Spreitzer, superintendent of the water treatment plant since July 2018, will move into the city manager role after 30 years as a City of Gladstone employee. He became a full-time operator at the Gladstone water plant in May 1996; before that, he worked for firm Williams & Works for three years. Yet earlier, during the summer 1993, Spreitzer actually began as a co-op student working for Gladstone’s water department cutting grass and painting hydrants.

As for business at the water treatment plant, Spreitzer said he would work with Lead Water Operator Troy Rodman and recommended Rodman for the superintendent position.

Spreitzer will fill in after Buckman’s planned retirement at the end of this year. The six-month period he’ll spend as interim manager begins on Jan. 1. He’ll earn $46,409 for the first half of the year. The city commission may conduct a review after six months to decide whether to bring Spreitzer on permanently as manager.

Buckman himself was appointed as interim manager a couple times before being hired for the regular position six years ago. He, too, started with the water department.

From left, Gladstone City Commissioners Robert Pontius, Steve O'Driscoll, Brad Mantela, Judy Akkala, Mayor Joe Thompson, and City Manager Eric Buckman hold a special meeting Monday in City Hall to act on a contract for an interim city manager. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Though the city commission had some discussion on whether Spreitzer would be able to return to his former job if the city manager gig didn’t work out, it was inconclusive. All seem to expect him to be hired on for the regular role after the interim spell.

In addition to approving the employee agreement with Spreitzer, the commission Monday entered into a second contract for Buckman to mentor his replacement. Since Buckman will no longer be a city employee after Dec. 31, he will become a consultant available 32 hours in January at a rate of $55.78 per hour. The 32 hours can be divided up at any points between Jan. 1 and 31; if more time is necessary, it can be accommodated.

Monday’s special meeting was the final one with the sitting board of Commissioners Robert Pontius, Steve O’Driscoll, Brad Mantela, Judy Akkala and Joe Thompson. At the next regular meeting Dec. 8, Whitney Maloney will be sworn in to replace Pontius, who did not seek reelection during the last cycle.

Open to the public, Gladstone City Commission regular meetings normally take place at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month in City Hall, 1100 Delta Ave. The Dec. 22 meeting has been cancelled.