‘Ottawa’ City of Ottawa Names New Head Planner, Emergency Services GM
Stephen Willis is the City of Ottawa’s new planning boss.
The former head of the National Capital Commission’s planning branch, Willis, in that capacity, was instrumental in reaching a deal with the city for its western LRT alignment. He also kick-started the LeBreton Flats redevelopment process before leaving the NCC last year for a job in the private sector.
Willis will now oversee a $102-million operating budget and a $500-million capital budget, and will quarterback the department responsible for completing a number of major city projects, including the Ottawa Art Gallery expansion and the combined sewage and storage tunnel. He starts at the end of the month.
After the announcement was made at Wednesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Jim Watson enthusiastically welcomed Willis to the ranks of senior city management.
“He brings extensive experience and knowledge,” Watson said. “I think it will be a great link with his experience with the NCC. He worked very well with us on the LRT 100-day plan to get LRT to the west. He knows the LeBreton file inside out, and I’m very happy he accepted out offer.”
Willis is not fluently bilingual, but Watson said he has seen him do presentations in French at the NCC.
“Certainly he has a knowledge of French from a comprehension and a speakability point of view,” Watson said.“ You saw the council vote was unanimous. They feel his ability to learn the language is very good. He’ll take lessons.”
Di Monte has been serving in the job in an acting capacity for months and was previously the chief of the Ottawa Paramedic Service.Watson noted that Anthony Di Monte, whose appointment as the emergency and protective services general manger was also announced on Wednesday, is fully bilingual.
John Moser, the current planning boss, will stay on with the city during the transition.
Susan Jones, the former emergency and protective services general manager, is on health leave. If she’s able to come back, the city will find a position at the same level to accommodate her, the mayor said.