TRAVERSE CITY -- City commissioners soon want to launch a search for a new city manager after long-time top administrator Richard Lewis announced his resignation.
Lewis, 55, told officials Friday he plans to leave his post for a job with international engineering firm CH2M HILL. He will continue as city manager until Sept. 19. Several commissioners expressed surprise at the news, but said they hope to quickly begin the search for Lewis' successor.
"I want to begin the process as soon as I am legally able to," said Mayor Michael Estes.
In his resignation letter, Lewis, who started with the city 17 years ago, called it a "privilege to serve."
"... I have not been asked to resign nor do I have any indication such a request is or would be forthcoming. My resignation is simply a change in direction in my professional career that I wish to pursue. This change has been a couple of years in the making," he wrote.
Lewis did not return repeated calls for comment.
The opportunity for a new job came up after a casual conversation with CH2M HILL officials last year, his letter stated.
The firm designed the city's award-winning wastewater treatment plant with a special process that allows it to discharge almost drinkable water. A CH2M HILL subsidiary, OMI, was given a new, no-bid contract last summer worth about $2.7 million annually to operate the plant and the Grand Traverse County-owned septage treatment plant.
Lewis started as city manager on July 16, 1991, and makes $98,100 a year.
"He's left a legacy here," said Commissioner Ralph Soffredine. "We as a city are going to be at a loss because ... his experience is just vast."
A former city police chief, Soffredine worked with Lewis since he arrived in Traverse City. Soffredine credited Lewis' lengthy service, but said "change is not bad."
"It's a chance for the commission to make a decision that will have big implications for the city's future," said city Commissioner Chris Bzdok. "We're going to have to hurry. Sept. 19 will be here before you know it."
The city faces a number of issues, including budget trimming considerations, that should be approached seriously, Estes said.
Finding a new city manager gives the city an "opportunity to find somebody who shares that perspective," he said.
Several new members of the current commission were elected last year after promising voters they would bring a change in attitude to city government.
They criticized city leaders for the handling of a contentious West Front Street public parking deck proposal and pledged to listen more to citizens.
The current commission had not yet conducted a performance review for Lewis.
"I think we have questioned his actions more than any other commission has. I can only venture a guess that that's a little disconcerting to anybody," said Mayor Pro Tem Deni Scrudato.
Former Mayor Margaret Dodd watched the current commission interact with Lewis and said it's a different vibe than when she was elected to the commission in 1997.
"Now that there is, perhaps, a majority on the commission who are providing additional accountability, it makes it a much greater challenge to be city manager," Dodd said.
Commissioner Jody Bergman said the resignation news came as "somewhat of a shock."
"Since I've been on the commission, obviously, we've had some major issues to go through. I think Richard handled them well," she said.
Those challenges included the proposed development of West Front Street, squabbles over public parking decks, accessory dwelling units, vacation rentals, public art, the location of a bus station on Hall Street, demolition of a bayside power plant building and road access issues involving the Incochee Woods subdivision.
The next city commission meeting is a 7 p.m. Monday study session.
Estes expects to discuss Lewis' resignation at that time, but no official action can be taken during a study session.
The next regular meeting is scheduled July 21. Estes would like to find a new city manager before Lewis leaves.
"We'll have to look for somebody who has a whole lot of skills and talents, but also someone who will also develop the same passion for the community," Bzdok said.
CH2M HILL, the company Lewis will join, is an engineering firm of more than 24,000 employees headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and does not have a Michigan office.
In his resignation letter, Lewis said because of a multi-year contract the firm has with the city he won't do any work related to the city for at least five years.
He did not specify what he will do for the company. A CH2M HILL spokeswoman declined to comment.
Record-Eagle staff writer Brian McGillivary contributed to this article.
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