Riesberg plans to leave for job in O'Fallon

Sedalia City Administrator Keith Riesberg is planning to take a position in O’Fallon, a suburb of St. Louis.

Riesberg, who served in Sedalia for more than four and a half years, has finalized the terms of a contract to become O’Fallon’s city administrator. The O’Fallon City Council is scheduled to take action on hiring Riesberg at its meeting Tuesday night. If approved, he will submit his resignation Wednesday, and provide a 30-day notice.

Riesberg said by telephone Friday morning he would remain in Sedalia until the end of December and begin in O’Fallon Jan. 1.

“It’s a great career opportunity that I simply couldn’t pass up,” Riesberg said. “This has no reflection in the change in the mayor or City Council. This was simply an opportunity that I couldn't pass up.”

The new job will be a step up for Riesberg. O’Fallon, with a population of 76,000, is the seventh largest city in Missouri. Riesberg had a successful tenure in Sedalia, receiving exceptional performance reviews from the City Council. He met with the City Council and staff to let them know about his intentions. Riesberg’s announcement came as a surprise to some officials.

“I know we have a lot of projects in the works that he was really excited to see through to completion,” said Mayor Elaine Horn. “I know this was a really, really hard decision for him to make.”

Councilwoman Priscilla Young was a bit surprised, but had felt Riesberg’s tenure in Sedalia may not be long because of his desirable job qualifications.

“You always have a bittersweet feeling,” said Young, a member of the committee that recommended Riesberg for the position here. “You’re happy they can move on and thankful for what they have done while they were here.”

The move is good professionally and personally, Riesberg said.

“Being in a metropolitan area offers my children opportunities they don’t have in Sedalia,” he said.

The city will likely have an interim city administrator until a replacement is found. Horn said the interim manager could be an existing employee or an external candidate.

“It’s something I will be discussing with council,” she said.

The City Council hired Riesberg in 2005 to replace Irl Tessendorf, who spent 17 years as city administrator. The city administrator supervises the day-to-day operations of the city and oversees the public works, code enforcement, building, records, cemetery, community center and streets and alleys departments.

Recently, Riesberg championed the review and update of city codes. Other projects completed during his tenure include an update of the city’s Web site, creation of the brush drop off, plans for a composting facility, partnership in the Sedalia Crossings Shopping Center, renovation of City Hall and update of the city’s master plan.

“Probably some of the greatest accomplishments are the changes to the approach to things within city operations,” Riesberg said.

Assistant to the City Administrator Brian Koral credited Riesberg with taking a team approach to tackling city issues.

“One of the things I noticed as a member of the senior staff, was Keith’s ability to bring together the city team to focus on a common goal,” Koral said.

The approach resulted in better service to the residents, the city’s customers.

“I hope that’s an attitude that will stay even after he’s gone, and I feel confident it will,” Koral said.

Riesberg also was known for his progressive ideas.

“Keith has the ability to see the larger picture,” Horn said. “He knows that there are certain things you have to have in place to move your city forward and retain the qualities you have.”

Riesberg received a “Works for You” award from Economic Development of Sedalia and Pettis County in March.

Upon receiving the award, Riesberg gave credit to leaders throughout the community for the economic progress Sedalia has experienced.

“It’s that cooperative approach that has helped us move forward, and I am happy to be a part of that,” he said at the awards dinner.

Riesberg was recognized with the award for the role he played in implementation of the DREAM Initiative, coordination of the design and funding of the downtown streetscape project and establishment of the Tax Increment Finance District.

Linda Christle, director of Economic Development of Sedalia and Pettis County, said Riesberg is “well rounded and has a great knowledge” of economic development issues, which has made him a “tremendous asset.”

“He has a futuristic attitude and a knowledge toward looking to the future,” she said. “If this does come to fruition, it will be O’Fallon’s gain and our loss to lose Keith Riesberg.”

Even residents who have been critical of Riesberg wish him well in his new position.

“Mr. Riesberg’s resignation is an example of the continuing state of flux within government,” said Jack Clark. “As an employee of the city, there has always existed the possibility of Mr. Riesberg locating a more personally lucrative position. Evidently he has found one, and I hope he, and his family, fare well in his new position.”