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PHOENIX Brinkley named Phoenix interim city manager; 2 top-level positions also need to be filled Two other top-level posts need to be filled Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Phoenix City Council has appointed Planning Director Matt Brinkley as interim city manager to replace Steve Dahl, who was fired by the council earlier this month. The council made the appointment at a special meeting last week where it also considered how to fill two other top-level posts. The city's Public Works Department has been without a superintendent since January, and Finance Director Steve Weber will leave at the end of May for another position. Filling the public works spot is the immediate priority, said Mayor Jeff Bellah, while recruiting a new city manager will come later. Brinkley could apply for the permanent position when it opens up, said Bellah. A superintendent with an engineering or construction background will be sought. Phoenix contracts for a variety of tasks that might be handled in-house at less expense, said Bellah. “I think it will give Phoenix somebody that will allow us to do some things in the city we have been unable to do, such as rating streets or getting requests for proposals prepared,” said Bellah. “Ideally we’ll find a person who has a pretty strong background in construction management and civil engineering,” said Brinkley. Expansions of city boundaries will lead to water system expansion and other infrastructure projects, he said. A lead utility worker position in public works will be retained, and the new superintendent would not work in the field. Another utility worker may be added. Brinkley was hired as planning director in June 2014. He was a senior planner with the township of Lansing, Mich., for more than six years before coming to Phoenix. He has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Michigan State University. “Our workload has increased very significantly with our long-range planning initiatives, which basically consists of an urban growth boundary change,” said Brinkley. The city has to update studies on economic and housing needs before it applies to Jackson County for the change. Steffen Roennfeldt, assistant planning director, will take on more responsibility in that area, Brinkley said. “I’ve been bringing him into a higher level of decision-making,” said Brinkley. A part-time, temporary planning assistant also will be hired to help with the workload. Current City Recorder and Assistant Finance Director Janette Boothe was named to become interim finance director at the special meeting. She will assume the new role when Weber leaves to become finance director with the city of Central Point. Boothe previously has served as interim finance director. She also has been an auditor, Brinkley said. Dahl was given three months’ severance pay after his May 2 firing under a provision in his contract. His annual salary for 2015-16 was listed in the city budget as $85,280. Dahl was hired in July 2013. Bellah said Dahl’s contract did not have an end date and that he was employed at the convenience of the city. Some people have said the contract had a three-year end date and the city could have let it expire in a couple of months without any payment, but that is not correct, Bellah said. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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