LAKEPORT — Randy Johnsen has announced that he is retiring as Lakeport”s city manager.
The city”s Community Development Director, Richard Knoll, was appointed acting city manager beginning Monday.
“My role at this point is to act in an interim position and the city council will be looking at future management options,” Knoll said. “These will includes interim options as well as looking at filling the position on a permanent basis.”
The department currently has a total of six employees, including Richard Knoll, and a summer intern. It”s a consolidated department, which includes Building, Planning and Code Compliance Divisions. “We handle city engineering, we do building inspections and plan checks, we do redevelopment and everything from economic development to redevelopment,” said Knoll. “We also do billing for business licenses.”
Regarding how he will handle holding two positions, Knoll said, “It”s going to be difficult. I think this is true in any situation where there is a change in management or the loss of a management position.”
He added, “We will do the best we can.”
“There”s been previous discussion of Randy retiring and he just decided to do it,” said City Councilman Willis “Buzz” Bruns. “He”s only been in that position in other cities for 36 years and five years here in Lakeport. Perhaps he”s just tired.”
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for July 18, at which time more information about Johnsen”s replacement may come to light.
“I”m not sure how the agenda is being set up just yet, but at our next meeting we will be discussing replacing Randy”s position,” said Councilman Bob Rumfelt.
Johnsen is Lakeport”s first city manager. He came to Lakeport in July 2001 from Glenn County, where he had served as the City of Orland”s city manager for three years. From 1984 to 1991, Johnsen was Cotati”s city manager.
Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com.
