Hatch reveals why he is going

Lodi development chief says he did not 'fit' with boss

The lack of a good "fit" with his boss — not performance or health — drove Randy Hatch to resign his post, the Lodi development chief said this week.

Randy Hatch

"So much of being a department head is having that fit with your city manager," said Hatch, a veteran of 35 years in municipal planning, after news of his pending departure became public. "After a period of time, maybe that fit wasn't that good."

Hatch said he and City Manager Blair King mutually agreed last fall it would be best for Hatch to leave, following a six-month separation period that will end June 1.

King confirmed Hatch's resignation earlier this week, saying Hatch "performed to the expectations."

City Spokesman Jeff Hood said on Thursday that King did not want to comment further on Hatch's departure.

Hatch, who heads the city's Community Development Department, was hired by King in September 2005 and given a two-year contract.

That deal was not renewed last fall.

A clause in Hatch's separation agreement precludes both he and the city from making any disparaging remarks regarding "the parties' employment relationship and the circumstances under which it may have been severed."

Hatch said it was clear, however, that his style and some of his values as a department head "didn't seem to align with what Blair wishes."

Hatch took exception to King's depiction of him in a news story earlier this week as someone "who likes conversation." He said the implication was that he's a "gregarious backslapper," which is not the case.

Hatch said he's personally reserved, but goes out of his way to talk with his staff and the public as part of his leadership role.

"One of the things I value giving is a full explanation to the City Council and the public," he said. "I think it's very important to provide background and context. I pride myself on that."

He has worked from his Stockton home for much of the past four months, following major knee surgery — though he noted he should be fully recovered by June.

He said he's in the mix for several jobs at other cities. He also noted he's old enough to retire if he chooses.

Contacted earlier this week, Lodi City Council members Larry Hansen and JoAnne Mounce wished Hatch well, noting they enjoyed working with him.

They did not offer reasons for why Hatch is leaving the city.

Hatch's management duties in Lodi have been limited over the past few months, though he said he's logged about six hours per day working on the Wal-Mart Supercenter proposal, one that will be reviewed by city officials at the end of May. He has also attended numerous regional planning meetings for the city in recent months.

Since joining the city, the development chief has helped lead Lodi's General Plan update — a document that will guide the city's growth over the next two decades.

He also oversaw several large-scale development proposals and annexations, including Reynolds Ranch and the Westside and Southwest Gateway projects.

Hatch will continue to earn his $127,000 salary until he leaves.

His separation agreement does not include any one-time payments upon his departure.

The city is now searching for Hatch's replacement, King said earlier this week. Candidates from within and outside city staff will be considered, he said.

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.com.