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<br /> STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: January 20, 2026 <br /> CONSENT <br /> <br />TO: Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: Jennifer Doyle, Administrative Services Director <br />AGENDA ITEM: Approve Public Works Director Hiring <br /> <br /> <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br /> <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Public Works Director position was vacated on December 1, 2025. <br /> <br />Interviews were conducted in December by a panel consisting of our Interim Public Works <br />Director, City Administrator, Contract Engineer, Mayor and Stillwater’s Deputy PW Director. <br />For the second round interviews, applicants met with a few PW Staff, Community Development <br />Director, Finance Director and again with the City Administrator. The recommendation is to <br />move forward with Peter Tholen as the preferred candidate to fill this position. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Should the Council approve Peter Tholen to be hired as the Public Works Director? <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />The recommendation is to hire Peter Tholen with pay rate at grade 13, step 5 and to begin <br />vacation accrual at the 16-year level. <br /> <br />Peter has more than twenty years’ experience in Public Works and recently attended the MN- <br />APWA Leadership Academy. <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />This position has been included in the 2026 budget. <br /> <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />If removed from the consent agenda: <br />