MARYSVILLE — The city’s public works director, Jim Owens, has announced his resignation.
Owens’ departure is voluntary and comes after discussions with Mayor Dennis Kendall and chief administrative officer Mary Swenson, city spokesman Doug Buell said Friday in announcing Owens’ resignation, which occurred on Wednesday.
Owens then left for a scheduled vacation. He is out of the state and unavailable for comment.
The change comes at a time when the city is engaged in significant public works projects, including a $17 million upgrade of the city’s sewage treatment plant, a 15,000-foot pipeline to connect the plant to Everett’s sewage treatment system, and the $6.4 million State Avenue Improvement Project to beautify the downtown area.
The City Council may appoint an interim public works director as soon as today. City officials first must approve a short-term contract, Swenson said. Dennis Kendall and the council will meet in executive session to determine the scope of the search for a permanent successor. That search could take up to four months, Swenson said.
A change in political leadership, such as a mayor or chief executive, often results in personnel changes as the executives set up an administration of their own choosing, Kendall said.
"We have differing management styles, and Jim is stepping down to allow selection of a new member of the management team," the mayor said.
The management team includes Kendall, Swenson, Police Chief Bob Carden, community development director Gloria Hirashima, finance director Sandy Langdon, parks and recreation director Jim Ballew, and the public works director.
Owens joined the city in September 2002. Prior to that, he served as interim public works director for the city of Fresno, Calif., and longtime public works director for the U.S. Navy at Naval Submarine Base Bangor and Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
The Marysville Public Works Department includes 80 employees and an annual maintenance and operation budget of $15.4 million.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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