Schwartz worked for Roseville from 1974 to 1978 as an Engineering Technician. He then ran a dairy farm for several years while he and his wife, Joan, raised three daughters. Schwartz returned to the City of Roseville in 1987. In 1990 he was named Public Works Superintendent, before being promoted to Public Works Director.

Schwartz has seen a lot of changes in his years with Roseville. When he started, city employees were housed in the old Fire Station, including Parks Department staff crammed in the basement. Roseville did not have a Community Development Department then; it was part of the Public Works Department. When Schwartz began working for Roseville the city had several large parcels of undeveloped property. Roseville is now a fully-developed city.

In 1975 city staff moved to the newly built Roseville City Hall, and in 2004 Schwartz oversaw the remodel and addition to the building.

Schwartz was responsible for coordinating the Public Works Department, including Engineering, Streets, Utilities, and Fleet and Facilities. He oversaw budgeting, policy development, and strategic planning. He coordinated work with other city, county, regional and state levels of government in addition to running the day-to-day operations of the department.

Schwartz includes the City Hall remodel, Twin Lakes Parkway improvements, work on the Rice Street interchange, which included substantial collaboration between several governmental entities, significant capital investments for utility infrastructure, and merging the Grass Lake Watershed District with the Ramsey –Washington Metro Watershed District, among his greatest accomplishments at Roseville.

“Duane is the epitome of a dedicated public servant,” said City Manager Patrick Trudgeon. “In his 32 years here in Roseville he has worked tirelessly to ensure that City services were delivered in the most effective way. He is a frugal steward of public dollars and makes sure that tax dollars are spent wisely. Even more, Duane exhibits great empathy for the citizens of Roseville and works hard to find solutions to meet their needs. Duane has made a tremendous impact to the organization and the community. We wish him well in the next phase of his life. I think I can speak for the community when I say he will be sorely missed in Roseville,” said Trudgeon.

Upon retirement Schwartz and his wife plan to move to a more rural setting, where he will spend time fishing, hunting, and golfing. He had his wife are looking forward to doing some traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.

The City will recognize Schwartz’s contributions at a retirement party on April 30 at 3:00 p.m. at Roseville City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive. Members of the public are invited.