Menlo Park: Top two employees leaving community services department Menlo Park: Top two employees leaving community services department (December 21, 2005)

By Rory Brown

Almanac Staff Writer

As Menlo Park's community services department faces potential budget cuts, the department's director and manager are headed out the door.

Curtis Brown, the department's director for more than four years, will become assistant director of the parks, recreation and community services department in San Bernardino, a Southern California city of about 180,000.

Bob Roessler, hired four years ago, is also going to Southern California, and says he plans to start a synthetic putting-green business with a friend.

Michael Taylor, a senior recreation supervisor, has been appointed to serve as the department's "short-term" interim director once Mr. Brown leaves.

Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Roessler said their decisions were made independently.

Mr. Brown will start his new job in San Bernardino on January 18, and Mr. Roessler will leave December 29.
'Significant challenges'

With the city facing a projected $2.9 million shortfall for the 2006-07 fiscal year, the community services department is looking at budget cuts and possibly a complete overhaul.

Mr. Brown said budget restrictions had nothing to do with his departure, noting he is from Southern California, and has wanted to return. He also said he couldn't pass up the opportunity to work for a much larger city.

But Mr. Roessler, who served as the department's business manager before becoming the department manager, said budget woes contributed to his decision.

"Since I joined in July of 2000, we've had to cut supplies, cut resources and cut staff," he said. "Now we're looking at potentially cutting programs and staff. It gets a little bit tiring."

Many residents who responded to a recent survey on the city budget said some recreational programs such as aquatics and adult sports should not be subsidized by the city.

"The community services department, more than any other department, is looking at some significant challenges," said City Manager David Boesch.

Mr. Boesch said the city is considering consolidating the community services department with the library under a single department head. Any restructuring of the department will happen after the budget-crafting process, he said.

Mr. Boesch knew Mr. Brown was pursuing an opportunity in San Bernardino, but was surprised by Mr. Roessler's resignation.
Interim director

The interim director, Michael Taylor, has worked with the city for about 20 years, said Mr. Boesch.

Mr. Taylor will take charge of the department's major projects, including the opening of a new child care center and aquatics center, said the city manager.

Mr. Boesch said he would like to interview candidates from outside Menlo Park for Mr. Brown's position, but first the city must decide if and how the department will be reorganized.

No immediate replacement has been announced for Mr. Roessler's position.
HOLIDAY CLOSURES

The Menlo Park city facilities in the Civic Center, including the Town Hall, library and recreation center, will be closed from Friday December 23 through Monday, December 26.

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