Colusa appoints public works director

Colusa officials approved a new job and a new public works director to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Patty Hickel — and save the city money at the same time.

Dale Klever, the city's wastewater plant manager, has been appointed Public Works and Utility Services Director — a new combination job that assumes the responsibility for the technical and administrative work involving public works functions, while maintaining operation of the wastewater treatment plant.

The combined work is not unusual for small cities, according to Jan McClintock, city manager, and is cost effective.

Klever has been involved in sewer operations for nearly 30 years, and has previously worked for the cities of Marsyville and Yuba City.

He was hired to operate the Colusa wastewater plant in July 2008 when it was upgraded from a pond system to a tertiary plant, requiring a Grade 3 certified operator.

At the time, Klever was the public works supervisor for Live Oak. He was brought to Colusa by then Colusa City Manager Rob Hickey.

"Colusa is a really friendly place," Klever said. "I love the crew, and I enjoy the job. It is my first new plant."

Klever lives in Sutter with his wife, Jeannie, an entrepreneur. He has three grown children, two of whom are still in college.

Klever said he expects the new combination job to be a challenge. His duties will include providing supervision and training to department staff, developing and monitoring department's budget, developing plans for long-range maintenance and upkeep of city facilities, coordinating capital improvement projects and preparing reports, among others, while operating the sewer plant.

Klever was given the option of returning to his previous position after two months if he or the city chooses.

"We have to see from both ends if this works out with one person doing the job," Klever said. "If not, the city will still need a Grade 3 operator or they would have to contract the job out."

In order for the city to form the combination job, some of the duties of the previous public works director was split between the street and recreation supervisors, Klever said.

Klever was appointed to the new post on Nov. 3. The salary range for the position is $65,000 to $83,000 a year.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.