New Public Works Director for the City

** Press Release **

Today, City Manager Linda Kelly announced the appointment of Milenka Bates as Public Works Director for the City of Sonoma. Ms. Bates has served as Acting Public Works Director since the retirement of former Public Works Director Al Bandur in December 2007. She served the City in several capacities prior to that time, including Acting Assistant Public Works Director, Program Manager, and Administrative Assistant.

“Milenka immediately impressed me as a highly capable individual who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the success of our Public Works organization,” stated City Manager Kelly. “She has been filling more than one role for quite some time, becoming our resident water expert, and has implemented innovative and progressive, inclusionary approaches in how she manages her department.”

The Public Works Department is responsible for City water operations, including all mandated quality testing of City-owned wells and storage tanks, as well as street repair and maintenance, parks and landscape maintenance, cemetery maintenance, and consists of 22 staff members in these various areas.

In her five years with the City of Sonoma, Ms. Bates has developed mandated stormwater regulatory compliance guidelines and practices, participated in water connection rate studies and plans, prepared water quality reports, implemented the Adopt a Bike Path Program and the Graffiti Abatement Task Force. Her background includes many years of private sector management experience in transportation and logistics, sales, and human resources, with companies including Weyerhaeuser and Harwood Lumber Products. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration through City University of Seattle. Her professional training includes disaster preparedness for water emergencies, stormwater pollution prevention, construction site inspection, project management, and grant writing.

"It has been and is an honor to work for the City and especially with the Public Works crew, they are all talented and dedicated employees. I am excited and look forward to the many opportunities before us,” Milenka stated.

City Manager Kelly added, “Milenka’s appointment is the result of the rich internal talent base we have within our City organization. I look forward to working with Milenka for many years to come.”