Mayor expects interim replacements for top public works posts this week

Interim replacements for two abruptly-vacated leadership positions in Hamilton's public works department should be filled by the end of the week, says Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

So I have no worries about the day-to-day workings of public works and all that needs to happen."

On Friday, the city confirmed that general manager Dan McKinnon and director Andrew Grice no longer worked for the city.

The sudden departures leave open key roles in a department of roughly 2,000 staffers with a gross combined operating and capital budget of more than $1.3 billion this year.

Public works encompasses a wide range of services, including roads, transit, parks, cemeteries, sewage treatment, city buildings and garbage collection.

We've got a lot of talented people there," Eisenberger said, and two of them will step up and do the interim work."

Then, a search that invites candidates to apply for the two posts will commence, he noted.

Like other local officials, Eisenberger has declined to speak about the circumstances of the pair's sudden departure, citing privacy restrictions due to the personnel matters.

In an email to staff last week that The Spectator obtained, city manager Janette Smith noted McKinnon had told her he would retire from the city effective immediately."

McKinnon and Grice, who were both longtime staffers with the city, didn't respond to requests for comment.

Both presided over a turbulent time in public works that coincided with a massive sewage leak into Chedoke Creek and Cootes Paradise.

The 24-billion-litre spill sparked public outrage after council, following legal advice, opted to keep the full scope of the disaster under wraps for months until The Spectator reported on confidential reports in 2019.

The environmental impact of the spill - caused by an overflow tank door left open for four and a half years - led to provincial orders.

The resulting work to heal the beleaguered watershed is projected to cost as much as $150 million over decades.

Moreover, in a separate process, the city has a provincial offences court date Oct. 18 to face environmental charges that could result in hefty fines.

In November 2020, the Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks ordered the city to dredge Chedoke. The city, based on consultants' advice, suggested the creek didn't need more cleanup, a proposal the ministry called a do-nothing approach."

This past August, the ministry approved the city's work plan to deal with pollution in the befouled waterways.

Besides the general manager and water director posts, there have been other top-tier vacancies at the city recently.

In February, city solicitor Nicole Auty - who handled the sewage spill fallout - and the city parted ways. Stephen Spracklin has taken her place.

In June, new transit director Maureen Cosyn Heath - also under the public works umbrella - filled the void after Debbie Dalle Vedove retired.

Paul Johnson, Hamilton's lead on the COVID-19 pandemic and general manager of healthy and safe communities, in September became a deputy city manager in Toronto.

Grace Mater, director of children's services and neighbourhood development, is filling in as general manager.

Jason Thorne, general manager of planning and economic development, now leads the city's pandemic response.

We're not short on depth in all of our organization," Eisenberger said. That's the good news."

Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com