Community Corner
Santa Cruz Hires New Water Director from Nevada
City Manager Martín Bernal announced the appointment of Rosemary Menard to the
position of Director of Water for the City of Santa Cruz. Ms. Menard will assume her new position on
January 27, 2014. She has acquired thirty plus years’ experience in water resources planning and
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management, regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability.
“We are very pleased to have Ms. Menard come aboard at a critical point in our water supply
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discussions,” said City Manager Martín Bernal. “She brings a wealth of leadership and experience in
water operations, conservation, administration and policy to our organization.”
Ms. Menard most recently served as the Community Services Department Director and Water Resources
Director for Washoe County Nevada. Prior to Washoe County, Ms. Menard held various executive
management positions for the City of Portland Water Bureau and City of Seattle Water Department
including directorships in water operations and maintenance; resource protection and planning; water
quality and compliance; and system planning and environmental management.
Her key accomplishments include:
Leading the Washoe County program to consolidate Washoe County’s water utility with the
Truckee Meadows Water Authority in order to provide more cost effective and sustainable water
service to the Truckee Meadows region.
Leading an interdepartmental process to consolidate the Washoe County’s departments of
Building and Safety, Community Development, Public Works, Regional Parks and Open Space
into a Community Services Department.
Leading Sandy River Basin Partners multi-party collaborative process to develop an Endangered
Species Act/Clean Water Act regulatory compliance plan for the Bull Run water system.
Awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.
“In sum, Ms. Menard brings an exceptionally strong and balanced water background from a variety of
well-respected agencies,” added Bernal. “She has extensive community interaction and engagement
experience and is a big picture, long-term thinker. We’re excited to have her join the City.”
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