Minutes - Council Work Session - 12/08/2015

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the employee is already familiar with the organization and the other employees and the decision improves employee morale. He stated that for external candidates it takes approximately two years for the employee to come up to speed, there are lower performance reviews during the first year or two, there is a 61 percent failure rate, and there is a higher rate of the employee quitting during the first two years. He asked that the City look to the internal candidates first as it shows that there are promotion options, investments have been made in employees, and succession planning has been done. City Administrator Ulrich stated that with either option the Council chooses, internal candidates would still be considered. He noted that there are at least three internal candidates. He provided information on possible restructuring that could occur such as a merger with another fire organization but noted that is not being considered at this time. He advised that another option would be for a public safety director, providing the example that Police Chief Katers could act as the Public Safety Director and someone from the Fire Department would report to him. He stated that option would work if the Police Chief has fire experience but stated that Police Chief Katers does not and therefore that option would not be a priority at this time either. Councilmember Kuzma stated that the Fire Department is in the process of changing their software and therefore he believed that internal search would be a benefit because of the influx of what is occurring with that change. Councilmember Shryock stated that she would support hiring for the Fire Chief rather than restructuring. Councilmember Johns stated that she would also support hiring a Fire Chief rather than restructuring. Councilmember LeTourneau referenced the additional minimum job requirements and asked if that would be considered a restructuring that would disqualify some of the internal candidates. Human Resources Manager Lasher stated that in her opinion it would simply involve updating the job description. She noted that the update would require an associate's degree with command level experience and would not disqualify internal candidates. Councilmember LeTourneau stated that he would support conducting an internal search as there has been investment in employees and that would support the culture of the City. He noted that there are other candidates in the Anoka County region that would be familiar with the department and could be a good fit for the position. He did not want to see those candidates overlooked. Councilmember Riley stated that he was unsure why all candidates would not be considered and the best candidate chosen. Mayor Strommen agreed that the position should be open to all candidates to ensure the most qualified candidate is selected. She stated that she did not want to set a precedent that Ramsey does not hire from the outside and only promotes from within. She noted that internal candidates City Council Work Session / December 8, 2015 Page 2 of 4