SEQUIM — Dennis Lefevre, city planning director for more than eight years, is resigning from the position effective Sunday, City Manager Steve Burkett said.
It was a decision that Burkett said was reached on mutual terms in talks over the past two weeks.
“Based on the needs of the city going forward, the two of us have concluded that now is the appropriate time for Dennis to leave the city and to pursue other professional opportunities,” Burkett said.
In recognition of Lefevre’s 8 ½ years with the city, Burkett said he has been offered a severance agreement that will pay his monthly salary, plus about $1,100 a month to cover COBRA health insurance costs, for up to six months or when he finds new employment, whichever is first.
Lefevre was making $84,612 a year. The City Council recently approved a salary range for Lefevre’s position between $79,992 a year to $105,996 a year, depending on experience.
Joe Irvin, who Lefevre hired as associate planner fresh out of college more than five years, has been named interim planning director, Burkett said Monday night.
The city manager has not decided when the job will be advertised or if it will be filled at all.
“I’m going to see how things progress in the next few months and determine if we can handle the workload with the current staff,” Burkett said.
Irvin now makes $52,860 a year, and Burkett said he had not decided whether he would renegotiate Irvin’s salary in light of his new responsibilities.
As associate planner, Irvin was already the lead planner overseeing the city’s downtown plan and City Council discussions regarding zoning reform.
Joint statement
Burkett and Lefevre announced that Lefevre was leaving in a joint prepared statement released Monday.
Burkett said that Lefevre had “accomplished a great deal in Sequim during a period of tremendous growth and change.
“He implemented the policies of the City Council during a period of rapid growth with limited staff.
In the boom period of 2004-2007, Dennis and staff managed extensive commercial and residential growth, including the planning for Walmart, Home Depot and Costco.
“He supervised the development of the city of Sequim comprehensive plan update in 2006 and developed architectural design standards.”
Change in philosophy
Burkett said the decision was made in response to a change in philosophy on the part of the community and City Council.
“The city staff is entering a new phase of planning for the future,” Burkett said.
“With the temporary pause in the pace of growth, the community has the opportunity to consider implementation of comprehensive plan provisions and zoning code amendments, which can effectively manage and accommodate future growth while maintaining the city’s small town and rural atmosphere.
“I concluded that these changes and challenges can best be taken on by new leadership in the Planning Department.” Burkett said.
Lefevre’s experience in Sequim “will make him well-qualified for others cities facing similar challenges and opportunities,” the city manager added.
The city manager said he would “highly recommend his planning expertise and accomplishments as well as his personal dedication and work ethic.”
Lefevre said he has enjoyed being a part of the growth and development of Sequim.
“It has been a great eight and a half years, and my wife and I have met and befriended a lot of wonderful people in this community.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work on a number of positive projects and programs for the City and to be associated with a high-level of professional and dedicated staff.
“I am proud to have mentored Joe Irvin to the point that the city manager is comfortable with appointing him interim planning director.”
One of several changes
Burkett, a seasoned public administrator whom the City Council will review for the first time in a closed executive session Friday, has made several administrative changes during his first year on the job.
Former Police Chief Robert Spinks, who acted as city manager before Burkett was hired, was asked by Burkett to find another job in March.
Spinks was succeeded by Bill Dickinson as police chief in September. Dickinson spent most of his career with King County Sheriff’s Department.
Frank Needham, in charge of capital projects for the five years, was given two weeks’ notice in May.
Burkett hired Public Works Director Paul Haines, whom he had previously worked with, in early March.
Haines succeeded former Public Works Director Ben Rankin, who left after just a few months, saying the job was not for him.
An information technology staffers and building inspector were also laid off.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
