Members of the Riverbank City Council gathered for their only meeting of the month of December this past week, with just a few items on the agenda.

The first was recognition for the city’s Planning and Building Director Donna Kenney, who was retiring after the Tuesday, Dec. 12 meeting. The council presented her with a plaque recognizing her service to the city.

The citation noted that Kenney has been employed with the City of Riverbank since June 1, 2015.

“Donna came to the city with a wealth of knowledge in urban planning and we were very pleased to have her join the Riverbank Team,” officials added.

During her tenure, Kenney has provided valuable services to the city, officials said, including her efforts in elevating the professionalism of the staff in the Planning, Building, and Neighborhood Improvement Divisions.

She coordinated the preparation of the Crossroads West Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report and has been the lead staff member in all planning related projects, including projects such as the Aemetis Sustainable Aviation Fuel project at the Riverbank Industrial Complex and the Aeriz Cannabis project at the former cannery site, it was noted.

City council members and city staff alike congratulated Kenney on her retirement and wished her the best in her future endeavors.

And while the council was bidding farewell to one department leader, they welcomed in another as the city’s new Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Patton, was introduced.

Officials said Patton’s background in recreation will be instrumental in allowing the city to move forward with several key projects including the proposed trail at Jacob Myers Park. He officially began his employment with the city on Dec. 4.

Patton moved with his family from Ephraim, Utah to the Riverbank area.

He fills the position that became vacant when Sue Fitzpatrick – another longtime city employee – retired a few months ago.