Agenda - Council - 02/25/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I Case #5: Recommend Process for Replacing Police Chief Administrative Services Manager Waite Smith noted that she had listed some options for replacing the Police Chief. Mayor Gamec suggested talking to all the members of the Police Department to find out what they desire in a Police Chief. He also suggested finding out what all the different programs are (e.g. D.A.R.E., Crime Watch, etc.) to determine the amount of time taken up by them. He thought that the City Administrator and the Administrative Services Manager should interview the Police Department. Ms. Waite Smith pointed out that she did not make a recommendation for the process because she did not know what the Committee wanted. She agreed that a needs assessment could be done. That way, if you have someone from inside that fits the needs, you could hire within, if not - you would advertise for someone from the outside. Councilmember Haas Steffen felt it would be impossible to discuss the process without the job description for the chief. City Administrator Schroeder stated that if we were to do research, asking questions of the City Council and of the Police Department to find out what they what in a police chief, we would be attempting to review the job description. We would come back with a list of attributes that you can use to have the discussion of whether or not the job description ought to change. Councilmember Haas Steffen suggested getting descriptions from other cities. Councilmember Beyer felt that Ramsey does not necessarily have to do what other cities do or have what other cities have so long as we follow state and local guidelines. She added that we have received job descriptions from other cities through our comp worth studies. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated she would like to have the opportunity to articulate what Ramsey needs. Councilmember Beyer suggested that staff should survey Council and the Police Deparunent and bring back the results at the February 25, 1997 meeting. Motion by Mayor Gamec and seconded by Councilmember Haas Steffen to recommend that Council direct staff to proceed with the interviewing process to determine what is wanted/needed in the Police Chief position. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Haas Steffen and Beyer. Voting No: None. Case #6: Consider Recommendation to Appoint Acting Police Chief Administrative Services Manager Waite Smith explained that, with Police Chief Auspos retiring effective February 28, 1997, Council should appoint an acting chief effective March 1, 1997. Staff has researched the question of whether someone in an acting position can be a candidate for that permanent position and found no basis for prohibiting a qualified person who serves in an acting capacity from applying for the position. Staff is, therefore, recommending Sergeant David Gustafson be appointed acting chief. This involves extra work on his part. Using the AFSCME contract as a guide, staff calculated compensation for Sergeant Gustafson at a rate of 5% of the minimum of the pay range for the Police Chief's position. This amounts to $92.10 per pay period Personnel Committee/February 11, 1997 Page 3 of 5