A Message from Interim City Manager, Andrew Keys
The City’s transition to a permanent City Manager on June 3 provides me an opportunity to thank those who have helped make my time as Interim City Manager a successful and memorable experience. First, I want to thank the City Council for giving me the opportunity to serve in this leadership position. Being entrusted with the day to day operations of this City was a great honor. I have strived to maintain and enhance the high standards set by the citizens of Lodi, and I look forward to continuing to serve alongside my colleagues to support the Lodi community.
I am ever thankful to City staff for their support throughout. The City of Lodi is fortunate to have dedicated professionals across all ranks and departments who are always willing, eager and ready to step up to any challenge presented. Their positive, can-do attitude truly sets them apart. Most importantly, I want to thank the Lodi community. Our citizens have consistently demonstrated their commitment to the City, going above and beyond to make this a wonderful place where residents and businesses can thrive.
During these last eight months we have accomplished a lot. A diverse set of new executives were brought in to serve as Economic Development Director, Police Chief and Public Information Officer, each deeply committed to serving all Lodians, particularly underrepresented populations. Their efforts have already expanded the City’s outreach and accessibility to its diverse citizenry and business communities. Lodi Fire received approval to provide Advanced Life Support services which will have lasting and life-saving impacts for future generations. Our city’s leadership in providing practical clean energy solutions and economic growth opportunities in San Joaquin County was solidified through public outreach efforts on the Lodi Energy Center’s Hydrogen Conversion project, resulting in Lodi being represented as a premier project during SJCOG OneVoice advocacy trip to Washington D.C.
We opened up the City development review processes to identify improvement opportunities and enhance public knowledge on municipal processes. The rehabilitation of Lodi Lake South Side is nearing completion, numerous playground replacements are underway, and significant capital projects including the Animal Shelter and Access Center will have bid packages ready for Council consideration in the coming weeks and months. The addition of biweekly reporting on progress towards City Council Strategic Initiatives has ensured staff remain focused on Council priorities and helped accelerate spending on key projects. Finally, we developed a more transparent Budget presentation using ClearGov to make the City’s budget more accessible to the public.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the support of Lodi’s high-performing executive management team, the our dedicated employees and a commitment to the clear Strategic Vision set by City Council. Thank you again for your support. As much of a privilege as it was to serve as Interim City Manager, I am equally honored to be rejoining the team to serve alongside Lodi’s new City Manager Scott Carney.
On behalf of Lodi’s Executive Team and employees, welcome aboard Scott! I look forward to working with and learning from you as we move Lodi forward.
Andrew Keys
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