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Lake Forest Park introduces new public works director, who cites focus on projects, process and grants
Summary
The council held a meet-and-greet with Rebecca Viner, the city’s new public works director. Viner described her engineering background, early priorities — facilities, project management and grant-seeking — and interest in the park and roundabout projects.
Rebecca Viner, the city’s new public works director, met informally with council members Tuesday to introduce herself and outline early priorities after starting the job in recent weeks.
Viner, who described an engineering career that ranges from distribution and civil engineering to transportation and vertical construction, told the council she “hit the ground running” amid recent storms and has found staff “amazing” and “very collaborative.” She said much of her career has been in government work and that she was drawn to Lake Forest Park by strong community involvement and local stewardship of parks and trees.
The city’s council members asked about Viner’s near-term agenda. Viner said internal priorities include getting facilities work “up to speed” and putting project-management processes in place so staff can be responsive and efficient. Externally, she identified the municipal park project and a larger roundabout project as assignments she is watching closely, saying both present engineering challenges she enjoys.
Viner also said she has experience writing successful grants, citing a past electric vehicle charger project funded by the California Energy Commission. “I had done one for an actual electric vehicle charging station project in California … and was successful with that grant,” she said, adding she will pursue grants the city can use.
Council members welcomed Viner’s outreach and said they appreciated her proactive review of the city’s electric-vehicle charger estimates and other project cost concerns. Council members offered to arrange one-on-one meetings so Viner can learn specific neighborhood issues and “hot topics” that will inform project work.
Viner said she has taken an early interest in learning the city’s neighborhoods — noting an anecdote about Magnolia — and that she values public feedback to shape projects. She described herself as someone who values design and architecture, enjoys hiking and family time, and who prefers combining strong process with on-the-ground responsiveness.
The meet-and-greet was informal and formed part of the committee’s broader agenda; no formal action was taken.
