Mayor Slay Appoints Steve Runde as Director of Department of Streets

Mayor Francis Slay has appointed Steve Runde as the new Director of the Department of Streets. Runde, former Traffic Commissioner, replaces Todd Waelterman, who now serves as the City's Director of Operations.

The Department of Streets has 450 employees over four divisions:  Traffic, Towing, Refuse, and Streets. Runde will oversee the department's annual $34 million operating budget.

The Department is responsible for maintaining more than 1,100 miles of City streets, 52,000 street lights, and 550 signalized intersections, as well as the weekly pickup of solid waste and recyclables, and seasonal yard waste. Twelve years ago, Runde secured grant money to convert all traffic signals to LED. He will now lead a team to change all street lights to LED.

"Steve Runde is a Professional Engineer who brings more than 40 years of experience to the job," Mayor Francis Slay said. "He will be a key part of implementing the City's Complete Streets Plan to ensure that our roads balance the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, mass transit, and vehicles."

Runde, 62, came to City government in 1974 as a design and construction engineer in the Water Division. The Blizzard of 1982 welcomed him to the Department of Streets.

The appointment is effective immediately.