Cleveland, OH
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to indicate the Board of Municipal Utilities voted outside of executive session to approve the contract. An earlier version stated the vote occurred during the session. 2:47 p.m.
Avon Lake
By Bryan Wroten
The Board of Municipal Utilities voted Monday night on a contract for Todd Danielson to assume the role of chief utilities executive, replacing John Kniepper.
While the board voted Monday night after discussing in executive session a minor change in the contract language, no one from the utilities board could be reached by Press deadline Tuesday to share the outcome of the session. Danielson, who currently works as the manager of community systems for the Loudoun County Sanitation Authority in Leesburg, Va., will start Nov. 15, pending City Council approval.
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Board Chairman Chuck Whitmer, in an interview before the meeting, said he expected Danielson’s contract to be approved without a problem. Danielson has already signed the contract.
The contract was not available for public reivew until after the board approved it. The contract, however, was not available Tuesday morning prior to Press deadline.
According to Danielson’s resumé, as manager of community systems he leads a 14-person department responsible for design review, construction oversight and operation and maintenance of approximately 35 community water and wastewater systems in Loudoun County. He is also responsible for the department’s budget and system rate setting. He received a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Main in 1994. He also has master’s degrees in environmental engineering from 1995 from the University of Texas and public administration from 2005 from George Mason University. He is a Virginia professional engineer and board certified by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.
“I do certainly look forward to serving as Avon Lake Municipal Utility’s chief utilities executive,” Danielson said by phone. “John Kniepper has done a great job leading this organization for a number of years. I’m looking forward to working with a great staff. I’m hoping we can continue to do that and improve water quality and keep it one of the lowest water rates in the area.”
The utilities board had completed two search processes for the position, Whitmer said. The board could not select a candidate from the first search, which occurred a year ago. The second search expanded the search pool nationwide.
“It’s been an interesting exercise, and we think we’ve found our person,” Whitmer said. “We’re pleased with both his experience and his background.”
Though the utilities board voted on the contract, City Council still has the final say. Council President Greg Zilka said he had heard the board found a candidate but was unfamiliar with the details. He declined to comment further.
Whitmer said he will ask council to vote on the contract on an emergency basis. Danielson’s start will come in November so he can finish up his responsibilities at the Loudoun County Sanitation Authority, he said. Bringing in Danielson is part of the board’s long-term strategic plan for a clean and proper succession, he said.
Kniepper, who has held the position for 30 years, expressed confidence in Danielson.
“I know he can handle the job,” he said. “I’m sure he can handle the job.”
Kniepper has worked for the utilities department for 42 years. Though he has held the same position since 1971, his job title changed from director of utilities to chief utilities executive in 2003. He said he needs to make a change and “start off in a new direction.”
Whitmer said the board would like Kniepper to become a consultant for the Lorain County Rural Wastewater District (LORCO) and other construction projects.
“We’re right smack in the midst of the LORCO construction, so we’re not going to change horses midstream,” he said.
Tags: Avon Lake
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