Line is long of people applauding selection of Pomeranz as new city manager

CEDAR RAPIDS - Elected officials and community leaders lined up on Wednesday to say good things about Jeff Pomeranz, the West Des Moines city manager whom the City Council here is hiring to be Cedar Rapids' new city manager.

Mayor Ron Corbett introduced the 52-year-old Pomeranz at a morning news conference, emphasizing Pomeranz's experience in Iowa as a crucial quality that the city of Cedar Rapids was searching for.

Corbett said Pomeranz “understands relationships,” and he said he is “attuned” to how the Statehouse works and how the state's Congressional delegation works.

“We're going to need relationships,” the mayor said, pointing to the city's need to secure federal for a new flood-protection system.

Four other council members also said flattering things of Pomeranz, who has served as West Des Moines city manager the last 12 years.

At his turn, Pomeranz, in gray suit and with a familiarly at the microphone, told the 50 people in the audience and about 15 media representatives how he had gotten to know Cedar Rapids in the last year as Gov. Chet Culver's appointee to chair the state I-JOBS Board, which has dispensed state funds to cities hit by disasters.

“I saw the devastation of the flood and the impact of the flood on the city,” Pomeranz said. “But what also struck me was what a beautiful community this is, the enthusiasm of its citizens, elected officials and business community, and the incredible, incredible promise of Cedar Rapids ….”

“ … And so if someone asks, ‘Why is Jeff coming to Cedar Rapid?' that's why: It's because of the opportunity, it's because of the entire community and the leadership you have here. I want to be part of that. I want to work with all of you in an aggressive, enthusiastic, energetic manner to make this community as great as it possibly can be.”

It was easy to find people pleased with the City Council's selection.

Pat Baird, chairman of AEGON USA in Cedar Rapids, has worked side-by-side with Pomeranz on the state I-JOBS Board, Pomeranz as chairman, Baird as vice chairman. Baird said the I-JOBS Board succeeded in getting money out to communities in a matter of two months last year, and he credited Pomeranz for much of that.

“I'm a business guy, so I contributed what I could,” Baird said. “But he helped us button down everything we needed, and helped us avoid bureaucracy.”

“I think of all the ideas and options I've heard about in the last two or three months, I think we got the best solution by far available to us,” he said of Pomeranz's selection as city manager. “He's a professional city manager, but at the same time he cares what gets done and not how or who gets it done. I think we're very, very lucky as a community that he really wanted this opportunity to make a difference.”

Shannon Meyer, president/CEO of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, said she was “ecstatic” that Pomeranz was coming to City Hall in Cedar Rapids. She said her Chamber colleagues in Des Moines and West Des Moines speak very highly of him. She said he understands “good, smart development principles,” but at the same time he's been willing to “take some risks and doing the things that need to be done.”

“Even more so, he's just a really personable, genuine guy. And I think we need that. … We hit a home run on this one with bringing Jeff on.”

Barry Boyer, president/CEO of Van Meter Industrial, said his company has a presence in Des Moines and is well aware of what he said was Pomeranz's stellar reputation in the Des Moines metro area. Boyer said West Des Moines has become “a tremendous city” because of Pomeranz.

“Jeff helped West Des Moines understand that it could be larger and more successful that it every thought,” Boyer said. “And I'm just happy to have him in Cedar Rapids.”

Lu Barron, Linn County supervisor, said she has gotten to know Pomeranz in his role at the state I-JOBS Board.

“I think he's the guy for the city manager's job, I really do,” Barron said. “I think he brings the energy and the ability to move the city forward. And a real plus is the fact that he knows our Congressman, our senators, and he knows how things work in Washington, D.C., and in the state. That's really important.”

Doug Neumann, president/CEO of the Cedar Rapids Downtown District, called Pomeranz “a strong leader with a great track record and good relationships.” Neumann said he takes comfort in Pomeranz's hiring. He said he had worried that this City Council, which parted ways with City Manager Jim Prosser after some on the council thought he had assumed too much authority, might turn away from professional city management.

“I'm relieved we hired someone with such strong city management experience,” Neumann said.

Corbett said the city will pay Pomeranz an annual salary of $225,000. He currently makes $198,000 at the city of West Des Moines, Corbett noted.

Prosser earned $165,000 a year, though Prosser refused to take raises as they were offered by the City Council in his 44-month run as city manager.