up to him; in case you missed EU's link: http://encinitasundercover.blogspot.com/search?q=%22jeff+murphy%22&max-results=20&by-date=false&m=1
ReplyDeleteNext, check with inside City sources as so many of us have to find out why he was so nervous about sticking around. That will shatter your delusions.
The dude is smooth, I'll give him that, but he is the poster boy for the Peter Principle with this new position.
"... check with inside City sources as so many of us have ..."
DeleteOh yes, those reliable but unnamed "inside City sources". Take it to the bank.
Thanks, Jeffy. Now: buh-bye!
DeleteName one thing this Murphy law dude accomplished. Waste of taxpayers money. Guy camped out at the whole food patio whenever possible. Another accomplished worker.
ReplyDeleteMurphy is maybe a close second to Gus in being the biggest whiner and victim at the city. He is also an accomplished liar.
ReplyDeleteBut the, so are you 11:25 AM. Why are YOU not one of the weasels?
DeleteSomeone (4:55) well into their sauce. Ah, the possibilities....
DeleteI accept 11:20's challenge (just for fun).
ReplyDeleteMurphy only had one primary responsibility: to lay the groundwork for a 2016 vote on a housing element that complies with state law.
If you think we will have a vote in 2016, then he has done his job. If you think the council is likely to withdraw map submissions to HEU, scrap them and start over, then you can rightfully say he has no accomplishments.
Considering the positions of most of the commenters here, and the amount of shade thrown his way on this post suggests he has not been ineffective. He is hated because he has been effective at getting council to adopt and submit to HEU draft maps and policies that will form the basis of a 2016 ballot measure.
In short, he's effective because he's outwitted and outmaneuvered you, and that's exactly why he's reviled here.
We'll see how the vote goes. There is no telling how many former Kentucky clerks will show up to vote on the basis that settled law in higher levels of government can be overridden locally.
Wrong on why he is hated: he is hated because he thought he had to lie to get Council to make the HEU submission.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason he was able to outmaneuver residents, as you put it, is because Council has a morbid fear of not relying on "staff." Murphy had the perfect set up for his deception and he knew it.
The word "accomplishment" normally carries positive connotations. That you want to apply that word to dishonest work says a lot about you, 12:27.
What utter nonsense. If that helps you get through the day, fine, but don't expect the rest of us to swallow it.
Delete12:44,
DeleteLet's all stand for the recitation of the Obstructionist's Mantra.
Place your right hand over your heart, and extent your left finger in the pointy accusation position.
Ready, begin:
If I don't get my way,
then I must be a victim.
Jeff Murphy had this council so confused they didn't know what to do It would be wonderful if he could have been straight forward and honest, but since he wasn't, he no longer has the position in our city.
DeleteIf he worked for the city previously, what did he do there, and why did he leave? Anyone know the particulars on that?
I meant to say, "if he worked for the County of San Diego".
DeleteJeff Murphy worked for the County of San Diego in the Planning Department. He was recommended by Larry Watt, who was interim city manager and head of Public Works before he retired. Watt had also worked for the county.
DeleteMurphy is extremely ambitious. He applied to be city manager when Vina left, but certain roadblocks were thrown up to prevent that, so he had to look elsewhere. He's handicapped by his inability to work well with those under him, which caused a lot of grumbling at city hall that had to be dealt with. Murphy decided it was time to move on. Manjeet Ranu will probably be the next to leave. He and Murphy are two peas in the same pod.
Murphy's going to the City of San Diego.will be a real test of his competency. He will be taking the position of Planning Director that has had a long, trouble history and been vacant a year.
Fascinating how mediocre to poor performance results in promotion in the government sector. Mr. Murphy would starve to death in the real world....as would all the others at city hall.
Delete9:37 AM
DeleteSpoken like someone who has never worked in the public sector. You can find good and bad in the public and private sectors. Also, in the private sector you don't have to put up with all the people second guessing you and calling you incompetent. They still do but being in the private sector you can ignore them.
1:33 interesting parroting of Teresa's favorite term for those who dared call BS on city shenanigans. Sounds like your "obstructionists" have gotten in your way, perhaps more than once...with you sounding like a victim.
ReplyDeletePruim and Lisa need to go!
ReplyDeleteTotally incompetent and against the quality of life for existing residents in Encinitas.
Murphy goes to San Diego.
ReplyDeletehttp://m.seasidecourier.com/news/encinitas-planning-director-hired-by-city-of-san-diego/article_738990d4-5818-11e5-9d24-ef2d6960b079.html?mode=jqm
I read this article in the Seaside Courier. I can't believe GASpar said how wonderful he was and did such a good job. Now we know what planet she resides. Get her gone also!
DeleteThat should help fast track the new Charger's stadium :-) .
ReplyDeleteThe stadium and basically anything else he's paid to figure out how to get by the voter, which should be plenty.
DeleteFaulconer is pro-development. He now has his tool.
9:49- You just nailed it!
DeleteHeavy Duty gas smell in Leucadia today. What the hell is it?
ReplyDeleteWe just smelled it too.
ReplyDeleteLet's blame Murphy!
DeleteJerome's BBQ from his annual get together at James Bond's house?
Delete$tock$ stench smells on a daily basis.
DeleteIt's your upper lip.
Delete2:45 Don't quit your day job!
DeleteThe $tocks $tench remains for us to deal with. He packed the coffers of every dept. with his minions so his influence has remained for years. Sweep, sweep sweep, here comes Karens' broom to clean out all the deadweight. You are so needed and such a breath of fresh air Karen. May Murphy be only the first of many to find jobs elsewhere and leave us for other pastures. The $tench will remain until more have chosen to seek other employment. Sweep, sweep, sweep.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, GASpar and Muir need to go as they are part of the $tock$ stench.
DeleteGlen Pruim needs to go. That guy has no vision and only parrots the idiotic saying of his deputy.
ReplyDeleteThey both do not have a clue and need to go. Both dishonest and nothing to bring to the plate.
Let's just get rid of all of them and close up shop.
ReplyDeleteDeincorporate.
Deletehe has been kicked out because he is not doing his work properly.
ReplyDeleteBang your pots (had to bring it back!)
ReplyDeleteYou need to smoke your pot.
DeleteThe new City Manager needs to fire the failing Public Works Director Glenn Pruim for not doing his job and going against the direction of the City Council.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the Hall Park stormwater pollution and cover-up!
DeleteNow dump Sabine.
ReplyDelete