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for awhile. He added that no names have to come up during the time concerns are <br />expressed. <br /> <br />Boardmember Pearson again suggested term limits. <br /> <br />Ms. McAloney stated that Staff is recommending not to put term limits on the position of <br />Fire Chief at all. With regard to the Assistant Chief, if we make sure it's seen as a <br />temporary work assignment and no rights are attached to the position, it is possible to put a <br />term on it. She cautioned against making it a one-year term though because of the training <br />it takes. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder suggested that the Fire Chief position is no different than any other <br />Department Head. Relative to the Captain, etc., he suggested it is the same as the Police <br />Investigator position, which is a rotating position. <br /> <br />Ms. McAloney stated she could see the point about no incentive; however, she felt she <br />would like an opinion from the League of Minnesota Cities relating to the Assistant Chief <br />position. <br /> <br />Fire Fighter Spence stated that there has been a lot of discussion taking place and not being <br />written down and he expressed concern about the things promised by Mr. Schroeder with <br />regard to the Chief's performance review, etc. <br /> <br />Mr. Spence was informed that minutes were being taken of this meeting as is the case with <br />all Fire Board meetings. <br /> <br />Fire Chief Griffin stated he would like to see the Assistant Chief be a rotating position. He <br />suggested it is easier to "back out", when your term expires, than to resign. <br /> <br />Ms. McAloney stated that if she could get information back from the League with regard to <br />the Assistant Chief being considered a temporary work assignment, she suggested maybe it <br />would be a term limit of two years. <br /> <br />Fire Chief Griffin suggested two years also. <br /> <br />Fire Fighter Sharp asked Ms. McAloney to describe Veteran's Preference, which she did. <br />She stated that this has changed all hiring practices and also addresses the process of <br />disciplinary action as it relates to veterans. It's an issue the League of Minnesota Cities has <br />taken very seriously. She explained that the City pays for insurance to the League and they <br />in mm defend the City if the need arises. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer stated that you can fire, demote, etc. someone with Vet's <br />Preference, but you have to go through additional steps. <br /> <br />Fire Fighter Sharp inquired what would be wrong with having to go through additional <br />steps to which Ms. McAloney noted that "nothing would be wrong with that" but that is not <br />the case. Minnesota Statutes state that a veteran can only be removed from a position for <br />incompetency or misconduct. <br /> <br />Mayor Gilbertson ag'reed with a two-year term limit for the Assistant Chief. <br /> <br />Ms. McAloney stated that the position would have to be set up a bit different and it may <br />mean more work for the Fire Chief. <br /> <br />The Fire Fighters present agreed with the two-year term for Assistant Chief. <br /> Fire Board/August 17, 1994 <br /> Page 6 of 9 <br /> <br /> <br />