Fitzpatrick Settling in as City Manager
September 02, 2008 Filed in: City Services
Englewood City Manager Daniel Fitzpatrick accepted
his new position following an interview with City
Council President Ken Rosenzweig during which it
became clear to him that they had a mutual interest
in "doing things right." After more than a month in
office, he has reached a number of conclusions which
he shared with The Englewood Report in a recent
interview.
Fitzpatrick says his biggest surprise has been the generally high level of competence of the City staff. He nonetheless has been overwhelmed with decisions on minor matters which should have been handled at a lower level, indicating the need for better defined responsibilities. He wants to "create systems to free up people." He considers city government essentially a service business, and is concerned with building trust between the city and its citizens. He wants to bridge the gap between the City’s policy makers and its workers, creating a "sense of unity." On his recommendation the City is considering a new system from Q Alert which will permit citizens to report problems online and track their resolution. Also taxes will be payable online. Other measures to improve communication are under consideration.
Fitzpatrick says Englewood has so far not been seriously affected by the deteriorating economy we hear about constantly, with mortgage foreclosures, for example, still at a normal level. New construction in the southern area of the City is increasing the tax base.
The City is moving ahead on plans for disposition of the Lincoln and Liberty Schools acquired from the Board of Education in 2004, and expects to issue a formal request for open-ended proposals in the fall. Fitzpatrick is concerned with the deteriorated condition of City Hall, which presents a bad image, and has proposed renovations. He says we should improve maintenance to prevent "incremental degradation" of our physical facilities. He is making a formal recommendation to the Council for a new firehouse.
Dissension in the Department of Public Works, which has received some publicity, largely has arisen from insensitive comments. The problem is being addressed through training sessions.
Fitzpatrick says his biggest surprise has been the generally high level of competence of the City staff. He nonetheless has been overwhelmed with decisions on minor matters which should have been handled at a lower level, indicating the need for better defined responsibilities. He wants to "create systems to free up people." He considers city government essentially a service business, and is concerned with building trust between the city and its citizens. He wants to bridge the gap between the City’s policy makers and its workers, creating a "sense of unity." On his recommendation the City is considering a new system from Q Alert which will permit citizens to report problems online and track their resolution. Also taxes will be payable online. Other measures to improve communication are under consideration.
Fitzpatrick says Englewood has so far not been seriously affected by the deteriorating economy we hear about constantly, with mortgage foreclosures, for example, still at a normal level. New construction in the southern area of the City is increasing the tax base.
The City is moving ahead on plans for disposition of the Lincoln and Liberty Schools acquired from the Board of Education in 2004, and expects to issue a formal request for open-ended proposals in the fall. Fitzpatrick is concerned with the deteriorated condition of City Hall, which presents a bad image, and has proposed renovations. He says we should improve maintenance to prevent "incremental degradation" of our physical facilities. He is making a formal recommendation to the Council for a new firehouse.
Dissension in the Department of Public Works, which has received some publicity, largely has arisen from insensitive comments. The problem is being addressed through training sessions.
