When new Los Altos City Manager Douglas Schmitz joins the staff Sept. 10, he’ll face a challenging list of projects.
The Los Altos City Council appointed Schmitz to the city manager position July 19. He replaces retiring City Manager Phil Rose.
“Based on my conversations with the city council, one of the primary goals is to enhance downtown,” Schmitz said. “The recruitment and selection of a new police chief is also a top priority. And (also) working on a smooth transition with Phil Rose,” Schmitz said.
Schmitz is no stranger to working in communities like Los Altos.
For the past 15 years, he served as city manager and executive director of redevelopment in Lake Oswego, Ore., a community of 36,500.
During his tenure there, he coordinated projects in the city’s downtown plan, including Lakeview Village, a mixed-use complex that was a public/private partnership, according to a press release from the city of Los Altos.
Prior to his time in Lake Oswego, Schmitz served nine years as city administrator in Carmel-by-the-Sea under then-Mayor Clint Eastwood.
Schmitz began his career in local government in Laguna Beach as assistant director of public works and as assistant city manager/community development
director.
Schmitz was selected from a field of 38 candidates, said Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Val Carpenter.
“Council interviewed five candidates and chose three finalists,” she said. “The finalists were interviewed by a staff panel of all city employees who report directly to the city manager or the city council, plus a panel of the same community leaders who were interviewed for the position profile.”
“Doug Schmitz is exactly who the city needs,” said Mayor Curtis Cole. “Doug’s proven track record in designing, funding and implementing large public projects will serve Los Altos well.”
“I think everyone is going to be delighted,” said Councilman Ron Packard. “(Schmitz) is proactive, accomplished and brings people together. He works behind the scenes in a calming manner. We’ve heard nothing but praise (about him).”
Schmitz earned a master’s of public administration at Seattle University and a bachelor’s of public administration at San Diego State University.
Schmitz will reside in Los Altos with his wife. He has three sons. One is a graduate of
Santa Clara University, another is studying for an MBA at
Gonzaga University and his third son attends Notre Dame
University.
