He’s flying the coop

General Services Director Dennis Beardsley (pictured) plans to retire next Feb. 5, City Manager Dave Burkland informed the City Council at its all-day budget meeting Tuesday (June 16). Beardsley will be replaced by Ruben Martinez, currently director of Operations and Maintenance.

Burkland made the announcement because, with Beardsley leaving, he’s planning to reorganize the General Services Department and needed to include the changes in this year’s budget. Martinez’s position will be eliminated and a new post, natural-resources manager, will be created primarily to oversee Bidwell Park operations.

Beardsley has been with the city for 12 years. He’s best known—praised and chided—as the person who oversaw design and construction of the new City Plaza. Before Chico, he worked in park and recreation districts in the Bay Area.

He said he has no specific retirement plans, other than to remain in Chico. On the other hand, he told the CN&R, “I can’t imagine not doing anything.”