During a recent meeting on June 28, the Mill Creek City Council voted to extend a conditional offer to Martin Yamamoto for the role of City Manager, following a 5 to 1 decision. City Attorney Grant Degginger has been tasked with negotiating an employment agreement for Yamamoto, whose leadership has been pivotal since he took on the Interim City Manager role. Mayor Brian Holtzclaw praised Yamamoto's ability to "steady the ship" after the previous manager's departure and expressed confidence in his qualifications to lead the city forward. With a background as Deputy City Manager since 2021 and a decade of experience in the City of Seattle, Yamamoto brings a wealth of expertise in fiscal management. His participative management style emphasizes collaboration and open communication, which he believes will enhance operational effectiveness.

Yamamoto's key achievements include initiating the first phase of Mill Creek's rebuilding process and appointing Stan White as Acting Chief of Police. He is eager to work with the City Council and staff to improve both the quality of life for residents and the business climate. Yamamoto's commitment to maintaining high service standards positions Mill Creek to tackle its long-term priorities effectively.