CITY OF MEDINA MANAGEMENT TRANSITION

 

CITY OF MEDINA MANAGEMENT TRANSITION

Medina City Manager, Michael Sauerwein, tendered his resignation to the City Council on December 3, 2021. Michael will assume a new position as the City Administrator with the City of Snoqualmie in January, 2022.  The City and its staff wish him all the best in his new position and want to say how much everyone has enjoyed working with him for the past 8 years.  Among Michael’s many accomplishments was retaining, recruiting and hiring experienced professionals and subject matter experts into the City’s leadership and staff, for whom we are grateful.  Thanks to City staff, services will continue to be provided to the public as normal during this transition. 

Michael’s last day with Medina will be Monday, January 3, 2022.  The City Council through its Personnel Committee has been conferring with Michael, the City’s Department Directors, and others on the development and implementation of a Management Transition Plan (Plan).  Work on the Plan is in process, and will be discussed by the City Council at its December 13, 2021 meeting. Due to the short timeframe for completing portions of the Plan (notably appointment of an Interim City Manager), the Council’s Agenda for its last meeting of the year must be altered to allow adequate time for the City Council to discuss and evaluate the situation, decide how the immediate steps of the transition should occur, and approve a Plan that can be implemented during the remainder of December.  Thus, some items of City business that were expected to be on the Council’s Agenda will be moved into January or later, and others may be handled on the Consent Agenda.  Please check the City website on Friday, December 10, 2021 for the final agenda to view these changes.  

Going forward, the newly-elected City Council will have the ability and opportunity to add, alter, and/or expand on transition activities that will occur in and after January. 

Michael will be missed for many reasons, including his tenacity, unflappability, professionalism and deep knowledge, and his evident kindness and commitment to City staff and residents. The City Council and City Staff deeply appreciates Michael for all he has done for the city. We hope you will join us in being excited for him and his next chapter.  Additional updates on the Plan will be issued when appropriate.  Questions should be directed to Medina City Clerk, Aimee Kellerman at 425-233-6411 or akellerman@medina-wal.gov.   

Thank you.