New era in Cypress as Council selects new city manager

Cypress City Hall
Courtesy photo

After a vote Monday by the Cypress City Council, what seems like a new era is finally underway.

The board has a majority of new city council members, a new logo, a new legal counsel, a new meeting day and now, the Council has voted unanimously to approve Shannon DeLong as its new city manager.

She replaces former city manager Peter Grant, who left Cypress after nearly a decade in the driver’s seat and who is now the City Manager in the City of Yorba Linda.

“Shannon distinguished herself throughout the recruitment process with her depth of experience, strategic insight and clear commitment to public service,” said Mayor Leo Medrano in a statement.

“Her leadership marks an exciting new chapter for our City and we look forward to the energy and vision she brings to Cypress.”

Before she was hired by the Cypress Council, DeLong was the Assistant City Manager in Whittier.

“The City Council engaged in an extensive and comprehensive competitive search for its new City Manager. Following the completion of that process, the City Council has selected Shannon DeLong as the candidate who is best qualified to serve as the City Manager for the City of Cypress,” the city said in announcing the selection.

Shannon DeLong named new Cypress City Manager. She leaves Whittier as Assistant City Manager and starts her new position in Cypress March 30.

“Ms. DeLong has extensive experience in city management. For the past eight years, she has served as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Whittier. Prior to Whittier, Ms. DeLong worked for the City of Downey as the Assistant to the City Manager and the Library Director. Ms. DeLong possesses a BA and MBA and is an alumni of UCLA and Cal State Dominguez Hills,” it said.

Under the agreement approved by the Council, here are the parameters of her employment.

Term: Three years (March 30, 2026, to March 29, 2029), with two, one-year extensions
Salary: $315,000 per year
COLAs: Same as department heads, beginning in July 2027 – Deferred Compensation: $15,000 per year
Vacation Leave: 80 hours (initial deposit), 160 hours accrued per year
Sick Leave: 40 hours (initial deposit), 96 hours accrued per year
Severance: 6 – 12 months depending on longevity, in the event of termination without cause and conditioned upon general release.

DeLong starts March 30 while interim CM Sean Joyce will remain until then.

“I am honored by the City Council’s trust in appointing me as City Manager,” she said in a statement. “Cypress benefits from strong leadership, dedicated staff, and engaged residents, and I am excited to build strong relationships with our community members and business owners as we work together to serve this exceptional city,” said DeLong.