Though the City of Plant City is currently operating without a permanent city engineer, City Manager Mike Herr does not expect delays on progress for parks, developments and other projects that have already begun or are in the planning phases.
Former City Engineer Brett Gocka was asked to leave his position, and his last day of work was Dec. 18, 2014. Soon after, Assistant City Engineer Kris Desai voluntarily left his position.
“Bottom line is, Brett doesn’t work here anymore. We hope that he lands on his feet,” Herr said. “In the meantime, we have an important responsibility, and that is to keep the offices running.”
For now, Herr has commissioned Chastain Skillman Inc. to provide interim engineering services. Dave Buyens has been with the firm for 21 years and has been assigned to Plant City as the interim project manager. He started working with the city Jan. 5.
“Dave is so eminently qualified for this position. He resides here in Plant City, and he fits in really well, and he’s doing a good job. He’s helping us sort through all the details and figure out where we are with our projects,” Herr said.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Buyens holds a master’s degree in engineering, with an environmental concentration. While at Chastain Skillman, he has worked with the City of Plant City before, as well as the City of Lakeland and other local governments in central Florida. Some of his areas of expertise are site development and utility design.
Herr has authorized Chastain Skillman to approve work orders for $25,000 or less, and expects the first six weeks to cost between $17,640 and $19,980. Responsibilities are to include permit reviews, subdivision reviews and the analysis of proposed site plans, and Buyens will attend city commission meetings at Herr’s request.
Buyens or another engineer from Chastain Skillman will be on-site, in Plant City, for 20 hours a week, for up to 26 weeks.
“The sooner we hire a city engineer, then we will no longer retain these services,” Herr said.
Herr’s goal is to select a new city engineer by March 12. The search for an assistant city engineer will follow.
Herr hired an executive recruiting firm, Colin Baenziger and Associates, to recruit for the positions. It will cost $19,500.
“We will certainly entertain qualified internal and external candidates,” Herr said.
In Other News
• The city expects to move forward with two large developments in the northeast region in the second half of 2015. North Park Isles will cover about 400 acres and include 1,000 residential units. Varrea, formerly known as the Cone/Graham project, will be even larger. The developers of Varrea hope to make it a TND community, like Celebration or Westchase.
• Tonda Morris has been selected as the new director of library services, and she will begin March 9.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.
