Council appoints Mark Henderson as Rohnert Park public works director

The Rohnert Park City Council on Feb. 24 approved a resolution (2026-021) authorizing an employment agreement to appoint Mark Henderson as the city’s permanent director of public works.

City Manager Marcela Pedra described the reorganization that places the engineering division under public works and introduced the proposed agreement. Interim human-resources staff provided the oral summary required by Government Code section 54953C, describing leave credits, CalPERS participation and fringe benefits. The transcript records a garbled base-salary figure; the oral report referenced leave credits (an 80-hour balance and an accrual schedule) and CalPERS participation (2% at 62), but the precise base-salary number is not specified in the record.

Council members praised Henderson’s recent operational response to a field incident, with one council member saying, "Director Henderson just calmed things down really quickly by calling people back immediately." The council moved and seconded approval; the motion passed by a 3-0 vote with Council members Judich and Rodriguez absent. Henderson thanked the council, acknowledged family in the audience and pledged to advance council priorities including infrastructure upgrades and financial sustainability, saying, "I am committed to advancing the council's priorities, including financial sustainability, enhancing community quality of life, maintaining upgrading infrastructure, and supporting organizational well-being."

The resolution and employment agreement will be executed by the city manager as authorized by the council; staff indicated they will process onboarding and the stated benefits per the oral summary.