Dublin residents asked what they want in a new city manager

Dublin leaders want residents to tell them what kind of qualities and traits they want in the next city manager.

After 26 years as Dublin's city manager, Richard Ambrose announced his retirement this summer. The city hired a firm to help find a replacement and the first part of that search ended last week with a list of 55 applicants.

During the council's Tuesday night meeting, residents will have a chance to provide their input. Those who cannot make the meeting may e-mail their comments and suggestions to community.input@ci.dublin.ca.us.

Ambrose is Dublin's first and only full-time city manger since it was incorporated in 1982.

Under his watch, the city has grown by leaps and bounds from about 4 square miles and 14,000 people to about to 14 square miles and about 45,000. He oversaw the addition of recreation, police and fire services and the planning and construction of new city buildings.

But after working in city government for 35 years, he said he wanted to pursue some personal goals.

Ambrose's departure adds to the transition Dublin will have to make in the next year. Long-time City Attorney Elizabeth Silver will retire next year, and Mayor Janet Lockhart, who has been on council since 1996, and councilman Tony Oravetz, who has served on council since 2000, will be termed-out of their seats come November.

Also on Tuesday, the council will decide if it wants to

create limited parking zones on Village Parkway in front of the often-congested Post Office. Earlier this year, a resident asked the city if it could paint the curb in front of the building to allow just limited-time parking.

The staff recommendation is not to create limited-time parking because it would only create three additional parking spots and that would not do much to solve the parking issues. The limited-time spots could also force employees using those curb spots to park in front of other businesses or in nearby residential neighborhoods.

In 1999, the city implemented limited-time curb parking in front of businesses south of the post office that would fit about six vehicles. Operators of those businesses had complained that postal employees were using those spots, preventing customers from parking there.

Reach Sophia Kazmi at skazmi@bayareanewsgroup.com or 925-847-2122.