The Interim City Manager of the City of Monterey Park announced the appointment of Jim Basham as the new Director of Development Services effective June 26, 2010. The Director of Development Services is responsible for the administration and operation of three divisions; Planning, Building and Safety and Code Enforcement. The Department is responsible for providing services that promote the community’s short and long term development interests in maintaining Monterey Park’s traditionally high standards of development in its residential, commercial and industrial areas. Mr. Basham brings over 20 years of leadership and management experience in community development.

“I am delighted that Jim has agreed to take on the role as Director of Development Services in Monterey Park,” said Interim City Manager Don McIntyre. “Jim’s qualifications demonstrate exceptional leadership and I am confident he will continue to work collaboratively toward achieving the City’s goals and objectives during these tough economic times.”

From February 2007 to present, Mr. Basham served as Planning Manager of the City of Monterey Park where his achievements included creating planning and code enforcement administrative policies to improve work performance and implementing ordinances to address community concerns with regard to abandoned shopping carts, prohibiting vendors on public right-of-ways and banning medical marijuana dispensaries.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from the California State Polytechnic University of Pomona, Jim earned his master’s degree in Policy Administration from the California 
State University of Long Beach. Before joining the city of Monterey Park, he served as the Principal Planner for the City of Pico Rivera from 2001 to 2007.

Mr. Basham is a member of the American Planning Association and has served on many professional and community organizations throughout his career.