Cindy Maxwell will retire next week after a nearly 30-year career with City of Milpitas. Though hired by the city in 1981 as an urban planner, Maxwell routinely worked outside her field.

"I really kind of got challenged by things that weren't planning at all," she said. "I would ask for different things; I needed new challenges and new things to learn."

Those projects included the city's earliest solid waste and recycling programs in the 1990s, being the city's transportation liaison to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and other area transit agencies, and helping with early operational plans for the $39-million Milpitas Public Library rising on North Main Street.

Maxwell, who turns 55 on Saturday, also handled many special events for the city, including coordinating the grand opening ceremonies for Milpitas City Hall in 2003, and the light-rail station debut at GreatMall.

"I did a lot of special events," she added.

Maxwell worked on the city's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2004, including helping to edit the Milpitas Post Newspaper's book on Milpitas' history.

Maxwell said she hopes to do more work, perhaps as a consultant or for a nonprofit. She's also thinking about becoming an American Red Cross volunteer to aid people during disaster relief efforts, and wants do more traveling, hiking and cycling.

Maxwell said she is grateful to have worked for the city and as a single mother was able to raise her adult son and daughter, all

"Working for the City of Milpitas has been wonderful for me, because I raised my family here," she said.

Maxwell's last day on the job will be Oct. 13. A retirement party will be held in her honor tomorrow at Milpitas Community Center.