Municipal manager stepping down from post

Rayan to return to public works

Penn Hills municipal manager Mohammed Rayan is stepping down from the position he has held since 2009.

Mr. Rayan said he will return to his position of public works director in July. In a statement that Mr. Rayan read at Monday’s council meeting, he said he is leaving the municipality on solid financial footing.

“I want to clear the air about false news concerning the financial stability of Penn Hills. We operate 24/7, providing police, public works, EMS, water pollution, code enforcement and other public service to protect and serve the community. We are in much better shape financially than in 2009,” he said.

Mr. Rayan rattled off the year-end fund balances for both the general and sewer funds for every year since 2009, noting that the actual amounts exceeded the projections every year.

He said the municipality has held the line on taxes and maintained a budget surplus, crediting department directors and staff for watching spending on a weekly basis.

Mr. Rayan’s resignation will be effective July 1.

Mayor Sara Kuhn explained that Mr. Rayan’s contract allows him to resign as manager and return to his former position at any time without cause.

“Why am I leaving to return to my former position as director of public works? For nine years I had no political interference. In the past nine months, politicians have interfered and not abided by the home rule charter. It has become a political arena and I cannot do my job as I see fit,” said Mr. Rayan who refused to elaborate or name names.

All of the council members expressed their gratitude to Mr. Rayan, praising his effective management of municipal operations and commitment to public service.