New East Palo Alto city manager has roots in the community

This story was originally published in Saturday morning’s Daily Post. If you want the local news first, pick up the Daily Post in the mornings at 1,000 Mid-Peninsula locations.

BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Staff Writer

East Palo Alto City Council announced yesterday that it is hiring homegrown resident Melvin Gaines as the new city manager.

Gaines, 39, is currently the assistant city manager in Portola Valley, and before that worked in Mountain View and for East Palo Alto. Even when not working for the city, Gaines sits on the boards for two well-known nonprofits in town — Youth United for Community Action, or YUCA, and EPACANDO.

Gaines credits his work with YUCA in high school with leading him to wanting to improve people’s lives and communities, according to his board member profiles on both nonprofits’ webpages. Gaines was also a planning commissioner for the city from 2007-2008 and 2011-2012.

“I am very excited to hire Mr. Gaines and look forward to his leadership,” Mayor Lisa Gauthier said in a statement. “Along with his proven track record in local and regional government, his community knowledge is advantageous.”

“I am honored to be appointed as the City Manager of East Palo Alto, my hometown. I am truly grateful to the City Council and the community for placing their trust in me,” Gaines said in a statement.

Gaines is starting his new job on Jan. 30. The city will pay him $230,000 a year. He will be taking the reins from interim city manager Patrick Heisinger, who has served in the role since April. Heisinger announced on LinkedIn this week that he will be leaving East Palo Alto.

Heisinger stepped into the role after the city council decided not to renew Jaime Fontes’ contract after his initial three-year contract. Gaines is being offered a two-year contract, which the council will vote on Tuesday.

Also in Gaines’ contract is a $300-per-month auto allowance, and the city will pay for his membership to the International City/County Management Association.

If Gaines is fired by the council after six months on the job, he is entitled to half a year’s salary, according to his contract.

Gaines attended Foothill College before transferring to Santa Clara University where he got his bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental studies. He also has master’s degrees in urban planning and public policy from the University of Michigan.