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Eagan public works director retires, Leaves
legacy
By Jessica Harper on May 2, 2012 at 3:12 pm
When Tom Colbert started as Eagan's first public
works director in 1978, he was faced with the
challenge of building an entire department from the
ground up.
"It was a daunting task, but I love the opportunity to
build anew," said Colbert, who retired May 4.
The city was growing rapidly and had a small
department to accommodate new developments.
Eagan had only 12 public works employees and no
director. Most of the work was managed by
consultants.
Colbert was handed the task of expanding the
department and creating standards, while
overseeing public works projects.
"He masterfully created an engineering, utility and
street maintenance division," City Administrator Tom
Hedges said.
At the time, there were only 100 miles of roadway, but that was expected to expand
as new developments popped up.
Development exploded in the years following as major projects such as the Cedar
Avenue bridge and 1 -494 and 1 -35E expansions drew to a close.
Though there was pressure from developers to rush through projects, Colbert never
cut corners, said Hedges, who hired Colbert more than three decades ago.
"He has such integrity," Hedges said.
Since then, Colbert, 62, has directed construction of two major treatment facilities and
a multimillion- dollar ring -road project and overseen a major overhaul of the city's
storm sewer system after a superstorm.
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In 2000, Eagan was hit by a storm that unleashed 12 inches of rain that overflowed
storm sewers and ponds, causing flooding for the next three weeks.
Public works employees had to find creative solutions due to the city's lack of rivers or
streams for water to drain into.
Over the next few years, the city spent $8 million in storm sewer upgrades to manage
the problem and prevent future flooding.
Colbert started his career in 1973 with a private engineering firm after graduating from
University of Minnesota with degree in engineering.
A year later, he took a position as city engineer in Fridley.
"My dream was to build new systems," Colbert said.
Next he worked as assistant public works director in Brooklyn Park, a growing
community at the time.
After a few years, Colbert yearned to return to the Eagan area, where he had lived for
a time.
The fact that Eagan was a growing community in School District 196, where his wife,
Karen, teaches, was also a plus. She, too, is retiring this month.
Colbert's tenure in Eagan was briefly interrupted when he left the city's employe to
become a partner at an engineering consulting firm. He returned to the city after a few
months.
"My roots were pretty deep in Eagan," he said.
Colbert said he enjoyed being a part of the community in which he lives.
"I missed that when I went to be a consultant," he said.
As an Eagan resident, Colbert takes pride in all the work he's done to improve his
community.
In retirement, Colbert said he plans to spend time with his wife and visit his adult
children, who live across the country.
City Engineer Russ Matthys will serve as interim public works director.
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