Business time

The holidays are over, the tree is on the heap at Santa Rita Park, and city staff are back at work. And, they wasted no time TCB. 

For starters, Police Chief Bob Brammer has been appointed Second Assistant City Manager, which we assume means he will be assistant to Assistant City Manager Erin Hyder and City Manager Jose Madrigal. Brammer was hired as chief in 2019.

“Bob Brammer has shown exemplary leadership within the Police Department and our Executive Leadership Team,” said Madrigal. “As Second Assistant City Manager, he will be a tremendous asset to the City Manager’s Office, the City Council and the community.”

Of course, this move leaves a hole in the Durango Police Department, with the search for a new chief planned for mid-January. Brammer will remain in his role at the PD until a new chief is chosen, hopefully by spring of early summer.

In other action at the City Council’s first meeting of the year on Tuesday:

Schmidt

• Kelly Schmidt was hired as the City’s new Parks and Recreation director, replacing Ture Nycum who resigned in July after two years on the job. Schmidt most recently worked with the Runway Group in Bentonville, Ark. The organization, in conjunction with nonprofit funders and the City of Bentonville, has spearheaded projects such as the 12-acre Osage Park and the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, with 17 miles of trails. She has more than 25 years of experience in the parks and recreation industry.

• The City’s newest street, the right-of-way that accesses the Powerhouse and fire station was christened… West 12th Street. OK, maybe not as catchy as Street of Fire or Super Fire-Power Place. But then again, this is fire we’re talking about – guess the point is not to be “catchy.”

• City Councilor Olivier Bosmans was officially reprimanded for saying things and doing things “in a manner unbecoming of a councilor and bringing disrepute to the Durango City Council” at City Council’s Nov. 7 meeting.  The resolution calls for a letter of apology from councilors to the city manager and staff following Bosmans’ actions at the meeting. Whew, OK – let’s move on.