Agenda - Council - 09/27/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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that two members setecte_..d by the Fire Department lac pan of the interviewing panel. This is a process that has worked well in other departments. The other change ] am proposing is that there should no longer be term limits on the position of Fire Chief. Nol on)), is it difficull for a department head posidon such as this to ~ changing every two yem's, bu~ it could be a potential veteran's preference prob)em. If a veteran was chosen by the City Council as thc most qualified individual for the position, how could that person be removed in two 5, ears, as Minnesota Statute 197.46 states that a veteran cannot be removed from a position except for incompetency or misconduct. 1 am proposing that the position of Fire Chief no longer be subject to a term limit, and performance would be assessed by the City Administrator as other department head positions in the City, The other above listed positions would receive two year "temporary work assignments", simile.,' to specific ~-aining, such as investigations, as done in some police departments. At the end of the ~wo-vcar penod, another person would be chosen for the next cwo-veer period. It was presented to the Fire Board and CiTy Council that our previous hiring practice in thc Fire Department and term limits for some of the positions ma), put the C~ty in a difficult situation should these practices be challenged.. I have been asked to get an opinion by the League of Minnesota Cities attorney regarding my interpretation. The City Anornev has heard the nc,,,,, proposals and believes that thc City would be in a more favorable iight, regarding a defense if challenged, if we were to make the changes as proposed. Please contact me if you have any questions. ~I look forward to your written opinion and would appreciate a prompt response. Sinc~reJy, Kay McAionsy A. dm.inis~----afive S~r~ ~,-,,s Manager