LAKEWOOD — City Manager Mike Rock told City Council members at a retreat this weekend in Estes Park that he plans to retire in late September.
Rock, who has been guiding Lakewood since 1992, had planned to serve until as late as March 2010, when his 10-year contract expires.
But Rock said last week that would have meant a new city manager would be paired with a new council.
Half of the 10 council seats are up for election in November, with one member, Debbie Koop, being term-limited.
“I wanted to give the council time for an orderly transition,” Rock said.
Council members began discussions in the retreat about the process of selecting a successor, and Rock said the city staff and community also need time to have their say.
City employees will be informed Monday on details of Rock’s retirement.
Rock, 60, said it is time for what he calls “a real retirement,” where he and his wife and their horses are united on a piece of land.
Rock is credited with transforming Villa Italia into Belmar, opening up the Denver Federal Center for development, attracting the city’s first hospital— St. Anthony, which will relocate from Denver — and paving the way for Colorado Mills mall.
Still, critics score him for arrogance, a penchant for working with developers and a belief that he tells the council what to do.
Some are just agog at his salary — $234,526 — an amount that opponents have raised time and again, particularly in a city that doesn’t offer fire, water or sewer services.
As for Rock’s retirement, former Councilwoman Dorothy Wisecarver, a frequent city critic, said: “The sooner, the better.
“The bad part is that it has been the tail wagging the dog,” Wisecarver said. “The city manager should serve at the pleasure of the council.”
Rita Bertolli, who made Rock an issue in her unsuccessful 2007 mayoral campaign, said “there are many people who have never agreed with his salary, his pension or his operating management of the city.”
Mayor Bob Murphy said Rock’s accomplishments and long tenure are worth his pay.
“The average city manager is around for 3 1/2 to four years,” Murphy said.
“Mike’s raises over the last 19 years have been about 4 percent annually, and that tends to add up,” Murphy said.
Rock has “an incredible resume in terms of experiences,” said Sam Mamet, executive director of the Colorado Municipal League. “His skills are up there, and he is well-known as being a tremendous talent in economic development.”
“There will be life after Mike Rock,” Murphy said. “We will conduct a nationwide search, and we’ll hire the best person available.”
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
