City Clerk Sally Kilby Steps Down After 13 Years

The South Pasadena City Council bid farewell Wednesday night to City Clerk Sally Kilby, who oversaw 10 general municipal elections and is scheduled to step down at the end of December from one of the most important jobs at City Hall.

Shortly before taking a recess for a coffee-and-cake farewell reception in Kilby's honor, Mayor Richard Schneider thanked the outgoing city clerk for her 13 years of service to South Pasadena and presented her a certificate of appreciation.

Schneider recalled that Kilby was appointed city clerk in 2000 to serve the unfinished term of her predecessor Jeannine Gregory. Thereafter, Kilby was elected thrice to the post—in 2001, 2005 and 2009—in uncontested elections, Schneider said, adding that besides looking after the affairs of the city council, Kilby was in charge of official documents, requests for public records, claims, elections, broadcasting, webstreaming and communicating with the public through paper-based as well as electronic means.

“Her files contain 226 written  notes, emails, and phone messages from residents, city managers, non-profit organizations, elected officials, and staff, thanking her for her efforts to assist them and for her work on behalf of the city,” the mayor said.

Kilby’s successor, Evelyn Zneimer, was elected unopposed in the Nov. 5 municipal elections. Zneimer will, however, not be a full-time city employee because Kilby’s job is being split into two, and its day-to-day responsibilities will be carried out by Deputy City Clerk Desiree Jimenez.

In a short speech, Kilby said she hopes to leave behind “a complete written record of all that’s happened in 13 years.” The record includes 4,000 pages of city council minutes, she said, adding: “To move forward, we must know what happened.” 

Kilby thanked a string of South Pasadena residents and officials, both current and past, for serving the city.

“The 710 grassroots movement has come so far,” Kilby said, paying tribute to those who had helped oppose Caltrans plans to sever the city in half by building the 710 freeway through South Pasadena. “Gone but not forgotten are freeway fighters Bob Siev, Gus Hyland, Diana Stoney, Dick Richards, & Citizens United,” Kilby said.

She described the Gold Line as “a total victory” for South Pasadena, resulting from the efforts of many residents, city council members and attorneys.

“It has been a great satisfaction to me to assist people through the intricacies of submitting candidacy papers, hearings, arranging for special recognitions, handling appeals, planning and building, tree issues, voting issues, claims, complaints, information requests, records requests, speaking at city council meetings, reaching city council, and plethora of other important issues,” Kilby said toward the end of her speech, which was met with a hearty applause from the packed council chambers.

“It has been a joy to serve you.”