Title
Commending Larry D. Nelson, City Engineer and Public Works Team Leader, on his retirement from the City of Madison after 43 years of dedicated service.
Body
WHEREAS, Larry has enjoyed a stellar career in public works since 1966, all with the City of Madison Engineering Division; and,
WHEREAS, Larry began employment with the City of Madison Engineering Division in 1966 as an entry level Engineer; and,
WHEREAS, after a brief 2 year detour to the United States Marine Corps, Larry returned to the Engineering Division as an intermediate-level Engineer, quickly rising to the level of a Senior Civil Engineer; and,
WHEREAS, Larry then became Principal Engineer with extensive managerial duties including oversight and coordination of Public Works related aspects of development for 17 years until being promoted to Assistant City Engineer in 1989; and,
WHEREAS, during the following year Larry was promoted to City Engineer, where he later also assumed the title of 'Public Works Team Leader', a position Larry has held until this date of his retirement; and,
WHEREAS, Larry's thoughtful sense of humor and warm smile were occasionally hidden by his fiery passion for discussing points of view and defending the City; and,
WHEREAS, an Interview with the Isthmus newspaper once stated that Larry has never been known to raise his voice or criticize anyone, but has been known to have "frank and candid" discussions; and,
WHEREAS, during his tenure Larry has led the charge or had significant involvement in numerous projects of great importance to the residents of the City of Madison such as: the Southwest Bikepath; Capitol City Trail; Yahara River Parkway; Landfill Remediations and Gas Control; Central Storage Warehouse Fire; Numerous Inter-Governmental and Boundary Agreements; Geographic Information System; Stormwater Utility; Monona Terrace Convention Center; Sewer Backup Prevention Program; and countless reconstructions of State Street and the Capital Concourse; and,
WHEREAS, Larry was active and dedicated to his profession as evidenced by his long term involvement with the American Public Works Association, in which he served in many capacities including Wisconsin Chapter President and Delegate to National, and culminated in 2006 when he received the prestigious award as a National Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year, and
WHEREAS. Larry's leadership and dedication has inspired excellence from his staff and throughout the Engineering Division; and,
WHEREAS, Larry's outstanding career has earned him a happy, long, and active retirement; and,
WHEREAS, while we know Larry will miss all those 12 hour work days and evening meetings, we also know that Larry will now enjoy his time pursuing other interests and spending time with his wife Donna, his three children and his many life long friends.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Council do hereby commend Larry D. Nelson, City Engineer and Public Works Team Leader, on his retirement from the City of Madison after 43 years of dedicated service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in recognition of his long and outstanding service to the City of Madison and as a demonstration of the high regard and affection for him among his colleagues in City Government and among the people he served, the Engineering Building at 1600 Emil Street shall be renamed the "Larry D. Nelson Engineering Operations Facililty".
Fiscal Note
No fiscal note required.