Home > City Beat > Archives > City manager category
City manager
April 30, 2009
City manager praised at review
Austin City Council members praised City Manager Marc Ott after his first job-performance review Thursday.
Because of tight city finances, he didn’t get a raise. His pay and benefits will continue to be $242,000 a year, plus an executive allowance, car allowance and cell phone allowance that total $17,220.
“I want to compliment the city manager on going through some very difficult challenges, creating a more transparent budget process … and bringing in some outstanding individuals to help lead this organization to the place I think we all want it to be,” Council Member Mike Martinez said. “I look forward to continuing to work with you next year.”
“I also would like to compliment the city manager on a very outstanding year. I appreciate his recent outreach efforts to the community, and I’d like to emphasize how proud the African American community is that you are here,” said Council Member Sheryl Cole.
“It continues to be an honor and a privilege to serve as your city manager,” Ott said.
Ott replaced longtime City Manager Toby Futrell last February and had to cut the 2008 city budget and this year’s as the economy tanked and sales tax revenue took a dive. Recently he said more will have to be cut in 2010.
He’s filled several high-level jobs, negotiated contracts with the police and paramedics unions and started a program to speed up road reconstruction projects as a kind of local-level stimulus plan.
He’s also faced some criticism in his first year, most notably because he was not aware of the fire at the Governor’s Mansion until the day after it occurred.
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
February 18, 2009
Ott talks about first year
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Marc Ott taking over as Austin’s city manager.
He’s faced some tough challenges — sheltering evacuees from two hurricanes, cutting the budget, and having to hire several folks for high-level jobs that were vacant when he arrived.
Ott held a Q&A this morning with reporters over breakfast tacos and OJ. A few of the topics covered:
Ott said he was proud to have appointed the city’s first female fire chief, Rhoda Mae Kerr.
He said he’s tried to bring more transparency to City Hall by doing things like holding budget workshops for the City Council and having public meetings before choosing the new parks director, Sara Hensley.
The thing that’s surprised him the most is “process and transparency get pressed here more than any other place I’ve been.” Translation: we’re a city that loves public hearings and having a say in things.
He couldn’t name any regrets from the past year. “I’m a look-forward kind of person,” he said. “I feel like I tried to make the best decisions I could.”
Navigating the delicate balance of running the city (Ott’s role) versus setting policy (the City Council’s job) is “more of an art than a science. It’s not a hard line.”
When he said recently that there is “another Austin” that often gets overlooked, Ott was referencing East Austin. “There does appear to be a pretty hard line of demarcation that I think we need to work harder to address. I sense a lot of anger and frustration (from those residents.) They want the city to pay greater attention.”
He might suggest some extra cuts when he presents a final budget-cutting plan to the City Council next week. One possibility? Trims to the fire department. Last week he proposed $20 million worth of cuts to the full city budget, but didn’t suggest cuts from fire services so that Kerr could have a chance to settle in to her new role.
The city’s public information staff handed out a list of fun facts about Ott. His favorite Austin experience so far? Attending First Night. Most recent movie he saw? “Hotel for Dogs,” with his two young kids. Hobbies? Sketching and lifting weights.
Permalink | Comments (35) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
Ott: Austin's road-maintenance plan wouldn't cut it in most cities
Austin’s plan for maintaining its roads “outraged” City Manager Marc Ott when he first took over about a year ago, he said Tuesday night.
Ott, speaking at an Austin League of Women Voters event, and responding to a question about what surprised him most when he arrived in Austin, said he found at his hiring that the City Council had at some point approved an “80/20” road-maintenance policy for the staff to follow: 80 percent of the roads kept in excellent, good or fair condition.
By extension, Ott pointed out, that puts 20 percent of Austin’s roads in poor condition — offending his sensibilities as someone who worked a lot with roads and other infrastructure in Michigan and then in Fort Worth, where he was an assistant city manager and oversaw transportation and public works.
Ott said the average city nationwide has about 8 percent to 9 percent of its roads in poor condition. He said about 12 percent of roads were in poor condition when he arrived in Fort Worth. The city, he said, got that number down to about 7 percent when left.
“I was outraged that the percentage of poor roads was actually closer to 25 percent” in Austin, Ott said. “In Fort Worth and other cities I worked in, that would be unacceptable.”
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
December 23, 2008
Ott selects city's new communications director
From the City of Austin:
City Manager Marc Ott announced today the appointment of Doug Matthews, the Public Communications Director in Clearwater, Fla., as the City of Austin’s Chief Communications Director.
Matthews has extensive experience in municipal government communications, building an award-winning communications team in Clearwater after developing the first communications office for the City of Largo, Fla. He will begin in Austin Feb. 23. “Matthews knows how to use new technology as well as old methodology to reach all sectors of a community,” Ott said. “He has a broad view of communications and the know-how to use all tools to reach out to inform the public. He will continue our efforts toward a more transparent government, building the community’s trust in our goal to become the best managed city in the country.”
