THE STANTON CIVIC CENTER complex (OC Tribune photo).

By Reagan Cisar/Orange County Tribune

Stanton’s Community Services Director Zenia Bobadilla will take on the position of interim city manager, due to the resignation of the current city manager, following a decision by the Stanton City Council Tuesday evening.

Jarad L. Hildenbrand has served as the city manager since March 18, 2019. He recently announced his resignation to accept the position of city manager in Laguna Hills. Bobadilla will step in as interim city manager on May 16, 2022 at a monthly salary of $15,481, until a permanent city manager is appointed or as otherwise determined by the city council.

Bobadilla, as community services director, has taken part in securing funding for the revitalization of the Norm Ross Sports Complex, which is currently covered in gopher holes and dead grass, with lighting fixtures permanently dark. California State Parks allocated $7.69 million to the project in December, and city officials say they plan to complete the project by March 2025, with a new multi-sport court, group picnic areas, a dog park, and community garden. Bobadilla held feedback sessions across Stanton and consulted with local nonprofit organizations to assess the needs of the community.

In other action, the council:

• Approved a list of streets for repaving, funded through the State Transportation Fund.

• Applied for a $56,000 grant from OCTA to purchase and install catch basin connector pipe screens to keep trash from reaching local waterways.
• Gave the Finance Director of Stanton authority to execute Local Agency Investment Funds to improve the efficiency of current operations.
• Increased funding for the Stanton Family Resource Center from $300,00 per year to $370,800, under the County of Orange Family and Communities Together Program.
• Reallocated a $2,500,000 funding commitment for the Riviera Motel acquisition from the American Rescue Plan Act Fund to the Housing Authority Fund, allowing the City to fund several other initially approved projects that are not part of the current ARPA budget.

Additionally, the council discussed the homeless situation in Stanton and decided to conduct a self-assessment on the issue. They discussed the protection of public property, through parking laws and citations, as well as restarting the city’s business alliance to strengthen the effectiveness of security operations.