Steve Kanellakos returning to Ottawa as city's new manager

The city's former deputymanagerwill be taking over from city manager Kent Kirkpatrick whenhe steps down in the coming monthsfor health reasons.

• Kent Kirkpatrick, city manager, stepping down for health reasons

Steve Kanellakos, who left Ottawa to take a position as the city manager in Vaughan, Ont., in the Greater Toronto Area a year ago, was unanimously appointed to the position by city council Monday.

Coming home means something to me. This is my home.- SteveKanellakos

"My wife didn't move to Vaughan. My kids are still here. And quite frankly, you know, having a complete life includes your family and your friends," Kanellakossaid at a press conference.

"Coming home means something to me. This is my home."

Begins May 2

Kanellakos has spent 30 years working in the municipal public service, starting with a position with the former Gloucester Police Department 1985.

He began working for the City of Ottawa in 2000 and as deputy manager for city operations was "responsible for the majority" of the municipal workforce, the city said in a statement.

His tenure in his new positionwill begin May 2,2016, the city said.

Kanellakos said his first order of business would be to catch up with Mayor Jim Watson and the rest of city council on what's happened in his absence and what their major issues are.

One priority, he said, would be tofill senior management positions including the twodeputy city manager jobs.

"When you go to a different organization, you get an appreciation of what you left behind. I think it's beneficial for myself and it's going to be beneficial for the city administration that I did leave," he said.

"SoI come back with fresh eyes, in terms of the organization."

SomersetCoun. CatherineMcKenney, whoworked underKanellakosbefore being elected in 2014, called him a "fantastic boss" who was "well-respected"by municipal employees.

"I was happy to see that it was somebody that I trust, certainly, [somebody]that council knows well. We know what the working style will be. He understands the organization,"McKenneysaid.

Kirkpatrickcity manager since 2004

Kirkpatrickannounced lastSeptember he would not be seeking a contract extension past March2016 as balancing his multiple sclerosis and work hadbecome increasingly difficult.

He has held the job of city manager the top position in the city's workforce of more than 17,000 full-time equivalent employees, not counting the police service since 2004.

During his tenure with the City of Ottawa, Kirkpatrick has shepherded such projects as the redevelopment ofLansdownePark and the first phase of the city's light rail system.

In all,Kirkpatrickhas spent more than 25 years working in themunicipal public service, including four terms as a towncouncillorin Carleton Place.

'Best of both worlds'

Watson said the city held a national search to find Kirkpatrick's replacement before choosing Kanellakos.

Kanellakosrepresented "the best of both worlds," Watson said.

"He comes to the job not needing a great deal of training. He can hit the ground running. But he also, as he pointed out, has that perspective of another municipality, another regional government,"Watson said.

Kirkpatrickhad been scheduled to leave at the end of March but Watson said he asked him Monday tostayon an extra month to help with the transition.

"First and foremost is his health,"Watson said. "And if he feels he can do it, then that would be great."