LTC 261-2012 Staffing Changes (2) NA e i A��
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 261 -2012 LETTER TO COMMISSIOtll �
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TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission —�
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FROM: Kathie G. Brooks, Interim City Manager y
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DATE: October 12, 2012
SUBJECT Staffing Changes
As we begin the new Fiscal Year, there are a few staff transitions that are occurring that
I want to share with you.
Human Resources Director Ramiro Inguanzo has resigned from the City effective
October 7, 2012. 1 have initiated the recruitment process for his replacement so that
there will be a list of candidates for the permanent City Manager to consider. In the
meantime, City Clerk Rafael Granado (and former Human Resources Assistant Director)
will oversee the Human Resources Department on a day -to -day basis. I have also hired
on a temporary basis Sylvia Crespo -Tabak to assist and provide supervision during the
transitional period. Sylvia has over 20 years of experience as a human resources and
labor relations professional having spent the bulk of her career at Miami Dade County as
a Personnel Operations Administrator for Recruitment and Compensation; Senior
Budget Analyst for the Office of Strategic Business Management; Chief of the Office of
Fair Employment Practices for Miami Dade Transit; Chief of Labor Relations for Miami
Dade Transit; and a Labor Relations Manager. Previously to working with Miami Dade
County, Sylvia spent 4 years working for Jackson Memorial Hospital in a number of
human resources related areas. Sylvia will play a critical role on our Labor Relations
team as we continue with the collective bargaining process with each of the unions.
Redevelopment Coordinator Kent Bonde has retired after 25 years of service with the
City. In anticipation of this, the City began transitioning his responsibilities to Maria
Poncel earlier this year when Maria began working out of the City Manager's Office
overseeing the North Lincoln Lane and Convention Center Master Plan projects. Maria
has approximately 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors in Real
Estate, 'Redevelopment, Economic Development and Management. During her time in
the public sector, Maria managed redevelopment and capital improvement projects
including several affordable housing projects, mixed -use developments, from land
assembly and acquisition, through construction completion. She also has experience
with economic development programs - workforce employment and training assistance,
facade improvement programs,. and business assistance. During her time in the private
sector, Maria directed entire development process from feasibility analyses, land
acquisitions, and development entitlements through construction. Maria has been with
the City since January 2011, originally hired as the Administrative Services Manager in
the Building Department.
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Economic Development Director Kevin Crowder has advised me of his intent to
transition to a private consulting practice over the next year. His economic development
responsibilities will be transitioned to Maria Poncel. Kevin also oversees legislative
affairs for the City. In order to ensure a smooth transition in this area, as well as to
assist Maria in economic development, I plan to transition Kevin to a professional
services agreement through next year. This time period ensures the City does not
experience a gap during the federal and state legislative sessions or during this
transitional period of time.
Budget Officer Tim Finch has also resigned from his position in order to move back to
the Tampa area to reunite with his family. I am already in the process of discussions
with a candidate who was part of the prior recruitment process to succeed Tim and
expect to have this person on board by early November 2012. Until then, Georgette -
Daniels, recently hired as Senior Management and Budget Analyst, will be assisting in
V that role.
Although Assistant City Manager Jorge Gomez completed his DROP on September 30,
2012, he has agreed to remain with the City in his capacity as an Assistant City Manager
as a temporary employee for the next few months, thereby ensuring that I continue to
have needed support while also ensuring that the permanent City Manager will have
maximum flexibility in hiring an Assistant City Manager of his or her choice. Jorge will
continue . to oversee all of the areas that he currently supervises. We will begin the
recruitment process for this position also in the next few weeks, in order to have a of
applicants by the time a permanent manager comes on board.
The past Fiscal Year has had its challenges for our staff, especially given the turnover in
key positions and staff shortages. Recognizing the difficulties and potential impact on
staff morale, I have directed Human Resources to ensure that .Labor Relations meetings
are occurring regularly in all our departments. I would also like to take this opportunity to
thank you and your staffs for the support that everyone has given me in the last few
months during this transition period. As always, if you have any questions, please
contact me.
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