Two key officials receive new titles

Two top city administrators have new titles, part of the city’s efforts to combine short- and long-range planning under one boss and all planning employees in one spot.

Two top city administrators have new titles, part of the city’s efforts to combine short- and long-range planning under one boss and all planning employees in one spot.

The realignment of duties will mean the hiring of a new planning director, who will oversee all city planning efforts. The position could be filled by the end of April.

Salary range for the new top planner is $7,135 to $8,691 a month, which is similar to other directors, such as the library director or parks director. Department administrators earn up to $11,405 a month.

Short-term planning includes zoning and building codes, while long-range, or strategic planning, looks to the future.

City spokeswoman Preeti Shridhar said the move is partly the result of the Benson Hill/Cascade annexation and the need for the city to take a broad look at how it provides services to its residents as it grows.

Also, the city is reorganizing its space to accommodate about 90 new employees. Now, all planning staff will be together in one part of City Hall.

The city’s top economic development official, Alex Pietsch, is now administrator of the Department of Community and Economic Development. His portfolio previously included strategic planning.

According to the city, Pietsch’s new department will initiate and lead economic development, development services and planning, as well as work with neighborhoods on quality-of-life issues. The department will include the Development Services Division.

Longtime city official Gregg Zimmerman is now administrator of the Department of Public Works, which is organized into three divisions, Maintenance Services, Transportation Systems and Utility Systems.

Previously, his department included short-range planning.