Pacific Grove to name Ben Harvey city manager.

Pacific Grove looked at over 60 candidates in its hunt for a new city manager, but in the end, the city chose the candidate already at city hall: Interim City Manager Ben Harvey. 

Harvey took over the post in January after former city manager Thomas Frutchey left to work in Paso Robles, and in just a few months, he has made a positive impression. 

"Ben brings the enthusiasm, expertise and leadership that Pacific Grove needs to continue to prosper now and in the future," Mayor Bill Kampe says in a statement. "We feel very fortunate to have him join our community."

Harvey, for his part, reciprocates that sentiment. 

"Pacific Grove is incredibly unique. It is a City with charm and appeal, unparalleled beauty and a strong sense of community," Harvey says in a statement. "I am looking forward to working closely with City Council, the city team and the community to continue to help preserve, protect and improve the high quality of life that is enjoyed here."

Harvey has worked more than 20 years in both the public and private sector, and his most recent gig was as city manager of Avalon, a small city on Santa Catalina Island.

Avalon City Council voted 3-2 to fire Harvey last November, but didn't make clear the reason for his termination. In an article in The Catalina Islander about the firing, Avalon Mayor Anni Marshall intimated she wanted a city manager who lived on the island. 

Pacific Grove City Council will vote on whether to approve Harvey's contract at its April 20 meeting. 

In the proposed contract, Harvey will receive $160,000 base salary and start with a balance of 100 hours of paid time off. 

Among the other benefits in the contract are a $500 monthly automobile allowance, a $3,000 monthly housing reimbursement and a one-time relocation payment of $5,000.