From the City of Grand Island:

The City of Grand Island received the resignation of City Engineer/Public Works Director Steve Riehle Wednesday. Riehle has worked for the City of Grand Island in this position since May 10, 1999. Riehle has stated that he is looking at opportunities to expand his Civil Engineering career.

Mayor Margaret Hornady said, “Steve has been true to his ethics and will leave his office in good order for whoever is his replacement. I thank Steve for his service to the City of Grand Island."

Riehle’s leadership has helped advance many significant projects including the Wood River diversion project, widening and streetscape between Husker Highway and Fonner Park Road on South Locust Street, Locust Street I-80 interchange, widening of Capital Avenue, and the completion of four-lanes on South Locust before the 2010 Nebraska State Fair.

In his tenure Riehle has encountered many challenges ranging from the flooding of May 2005, cleaning up debris from the ice storm of January 2007, overloading of the Waste Water Treatment Plant in March of 2008, and record breaking ground water levels in June of 2008.

Riehle has left his mark with restructuring of the Engineering Division, reducing overhead in Fleet Services Division, and maintaining sound financial status for the Solid Waste Division with no rate increase for six years.

In addition, he directed increased maintenance on ditches and detention cells for the Streets Division and worked to eliminate composting and reducing odor at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

His last day with the City of Grand Island will be January 7, 2011. The Human Resources Department will work with the new administration to fill the position.