Austin City Administrator Pat McGarvey joined the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) as its new interim executive director Monday.

Last week, the HRA again tabled the issue of hiring an executive director, due to an incomplete number of board members present.

"We need to wait and see what the situation will be and for 2004-05, we'll have to deal with it as the time comes. At this time, we need to have an interim director. I am worried about the deficit and financial situation," said chairman Dick Lang.

On Monday, current interim director Tom Dankert presented a letter of resignation to the board. For the last 10 weeks, Dankert has been working with the HRA filling the position of executive director.

"Mr. Dankert himself came up with the idea to combine his job with the city administrator job," council member Mickey Jorgenson said.

Jorgenson apologized to the board members for comments she had made in last week's meeting during discussion to fill the position. "The other day I used the word babysit. That's not what we ask him (Dankert) to do …," Jorgenson said.

Last week, Jorgenson recommended George Brophy, president of the Development Corporation of Austin to be considered as a candidate. But council members Gloria Nordin and Lang disagreed.

The board decided to call a special meeting and wait for all commissioner to be present.

"We recognize the empire has been built and

now we look at how we are going to maintain it," council member Dick Chaffee said. Chaffee explained with possible consequences in the future because of the state's current deficit, the city will probably not be able to continue with two separate positions.

"I did not want to see Tom throw the towel in for the HRA," Lang said.

Nordin complemented Dankert on his job as the interim director.

"In the past 10 weeks, we have had more info in our packets to work with. I feel that his efforts have gone above and beyond," Nordin said.

Dankert said based on the news from Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty, the city has some big decisions to make.

He pointed out that part of the position profile for the city administrator includes experience with a HRA. The board will have McGarvey as an interim until the new candidate is hired.

"If it can help the city and the HRA, I'll do everything I can with the help of Tom and the group here," McGarvey said. McGarvey will not receive additional salary for his duties as an interim director for the HRA.

"I think the approach the board is taking is a good one," Mayor Bonnie Rietz said.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com