It’s official: Tracy has a new city administrator.
Kris Ambuehl began his new duties on Monday, and attended his first city council meeting. He took the oath of office at the onset of the council meeting.
“How was your first day?” someone asked.
“Busy,” said Ambuehl.
Shane Daniels, city public works director, has served as interim city administrator since September.
This will be Ambuehl’s first position in city government. He has been a leadership instructor with the Minnesota National Guard at Camp Ripley, and is a former owner of a large body shop and towing business. The new administrator is completing work on a Master’s degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University.
Ambuehl has set up his office in space off the city council room. That office has been vacant since the fall of 2016, when administrator Mike Votca left. Madonna Peterson, who succeeded Votca in 2017, chose to have her office in a corner of the main city office.
Councilman Jeri Schons asked Ambuehl what citizens should do if they wish to speak to him. The new administrator suggested that people contact the city office to make an appointment.
The council and members of the audience applauded after Ambuehl was sworn into office and the administrator took his seat.