Laserfiche WebLink
oversees the Fire Department, so this will allow him to work more closely with the Fire Inspector <br />position. She stated that this classification will result in a substantial savings over the previous <br />Fire Marshal salary, because he was also at Step 6 of his salary range. <br />City Administrator Ulrich noted that the cost savings will be about $20,000 annually. <br />Human Resources Manager Reed Kone noted that the savings would only be about $12,000 for <br />this year, because of severance pay for the Fire Marshal. She reviewed the staff <br />recommendations. <br />Fire Chief Kapler stated that this will be a very comprehensive position and not just for fire <br />inspections. He stated that it will include emergency response, public education, fire <br />investigation and everything in between. He stated that for code enforcement programs to run <br />smoothly there has to be a comfort level and a rapport established with businesses and members <br />of the community. He stated that one of the biggest reasons for the reclassification is because he <br />wants to be more involved in this position to ensure that this person is acting in a helpful manner <br />and building a rapport with residents and business owners. <br />Councilmember Dehen asked why the City would declassify this position and if it was primarily <br />for the cost savings. <br />Chief Kapler stated that it is not just the cost savings, but the title of the position. He stated that <br />a Fire Marshal, by definition, should be able to self manage, set up priorities and conduct valid <br />research on code issues and he doesn't want to send a new person into that position. He stated <br />that he wants to be the supervisor of the job for a substantial period of time. <br />Councilmember Dehen asked if this position would do cause and origin investigations and if they <br />would already have received the necessary training before they started work. <br />Fire Chief Kapler stated that this position would be responsible for the cause and origin <br />investigations and he would prefer that they already have that training when they come to the <br />City. <br />Chairperson Jeffrey stated that he appreciates that Fire Chief Kapler took a close look at this <br />position and made the necessary recommendations. He asked if there would be a large scale <br />search for this position or if there are already people on staff that may qualify for it. <br />Fire Chief Kapler stated that his proposal is to post internally first because he thinks there are a <br />handful of people that are qualified and have the educational core requirements. <br />Councilmember Olson asked what the pay scale would be for this person. <br />Chairperson Jeffrey stated that it would be between $49,000 to $62,000. <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that the City invests time and energy into education training and <br />his concern is that employees get a certain amount of training and then "jump ship". He stated <br />Personnel Committee / July 8, 2008 <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />