Alan Smaka Chosen as Interim City Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2023. Alan Smaka chosen as Interim City Manager. Duties to start on February 1, 2023.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 CONTACT: Deah Muth, Mayor

 January 18, 2023

Alan Smaka Chosen as Interim City Manager

City Leadership Working to Fill Role Indefinitely

Watervliet, MI – With the departure of City Manager R. Tyler Dotson as of February 1, 2023, the City Commission formally approved an agreement with City Engineer Alan Smaka to assume the day-to-day duties of city manager through April 31, 2023. Dotson informed the City Commission of his pending departure in mid-December; however, his formal resignation was submitted on January 2, 2023.

Smaka has served as the City’s engineering consultant for the past two years, assisting the City on several infrastructure projects, capital improvements, and public works operations. Prior to his relationship with the City, Smaka served as the City’s engineer and chairman of the board at Wightman+ out of Kalamazoo. He is a Purdue graduate and has over twenty years in the engineering field where he managed dozens of infrastructure projects in both the private and public sectors.

When asked what Smaka’s experience will bring to the City, Mayor Muth stated that “he has worked closely with City staff for several years and is extremely knowledgeable on current and recent infrastructure projects; including the City’s plans to move forward with a city-wide improvements project with the USDA.” She went on to say “the city commission and staff have a great relationship with Alan, we’re lucky to have someone with his experience and familiarity help us during this transition.”

The City Commission is discussing its next steps to fill the vacant position and will meet again to discuss the process at their next regular scheduled meeting on February 7 at 6pm at Watervliet City Hall.