By Patrick Tepoorten

It wasnít until the very end of the Rush City Council, Monday, June 12, that the cityís biggest news was revealed. In a letter to the council, read aloud by City Administrator Daniel Hoffman, he announced his resignation from the position effective Friday, July 7.

The long-time administrator ñ October would have marked 13 years in the position ñ explained that heís been thinking about the move for some time and that he felt it was time to ìexplore new avenues.î Hoffman did not articulate what those avenues might be.

He also noted that his position is changing in ways that did not play to his strengths.

ìThere are areas such as computer applications related to the position and the increasingly more burdensome State and Federal reporting requirements that someone new would likely be more comfortable with,î he stated.

Looking back, Hoffman expressed appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of city challenges over the years and singled out the support he received from the council in times of struggle.

Mayor Mike Skalsky lauded Hoffman for an ìoutstanding job in his tenureî as the city administrator and noted many specific projects that Hoffman took a lead role in bringing to fruition.

ìOn behalf of the city it is my pleasure to wish you all the luck in the future,î he concluded.

The council followed by authorizing advertising for the position, based on criteria to be established by the personnel committee.

In other city news:

ï The council requested that the planning commission (PC) scrutinize the cityís subdivision ordinance with an eye toward loosening restrictions on when building permits may be issued. Hoffman explained that the current policy; no permits issued until the first layer of blacktop is on streets, is a ìlittle extreme.î The request is made on behalf of Rush Creek Estates, which is in jeopardy of losing builders if a small percentage of permits arenít freed up to allow building yet this summer.

Look for the PC to hold a special meeting at the end of July and the council to follow with one of its own. Dates are not yet announced.

ï The council will advertise for a permanent part-time office position for roughly 24 hours over three days a week.

ï Hoffman announced that the dispute between the city and public works employee Dan Volk will go to arbitration.