Chief
02-23-2008, 04:43 AM
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/352349_ferry23.html?source=rss
By LARRY LANGE
P-I REPORTER
A top manager of the state ferry system has resigned in the midst of a system reorganization and a shift to focus on ferry construction.
The resignation of Sam Kuntz, the Washington State Ferries director of finance and administration, was a "mutually agreed separation" that came about because there'd been no decision about what Kuntz's job would be following the changes, Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said.
It was the second departure of a top state ferry official in the past two months. Former Chief Executive Officer Mike Anderson retired at the end of 2007 and will be replaced March 3 by David Moseley.
It will be up to Moseley to decide how Kuntz will be replaced, Hammond said. His duties will now be centered in Olympia at the state Department of Transportation, of which the ferry system is a part.
Kuntz did not return phone calls Friday. In an e-mail to other ferry staffers Thursday he said he plans "to do something different, which for me means I'm probably trying out a few things."
Hammond said the changes are part of her plan to more closely manage the troubled system from department headquarters. "We're going to be a new organization and he didn't necessarily see himself fitting in."
In the past two months, Hammond, appointed permanently to her job in November, ordered the shutdown of four 1927-vintage ferries because of hull corrosion. Similar problems also have sidelined other boats, resulting in temporary service disruptions and forcing repairs that will take months.
Hammond also said the system has used different budgeting and financial reporting systems than the rest of the department and she now wants to standardize those with the rest of the department. One of Kuntz's recent duties was starting up the recently installed "Wave 2 Go" electronic ticket system.
The results were mixed. Hammond didn't blame Kuntz for the troubles, but said she's heard enough complaints to take a closer look. Problems included scanners that didn't read tickets correctly, time-consuming double-scanning of tickets at dockside booths, and incorrect deduction of trips from prepaid passes.
Kuntz "told me he didn't have enough money to implement it," Hammond said. "He did a good job of getting it there. I need to know how well it's working."
The state has decided to build three new ferries and is designing three others. The state Legislature initiated a study of the system, which could be completed by January, to examine the fleet, and propose a new vessel construction program.
Lawmakers already have said they want the system's priorities to shift to building new vessels. On Thursday, the House Transportation Committee proposed shifting $4.9 million of the state's $4.7 billion transportation budget from the system's Seattle headquarters budget into its construction fund. It wasn't clear how many positions this represents or affects.
The measure also would shift $107 million from terminal improvements to the construction fund over the next 16 years, reflecting concerns over the state of the fleet.
Hammond said the system already has reduced staff and consultants in its terminal engineering unit. She said the system is examining workload in its vessel engineering section, where cuts also could be made.
P-I reporter Larry Lange can be reached at 206-448-8313 or larrylange@seattlepi.com.
By LARRY LANGE
P-I REPORTER
A top manager of the state ferry system has resigned in the midst of a system reorganization and a shift to focus on ferry construction.
The resignation of Sam Kuntz, the Washington State Ferries director of finance and administration, was a "mutually agreed separation" that came about because there'd been no decision about what Kuntz's job would be following the changes, Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said.
It was the second departure of a top state ferry official in the past two months. Former Chief Executive Officer Mike Anderson retired at the end of 2007 and will be replaced March 3 by David Moseley.
It will be up to Moseley to decide how Kuntz will be replaced, Hammond said. His duties will now be centered in Olympia at the state Department of Transportation, of which the ferry system is a part.
Kuntz did not return phone calls Friday. In an e-mail to other ferry staffers Thursday he said he plans "to do something different, which for me means I'm probably trying out a few things."
Hammond said the changes are part of her plan to more closely manage the troubled system from department headquarters. "We're going to be a new organization and he didn't necessarily see himself fitting in."
In the past two months, Hammond, appointed permanently to her job in November, ordered the shutdown of four 1927-vintage ferries because of hull corrosion. Similar problems also have sidelined other boats, resulting in temporary service disruptions and forcing repairs that will take months.
Hammond also said the system has used different budgeting and financial reporting systems than the rest of the department and she now wants to standardize those with the rest of the department. One of Kuntz's recent duties was starting up the recently installed "Wave 2 Go" electronic ticket system.
The results were mixed. Hammond didn't blame Kuntz for the troubles, but said she's heard enough complaints to take a closer look. Problems included scanners that didn't read tickets correctly, time-consuming double-scanning of tickets at dockside booths, and incorrect deduction of trips from prepaid passes.
Kuntz "told me he didn't have enough money to implement it," Hammond said. "He did a good job of getting it there. I need to know how well it's working."
The state has decided to build three new ferries and is designing three others. The state Legislature initiated a study of the system, which could be completed by January, to examine the fleet, and propose a new vessel construction program.
Lawmakers already have said they want the system's priorities to shift to building new vessels. On Thursday, the House Transportation Committee proposed shifting $4.9 million of the state's $4.7 billion transportation budget from the system's Seattle headquarters budget into its construction fund. It wasn't clear how many positions this represents or affects.
The measure also would shift $107 million from terminal improvements to the construction fund over the next 16 years, reflecting concerns over the state of the fleet.
Hammond said the system already has reduced staff and consultants in its terminal engineering unit. She said the system is examining workload in its vessel engineering section, where cuts also could be made.
P-I reporter Larry Lange can be reached at 206-448-8313 or larrylange@seattlepi.com.