Staffing changes underway at Blaine’s public works department

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The city of Blaine will be looking for a new public works director after the current director, Ravyn Whitewolf, was appointed to the newly created position of engineering program director.

During last year’s budget process, Whitewolf had some discussions with city manager Michael Jones about transitioning to a more engineering-focused role. “There was really a need for more engineering presence” in the department, she said. “As public works director, managing a project when you’re preparing for council and dealing with this emergency here and that staff member there, it pulls you away from the projects. Having a bit more oversight of projects will result in better projects and cost savings for the city.”

Whitewolf will begin her new role on Monday, May 4. Overseeing current and future city projects, she will be able to utilize her advanced certification in value engineering from the Society of American Value Engineers, also known as SAVE International. “Value engineering is a process that identifies value in projects or programs in a way that improves the projects,” Whitewolf explained. “It doesn’t always mean saving money. The key is to look at things early enough.”

Whitewolf said that in addition to allowing her to return to her engineering roots, the new role will also allow her to work at a healthier and more sustainable pace. She had five surgeries last year necessitating time off. By 2021, she hopes to transition to working four days per week.

While the city looks for a new public works director, it retained Prothman Company, a professional recruitment and placement firm that finds temporary and full-time employees for public sector clients. Prothman found a temporary public works director, and city manager Michael Jones approved the candidate, Robert Hammond.

According to Hammond’s resume, he has held various public sector roles in the past including as energy services director for the city of Richland; city manager for the city of Kennewick; and public works director for the city of Kennewick.

Whitewolf said she looks forward to working with Hammond. She also wished to thank assistant public works director Samuel Castro, who is leaving the city of Blaine. “Losing Mr. Castro is a big impact to the department, and bringing [Mr. Castro] here to add more emphasis on maintenance crews and some of the long-term preventative maintenance programs was a very wise and good choice on behalf of the city,” she said.

Whitewolf also wished to thank the entire public works team for their efforts to adapt to the COVID-19 crisis. “We have full crews working through this entire crisis, having to change the manners and ways in which they work, just like we are doing in our personal lives,” she said. “I just wanted to highlight that we have many, many team members who have put forth an amazing effort.”

Assistant director leaving

Blaine’s assistant public works director, Samuel Castro, is leaving the city of Blaine to become the public works director for Grant County.

Castro’s last day with the city of Blaine was on April 21, two weeks after he submitted a resignation letter. His first day with Grant County will be on Monday, May 4. He will go from supervising about 22 public works staff in Blaine to supervising nearly 140 public works staff in Grant County.

“Grant County has not had a public works director for nearly nine months,” Castro said. “I interviewed with them several weeks ago. Their need is immediate. They needed someone with expertise in budgeting and dealing with federal highway funding and projects.”

Castro said he was very grateful for the new opportunity. He competed against highly qualified engineers for the role, and despite not being an engineer himself, he was chosen due to his professional expertise from 30 years in the field. Prior to joining the city of Blaine in June 2018, Castro spent 10 years as the public works director for Pend Oreille County.

During his tenure in Blaine, Castro helped bring in over $2 million in grant funding, including through FEMA-declared emergencies. “We are responsible for repairing the damage that we sustain, and without grant funding, those dollars have to come from city coffers or our taxpayers,” he said. “Grant funding lessens the burden on our community but is not always readily available.”

Following the high winds and king tides of December 2018, Castro helped secure state and federal funding for four major projects, including the replacement of damaged power lines on Pipeline Road. For this project, Castro helped secure $250,000 in funding for design and replacement. Castro also addressed $1.2 million in damage to the Semiahmoo Spit. The city is now eligible to receive 87.5 percent of the cost of repairing 700 feet of roadway and armoring, he said – 75 percent from FEMA and 12.5 percent from the Washington Military Department.

In addition, Castro responded to $250,000 of damage to the Drayton Harbor outfall, a large storm system that suffered 250 feet of shoreline damage in December 2018 and is now eligible for reconstruction and repair. Castro has also helped address $250,000 of damage to the large storm outfall at Semiahmoo Bay, which was also damaged and eroded in December 2018. Earlier this year, Castro helped deal with $250,000 of damage to the city’s wellfield from Whatcom County’s “Super Bowl Flood.”

Castro said that he will deeply miss the city of Blaine. On the afternoon of April 15, he was presented with a certificate from Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley and other Blaine Police Department staff.

Employee receives praise

Blaine public works employee James Barcome recently received special recognition for an exceptional performance review.

On April 17, Castro wrote a letter to city manager Michael Jones regarding Barcome’s latest performance review, which took place earlier the same day. “His performance throughout the year has been remarkable,” Castro wrote. “James strives to excel in every aspect of his performance. He has been instrumental to the success of the public works team. James goes above and beyond to support the city’s needs.”

Castro’s letter specifically mentioned how Barcome routinely volunteers to accept standby assignments and responds after hours to water, sewer, storm and power-related emergencies. “His work is always accomplished ahead of schedule,” Castro wrote. “He demonstrates leadership and has set the performance bar for others to follow.”

Performance reviews generally occur on an annual basis. In a performance review, a city employee is scored from 1 to 5 in a number of different categories, with 5 being the highest possible score in each category. Barcome received “5” ratings across the board. “When you have an employee that is hitting every mark to that degree, it’s worthy of recognition,” Castro said.

This was the second performance review for Barcome, who joined the city of Blaine as a facilities and parks maintenance employee on May 8, 2018. In addition to his regular duties, Barcome has assisted the city with Fourth of July celebrations, snow response and “everything from A to Z,” Castro said.

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