Mayor Richard D. O’Brien and members of the Riverbank City Council took time at last week’s regular council meeting to acknowledge the contributions of outgoing City Manager Sean Scully.
Instead of waiting until the end of the meeting, where staff and council comments are usually heard, O’Brien took to the podium at the end of public comments, earlier on the agenda, to commend Scully’s service to Riverbank over the past five years.
Council member Luis Uribe and newly-elected Vice Mayor Cal Campbell followed in turn, and eventually council member Rachel Hernandez added her voice. Member Darlene Barber-Martinez also contributed her comments, but did so via Zoom call, from her home.
When it was his turn to comment, Scully read from prepared thoughts, fearful that he might be a little too emotional to just “wing it.”
He said he wanted to express his gratitude to the council, staff team and community for “allowing me to serve as your City Manager the past five years.”
Scully added: “I can say that they have been some of the most professionally rewarding years of my life. I am tremendously proud and humbled to have been able to be part of a team that has been able to generate so much success and progress over this period of time. Moreover, I’ve grown to truly love this city.”
He said he came to Riverbank “seeking an aggressive community that wanted to get things done, I came looking for a City Council that was open to new opportunities and allowed staff the flexibility to come up with creative solutions to challenges our city faced.”
He got just that, Scully noted, maybe more than he knew he wanted.
“Finally,” he concluded, “I’ll look back on my time here with pride and gratitude,” thanking “each and every council member, past and present” that he has worked with, noting that “You truly have made this responsibility a special experience.”
Scully pointed to those currently on the dais and said they have been a group he has enjoyed working with on a number of issues.
“For every bit of advice I’ve offered, you have each imparted wisdom, support and direction exactly when needed. Riverbank is very fortunate to have this group of elected officials who put this calling above so many other things in their personal lives, it is a true and honorable service. I wish you all the best and look forward to following your many collective achievements in the future.”
Just before the meeting resumed, Mayor O’Brien presented Scully with a gift, a decanter and four wine glasses, which he said was useful during “down time.”
It was Scully’s final Riverbank City Council meeting, and Friday, Jan. 14, was his last day at work. He is leaving to take up a similar position with the City of Lincoln, in Placer County, between Roseville and Rocklin, and northeast of Sacramento.