SUNNYVALE Calif. (DNR) – California is known as an environmentally friendly state, but the Bay Area is even more-so.
This month the city of Sunnyvale created a special “Environmental Services Department”. City Manager Gary Luebbers says this new department will be carved from the Department of Public Works.
“Creation of the Environmental Services Department is the latest step in my restructuring of the City,” said Luebbers.
“Our job is all about offering protection to the environment,” said John Stufflebean, the director of the new department. ”It’s a role that has become increasingly important in today’s world and the City has not only recognized its responsibility, but has endorsed and embraced wide-ranging efforts to improve the environment.”
Stufflebean is also the head of the city’s water utility. He oversees a staff of 125 city employees who handle the water department and the wastewater collection and treatment system. They are also charged with the trash collection services.
“I want to make sure we use our staff and resources most effectively and the creation of an Environmental Services Department puts a Director in charge of these operations,” said Luebbers. “Support for Environmental Services is on a par with infrastructure support in managing a modern city today.”
By: Mark Williams