In Clearwater, Matthews’ oversight included media relations; Web content; government-access television; print design and production; employee communications; public outreach and engagement campaigns; and citywide surveys. While there, he led the development of a citywide strategy for enhancing public involvement and championed the use of new technologies to build connections with residents.
In Austin, he will oversee a staff of 15. He will serve on the City Manager’s executive team. Matthews is a member of the 2009 Leadership Class of the International City/County Management Association and a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute of the University of Virginia. He has a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism (advertising/public relations) from the University of Central Florida. He has earned multiple awards and recognition from the Florida Government Communicators Association, the City/County Communications and Marketing Association, the Florida Public Relations Association and the Florida Festivals and Events Association.
The City Manager also announced that interim Communications Director David Matustik will serve as Deputy Communications Director. Matustik has more than 30 years communications experience — 25 in Austin. He is in his 14th year with the City of Austin’s Communications and Public Information Office.
Matustik served as interim director since June, following the resignation of Gene Acuña. He fills the deputy vacancy created by the departure of Julie Beggs in September. Matustik, who did not apply for the director’s position, was previously the senior public information/program manager in the department.
Approximately 280 from throughout the country applied for the director’s position. Twenty were initially interviewed; then six brought in for a round of face-to-face interviews last week with City Executive Team members, department directors and members of the City’s public information network. Those six also met with media members. City Manager Ott made his choice from three finalists.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
December 18, 2008
Ott housing allowance pulled down
The Austin City Council, as expected, pulled down a measure that might have extended a $4,500-a-month housing allowance for City Manager Marc Ott. Ott, who joined the city early this year, had had that allowance for the first nine months of his contract in consideration of his having left behind a home in Fort Worth when he took the Austin job.
Ott has so far been unable to sell the Fort Worth home and is paying two mortgages. Given that, the council had been scheduled to consider extending the allowance. But criticism surfaced in recent days and the council dropped the item from today’s agenda.
The council also delayed action on a “zero-waste” plan for how it handles garbage — that will come up Jan. 15 — and on a long-range plan for Barton Springs improvements. It isn’t clear when the Barton Springs item will reappear on the council’s plate.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
October 9, 2008
City Hall shuffle
Effective Monday, David Lurie, who had been serving as acting assistant city manager since March 18, returned to the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department as its director, said the department’s Bob Corona.
Lurie had been filling in for Bert Lumbreras, who is the assistant city manager over the Community Care Services, Health and Human Services, Library and Parks and Recreation departments, Corona said.
Meanwhile, Lumbreras was filling in for Michael McDonald, the assistant city manager who oversees the police, fire and emergency medical services departments, Community Court and the Office of Emergency Management.
McDonald had been temporarily assigned to represent the city in collective bargaining negotiations with associations of police, fire, public safety officers and EMS employees, according to Corona. The city council on Sept. 25 approved new contracts with the Austin Police Association and Austin-Travis County EMS Employees Association.
Lumbreras and McDonald also returned to their positions on Monday, Corona said.
While Lurie was at City Hall, Shannon Jones served as acting director of the Health and Human Services Department. Corona said Jones has returned to his previous role as assistant director over public health.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
September 24, 2008
Latino leaders to talk with council about Ott
Members of the Hispanic group Unidos plan to meet with Austin City Council members in the next few weeks to express their concerns about City Manager Marc Ott.
The group shares the concerns of 10 Latino political and business leaders who met with Ott last month, Unidos founding member Rita Gonzales-Garza said. Unidos wants Ott to hire more Latinos for executive-level city jobs, and improve upon hiring minority firms for city contracts, she said.
Unidos is an umbrella group for several organizations, including chapters of NOW and LULAC and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The 10 Hispanic leaders who met with Ott last month, who included former Austin mayor Gus Garcia and former state senator Gonzalo Barrientos, have said Ott was defensive and combative. Ott hasn’t commented on the specifics of that meeting, but has said he values Austin’s diversity and wants to work with everyone to make this the best city in the nation.
Unidos had planned to meet with council members today at 2 p.m., until someone inadvertently sent out an e-mail alerting the media to the meeting. The meeting has been cancelled and Unidos will set up meetings with individual council members, Gonzales-Garza said.
She said the group also wants to talk with council members about ways to open up a dialogue and improve its relationship with Ott. It has not yet met with Ott but plans to at some point, she said.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
September 22, 2008
New parks director named
Sara Hensley will be the new director of Austin’s parks system, City Manager Marc Ott announced today.
Currently the parks and recreation director in Phoenix, Ariz., Hensley has also served as a parks director in Champaign, Ill., Virginia Beach, Va., and San Jose, Calif.
