Mercer Island City Manager Rich Conrad, a 35-year employee of the City of Mercer Island, announced his plans to retire at the end of this year. Conrad told the City Council about his decision at their annual planning retreat held over the weekend at the Mercer Island Community and Events Center.

In a letter sent to city employees today, Conrad said that he started out at the city in 1979, just as “another one of the gang that needed a job.”

Over time things changed, he continued. “I was honored to be named the city manager.”

He said he is leaving on his own terms.

“This was totally my decision and done in exactly the way I wanted it done – I am blessed to go out the way I selected,” he added.

Conrad expects to be involved professionally on a part-time basis after he retires. He will live part-time in Arizona where he and his wife April, have a second home.

“I expect that going into 2014 and beyond, I will continue to work on projects and causes that I care about in a semi-retired manner; staying professionally active but on less than a full-time basis. I want to spend a little more time playing golf.