Many had a lot to say about the former head of the Seattle Department of Transportation, particularly during and after the December 2008 snow – so now the city is inviting you to have a say on the person Mayor McGinn wants to see in the job, Peter Hahn. The invitation comes from Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the Transportation Committee – read on:

Today Seattle City Councilmember and Transportation Committee Chair Tom Rasmussen announced the confirmation schedule and is seeking public comment on the confirmation of Acting Department of Transportation Director Peter Hahn. Councilmember Rasmussen strongly urges all citizens to participate in this confirmation process.

“The Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation holds a critical leadership position in this city,” said Councilmember Rasmussen. “The Director’s position requires the experience and training to manage a large department with responsibilities for regional and local transportation projects. It also requires the ability to meet the daily challenges of a large department that affects the lives of people in Seattle every day. This is the community’s opportunity to tell the Council what they would like to see in the person who would lead their Transportation Department.”

The Director’s Office oversees all of the functions, staff and services of the department, guiding and shaping SDOT to attain their values, vision, mission and goals. It also manages centralized administrative services, community relations, city-wide Commute Trip Reduction and Rideshare programs, street use appeals, and coordinates development and implementation of major transportation projects.

Discussion of Acting SDOT Director Peter Hahn’s confirmation will occur at the upcoming transportation committee meeting, Tuesday, March 23, with a public hearing in council chambers at 9:30 a.m. At this meeting, Mr. Hahn will outline his vision and approach to managing SDOT while Councilmembers will have the opportunity to share with him their expectations and goals for the department.

The Transportation Committee is scheduled to have further discussion and take a final vote, Tuesday, April 13, followed by a Full Council vote Monday, April 19. Public comment will be accepted until Monday, April 19 and may be emailed directly to Councilmember Rasmussen at tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov.

About Peter Hahn:

Mr. Hahn has over 25 years of leadership experience in all areas of public transportation and infrastructure management. He was most recently the Deputy Public Works Administrator – Transportation, for the City of Renton. He managed a team responsible for the implementation and improvement of major works, including a bicycle master plan, regional trails, Sound Transit facilities, bus and other transit services. Before joining the City of Renton, Mr. Hahn was the Director of Public Works for Snohomish County from 1992 to 2006. He successfully led a department of 650 employees and oversaw a budget of $200 million. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Harvard University, and a Bachelor’s in Engineering from City College of New York.

Rasmussen’s news release also points to a “confirmation packet” you can read – it includes Hahn’s resume; find it here.