City Manager's Office

The City of San Juan Capistrano operates within the Council-Manager system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government city manager. The city manager is appointed by council to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is being served.

The City Manager's Office provides oversight of all City personnel and line departments and ensures that the City Council priorities are understood and implemented in partnership with area stakeholders and other government entities. Within the City Manager's Office are several divisions including Human Resources and Risk Management, Public Safety and Emergency Management, Open Space and Real Estate Management, Information Technology, and Special Projects.

The City Manager serves as the administrative head of city government and is responsible for the coordination and direction of all activities at the City within the framework of policies established by the City Council. The City Manager provides leadership to facilitate the effective delivery of municipal services, management of City operations, and the negotiation and administration of contracts. The City Manager also advises the City Council on policy and fiscal matters and prepares the annual budget for City Council approval. The City Manager is hired directly by the City Council. All department heads report to the City Manager except for the City Attorney, who reports directly to the City Council. 

Benjamin Siegel, City Manager

Ben Siegel has served as San Juan Capistrano's City Manager since February 2016. He has over 20 years of municipal management experience and previously worked for the cities of Laguna Beach, Lake Forest and Encinitas. Ben is passionate about making government more efficient and improving service delivery to San Juan Capistrano's diverse resident and business community. He has extensive knowledge in the areas of land use and development, transportation and public infrastructure. Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from UCLA, a Master of Public Administration Degree from Cal State Fullerton, and a certificate in Construction and Development Management from UC Irvine. He previously served on the Advisory Board for the Master of Public Administration program at Cal State Fullerton and created the City Management Fellowship Program, which enables high-performing graduate students to learn directly from local city managers outside of the typical classroom environment. He received the Stewardship Award from the Municipal Management Association of Southern California in recognition of his contributions to the profession.

City Manager Benjamin Siegel can be reached at (949) 234-4563 or at bsiegel@sanjuancapistrano.org. 

Matisse Reischl, Assistant City Manager

Matisse Reischl has served the City of San Juan Capistrano since 2015 in various roles of increasing leadership responsibility within the the City Clerk’s Office, Community Services Department and City Manager’s Office. Matisse currently serves as the Assistant City Manager and is responsible for overseeing the City’s emergency preparedness, real property activities, various projects and programs of community-wide interest, the Community Services Department, Human Resources Division, and Information Technology Division. Matisse earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from California State University, Monterey Bay and a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from Boston University.

Assistant City Manager Matisse Reischl can be reached at (949) 443-6315 or at mreischl@sanjuancapistrano.org.