St. Paul Park City Administrator Kevin Walsh, who has held the city’s top post since May 2008, announced this week that he will resign on July 31.
Walsh said resigning will give him time to travel with his wife, Heidi, who will be on sabbatical this summer.
“After 17 years, it would virtually be impossible to take a month off,” Walsh said. “I’m just taking a hiatus and then I will be back out in the market. I haven’t taken a week off in 17 years.”
Walsh, who previously served as assistant city administrator of Minnetrista, helped oversee a number of major construction projects in St. Paul Park, including the construction of a new $6 million water-treatment plant to treat PFAS and the current $8 million reconstruction of Third Street between 14th Avenue and Broadway Avenue to replace sanitary-sewer, water-main and storm-sewer infrastructure.
“We are sad to see him go,” said Mayor Keith Franke. “We’ve been able to accomplish some good things and work towards some goals, you know, some of the largest construction projects in St. Paul Park history with Kevin. It’s just sad to see him go, but we’re hopeful that we can get in a good candidate and work towards the future.”
The St. Paul Park City Council on Monday night entered into a contract with Bart Fischer of David Drown and Associates to conduct the search for a new city administrator. The fee for the full search process is $24,000, according to the council packet.
In his resignation letter, Walsh wrote that the timing of his announcement was made to have the least possible disruption to city operations.
“I feel that someone else with a new vision should have the opportunity to continue to move the community forward,” he wrote. “I have been impressed by the dedication and drive of city staff. Day after day, without much recognition, they continue to provide high-quality services to the residents, local business owners and visitors. While challenges exist, I know the right people are in place to lead this organization.”
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