City government seems to be in Londi Lindell’s blood. An attorney who grew up in the Seattle area, enjoying the same name recognition as her well-respected attorney father, Lindell has practiced law, developed real estate and managed cities (Federal Way and Mercer Island) in her career, but she will soon return to city government.

She will be North Bend’s new city administrator as of May 1.

Lindell, whose contract was approved by the North Bend City Council April 3, says she has “a passion for local government. Local government is closest to people. I like that people can come and talk to their elected officials, I like that grassroots, community groups can make a difference and do things. I like to see the results of local government.”

A city, she said, offers “almost instant gratification on projects.” She referred to the “charming” downtown renovations in Snoqualmie, and added “I think North Bend has the ability to also, not reinvent itself, but just improve what’s there.”

Lindell offered another example from her last role in city government, from 2000 to 2008.

“I had that privilege in Mercer Island, where the citizens and city staff had planned and planned and planned for town center redevelopment, and I … actually saw that plan come to fruition,” she said.

Mercer Island was the last city she’d worked for, and her departure from that position made headlines for several months. Lindell was fired in September, 2008, for undisclosed reasons. She believes her dismissal was retaliation for her role in an investigation of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct by several city employees, including her boss, city manager Rich Conrad.

She made headlines again a year later when she filed a lawsuit against the city for wrongful termination, and again last June when the city of Mercer Island settled with her for $1 million. Around the same time, a judge fined the city $90,000 for a violation of the public records act, and ordered the city to pay Lindell’s attorney claims of $178,000.

Suing her own city, Lindell knew, would be a risky career move, but she was motivated by several factors, including the city of Mercer Island’s welfare.

“I wanted to protect the best interests of the city,” she said.

She filed her lawsuit a year after her dismissal, when she said, “I was finding that my opportunities’ doors were being shut.”  It was a difficult decision for her, she said, and one she has now put behind her, but “I strongly believe I did what was right,” she said.

So does North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing, who led the interview process for city administrator candidates.

“She was fired for standing on her ethics,” Hearing said, “I have no concerns whatsoever. She is literally a Duncan (Wilson, current city administrator) clone… they were cut from the same bolt of cloth.”

Hearing and an interview team of senior staff and council members interviewed the six finalists, selected from a pool of 45 applicants, in mid-March, and said, “as I expected, one person was going to rise to the surface, and be evidently the best fit, best qualified for the job.”

Lindell, with her experience in law, particularly land-use law, as well as city management, was the candidate with the experience, and something even more important.

“Fit was the number-one priority,” said Hearing. “Number two was legal, and number three was finance.”

Lindell spoke briefly at the April 3 council meeting after her contract was approved. She described her experiences as a real estate developer, which she saw as an asset to her new role. “I have that unique perspective of being on both sides of the (permit) counter,” she said.

She will begin her new role in North Bend on May 1. Her predecessor, Duncan Wilson, leaves the city May 15 for a position at Friday Harbor. Lindell said his praise of the North Bend Council and community were one of her top reasons for considering the position, at a much smaller city than she’s previously managed, in the first place.

“I’m doing this more for quality of life,” she said. “As long as North Bend still wants me to lead the city, I want to stay here.”

Lindell will be paid $9,262 per month. Wilson, who’s been with the city since 2006, was earning $10,018 per month.