Item 4F
Item 4F City Council Confirmation of the City Manager’s Appointment of Robert M. Cohen as Director of Public Works
February 2, 2016
Madame Mayor and members of the City Council. This is Human Resources Director Stacey Black and I will be presenting Item 4F. This item requests City Council confirm the City Manager’s
Appointment Robert M. Cohen as Director of Public Works.
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City of Southlake Strategy Map
Critical Business Outcomes
CBO1 - Continue to implement Southlake 2030 Plan by focusing on short-term initiatives.
CBO2 - Become an employer of choice by developing a plan to recruit,
develop and retain employees committed to excellence.
CBO3 - Develop long-term strategies to address future financial uncertainties and challenges.
CBO4 - Improve mobility by proactively
completing traffic analysis of key areas.
CBO5 -Optimize resources through collaboration and partnerships to reduce costs and add service value.
The City of Southlake provides municipal services that support the highest quality of life for our residents, businesses, and visitors. We do this by being an exemplary model of balancing
efficiency, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and sustainability.
Deliver on Our Focus Areas
Performance
Management &
Service Delivery
C1 Achieve the highest standards of safety & security
C2 Provide travel convenience within City & region
C3 Provide attractive & unique spaces for enjoyment of personal interests
C4 Attract & keep top-tier businesses to drive a dynamic & sustainable economic environment
C5 Promote opportunities for partnerships & volunteer involvement
Serve our Customers
Manage the Business
B1 Achieve best-in-class status in all City disciplines
B2 Collaborate with select partners to implement service solutions
B3 Enhance resident quality of life & business vitality through tourism
B4 Provide high quality services through sustainable business practices
B5 Enhance service delivery through continual process improvement
B6 Optimize use of technology
Provide Financial Stewardship
Promote Learning and Growth
F1 Adhere to financial management principles & budget
F2 Invest to provide & maintain high quality public assets
F3 Achieve fiscal wellness standards
F4 Establish & maintain effective internal controls
L1 Ensure our people understand the strategy & how they contribute to it
L2 Enhance leadership capabilities to deliver results
L3 Attract, develop & retain a skilled workforce
L4 Recognize & reward high performers
L5 Empower informed decision-making at all levels in the organization
C6 Enhance the sense of
community by providing excellent customer service and citizen engagement opportunities
L6 Foster positive employee engagement
This item supports the City’s strategy through the focus area of Performance Management & Service Delivery and through the corporate objective of L3: Attract, develop and retain a skilled
workforce.
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Purpose
Southlake’s City Charter:
The head of each department … shall be appointed by the City Manager subject to the approval of the Council...
The purpose of this item is to gain approval of the Council for the appointment of the Director of Public Works as required by Chapter 4 of the City of Southlake Charter. The Charter
requires such approval and states “The head of each department shall be a chief, director, or superintendent who shall be appointed by the City Manager subject to the approval of the
Council and such chief, director or superintendent shall have supervisory authority and financial control over his/her department.”
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About the Position
Full management responsibility.
Manages Public Work activities.
Manages development & implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities.
* Photo Credit: Shawn O’Connell
First, I would like to take a moment to briefly discuss the position and the department, and then I’ll review the experience and qualifications of the individual recommended for appointment.
The
Director of Public Works has full management and responsibility for the Public Works department.
The position manages and supervises all activities related to the administration of
the department including managing and directing the operations of administration and engineering services, facilities, engineering inspections, stormwater utility, streets and drainage
maintenance, water administration, water utilities and maintenance, wastewater collection and the Capital Improvements Program.
The director manages the development and implementation
of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities in alignment with the City’s Strategic Management System.
The director is also responsible for establishing and maintaining
corporate culture in conformance with the City values, providing strong leadership, safeguarding the public’s trust, and instituting and maintaining a customer-centric work environment.
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About the Department
FY16 Budget:
$4,892,016 (GF)
$15,386,353 (UF)
$12,670,000 (CIP)
FY16 Staffing:
65.5 FTEs
The Public Works department has a FY 2016 general fund budget of $4,892,016. A utility fund budget of $15,386,353 and is responsible for $12,670,000 of the CIP budget.
The department
is made up of 65.5 full-time equivalent employees across several divisions and functional areas.
On the screen you will see a simplified organizational chart for the department.
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Robert M. Cohen
Experience:
20 years U.S. Navy
Education:
Master of Engineering, Civil Engineering, Texas A&M
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Texas A&M
Bachelor of Science, Construction Management,
Texas A&M
Registered Professional Engineer (PE), Virginia
Mr. Cohen recently retired from the US Navy after completing 20 years of service. During his time in the Navy he held roles in public works, program, asset and facilities management,
and capital management. He achieved the rank of Commander.
He served in a Public Works Director capacity where he was responsible for plant-wide infrastructure valued at more than
$1B encompassing more than 11,000 acres across multiple countries. He managed budgets up to $40M and led teams of more than 130 employees. Mr. Cohen has experience in public works operations,
capital improvements, strategic management, financial management, workforce development, safety and communications. His navy experience includes roles such as Energy Program Manager,
Deputy Division Director/Project Manager, and Public Works Director and has served in locations around the world including Washington D.C., Baghdad, Iraq and Norfolk, VA.
Mr. Cohen
holds Masters and Bachelor’s degrees from Texas A&M and is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Virginia.
The position has been extended to Mr. Cohen with a monthly salary of
$10,833 plus the standard executive package. Mr. Cohen has accepted the City’s offer of employment and following your confirmation, will begin work on February 15, 2016.
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This Appointment…
Provides experienced and effective law enforcement leadership.
Provides management continuity and stability for the organization.
No negative budgetary impact.
This appointment allows the City to fill a very position on the executive team. Mr. Cohen has proven experience and expertise and will provide effective leadership of the Public Works
department. His appointment provides management continuity and stability for the organization and provides no negative budgetary impact.
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Staff Recommends Council Confirm the City Manager’s Appointment of Robert M. Cohen as Director of Public Works.
Staff recommends City Council Confirm the City Manager’s Appointment of Robert M. Cohen as Director of Public Works.
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Questions? Shana Yelverton 817-748-8001
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Thank you for your time and attention. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact City Manager Yelverton or Assistant City Manager Thatcher at the number shown on the screen.