Employee Connection: Amy Colbrunn
If you want to know what is happening in Fontana, Amy Colbrunn is one of the people you can ask. As the Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Fontana, Amy works daily with the City Manager, Mayor, Council and other City leaders to help keep Fontana running smoothly. In addition, Amy deals with a diverse group of important callers and visitors including the residents of Fontana. While the tasks and projects in which she is involved may change day-to-day, Amy’s dedication to and love for Fontana has always been constant and unwavering - from the day she was born in our great City.
Q: How long have you worked with the City of Fontana?
I have 13 years of service to the City of Fontana where I currently serve as the Assistant to the City Manager, after previously spending eight years working in the Management Services Department in Finance and Business Services.
Q: What does an Assistant to the City Manager do in the City of Fontana?
In my position, I provide assistance to special projects in various departments, always trying to keep in mind the policy and direction of the City Council. I work as a liaison between City departments, the City Manager and the City Council. In that role of liaison, I participate with many intergovernmental agencies that affect Fontana and our region. Another important aspect of my job is to provide information to the City Council concerning pending Federal, State, and local legislation that may affect Fontana. In addition, I respond daily to citizen inquiries and concerns regarding City programs and services.
Q: You deal with a lot of agencies and their representatives. What do you enjoy most about your job?
As a native Fontana resident, I take great pride in bringing positive change to the community in which I grew up. I am an active participant in the Inland Empire Legislative Task Force and the League of California Cities and thoroughly enjoy collaborating with the surrounding communities to work on legislation and general issues that affect our residents.
Q: What types of questions would you say you deal with on a daily basis from the community or outside agencies?
What I love most about my job is the variety of tasks on any given day. I deal with anything from concerned citizens to business owners asking about the future of Fontana. The most common inquiries I deal with are: “What does the City Manager think about x, y or z?” and “What does the City Council think about x, y or z?"
Q: What are the most rewarding projects in which you have been involved?
Having a small part in the Lewis Library and Technology Center and Fontana Park is very rewarding. Both projects are unsurpassed in any of our surrounding communities. In addition, I take great pride in working on our transportation projects. I helped develop a transportation video about the needs of the I-10 Freeway along with Kevin Ryan, strategic transportation engineering manager. We involved the Mayors of Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Ontario, and San Bernardino, two County Supervisors, and several key people throughout this area. With this video, the word about the 10 Freeway and its needs were spread widely.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at work?
Aside from spending time with my family, I love to sing and perform. I have recently started playing the piano again and I am enjoying the peace it brings. I also enjoy exercising (yes it’s fun!).
Q: What are your plans for the future?
I am excited about starting my Master’s Degree in Public Administration. It is my hope to retire from the City of Fontana because I feel my heart will always be here.
