City’s public works chief to retire at year’s end

After 20 years with the city, Laguna Beach’s Public Works Director Steve May will retire at the end of December.

May, 62, who helped the city obtain more than $10 million in grant funding for infrastructure improvements while overseeing Laguna’s burgeoning transit system, said he “is in a position” to step down and pursue other interests.”

“I haven’t traveled much at all because I haven’t had the time to do it,” May said. “There are places in the U.S. and Europe me and my wife want to visit.”

May was hired as an assistant director of municipal services and city engineer in 1995 and promoted to public works director in 2001, according to a news release.

During his tenure, May, who lives in Huntington Beach, oversaw design and construction of various projects, including improved sidewalks around Laguna Beach High School; renovations at Bluebird, Lang and Moulton Meadows parks; reconstruction of Main Beach’s boardwalk following flood damage; and construction of the new lifeguard headquarters and public restrooms.

May said he considers the stairs providing beach access at Brooks Street and Crescent Bay and a storm drain that alleviated flooding at the latter location among his proudest achievements.

“Steve May’s contributions to the city have been significant and have greatly improved the quality of life for residents and visitors,” the city said in a statement.

May, who grew up in Orange County, attended Long Beach State, earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1979 and a master’s of public administration in 1999.

He has also worked in commercial development in the private sector and spent six months in Puerto Rico during the Gulf War as a reserve officer in the U.S. Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps.

“We were ready to go to Kuwait, but the war ended rather quickly, so they kept us in Puerto Rico,” May said.

May served as Huntington Beach’s principal civil engineer before being hired in Laguna.

May said he will miss interacting with professionals from different fields.

“I’ve gotten to know a lot of people, from builders, contractors and engineers, and forged some friendships,” said May, whose last day will be Dec. 31.

Once May retires, City Manager John Pietig plans to reorganize the public works and community service departments. Current Deputy City Manager Ben Siegel will become assistant city manager and director of public works.