EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO DEAN BATCHELOR UPON HIS RETIREMENT
WHEREAS, Dean Batchelor began h is career with the City of Palo Alto on October 21, 200 8 and has provided exemplary service for more than 16-years; and
WHEREAS, Dean Batchelor has enthusiastically served the citizens of Palo Alto as Assistant Director for Utilities Operations, as Chief Operating Officer, and Utilities Director; and
WHEREAS, Dean provided leadership and oversight for numerous Utilities capital improvement projects including:
major multi-year infrastructure replacement and street improvement in downtown Palo Alto, new Corte Madera Reservoir construction, Colorado and Hanover power substations rehabilitation, rebuilding and undergrounding electric lines in the Foothills, deploying advanced metering infrastructure and smart grid technology, implementing a new electric outage management and customer notification system, launching the electric grid modernization and fiber-to-the-premises pilot project, accelerating sewer main replacement investments, and adding solar to City facilities; and
WHEREAS, Dean executed contract agreements for advantageous resource supply procurements, successfully managed finances and rates to save Palo Alto customers money on utility costs, introduced new technologies such as MyCPAU online account management to improve customer service and efficiencies, implemented new customer programs for environmental sustainability such as the carbon neutral gas offset program and s ustainability and climate action plan, and won awards on behalf of the City of Palo Alto Utilities for leadership in utilities safety and operations, smart energy program structure, and the customer experience; and
WHEREAS, Dean has strengthened the Utilities Department’s recruitment, retention, succession preparation and strategic planning initiatives, mentored and trained team members to provide the highest quality services for the Palo Alto community, emphasizing the importance of integrity and honesty in public service; and
WHEREAS, Dean Batchelor is recognized by his peers and City staff for being professional, knowledgeable, dependable and a team player.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greer Stone, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto on behalf of the entire City Council do hereby extend its sincere appreciation to Dean Batchelor for his dedication and excellent service rendered to the City.
PRESENTED: December 16, 2024
APPROVED:
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Mayor Greer Stone
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Vice Mayor Ed Lauing Council Member Pat Burt
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Council Member Lydia Kou Council Member Julie Lythcott-Haims
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Council Member Greg Tanaka Council Member Vicki Veenker
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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City Manager City Attorney
Proclamation