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St. Paul Park council approves Tony Brinkman as interim public works supervisor
Summary
The City of St. Paul Park City Council approved an interim appointment for Tony Brinkman after accepting the resignation of Public Works supervisor Jeff Deinosopoulos; the interim post is set for up to six months while the city pursues a permanent hire.
The City of St. Paul Park City Council on Jan. 6, 2025, approved offering an interim public works supervisor post to Tony Brinkman after the council accepted the resignation of Public Works supervisor Jeff Deinosopoulos, whose resignation is effective Jan. 9.
The interim appointment is for six months or until the city completes a search for a permanent supervisor, Mayor Kevin Franke said during the meeting, and staff will begin a hiring process that could include hiring a firm to assist with recruitment. “I think the full council should have the opportunity to weigh in on that. So in the meantime, we need somebody in charge,” Mayor Kevin Franke said.
Why it matters: The appointment keeps Public Works leadership in place as the department transitions and allows the city to continue operations while conducting a formal recruitment for a permanent supervisor. The council discussed scheduling a workshop to review the requirements and expectations for the long-term hire before conducting interviews.
Details and council discussion City staff told the council that approving an interim appointment is consistent with previous practice and is required for a statutory city in this context. A staff member said the city has done interim appointments for public works before and that council approval is required. Council members asked whether the interim appointment could be removed from the agenda for additional discussion; the mayor and staff said the council could either vote now or vote and then hold a workshop to discuss details of the permanent hire.
Tony Brinkman was described at the meeting as a longtime city employee with roughly 17 years of service who will fill the role on an interim basis. The council cited the need for continuity after the resignation of Jeff Deinosopoulos and authorized the interim appointment to ensure someone supervises Public Works while the recruitment proceeds.
Formal action The council moved and seconded approval of the interim Public Works supervisor agreement as a separate new-business item. The motion passed unanimously, recorded in the meeting transcript as “motion carries” with a 5-0 vote.
What happens next Staff will begin the hiring process for a permanent Public Works supervisor; the mayor indicated the city may hire a firm to assist and that the council will have the opportunity to weigh in on the job requirements and interview process. No timeline for completion of the permanent hire was specified at the meeting.
Ending The interim appointment takes effect immediately; the council set the role as a temporary measure while the city pursues a permanent selection and prepares to involve the full council in the recruitment process.
