ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Outstanding efforts to further representative democracy by enhancing the effectiveness of local elected officials and by consistently initiating creative and successful programs.

Mr. Milliman’s diversified portfolio of work and expertise in local government management, intergovernmental affairs, economic development, project management, human resources, emergency management, public relations, transportation has yielded immediate and long-term solutions for the various cities that he has represented and served over the last 40 years.

His experience as City Manager spans four cities, ranging in population size from 3,000 to more than 100,000.

 
 
In 2012 received the “Award for Career Excellence” from the International City/County Management Association which recognizes:

Brookings, Oregon:

• Negotiated an infrastructure financing agreement with the developer of a 1,000-unit subdivision and commercial center.
• Facilitated approval of a Detailed Development Plan for a new Southwestern Oregon Community College campus.  Co-chaired committee to secure funding for facility which opened in January 2012.
• Managed the process of consultant selection and preparation of master plan documents for water, wastewater, street and storm drain improvements; and the preparation of development fee and user fee studies to support operations and capital improvements.
• Managed construction projects, including 1.5-million-gallon water storage reservoir and $900,000 emergency communications tower.  Secured financing for communications tower.
• Secured grant funding and worked with architect/engineer/emergency managers in the development of an emergency operating center.
• Worked with major retailer to secure site for new store and negotiate development agreement that included site acquisition, street improvements.
• Prepared economic development strategic plan.
• Secured $2.1 million in grant funding for development of multi-use (bike/pedestrian) path.
• Worked with Urban Renewal Agency to develop plan for improvements in downtown business district.  Secured $3.4 million in tax increment bond financing.
• Prepared master plan for 33-acre Azalea Park.
• Secured approval of Water Right Certificate on Chetco River.
• Developed a body of written policy and administrative documents to improve consistency of day-to-day administration.
• Secured $1.7 million in grant funding for water/sewer improvements to serve Brookings Airport.
• Provided leadership in formation of Border Coast Regional Airport Authority; a joint powers authority among two cities, two counties and two Native American tribal governments in two states for management and development of a commercial airport.
• Secured $2.1 million in grant funding for street widening/reconstruction project.

South Gate, California:

• Exercised decisive leadership in guiding the City out of a fiscal and political crisis.
• Increased the City’s General Fund balance from less than $200,000 in 2003 to over $13 million in 2006.
• Improved the City’s bond rating from “not sellable” in 2003 to “AAA” in 2005.
• Refinanced the City’s retirement deficit, saving over $6.0 million.
• Developed and implemented a strategy to eliminate a $3.5 million operating deficit within six weeks of taking office.  Bridged an additional deficit of some $8.0 million within three years.
• Developed and implemented a major internal reorganization.
• Recruited and hired a new management team.  Quickly established a new level of management stability and competence that is recognized in the investment community.
• Working in partnership with the City Attorney, recovered over $3.5 million in mis-spent City funds and negotiated a unique settlement agreement with the City’s waste hauler valued at over $15 million.
• Negotiated multi-party development agreements leading to the construction of a 540,000 square foot shopping center on 35 acres.
• Worked with elected officials from six cities, union leaders, and community members in organizing a public schools local governance joint powers authority.
• Negotiated agreement with the Los Angeles Community College District for the joint City/District planning of a new community college campus in the City.
• Negotiated agreement with the Los Angeles Unified School District for the joint City/District planning of a new, multi-school complex.
• Developed a marketing program aimed at attracting new private investment into the community.
• Terminated and/or negotiated exit agreements with numerous city management employees and contractors.
• Assisted in the successful criminal prosecution of former City officials.

Fort Bragg, California:
The City of Fort Bragg received the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence from the League of California Cities for a program I developed to employ developmentally disabled persons in the City workforce.