Hensley will take over on Dec. 1 for Stuart Strong, who did not apply for the job and will stay on as an assistant director.
Hensley will oversee Austin’s 16,700 acres of parks and trails, a $55.3 million budget and about 570 employees.
She began her career in Austin, working as a parks program supervisor starting in 1985.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
August 13, 2008
Chief information officer resigns
Pete Collins, who is under investigation amid accusations of using city resources for personal gain, has resigned his post as Chief Information Officer for the City of Austin.
City Manager Marc Ott accepted Collins’ resignation today after receiving a one-sentence letter from Collins.
Collins has been on paid administrative leave since June 18 after an employee reported he was using city resources for a personal project. The city has not said what resources were used or what the project was.
The Travis County District Attorney’s office declined to pursue charges against Collins following an investigation by the Austin police. A city administrative investigation ends with Collins’ resignation, according to a statement issued by the city this afternoon.
Collins started working for the city as a police cadet in January 1993. He worked as an officer for three years and then transferred to information systems. He became chief information officer in 2004.
Ott said he will conduct a national search to find Collins’ replacement.
“The resignation allows the city to move forward on vital technology projects without the uncertainty for employees of what will happen next,” Ott said in a written statement. “Mr. Collins’ decision puts an end to this personnel issue.”
Collins, whose salary was $154,315, will receive $65,743 as part of his separation agreement with the city. The payment equals 366 hours of accrued vacation leave and three months of his base salary, according to the agreement.
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
June 26, 2008
Ott appoints new communications director
Austin City Manager Marc Ott has appointed David Matustik the interim communications and public information director.
Matustik, a former Statesman reporter and editor, has worked for the city for 13 years and served as an interim communications director twice before.
He replaces Gene Acuna, who resigned on June 19 at Ott’s request. One of the reasons Ott gave was that Acuna and Acting Fire Chief Jim Evans did not contact him about the fire at the Governor’s Mansion, leaving Ott unaware of the blaze for a day.
“Matustik has developed relationships in the community, with the media and with the city workforce that will serve both the public and the city organization well,” Ott said in a written statement.
He said he will do a search for a permanent director that could take a few months.
Matustik, 53, worked at the Statesman from 1984 to 1992 as an assistant city editor and a reporter. Previously, he worked for the Richardson Daily News, the Irving Daily News and the Temple Daily Telegram.
His new salary has not been determined yet.
The communications director oversees media services, Channel 6 (a station that broadcasts city meetings), news content on the city’s Web site and open records requests, among other things.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
May 8, 2008
Ott appoints new chief of staff
Plucking another Fort Worth employee, City Manager Marc Ott on Thursday announced that Anthony Snipes will be appointed Austin’s Chief of Staff.
Snipes, who supervised the Business Services Division of the Fort Worth Water Department, will start in Austin mid-June. He replaces Kristen Vassallo, who left the city May 2. His salary will be $160,000.
In a news release, Ott boasted Snipes’ work on water related issues including customer service and conservation and drought management. He has also served as acting human resources director, assistant to the city manager and senior assistant to the city manager in Fort Worth.
Snipes will oversee the staff of the city manager’s office and a number of departments: Neighborhood Housing and Community Development, Human Resources, Communications and Public Information, the Agenda Office and Government Relations.
“I’ve worked with Anthony and know what diverse skills he brings to Austin,” Ott said. “His experience in city government will be a vital asset for the departments he will oversee.”
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
Ott appoints interim assistant city manager
Sue Edwards, director of economic growth and redevelopment services, will serve as acting assistant city when current ACM Laura Huffman steps down in May.
City Manager Marc Ott announced Edwards’ appointment Wednesday, noting that she will assume the job on May 19. Rodney Gonzales will fill in as department director in her absence.
“Sue has more than 20 years of service with the City,” Ott said in an email to the mayor and council members. “Her experience and expertise will prove valuable during this transition.
Huffman will be leaving the city May 16 to take a job as director of the Nature Conservancy of Texas. Ott has said he will perform a national search to find her replacement.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment Categories: City manager
March 18, 2008
New EMS director appointed
City Manager Marc Ott announced today that Ernesto “Ernie” Rodriguez is the new director of Austin-Travis County EMS.
Rodriguez has been serving as acting director of the department, which has more than 400 employees, since July 8, 2007. He replaces Richard Herrington, who retired last year.
Rodriguez joined Austin-Travis County EMS in 2006 as deputy director. He had previously worked in emergency medical services in Fort Worth and Corpus Christi. Rodriguez also served as assistant state EMS director for the Texas Department of State Health Services Bureau of Emergency Management in Austin.
Rodriguez is the third person Ott has appointed as a department director since he took over as city manager in February. He also created and filled a new assistant city manager position.
Permalink | | Categories: City manager
