Horvath poaches West Hollywood’s Economic Development Director for her L.A. County staff

John Leonard, Economic Development Director of the City of West Hollywood, has resigned and taken a new position working with the County of Los Angeles.

E-mails to John Leonard at West Hollywood City Hall are greeted with an ‘`auto-reply’ message that says:

Hello –

My last day as a City of West Hollywood employee was Friday, December 2nd.  As of Monday, December 5th, I work for Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, and can be reached at jleonard@bos.lacounty.gov.

The following City of West Hollywood employees can be contacted for the following matters:

Thank you,

John Leonard worked his way up the ladder at West Hollywood City Hall, previously serving as the Community and Legislative Affairs Manager which serves as staff to the City Council.

Leonard began in the Housing Division where he acted as lead staff for the dissolution of the City’s redevelopment agency, including completion of technical State mandated reports, preparation of staff reports, interpretation of State legislation, presentation of all agenda items to the Oversight Board, and coordination with various departments and agencies.

He had also been a lead staff member for the adoption and implementation of the City’s cannabis ordinance; including, drafting of the ordinance, formulating cannabis related City fees, drafting application documents and selection weighting criteria (58 criteria), identifying and vetting application evaluation committee members, and overseeing the committee members review of 315 applications received for 36 available licenses (retail sales and consumption lounges)

Prior to those position Leonard served as a Senior Management Analyst where he oversaw the preparation of the City’s operating budget. Mr. Leonard was also a lead staff member for the issuance of a $20 million City lease revenue bond, which received AA+ credit ratings. He also managed the re-financing of a $10 million former development agency bond. For both of these issuances Mr. Leonard reviewed and edited all bond documents, prepared long-range financial projections, participated in rating agency meetings, and coordinated the City’s financing team, including the City’s underwriter, financial advisor, and bond counsel.

He also assisted non-profits with developing affordable housing in the City, including the review and financing of projects with multiple capital sources, including local, state, federal, and private funds. Mr. Leonard also monitored the construction of the projects, including tracking construction expenditures and release of City funds.

As part of his duties with the City John often drafted RFPs, reviewed submittals, coordinated contracts, and managed the activities of consultants. Mr. Leonard also gained extensive experience preparing spreadsheets, financial models, summarizing data, preparing staff reports, formulating recommendations, and preparing long and short term housing goals, projects, and programs for the City.