New Community Development Director Will Earn $123K Salary

Contributed by the City of Capitola:

The City of Capitola is pleased to announce that Richard Grunow has been selected as the City’s new Community Development Director. The incoming Director will be responsible for continuing the community’s high level of development services including building, current planning, zoning administration, advanced planning, and code compliance as well as providing an important perspective on the City’s management team.

Richard has practiced land use and environmental planning with California public agencies for the past 14 years. Most recently, Richard served as the Land Use Chief for the County of San Diego Department of Planning and Development Services, where he directed a large and complex regulatory planning division.

During his six years with the County of San Diego, Richard oversaw the processing and completion of hundreds of development projects ranging from routine applications to controversial commercial and industrial projects, and large scale master planned communities.

Prior to his employment with the County of San Diego, Richard worked for seven years with the City of San Diego, where he served as a senior planner and a public works project manager. Earlier in his career, he worked for the coastal cities of Solana Beach and Encinitas.

On March 28, the City Council is expected to approve an employment agreement with Richard Grunow for $123,600 per year. Additional benefits include a fixed monthly contribution for employee health insurance — consistent with other City employees, and vacation accrual of 17 days per year with a cap of 360 hours. The employment agreement includes a cap on the City’s contribution to the Community Development Director CalPERS pension — limiting long term City liabilities.

“Rich is a terrific fit for the City of Capitola," said City Manager Jamie Goldstein. "His wide range of skills will help the City complete our General Plan Update, and proactively respond to future land use challenges.”