St. Michael Administrator Derus Ends Career

For the last month, Bob Derus has been calling his appearances at various meetings and events throughout St. Michael his "Farewell Tour." 

St. Michael's City Administrator announced his retirement last May after serving the city throughout three decades. He's seen many changes, challenges and a lot of populations growth throughout his time leading the city, and essentially "worked himself out of a job," council member Kevin Kassel said last May.

"It's not the end," Derus had said of his working career when he announced his retirement. "I think it's the start of the second stage of my working career."

After he enjoys summer, he plans on helping other cities in a consultant role.

"Summer sounds attractive," Derus said noting that in his 35 years he's taken just two, two-week vacations, otherwise his time off has been just a week or less.

Prior to coming to St. Michael Derus worked short stints in Rogers, Medina and Brooklyn Park, and spent over 17 years in Corcoran. He claims St. Michael was his dream job.

"There were so many ways I could see impact," he said.

Not only did Derus see his impact, but the rest of St. Michael did too.

Derus was hired in 1997, just after the merger between St. Michael and Frankfort Township.

"A lot of things needed to be organized and policies and procedures needed to be put in place. It was two seperate governments merging and moving forward," he said.

In addition to managing a merger that seems seamless 25 years later, Derus oversaw miscellaneous changes to the road system in St. Michael. Changing both Wright County 19 and Minnesota Highway 241 to four-lane roadways was one task. Adding the one-way pair was another.

"It was a lot of planning and took a lot of financial resources," he said.

One can't help but note the huge population shift either. Over 10,000 more people are in the city versus in 1997. Even with the population growth, St. Michael felt the economy's downturn. The city went from having 400 homes built per year to 20-25.

"It really hit cities," Derus said, referring to local budgets. The combination of the housing downturn and the state's move to cut localized funding was a one-two punch for a lot of communities.

So the city scaled back staff and had to do some difficult layoffs, even Derus himself cut back his hours.

But his great accomplishment, and one he repeatedly requests to be shared with the councils and staff he's worked with over the years, goes back to serving the people of St. Michael.

"Our road system and quality of infrastructure is second to none, we have good water and sewer, our taxes are low and our services are high and we have a great park and trail system," Derus said. "But none of that is just me, we have a really good team and I was a proud member of that team."

Kassel, who was sometimes at odds with his city administrator over those same staffing issues and wanted the city to stay "lean and mean," honored Derus with a small speech at the Tuesday, June 12 council meeting.

"I appreciate everything he's done for St. Michael and the passion he's had for the job," Kassel said. "Thank you, Bob."

There is a retirement party for Derus Thursday afternoon at St. Michael City Center from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All are welcome.

Derus will sit in at his final council meeting tonight, June 26. That starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers.