From: Jon Elam
To: =yCouncil Members
Subject: August 29 City Council Closed Session
Date: Monday, August 28, 2023 2:03:36 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Honorable Mayor and City Council,
I noted that once again the City Council will be discussing and evaluating Brentwood's City Manager. As you all well know, this is one of the most important tasks a City Council completes each year. As a City Manager for nearly 40 years in multiple locations, including Brentwood, and a resident for 25 years, I am an avid observer of our community affairs and the work of our City Manager and his staff.
Tim Ogden has been with the City for a while now and he recognizes his strengths and weaknesses. One of the biggest mistakes a City Council can make in evaluating a city manager is evaluating his style and personality as much as his achievements. It is easy to overlook Tim's quiet leadership, but realistically the community has elected a City Council that is well served with his style while the Council itself has been very outgoing and many times demanding. A stronger personality would inevitably create conflicts that would serve no purpose.
Brentwood is a community on the move. It is a product of the work and vision of many past City Council members and dozens of staff leaders. Over the years we truly have evolved into a very successful and prospering community. Our street system's maintenance is often recognized as among the best in the region. Our park facilities are absolutely among the best maintained and provide a huge range of opportunities for recreation and enjoyment. The list continues with our water system (note we did not have to implement a rationing plan when others did), and the sanitary sewer system has showcased an amazing waste recycling program that keeps our public infrastructure well irrigated while saving hundreds of thousands of gallons of freshwater. I could go but I'm sure you see my point.
This is not to suggest there is no work for Tim and others. The Park and Rec unit has had a year of staff turnover and our Senior Club has seen a parade of City staff. The business community has been demoralized by directions and delays in getting plans and permits reviewed.
On the other hand, he led an effective recruitment process for a new Police Chief who came wonderfully from within our own force. And the evolution of the Downtown Business Coalition and the support of its staff has helped our downtown transition into a thriving downtown business community that has generated thousands of additional sales tax dollars for the City of Brentwood. These are great successes.
The partnership between a City Council and the City staff is always both a challenge and an opportunity, and it is too often a one sided relationship. I don't often see a City Council evaluating itself and asking its City Manager how they might be more helpful and supportive. I urge you to think about that.
Thank you for the opportunity to share these thoughts. I wish you the best with your evaluation process.
Sincerely yours,
Jon Elam
From: Mike Luker
To: =yCouncil Members
Subject: Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Tim Ogden Date: Tuesday, August 29, 2023 12:57:47 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Council Members,
It is my privilege to write a short note in support of City Manager Tim Ogden, someone I have had the privilege to work with and know in the community.
As the former Chair of the Brentwood Redistricting Commission, I had the opportunity to work with Tim and staff to ensure the needs and requirements of the Commission were met. His expertise, knowledge and demeanor were superior, and his constant professionalism was noticed and appreciated throughout the process. It is wonderful to know that someone who cares about the city the way he does is in a position to manage it.
Aside from his work at City Hall, I have seen City Manager Ogden in other areas in the community. I am familiar with his participation in civic events, community religious gatherings and leadership, non-profit organizations and being a supportive husband and father. These are all attributes we, as residents, want to see in the city and he represents the values that make Brentwood so great.
Please accept my personal positive evaluation and appreciation for Tim and the great work he does for the City of Brentwood. He is a trusted leader who is fair and well respected in the community and passionate about his work.
As a resident, I hope to have Tim as the City Manager for many years to come so we, as a city, can continue to prosper and stay on course for our children’s future and the next 75 years and beyond.
If any additional information is needed regarding my note of support and appreciation for City Manager Ogden, please feel free to reach out to me at anytime.
Sincerely,
Mike Luker
Resident - Brentwood, CA