• Brought management stability to the city organization.  Presented the City Council with 17 balanced budgets.  Negotiated over 30 labor agreements with no job actions or litigation.
• Implemented a customer service attitude in City Hall that resulted in a significant expansion of the city’s retail and visitor service business sectors, and improved the public’s faith in its local government.
• Secured the City’s designation as one of the first five “California Main Street” cities and facilitated the development of a master plan for revitalization of the City’s historic downtown.  Implemented downtown public improvements.
• Planned and implemented several downtown historic building rehabilitation and reuse projects, including City Hall, two museums, a railroad roundhouse, a community center and an abandoned auto dealership.
• Recruited a community college regional center and a shopping center.
• Secured funding for, and managed projects resulting in a complete rebuilding and expansion of the City’s water source of supply and treatment system.
• Managed the design and construction of a new police station/emergency operating center.
• Secured Urban Development Action Grant to assist in the development of the first shopping center in Fort Bragg and used funds recovered from this project to implement a rehabilitation and promotion program in the City’s historic downtown business district.
• Managed a community process in Fort Bragg for developing a design plan for the City’s historic downtown business district.
• Negotiated purchase of fire-damaged courthouse.  Developed and implemented a plan to rehabilitate the building as a community exposition and meeting hall.
• Led the community of Fort Bragg through a period of transition from a resource-based economy to a tourism-based economy.  Led the effort to form the Fort Bragg Redevelopment Agency as a tool for assisting the community through this period.
• Negotiated agreement with private developer for construction of a mixed-use project including single and multi-family housing, retail center and relocation/expansion of a major Sales Tax producing business.
• Negotiated the acquisition…by donation…of a two-acre site and 10,000 square foot historic residence in the downtown area.  Managed project to transition the property and building into public use for museum and cultural purposes.
• Organized the City’s political involvement in stopping the development of offshore oil drilling along the Mendocino Coast.
• Developed reuse plan for abandoned automobile dealership in Fort Bragg.  Negotiated agreement between property owner and developer which resulted in converting this abandoned building into a tourism-oriented retail mall, food court and museum.
• Managed the annexation of over 600 acres into the City Limits to facilitate development of community college, tourism related business and housing.
• Secured grant funding for the construction of a police station and emergency operating center.  Managed project design and construction.
• Developed and implemented a plan to consolidate the Fort Bragg City Fire Department and the Fort Bragg Rural Fire Department.
• Secured grant funding for the construction and operation of a community Food Bank.
• Managed infrastructure expansion projects to facilitate expansion of visitor-service business, doubling the City’s transient occupancy tax revenue.
• Secured grant funding for a harbor dredge material disposal site, enabling the commercial fishing harbor and processing plants to remain in operation and saving 300 jobs.
• Managed response and recovery involving six major incidents affecting the community, including three natural disasters, one series of arson fires and two protest demonstrations requiring multi-agency response.
• Secured grant funding and implemented a project to extend water and sewer service to a Native American community adjacent to the City.
• Wrote and implemented the City’s first 1) purchasing regulations, 2) personnel regulations, 3) emergency plan, 4) administrative rules and procedures.
• Developed a program to place developmentally-disabled persons in the City workforce.
• Managed relocation/ rehabilitation of the last remaining building from the fort.

Cotati, California:
During my tenure with Cotati, I received the Management Innovation Award from the International City Management Association for my leadership in forming the nation’s first joint-risk sharing insurance pool.

• Secured grant funding and implemented project for the rehabilitation of public facilities and installation of street furniture in the downtown business district.
• Managed project to rehabilitate the City’s historic downtown park.
• Secured grant funding and managed project to develop a community recreation park.
• Negotiated contract for providing police dispatching and mutual aid services to Sonoma State University police.
• Construction of an award-winning affordable housing project.
• Developed the City’s first-ever capital improvement plan.

Bell Gardens, California:

• Implemented the City’s redevelopment program, including securing bond funding, land acquisition, business recruitment and relocation.
• Developed and implemented plan initiating the City’s first public transit program.
• Secured funding for, and managed the construction of a police station and a public works facility.
• Developed a public information program.
• Established basic management systems, such as a [procurement policy and procedure.
• Secured grant funding for a major street-tree planting program.
• Secured grant funding for construction of a senior citizens center.
• Negotiated land acquisition/site assembly for the development of two industrial parks.

League Of California Cities:

• Reorganized the Southern California Office to provide improved member services.  Worked with elected officials to revitalize the eight southern California regional divisions.  Increased member participation in League committees and events.
• Played a key role in the development of the Grassroots Network.  Developed and carried out implementation strategy.  Managed statewide Grassroots Network program from date of implementation.
  • 96  per cent of the member cities voted to increase their own dues by 50 per cent to fund the Grassroots Network program.
• Significantly increased the level of professional staff support to the Los Angeles County Division.  Developed the Division’s first-ever strategic plan and budget.
• Worked with the Los Angeles County city managers to improve their training and networking program, and their effectiveness within the League organization.
• Managed League resources committed to two successful statewide ballot measure campaigns and a successful budget protection campaign.

California Western Railroad:

• Organized a group of investors to purchase the railroad in order to avoid abandonment.
• Prepared and implemented business and marketing plans.
• Developed and implemented public stock offering plan.
• Secured grant funding for significant infrastructure improvement and safety devices.  Managed construction projects.
• Secured grant funding for rehabilitation of historic railroad equipment repair facility.
• Negotiated purchase of historic railroad station.  Managed rehabilitation project.
• Secured relief from State farebox and scheduling regulation.

North Coast Railroad Authority:

• Negotiated joint powers agreement with the County of Marin and the Golden Gate Transportation and Bridge District for railroad facility planning and development.
• Negotiated acquisition of 160 miles of right-of-way from Southern Pacific Railroad.
• Played a key role in the acquisition from bankruptcy of some 150 miles of railroad right-of-way.
• Developed initial budget and operating plan for the new agency.

Other:

• As a member of the California Emergency Council, organized the effort to secure State certification of 100 per cent of California city emergency plans for the first time in the State’s history.
• As a member of the Emergency Preparedness Commission for the County and Cities of Los Angeles, developed a new Commission mission statement and organizational structure.
• Led the effort to form the Mendocino County Emergency Management Authority, the first operational area joint powers authority in California.
• Collaborated with community leaders to form the Mendocino County Promotional Alliance, a unique partnership among local government, the wine industry, tourism industry and general agricultural industry to promote Mendocino County products and visitor venues.