Minutes - Council - 09/15/1997 - Special

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his additional function of Public Works Director; without a Public Works Director, the City isn't realizing the potential benefits of sharing resources, including personnel and equipment, between the Public Works divisions; both the Parks and Streets divisions of Public Works have requested additional maintenance workers to deal with increasing work loads; and the Fire Department hasn't been able to respond to a need for inspecting daycare facilities, businesses and pre-plans. Understanding that the City could not possibly afford to hire all the requested positions, staff looked at better ways to organize to be able to respond to these concerns. The alternative staff is recommending is that the Fire Chief position which is currently part-time should be expanded to full-time and that the position be assigned to direct the activities of both the Fire Department and the Public Works Department for the next three years. Suggested is 30% Fire and 70% Public Works for 1998, 40% Fire and 60% Public Works for 1999, and 50% Fire and 50% Public Works for 2000. In the last quarter of the year 2000, the arrangement should be reviewed. If it has proven effective, the City Council can decide at that time whether to create a full-time Public Works Director position. At that point, the second Fire station will be functioning and there will probably be a need for the Fire Chief to spend 100% of his time directing activities of the Fire Department. Mr. Schroeder listed several benefits of this action. City Engineer Jankowski expressed support for the idea. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated she would not support just posting this position on the "inside" but felt there is a real need for a Public Works Director. Councilmember Beyer agreed combining the positions for the present was a great idea. Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to eliminate the position of Volunteer Fire Chief, effective January 1, 1998; create a full-time exempt position of Fire Chief, effective January 1, 1998; assign the position responsibility for directing the Public Works Department as well as the Fire Department from 1998 through 2000; and to establish the Fire Chief salary at $51,000 annually. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Beyer, Beahen and Zimmerman. Voting No: Councilmember Haas Steffen. Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Zimmerman to post the position internally for two weeks. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Beyer, Zimmerman and Beahen. Voting No: Councilmember Haas Steffen. MAYOR AND COUNCIL INPUT 1) Meetings Mayor Gamec noted an Animal Control meeting coming up. He would advise of the date when he received the information. City Council/September 15, 1997 Page 4 of 5