HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 20 Ratify Appointment of the Public Works Director
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AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: June 16,2008
Meeting Type: Regular
Department: City Manager'srce
Staff Contact: Gino Grimaldi
S P R I N G FIE L D Staff Phone No: 726-3700 '{
C I T Y C 0 UN C I L Estimated Time: 5 Minutes
ITEM TITLE: RATIFY APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Ratify City Manager's appointment of Susie Smith to the position of Public Works
Director, effective July 1, 2008.
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
The City Manager conducted a nation-wide recruitment for the position of Public
Works Director. The City Manager is requesting that the City Council ratify the
appointment of Susie Smith to the position of Public Works Director.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Susie Smith's Resume
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:.
Staff conducted a nation-wide recruitment for the position, opening March 7, 2008,
and closing on Apri125, 2008. The City received fifteen applications, conducted
telephone interviews with seven applicants and conducted on-site interviews with
five finalists.
Each candidate participated in four interviews. The interviews were comprised of
1) a community member panel; 2) selected Public Works staffmembers; 3) the
Executive Team, including the City Attorney; and 4) the City Manager.
Based on input from each panel, a review of written submittals and reference
, checks, Susie Smith has been appointed to the position of Public Works Director.
The City Charter requires that department head selections be confirmed by the
Mayor and Council. The intent of the language is to give the Council the right to
confirm senior management positions.
Recommendation: The City Manager recommends that the Council ratify the
appointment.
SUSAN L. SMITH
EDUCATION
Master of Science Degree--Urban and Regional Planning
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR; 1987
Areas of Emphasis: Energy and Environmental Planning and Economic Development
Bachelor. of Science Degree--Conservation of Natural Resources
University of California, Berkeley, CA; 1983 '
Areas of Emphasis: Architecture, Natural Resources Management and Planning
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Environmental Services Manager, MWMC General Manager; 1996-present
City of Springfield,OR
Planning Supervisor, City of Springfield, OR; 1993-1996
Associate Planner, City of Springfield, OR; 1989-1993
Assistant Planner, City of Springfield, OR; 1987-1989
Research Assistant, Bureau of Governmental Research and Service; 1985-1987
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Instructor, University of Oregon, Continuation Center, Eugene; 1986-1987
LEADERSHIP POSITI.ONS
'Commissioner, Oregon Water Resources Commission, State of Oregon; term expires 2008
Appointed by Governor Kitzhaber (2000-2004), Governor Kulongoski (2005-present)
Chair,' Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (ORACWA), Portland, OR; term expires 2009
Elected by statewide member agencies in 2007
Vice Chair, Board Member, ORACWA, Portland, OR; 1997-2001, 2003-2005
Commissioner (President for five years), Eugene Water & Electric Board, Eugene, OR; 1990-2002
Elected at large by City of Eugene voters in 1990, 1994, and 1998
Co-Chair, Traffic Subcommittee, Fairmount Neighbors, Eugene, OR 2005-present
Co-Chair, Walnut Mixed-Use Subcommittee, Fairmount Neighbors, Eugene, 2003-present
Board Member, Fairmount Neighbors, Eugene, 2004
Board Member, Solar Energy Association of Oregon (Vice President for two years), 1985-1989
ATTACHMEl ~T 1 - PAGE 1
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Susan L. Smith
paae 2
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND RESPONSIBiliTIES
Environmental Services Manager, MWMC General Manager , 1996-present
City of Springfield & Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC)
Manage the Springfield Public Works Environmental Services Division, including 26 staff in four major
program areas-MWMC and Local Sewer and Drainage Programs Administration, Industrial
Pretreatment & Pollution Prevention, Water Resources Management, and MWMC Capital
Improvements Planning & Construction. Assist in managing the Public Works Department and
representing and acting in the capacity of the Director on a regular basis.
· Active leader on the Public Works Management Team, providing problem solving, strategic thinking,
and project guidance in all aspects of Public Works. '
· Prepare and present communications to the City Manager and City Council, and implement
Council/City Manager directives to meet Council goals and objectives.
· Carry out policies and directives of MWMC, a seven-:-member commission of elected and appointed
officials that oversees wastewater management services to a metropolitan population of 235,000;
and maintain partnership relationships among Springfield,. Eugene and Lane County.
· Oversee City implementation of and assure compliance with State and Federal regulatory programs
related to stormwater, wastewater, industrial pretreatment, and hazardous waste.
· Develop and manage the complex interagency MWMC Operating Budget ($28 million in FY 07-08)
and Capital Improvements Program ($77 million in FY 07-08), including annual adoption by MWMC,
and ,Eugene, Springfield and Lane County governing bodies.
· Oversee the MWMC Capital Construction Program (staffed by Eugene and Springfield) to ensure
projects meet budgets, time frames, performance specification,s and regulatory parameters.
· Manage MWMC's contracted professional services including legal counsel, insurance agent of
record, financial advisor, and bond counsel (the latter two in cooperation with the Finance
Department).
· Manage development and implementation of MWMC's Financial Plan, policies and strategies, and
financial forecasts and user rates for regional and local wastewater and stormwater utilities.
· ' Represent the City and MWMC regarding regulatory agency and state legislative matters, including
negotiation, appeals, and implementation plans for environmental permits and regulations.
· Oversee customer service, citizen involvement, public outreach, technical assistance and
enforcement programs.
