Assistant city manager Rinaldi to retire

Thursday, July 14, 2005 | 9:41 a.m.

Henderson Assistant City Manager Bonnie Rinaldi has announced her retirement, effective today, after working six years for the city and 30 years managing local government and community development and planning in Southern Nevada.

As part of an internal recruitment, Rinaldi, 49, will be replaced on Monday by Mark Kay Peck, Henderson's director of community development since March 1996. She has been responsible for the city's planning and zoning activities.

Rinaldi, whose husband, John, is the property management and redevelopment manager in Henderson, said she's retiring because she has put in 30 years in the state retirement system. She said she plans to spend more time this summer with her 14-year-old daughter, who will be a freshman in high school this fall. She hasn't ruled out working as a consultant in the future.

"It has been such a fun ride," said Rinaldi, who marveled over growth in the area. "This whole valley is a place where you come up with ideas that you could not imagine you can make into a reality.

"I learned a long time ago, things get done here that can't get done anyplace else."

Rinaldi is credited with creating a capital infrastructure finance program as well as working to bring the first state college, Nevada State College, to Henderson, according to city spokeswoman Cindy Herman.

Among Rinaldi's other accomplishments, she played an integral role in the city's annexation of nearly 5,500 acres in western Henderson. She also worked with the development and construction industry on an increased development fee structure, Herman said.

Prior to joining the city, Rinaldi served as assistant county manager between 1997 and 1999. She held several positions with the county's Department of Comprehensive Planning, including assistant director and zoning administrator.

Rinaldi led the negotiations and coordinated Clark County's review of Summerlin South, a 6,000-acre master-planned community, Herman said. Prior to Clark County, she worked as an urban planner for North Las Vegas.

Peck. who joined the city as a zoning administrator in February 1995, previously served as planning director for Gallatin County, Mont., for 12 years. She was also the executive director of the Dundee Area Intermunicipal Planning Committee in suburban Chicago.

Peck has a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Illinois and a bachelor's degree in urban affairs from the University of Evansville.

In 2002 Peck was elected president of the American Planning Association.