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Joone Kim-Lopez / Permanent Executive Director / Bureau of Sanitation / Appointment

Council File 26-0892

Under review — the City Council is preparing to vote on the Mayor's nomination of Joone Kim-Lopez as permanent sanitation director, after the Public Works Committee approved her on June 24. Her $506,757.60 salary is moving to the full Council vote without the usual committee step due to the July recess timing.

Introduced
2026-06-18
Last changed
2026-06-25
Status
open
Expires
2028-06-24
Committee
Public Works Committee
Initiated by
Mayor

Brief

The Mayor nominated Joone Kim-Lopez for the permanent position of Executive Director of the Bureau of Sanitation on June 17, 2026. The Public Works Committee approved the appointment on June 24, and a City Administrative Officer document was referred to the full Council on June 25. The file is now pending Council action.

Full summary

Mayor Karen Bass nominated Joone Kim-Lopez on June 17, 2026 to serve as the permanent Executive Director of the Bureau of Sanitation, the city department responsible for solid waste collection, recycling, and sanitation operations. The appointment requires City Council confirmation under City Charter Section 508(b). The Public Works Committee, chaired by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, approved the nomination on June 24, and the file now awaits a full Council vote. Alongside the appointment, Mayor Bass proposed a salary of $506,757.60 annually, which sits at the top of the general manager M-11 pay range. The Mayor also recommended up to $15,000 in relocation assistance for Kim-Lopez. Because the Council's July recess creates a timing constraint, the City Administrative Officer Matthew Szabo forwarded the salary recommendation directly to the full Council without the usual review by the Executive Employee Relations Committee. The salary would take effect upon Council confirmation or July 27, 2026, whichever is later. The CAO notes no General Fund impact, with costs absorbed within the Bureau's existing FY2026-27 budget. Kim-Lopez comes to the role from Moulton Niguel Water District in Orange County, where she has served as General Manager and CEO since 2012, overseeing water, wastewater, and recycled water services for six cities. Her resume highlights experience negotiating labor agreements, managing large infrastructure projects, and building regional coalitions. She also founded the California Data Collaborative in 2015, a data and AI initiative for water and wastewater utilities now representing 21 million Californians, and currently serves as a Governor-appointed commissioner on the California Seismic Safety Commission. She holds a master's degree in public administration from Cal State Northridge.

Activity (6)

  • 2026-06-25 City Administrative Officer document(s) referred to Council.
  • 2026-06-24 Public Works Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2026-06-24 Document submitted by City Administrative Officer, dated June 24, 2026.
  • 2026-06-18 Mayor document(s) referred to Public Works Committee.
  • 2026-06-18 Document submitted by Mayor, dated June 17, 2026.
  • 2026-06-18 Public Works Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on June 24, 2026.

Documents (4)

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