Public works chief resigns

ARLINGTON – A reorganization of city government in Arlington has claimed another supervisor.

Iain Draper, Arlington’s public works director, has resigned. The move comes about six months after another supervisory employee, Sharree Lytle, was pressured to resign and City Administrator Kristin Banfield accepted a demotion to assistant administrator.

Draper could not be reached for comment.

Draper’s exit comes several weeks after Fire Chief Mike Ganz told the city he would not seek to renew his contract later this year, although Ganz insisted it was unrelated to the city’s reorganization.

Draper and Lytle were criticized in a city consultant’s report last summer for having an “ongoing, adversarial, unprofessional relationship” that undermined city staff’s work.

Their departments – development services and general services – were consolidated under a new public works department last year. Lytle’s position was eliminated and Draper was named director.

It was a poor fit, City Councilwoman Sally Lien said.

Draper was hired by former Mayor Bob Kraski in 2001 based on his experience with water and sewer issues as a municipal employee in Portland, Ore.

Draper was in charge of two large, difficult projects. One was oversight of the design of a new $8.35 million police station, which is now under construction and scheduled to open July 4.

The other, a proposed downtown improvement district, never garnered enough support among merchants for the City Council’s comfort.

Mayor Margaret Larson referred questions on the reorganization to Lee Walton, interim city administrator. Walton returned a reporter’s phone call, but later could not be reached for comment.

Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@ heraldnet.com.

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