By ROBIN RICHARDS, News West — Rick Daniels, city manager at Desert Hot Springs, Calif., is to become city manager in Needles, subject to final contract provisions to be brought before Needles City Council in August.
Council met with Daniels in executive session before the July 23 regular meeting; he remained for the regular session of the council up until the announcement was made.
Council Member Linda Kidd reported the city received 11 applications in response to announcements that it was seeking a manager. Of those, three were interviewed; Daniels was the top pick.
Daniels’ extensive resume may be viewed at http://rickdanielscitymanager.com/. Experience includes economic development as President/CEO of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership where he assisted in recertification of a Coachella Valley Enterprise Zone; water issues with the Salton Sea; community improvement and code enforcement; and involvement with a multi-species habitat conservation plan.
With a 1974 Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon he worked with a variety of city government departments in Portland, served as Director of Community Development in Gresham, became Director of Land Use and Transportation in Washington County and served as vice president and general manager of Oregon Waste Systems Inc. and Washington Waste Systems, Inc. He has served the community of Desert Hot Springs since 2007.
