Image from medicinehat.ca

By Chris Brown

City manager Robert Nicolay retiring

Jan 21, 2022 | 11:36 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Robert Nicolay will step back from his role as city manager at the end of January.

A release from the City of Medicine Hat says council is working on a transition plan and members will work directly with the executive leadership team to create and start the new strategic direction.

“An acting city manager role will facilitate decision making and Council interface during the transition period. The announcement of this protocol will be made once determined,” reads the statement.

Nicolay will remain available to council as an executive resource during the transition period but will consume accumulated vacation time etc. leading up to the end of his employment period on July 9.

Nicolay started with the city in 1981 in the utilities finance department and served the city until 1999 when he left to pursue other opportunities. He returned as city manager in 2018.

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His original contract with the city expired in October 2021 and was extended to support the transition of a newly elected city council. Nicolay determined that with orientation of the new council complete and the 2022 budgets approved, now was the ideal time to retire.

Mayor Linnsie Clark offered both thanks and well wishes from council.

“On behalf of council, I want to express our gratitude to city manager Nicolay for his diligent service to our city, especially through such a difficult period. I wish city manager Nicolay and his partner abundant health, joy and fun as they enter this exciting new chapter.”

A transition and recruitment plan for the city manager role will be developed in the coming weeks, says the city.

Since 2018, Nicolay guided the city through the launch of the Accelerated Financially Fit Initiative, worked on the financial challenges of the abandonment and reclamation of uneconomic city-owned gas wells and the difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on a 40-year career, Nicolay is quick to point to the joy in working with people.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed a fascinating career over 40 years, worked with some wonderful and extraordinary people, and experienced an exceptional blend of private sector and public sector purpose,” states Nicolay in the release. “But now it’s time to transition into retirement and I am keen and eager to do so. I will genuinely miss the people with whom I have worked, the boards and city councils I have felt privileged to serve and especially, the opportunity to directly serve the community in our precious Medicine Hat.”