It’s a ‘dream job’ for city manager

He’s in charge of a city that unlike many cities in Kansas, is growing and has a bright future, works for a city commission that’s progressive, and supervises a staff that is smart and dedicated. And not to mention, for the first time, he’s got an office with windows with a nice view.

“You’ve got a community that’s interested in what’s going on,” Nienstedt, who has been city manager for a little more than four months, said.

“I was pleasantly surprised to find out how people seem to talk to each other.

“People are informed.

“People talk to each other.

“People work situations out.”

Ottawans have a great concern about making their community work and ensuring the best quality of community life, he said.

“You have a lot of people in Ottawa who get up every day to make this the best city they can.”

As a city manager who’s worked for other cities and who talks to other city manager, Nienstedt knows about the struggles as many cities hang on, desperately hanging on to business and population.

As the city manager of Ottawa, Nienstedt deals with different problems — how to deal with the growth of the business sector and increases in population.

Ottawa has diverse economy, he said.

The city’s economy doesn’t depend on one industry or one sector, he said.

The city has heavy industries as well as light industries; plus two giant distribution centers that take advantage of I-35, he said.

There’s a good public school system, plus well-regarded four-year university and two-year community college, he said..

Working on the city’s infrastructure — that’s streets, water and sewer lines, and electric power network — remains among Nienstedt’s top priorities.

“Along with the growth, you’ve got to serve those growth areas,” Nienstedt said.

Nienstedt has been city manager since October, coming to Ottawa from Fort Scott.

“I think Ottawa has a good, bright future,” he said. “I’m honored to be a part of the future.”