Today I named a team of experienced city planners to lead the Omaha Planning Department. Acting Director James Thele has been named Planning Director. Former Planning Director Steve Jensen will return as a consultant to the department. I am excited to have Steve back. He is well-known and respected in the development community. Together, James and Steve will make a great team to move our Planning Department and city forward in a positive direction. James has been acting director since June. Previously, he served in a number of positions in Omaha city government, including Director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development in 1979 and later, as Assistant Planning Director. His responsibilities included managing the housing and community development program and administering federal and state grants. He will be paid $140,000 a year; $40,000 less than the previous Planning Director. Steve retired as Planning Director in 2009. He was hired as an intern in the Omaha Planning Department in 1972, and over the next three decades worked his way up to Planning Director, a position he held from 2005-2009. As a consultant, he will earn up to $100,000 a year, without benefits. Jensen will also continue to receive his $114,000 annual pension. The Omaha City Council must approve his contract annually. Steve will help with a number of projects immediately, including a review of the Urban Design code, the ongoing transit study with Metro Transit, Heartland 2050 and the 75 North Project. I reached out to many developers and former city planners during the search for a permanent director to identify priorities for the department and the essential qualities for leadership. The Thele-Jensen team is a result of their feedback and recommendations.
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 23:55:31 +0000