After nearly 30 years working for Burnaby, the city’s top bureaucrat is retiring.
On Monday, city manager Bob Moncur announced his retirement to applause and a standing ovation from city council and staff at the public meeting.
His last day on the job will be Feb. 29.
Moncur, who’s been the city manager since 1995, briefly addressed council on his retirement, noting he was fortunate to have a great relationship with the various councils and mayors during his years in Burnaby.
“I’ve never had a mayor who wanted to be the manager and needless to say I’ve never wanted to be the mayor,” he joked, adding he has a lot of respect for the work the mayor and council do.
Moncur drew praise from around the council table, with a number of politicians congratulating and thanking him for his work in the city.
“Bob is an exemplary leader,” Mayor Derek Corrigan said. “Under his guidance, direction and stewardship, our city has grown to become a thriving metropolis that has been recognized as the best-run city in Canada and has received innumerable additional honours that speak to Burnaby’s many enviable attributes achieved with Bob at the helm.”
The mayor said the city will work quickly to find a replacement, likely from within, adding that the city had already been planning for succession.
“When we’re as busy as we are, you need to hit the ground running,” Corrigan told the NOW. You can’t have the system stop as you go through a complicated process.”
Deputy city manager Lambert Chu will be installed as the acting city manager until the position is filled.
In his retirement, Moncur also leaves behind a hefty paycheque.
According to the city’s most recent Statement of Financial Information, Moncur was the highest paid employee in 2014, taking home $255,471.
