Budgets or burpees? Diapers or disciplinary reports?
After almost a decade in the city of South Miami administration — the last two and a half as city manager — Shari Kamali will resign from her job. The official announcement will be made at Tuesday’s commission meeting.
“I want to be a full-time grandmother,” Kamali, 64, said.
She’s aiming for an exit in January, giving the city about 90 days to name a replacement.
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Kamali advised some of her staff and commissioners on Monday that she was planning to move to Seattle, where her daughter just gave birth to a baby boy. After spending about month there with her newborn grandson, Kamali decided that he was more important to spend more time with Austin John Baxter than going over the same ol’ zoning applications and code enforcement complaints.
“The city is in a great place and everything is going smoothly,” Kamali told Ladra. “I love my job and it’s an amazing city. But it’s time for me to retire and let the new mayor and commissioners hire whoever they want.”
There will be a new mayor after Nov. 8, as Sally Philips is not running for re-election. There is also one open commission seat due to term limits on Commission Walter Harris.
Commissoner Luis Gil, who is running for re-election, said Kamali would not be easy to replace.
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“She is one of the best city managers we have ever had. Efficient, a civil engineer, a consensus builder,” Gil said. “She’s not into the politics. She’s not into the deals.”
Kamali has flown under the radar and has not been pulled into any controversy or political squabble since she was promoted in May 2020 to replace Steven Alexander, who left at the end of her contract, after having worked at the city and profited off the Ygrene solar panel program at the same time.
Kamali had served as deputy city manager for six years before that, overseeing the Code Enforcement, Personnel and Public Works divisions. Before that, she was director of Public Utilities, Public Works and Community Development (Public Services) for the City of North Miami Beach from 2010 to 2014.
The city commission meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 6130 Sunset Drive, or can be seen online here.
South Miami City Manager Shari Kamali ditches gov job for granny duty added by Ladra on
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