MONTEREY PARK - Planning and Code Enforcement Manager Jim Basham has been appointed the city of Monterey Park's director of development services.

Basham succeeds Adolfo Reta, who retired almost a year ago.

As head of development services, Basham will oversee 12 employees and three divisions: building, planning and code enforcement.
Basham has a bachelor's degree from Cal Poly Pomona in urban planning and a master's degree in public policy administration from Cal State Long Beach. He is a native of Southern California and has worked for several cities throughout the Southland, including Norwalk, Costa Mesa and Stanton before managing the planning department in Pico Rivera for six years. He has now been with Monterey Park for three and a half years.

"I was working here as the planning and code enforcement manager," Basham said. "I oversaw all the development and enforcing the municipal code - the city's laws - and enforcing them. That's how the two divisions come hand-in-hand."

Basham, who has worked for several cities as a planner, explained exactly what that is.

"A city planner is the person who oversees the physical development of the city," he said. "A city planner is also the individual who ensures the success and economic viability of a project."

So, how did he get involved in this type of work?

"I started off as an architecture major (at Cal Poly Pomona)," he said. "I met with the dean of the planning school and he convinced me to change because you have a better balance of understanding the actual physical makeup of a city and understanding the overall urban environment."

He added it is a very difficult job, especially in today's fiscal climate.

"The biggest challenge is getting through the budgetary process and maintaining the basic core services, which is helping the community," Basham said.

He also said he recently lost members of his department to the city's June round of layoffs.

"It's difficult to lose about one third of your department, so it's an opportunity to restructure the department to operate more efficiently and effectively," Basham said. "Part of the basic core elements is meeting the public service demands. You do a lot of cross-training and make people more versatile and you look at being more resourceful. You have to readjust your priorities as well."

But work goes on, he said, despite the economy.

"The priorities are still meet the demands the public is asking for, which is your public service counter assistance here at city hall still being responsible with at least a 24- to 48-hour turn-around for an on-site inspection," he said. "These are our priorities."

In addition, Basham said he is enjoying the job despite its challenges.

"I find it rewarding," he said. "What I find rewarding is the impact I have on my employees. I still have employees from 10 years ago after they've moved on and they call me and ask me for my planning advice and on how I'd handle a situation."

While Basham has his new position, there are still several other department directors vacant, including the redevelopment director, management services director and permanent police chief and city manager.

(Shel Segal can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)