Public Services Director Ambo Resigns
by Jack McCurdy
Bruce Ambo, who had been Morro Bay's public services director for seven years and has been in the midst of several major controversies over city projects and programs as one of the city's top administrators, has resigned after being placed on paid leave on or shortly before February 19 pending an investigation of him. The city announced his resignation in a press release on March 5, effective April 1.
In answer to a question, City Manager Andrea Lueker said there was no outcome of that investigation because "no results were ever developed." As reported in the Journal's March 1 issue, Ambo was suspended after an incident in the water section of the public services department, which he heads, according to an informed source in the city. A female employee reported to Ambo that her supervisor had been using the employee's computer, apparently without permission, and had lost well tests and programs, the source reported.
The computer incident was reported to Ambo by that employee, the source said, but it could not be determined whether he took steps to investigate it. However, he did terminate the supervisor, the source said. Asked if any personnel terminations he may have made have been reversed, Lueker answered, "None."
Ambo did not refer to being placed on leave for the reported incident in his resignation message. He just said he had "been with the City of Morro Bay for over eight years [actually it was seven years and three months] and believe that my energy and expertise may be better utilized in another organization." His employment contract with the city was renewed last June for two years.
Asked if he reached a financial settlement with the city, Lueker said, "In consideration of Ambo voluntarily resigning from his employment with the city, the city agreed to pay Ambo half of the severance payment (three months) as set forth in his Employment Agreement and agreed to reimburse Ambo health care coverage until August 31, 2010." She said the severance amount is $10,700 per month. Language in his contract described a six-month severance payment, she added. The reference to severance payment presumably means three months of his regular salary.
Lueker said this is the same information provided to members of the City Council.
In a press release only distributed to the Tribune and Bay News (not the New Times, Cal Coast News or Slo Coast Journal). the city said:
"During this period, Mr. Ambo served the City of Morro Bay with dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism. Under his direction the City completed a number of important City improvements such as the Harbor Walk project, the Roundabout project, the updated Zoning Ordinance and General Plan, adoption of the Storm Water Management Plan, as well as initial work on the City's largest capital project to date, the renovation of the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Ambo, as Public Services Director, was uniquely responsible for the Building, Planning and Engineering/Public Works Divisions." It thanked him for his service to the city.
Ambo also presided over the staff proposal to establish a redevelopment program to replace or upgrade properties that might be designated as "blighted" by an agency that the City Council would likely have served as. The proposal, which could have led to blighted properties being seized by acts of eminent domain through the redevelopment agency, resulted in one of the largest outpourings of opposition among residents in many years. The Council voted against implementing it last fall.
As the press release notes, he also was responsible for the initial steps to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant, which is operated jointly by the City of Morro Bay and the Cayucos Sanitation District under their Joint Powers Agreement agency. The proposed upgrade, as developed under Ambo's supervision to the point of a design engineer being named in February, has become embroiled in controversy over the an investigation into the contractor's conduct on a project in New Orleans, Louisiana and the handling of the selection of the engineering firm here, among other things. (See article in this issue.) The city also is facing mounting questions from residents over the reliability of its water supplies, the sewer system's shortcomings, and management of its remaining wells, all of which were largely Ambo's responsibility, along with other top members of the city staff.
City Engineer Rob Livick will serve as acting public services director with Ambo leaving, the press release said.
He has been employed by the city as the city engineer since May 14, 2007. As the city engineer, Livick is responsible for the supervision of the engineering, building, streets, storm water, city trees, and vehicle maintenance divisions within the public services department.
He was previously employed by the city of San Luis Obispo as supervising civil engineer in the public works department.
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