Notable Accomplishments:
· Managed development and adoption of several multi-agency long-range plans (including the
MWMC Facilities Master Plan, 1996; Biosolids Management Plan, 1997; Wet Weather Flow
Management Plan, 2001; Regional Wastewater Systems Development Charge Study, 1999;
MWMC Facilities Plan, 2004; Systems Development Charge Methodology Update, 2004; and the
2005 MWMC Financial Plan) necessary to expand wastewater capacity and meet environmental
standards, resulting in over $50 million in regional wastewater capital improvements constructed
under my leadership.
· Managed complex and highly political interagency approval process to modify the MWMC
intergovernmental agreement, and gain authorization for MWMC to borrow funds, leading to the
cost-effective issuance of MWMC's first $50 million in revenue bonds.
ATTACHMEJ ~T 1 - PAGE 2
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Susan L. Smith
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· Conducted comprehensive organizational assessment of the MWMC Capital Improvements
Planning and Construction section to prepare for construction of$200 million in capital projects.
Implemented a new organizational structure (including 10 additional FTE and new reporting and
design team responsibilities), a new web-based construction management system, and improv~d
processes and procedures to optimize the cost-benefit and effectiveness of our project delivery.
Chair, Vice Chair, Board Member
Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (ACWA)
1997 -2001, 2003-present
As chair, provide direct supervision to Executive' Director, and'lead meetings of the Executive
Committee and the Board. Represent the common interests and build consensus among over 80
member agencies providing wastewater and stormwater management services in Oregon. . Serve as
liaison to the DEQ on the State "Early Warning Team" and represent ACWA on DEQ advisory
committees. Lead the Board in annual strategic planning sessions. Assist in developing the program,
and preside over, ACWA's annual meeting and conference.
Notable Accomplishment:
· As Legislative Committee Chair, led the development and passage of legislation, in cooperatio!1
with DEQ and the League of Oregon Cities. The bin ultimately enabled wastewater management
agencies to continue land application of biosolids and reclaimed water on agricultural lands.
Water Resources Commissioner
Oregon Water Resources Commission
2000-present
I
Enact water policies for the State of Oregon through development of legislation and adoption of Oregon
Administrative Rules. Provide policy oversight to the State Water Resources Department programs
that implement and enforce state water laws. Establish construction standards and requirements for
water measurement, monitoring and reporting. Provide long-term strategic direction for the
Department. Act as a tribunal for interpreting state water law in contested cases, and water supply and
consumption disputes.
Notable Accomplishment:
· Significant contribution to the development of Governor Kulongoski's H20 initiative, which is
intended to provide a cohesive and effective framework for Oregon's natural resources agencies in
managing the multiple needs and objectives for the State's water resources.
EWEB Commissioner, President and Vice President
Eugene Water & Electric Board
1990-2002
Oversaw the affairs of a municipal water and electric utility serving about 160,000 customers with an
operating budget of over $150 million. As president for five years, provided leadership to the
Commission and staff, chairing meetings and seNing as primary contact with staff and media. Set
policies and rates for electric, water and steam seNices. Developed long-range financial, strategic, and
resource acquisition and protection plans. Represented the utility at the local, state and feder~llevel
regarding energy and water issues. Met with citizens and customers to understand their issues,
concerns and feedback regarding EWES activities, and worked with staff to meet customer needs.
ATTACHMEl N'T 1 - PAGE 3
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Susan L. Smith
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Notable Accomplishment:
· Spearheaded the development and adoption of EWEB's first Integrated.Energy Resources Plan
and led the political action committee and campaign to gain voter auth~rization for $175 million in
'revenue bonds to develop renewable energy resources. Eugene voters approved bonds by a
margin of 750/0 in favor, 25%1 opposed.
Planning Supervisor, Associate Planner, Assistant Planner
City of Springfield
1987 -1996
As Planning Supervisor, supervised Comprehensive Planning section of the Planning Division.
· Oversaw project management and daily work activities of planning staff and represented the
Planning Division in interagency planning projects and issues.
· Managed complex land use, infrastructure and natural resources planning projects; performing
project design and work planning, research, critical analysis, report writing, interdepartmental, and
intergovernmental coordination and supervision of staff and consultants.
· Represented and acted in the capacity of the Planning Manager as requested.
. Developed and managed the Planning Division budget.
· Reviewed development proposals to ensure consistency with adopted local, state, and federal
plans and regulations; met with developers and their representatives,resolved conflicts, and
presented findings and recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council.
Notable Accomplishments:
· Managed and completed the Gateway Refinement Plan (1991), including: review of land use,
natural resources, and development issues; development of long-range infrastructure studies,
including the plan to extend the Pioneer Parkway (now called Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.);
coordination of a contentious citizen advisory committee process; development of refinement plan
policies and Metro Plan amendments; and preparation and delivery of reports and presentations to
the metropolitan area planning commissions and elected officials.
· Managed the City's local wetland inventory project, including: grant writing and management;
management of professional wetlands consultants; outreach to property owners to gain right of
access; and development of GIS and database information on regulated wetlands in Springfield.
Research Assistant
Bureau of Governmental Research and Service, University of Oregon
1985-1987
Researched and assisted in writing technical reports related to local economic development strategies,
theories and linkages to energy conservation investments. Audited city facilities for energy
consumption and assisted small Oregon cities with the implementation of cost-saving energy
management programs.
Instructor
University of Oregon, Continuation Center
1986-1987
Instructed graduate level courses entitled Computers for Public Administrators.
ATTACHMEJ N'T 1 - PAGE 4