Public works director resigns

POULSBO — Councilman Dale Rudolph’s greatest fears were realized Wednesday when Mayor Kathryn Quade announced Public Works Director Jeff Lincoln’s resignation at the first council meeting of 2006.

Rudolph, who served on the interview committee that selected Lincoln, said he was impressed with Lincoln when he was hired, but is more so with his departure.

“We thought he was so good we might lose him and now we have,” Rudolph said.

Stepping into a different situation from his previous job at the Port of Tacoma, Lincoln has gotten the city’s public works department and projects on track as well, he said.

“I want to thank Jeff Lincoln for the terrific job he’s done,” Rudolph said.

Lincoln, who was hired on July 28, 2004, will end his tenure as the city’s first public works director on Jan. 17 to go to the City of Steillacoom as its public works director.

“I appreciate his skill and dedication to the City of Poulsbo over the last year and a half,” Quade said turning to Lincoln to add, “and I wish you well.”

With all of the major projects going on in Poulsbo, Lincoln said his decision to leave was not made lightly.

“It is a remarkable place to work and I will do what I can to make the smoothest possible transition,” Lincoln said.

Because Lincoln’s tenure lasted less than two years, the Bainbridge Island firm of Waldron and Company, which recruited him for the position, will begin the search for his replacement at no cost to the city.

In the interim, Quade said she will be working with the city staff, including project engineer Andrezj Kasiniak and public works assistant superintendent Dan Wilson, to keep things going until a new director is hired.

Lincoln’s departure comes at critical time for the city, which has three major projects in the works, including the municipal campus project, Bond Road Pump Station/State Route 305 Force Main, and the widening of SR 305.

When he was hired a year and half ago, one of the first issues Lincoln addressed was concerns about the city’s future water supplies.

After analyzing the situation, Lincoln recommended the city pursue its Westside Well project instead of entering into an agreement with the Kitsap Public Utilities District to provide sufficient water supplies for future growth.

Lincoln quickly moved on to the city’s stormwater comprehensive plan and concerns about Poulsbo’s wastewater system before tackling the overall inadequacy of the city’s facilities, which culminated in the approval of the city’s municipal campus project in October 2005.

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