Port Townsend: City Council votes to reorganize building, public works departments

PORT TOWNSEND — City Council members unanimously decided Monday night to revamp the Building and Community Development and Public Works departments of City Hall.

The approval will move several employees into new positions, including Jeff Randall, who has led the Building and Community Development Department for 4½ years.

Randall will lead the city’s long-range planning efforts.

He didn’t seem upset about the change in position after Monday night’s 2½ council meeting on the issue.

“I’m happy to serve the city anyway I can,” Randall said. He added that the entire staff of the department shares the commitment to make improvements.

The move to make organizational changes follows on the heels of a report that says the city’s permitting process is ineffective.

One of the changes is installation of Port Townsend-based engineer David Wright in the position of change leader.

He will report to City Manager David Timmons, who proposed the reorganization approved by the council Monday night.

“David (Wright) will be the coach, manager and debugger,” Timmons said.

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