Amador County – The Plymouth City Council today (December 9th) will swear in new Councilman-elect Peter Amoruso, and will bid farewell to Mayor Patricia Fordyce and Councilman Michael O’Meara.

Among its first decisions will be deciding on how to fill a vacancy on the council, and replacing its city manager.

Plymouth City Manager Dixon Flynn said he has submitted his resignation effective at the end of the year, but will actually work his last day next Thursday.

Flynn said Wednesday that he had notified the council of his resignation before Thanksgiving, and due to the short notice, recommended Finance Director Jeff Gardner to be appointed as interim city manager. He said the council could then look to a more permanent decision at a later date. Gardner said he would accept the appointment as interim city manager, if it was offered.

The Plymouth City Council today will consider an interim city manager contract in closed session at the end of its meeting, and would announce any actions taken after the closed session. The agenda includes discussion and possible approval of a resolution approving such a contract.

Flynn said Gardner has been with Plymouth for 25 years, and only City Clerk Gloria Stoddard and grant writer Terry Cox have longer tenures with the city. Flynn said he thought the city would benefit from Gardner’s experience with the city and knowledge issues the city faces.

Flynn said decided to step down at the end of his third year as city manager because he is short on energy, getting older, and his memory is fading. He said stress of impending big decisions was better left to the younger Gardner.

Flynn said big decisions ahead include the Highway 49 and Shenandoah Road intersection, and whether it will be signalized or a “roundabout.” Also, local developer Bob Reeder is seeking a development agreement. Reeder has nearly 500 equivalent dwelling units planned as part of two projects that would be annexed to the city, but the economy has left an overabundance of houses and a shortage of buyers.

The wastewater system must meet some conditions to finalize permitting, and a decision looms on the Arroyo Ditch.

Gardner said with the water pipeline completed, and the sewer renovation nearly done, the city for the first time in 25 years will be open to new development.

Flynn said he was working part-time as city manager, but inevitably, worries about the job and problems the city faces are on his mind 24-hours a day. He said Gardner would seek to be a full-time city manager.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.