KC hires former Councilman Russ Johnson to oversee capital construction projects

City Manager Troy Schulte has hired former two-term Councilman Russ Johnson to be “chief capital projects officer,” troubleshooting the city’s construction projects.

Johnson, 50, who left the Second District seat in 2015, is best known as an outspoken champion of the downtown streetcar line.

This is his second assignment from Schulte, who employed him as a $125-an-hour consultant, through a contract with the Downtown Council, to represent the city in regional efforts to replace the aging Buck O’Neil Bridge.

Johnson started work on Jan. 1, but word of his hiring didn’t start to circulate until last week. Schulte did not respond to phone or e-mail messages Friday. Johnson referred all questions to the city’s communication’s office.

Spokesman Chris Hernandez said that in his new post Johnson will represent Schulte, “cutting across departments to resolve issues and to make sure projects stay on schedule.” He said Johnson will pick up duties held by Aviation Director Patrick Klein when he served as an assistant city manager from 2012-to 2016.

The post is a one-year contract position that will pay $129,000 a year. Hernandez said it was a way to cover the work “without having to come up with a whole other assistant city manager’s position.”

Johnson’s portfolio will again include the Buck O’Neil Bridge, which the city wants to replace if it can find the money. Hernandez said he will with a focus on the impact a new bridge would have on the north end of downtown.

A long list of projects, some funded $800 million general obligation bond package approved by voters last April, are also in the pipeline. They include the new Swope Park animal shelter and renovations at the Kansas City Museum. Johnson will also monitor sidewalk and flood control work and oversee neighborhood projects recommended by the Public Improvements Advisory Committee, Hernandez said.

This story was originally published January 26, 2018 at 4:41 PM with the headline "KC hires former Councilman Russ Johnson to oversee capital construction projects."