NATCHEZ — Natchez City Planner Frankie Legaux resigned recently, but Natchez Mayor Butch Brown said the city planning office isn’t shorthanded.

“We have a city planner on staff,” Brown said. “His name is Rico.”

Riccardo “Rico” Giani was named interim city planner after Legaux recently accepted a city planner position in Pearland, Texas.

Brown said he plans to formally name Giani city planner soon, though.

“Rico will be the interim planner until we formally make him the (city) planner,” Brown said. “Other than that, the (city planning) department won’t change.”

Giani, 24, joined the office of city planning as assistant city planner in March 2014.

With a degree in urban planning from Arizona State University and experience working under Legaux, Giani said he feels well equipped to assume city-planning responsibilities.

“My main goals are to be professional in how I do business, follow the city ordinances and respect my peers,” said Giani, who hails from The Woodlands, Texas. “I’m going to serve the public to the best of my ability.”

Some of Giani’s new responsibilities include overseeing the Natchez Historic Preservation Commission and the Natchez Planning Commission, along with having a heavy hand in city coding and inspection review.

Because Giani is new to the city planner position, Brown said Community Development Director James Johnston would work closely with him to insure a smooth transition.

“He has the education and background. Now we need to let him grow into the institutional side of the city, and the role that he will play here in city government,” Brown said of Giani. “James is the best person I know to acquaint him with that challenge.”

With Johnston’s guidance, Giani said he is confident the department would run smoothly.

“If I need (Johnston’s) input, or he needs to ask me a question — we’re going to work together,” Giani said. “We’re going to keep each other in the loop.”

Currently, Giani said some big tasks at hand are overseeing the completion of the Bridge of Sighs project, reviewing pending site plans for rezoning a seven-acre lot off Winchester Road and working on landmark designation for the Old Washington Road bridge, which leads to the Forks of the Road site.

And while his to-do list may seem long, Giani said he’s excited to take on the challenge.

“I think a big part I’ve been preparing for is being a public servant,” Giani said. “You have to be an administrator, but you also have to deal with a little bit of customer service. You want to make people feel respected, and make sure their opinions are heard.”