Agenda - Council - 02/11/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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£Lc s #: CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO APPOINT ACTING POLICE CHIEF By: Ryan Schroeder~ City Administrator Background: Police Chief Mike Auspos is retiring, effective February 28, 1997. If the Council advertises the position opening, it will take approximately three months to complete the process to fill it. In the interim, the department needs an acting police chief. Sergeant David Gustafson has filled the role of acting police chief in the past, most recently in November and December of 1996 while the police chief was on medical leave. After conferring with Chief Auspos and Administrative Services Manager Waite Smith, I recommend that Sergeant Gustafson be appointed Acting Police Chief, effective March 1, 1997. In recognition 6f the added responsibilities and the length of time he may be required to perform them, I recommend we compensate Sergeant Gustafson in the same manner the AFSCME contract provides for compensation in the case of promotions. In this case, that would be at the rate of 5% of the minimum of the pay range for the Police Chief's position, which amounts to $92.10 per pay period for the duration of his appointment. In lieu of establishing the promotional Sergeant position as provided for in the 1997 budget, Sergeant Gustafson would like to continue the use of two temporary Corporal assignments that were created to assist him during Chief Auspos' 1996 medical leave. In response to a question raised at the last Council meeting, staff has researched the issue of whether someone in an acting position can be a candidate for that position. We have found no basis for prohibiting a qualified person who serves in an "acting" capacity from applying for the position. Because of Sgt. Gustafson's previous experience fulfilling these duties, it seems to be in the City's best interest to appoint him Acting Police Chief, even if he plans to apply for the vacancy. Committee Action: 1. Motion to recormnend that Council appoint David Gustafson Acting Police Chief, effective March 1,199~. 2. Motion to recommend that while he serves as Acting Police Chief, Sgt. Gustafson's salary be increased in the amount of five percent of the minimum of the pay range for the Police Chief's position. 3. Motion to recommend that Council authorize continuation of the two temporary Corporal assignments created in November 1996.