The Sandy City Council selected Sandy Police Chief Kim Yamashita as the city’s interim city manager, with the departure of City Manager Seth Atkinson set for Monday, Jan. 9. Yamashita has already started working with Atkinson to get up to speed on city projects.

Sandy Mayor Bill King noted that Yamashita, one of two candidates for the interim position, has had
experience in very tough situations and been able to keep her cool, while
noting her ability to work with others.

“Her people skills really set her apart,” King said.

Yamashita joined the city’s police department as the chief in 2010, and she
sees the job as an opportunity to serve the city in a different capacity while
gaining some new life experience.

“I think stretching and growth is always important and good for you,” said
Yamashita, who noted she wouldn’t have offered herself as a candidate if she
didn’t think she could do a good job.

King noted that the council will hire an outside firm to lead the search for a
new city manager, and it will be the same firm that was used to lead the
search for police chief when Yamashita was hired for that position.

“We’re going to lean on them and see if they can strike gold for us twice,”
King said.

Yamashita expressed interest in taking on the position permanently after a
career spanning 24 years in law enforcement.

“I’m really proud of being a police officer,” Yamashita said. “I think it would be
a good way to leave on a high note and in good hands.”

King noted that the council owes it to the city’s residents to do a thorough
search and end up with the right person for the position, while adding that
Yamashita should be a contender.

“I expect her to be a strong candidate for the permanent position as well,” he
said.

Yamashita noted that the city is at a critical juncture, starting work on a new
branding strategy that will help create the “face of Sandy” for the next 15
years, while a number of projects are currently in different stages, including
the purchase of the Cedar Ridge Middle School from the Oregon Trail School
District to turn it into a recreation hub.

“We’ve got a long way to go on that project,” said Yamashita, who noted the
importance of community involvement in that process.

While Yamashita serves as the interim city manager, Sergeant Ernie Roberts
will take over as the interim police chief. Yamashita noted that Roberts is
versed in her vision of the police department and that she has “every
confidence” in him.

“I’m thankful for the council for the trust they’re displaying in me,” Yamashita
added. “(Roberts and I) both decided to just make the most of it, have fun
with it and learn from it.