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- Starts Jan. 17
- Fonfara is Sunnyside's new city manager
- SUNNYSIDE (Monday, 1-03-00)---The city council this evening hired Dave Fonfara as Sunnyside's new city manager.
- Fonfara, already well-known locally as Director of Sunnyside Inc, will take the helm Jan. 17, which means the industrial development agency will be looking for a new leader as well.
- Councilman Chad Werkhoven said Fonfara was the council's final choice from six contenders and two finalists because of his skills, education, public and private sector experience, and comfort level working in a town the size of Sunnyside.
- Fonfara, who was present at the meeting, told the council that he views the job with "excitement. I'm looking forward to it...I've resided in Sunnyside since 1980. Sunnyside is special to us...We're going to do some great things here."
- Councilman Don Vlieger was pleased with Fonfara. "I've always been impressed with his integrity," Vlieger said.
- Only formalities remain. Fonfara has discussed his contract with the city, and approved it. Passage of a formal resolution to adopt the employment agreement is set for the council's next meeting Jan 10. The agreement sets Fonfara's salary at $70,000 a year, plus fringe benefits--usually medical, dental, vision. Included are severance pay, paid vacation, executive leave, automobile allowance, paid sick leave, and dues to professional groups.
- Fonfara's goal has been to become a city manager. It's reflected in his education and experience. He holds a BA in political science from UCLA, a Masters in Park and Recreation Management from California State University in Los Angeles; and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
- He's been:
- Recreation Supervisor for Oxnard, CA
- Recreation Superintendent, Azusa, CA
- Parks and Recreation Director, Sunnyside
- Community Services Manager, San Clemente, CA
- Director of Community and Economic Development, Sunnyside Inc.
- Fonfara was hired unanimously by the Council. Councilman Roy Anciso, who was ill this evening, sent word he also approved of hiring Fonfara as city manager.
- Fonfara replaces Don Hahnfeldt, 30-year military veteran, who resigned the post last September. City Attorney Mark Kunkler as been acting as manager since that time.
- In other business the council:
- Heard from Councilman Don Vlieger, who was not present for the last meeting at which the city's $4.8-million 2000 budget was approved 3-1. "I would not have approved it had I been here...I would not have approved spending reserve funds. I feel I was misled on the budget. It's going to cost us," he said. Vlieger went to California to attend his father's funeral during the critical vote.
- Heard Vlieger recommend that graffiti artists be charged in civil court for tagging. "Then it could be 'You tag, momma and daddy pay'," he said. Currently, owners whose property is tagged have to pay to get graffiti removed, and are fined if they fail to remove it. Some civil-suit cash might best flow in their direction, as opposed to the city's general fund.
- Reelected Ed Prilucik as Mayor and Mike Farmer as Mayor Pro Tem
- Took time out for a meeting of the Sunnyside Industrial Development Corp., composed of the city council and the three Sunnyside Port District commissioners. Principals named Errol Brown as president; St. Clair Woodward, vice president; and Chad Werkhoven, secretary.
- Confirmed Emma Holwegner as student representative to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
- Reviewed a request by DRR Fruit Products company for city dollars to bring a large business to town. The business would provide a $1-million annual payroll for 45 local employees in a 13,200-square-foot plant scheduled to break ground in February and begin production in May of sliced and diced apples and cherries. DRR wants a $59,000 loan from Sunnyside, plus a $15,000 grant; a $59,000 grant from Yakima County, and a $16,190 grant from the Sunnyside Port, for a total $149,190. Sunnyside alone should recoup an annual $16,455 in utility and property tax revenues from DRR. The council is expected to approve the deal.
- Set the agenda for its Jan. 10 meeting to include a resolution for economic assistance for DRR, formally swear in the newly reelected Roy Anciso, choose city reps to the Conference of Governments, choose Sunnyside Inc reps, and hire another staffer for the Youth Coalition.
- Heard Don Vlieger state he will vote against a $9-million sewer project bond issue proposed by the Public Works Dept. "I will not vote to increase sewer fees if $9-million is needed" for a project, Vlieger said.