Major changes to the management structure have been made at city hall.
Gone is community services director Colleen Van Mook, whose last day of work was Thursday according to an internal city memo, with her community services department disbanded.
Van Mook's responsibilities for recreational and cultural facilities and services have been transferred to Rob Whitwham, whose title has been changed to recreation and cultural services director from public safety and civic facilities director.
Whitwham will also have a number two as CN Centre and recreation facilities manager Andy Beesley has been promoted to one of two newly-created associate director positions. The other associate director is Gina Layte Liston, formerly the wastewater supervisor, who will answer to operations director Bill Gaal.
Corporate services director Kathleen Soltis's load has been reduced with supply and fleet services transferred to Gaal's operations department and procurement and risk management moved to a newly-created legal and regulatory services department headed by Walter Babicz, previously the legislative services manager. Babicz will also take over bylaw services from Whitwham while continuing to hold down the legislative services
And communications, previously under Soltis's supervision, will be city manager Beth James' responsibility. The updated organizational chart also has Prince George Fire Rescue Chief John Iverson answering directly to James rather than working through Whitwham.
The new organizational chart also shows Prince George RCMP Supt. Eric Stubbs with an indirect link to James.
Soltis remains responsible for human resources, financial planning, financial services, information technology services and asset management.
Ian Wells remains the planning and development director and continues to be responsible for building inspection, long range planning, subdivision and infrastucture planning, real estate, sustainable projects, engineering and business licensing.
And Gaal remains in charge of utilities, transportation, parks and solid waste and transit.
The restructuring "will improve service delivery, support succession planning, and better align the functions of various departments," city hall said in a press release issued Friday.
Current projections show that 37 per cent of all city staff, and 57 per cent of staff in leadership positions are eligible to retire within five years, city hall added.
"With this in mind, several functions have been moved, a new department has been created, and two new associate director positions have been filled internally," city hall said.
"Taking this approach supports the City’s succession management plan by providing opportunity for existing employees."
Most members of the public will see no impact from this change, according to the press release.
“This new organizational structure will better position the City to deliver on key initiatives,” city manager Beth James said in the release.
Terms of Van Mook's departure were not provided. She made $159,320 in 2012 according to city records.
