HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_55Nov15_Special/Public_Hearing627 1
Klatt's Conrad R. Klatt appeared before the council to inquire if the
Addition repairs on Ruggle street nearHamline had been completed to
(bond). the council's satie$action so that bond could be released
covering the contract for asphaltic stabilization of Albert
Street from Ruggles to Rosela~rn Avenue and Ruggles Ave. from
Hamline to Holton Ave. After discussion, Cartwright moved
that we ask Village Engineer Carley to attend our next meeting
to settle the question of Ruggles street. Seconded by Stewart
and motion carried unanimously. The Clerk was also asked to
inform Mr. Carley that the council wished to discuss the
proposed street program with him further.
Skating rink After discussion, Cartwright moved that the Village authorize
warming house wiring of the warming house at tine Falonn Heights grade school
to be wired. for electric service. Seconded by Hustrulid and carried
unanimously.
Ad3ournrment: On motion, the meeting ad3ourned at 1Os20 P.M.
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Approved: lark
a~ (~
Mayor
SPECIAL MEETING AND PUBLIC HEAR]NG, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1955
The Mayor declared the hearing open at 7:l~0 P.M., the following council members
being present: Robert E. Stenzinger, Mayor; George J. Shavor, Trustee; Andrew
Hustrulid, Trustee; David P. Cartwright, Trustee; and Clyde J. Stewart, Clerk.
Also present: William E. Olsen, Treasurer, and Frank N. Graham, Attorney.
The audience included about 200 persons. Some 25 teen alters were in the crowd
according to Police Officer Earl Smith xho.was on duty.
Nov. 9, 1955
The Clerk read a copy of the resolution adopted~by a four to
one vote of the council, removing George E. Swanson as Fire Chief effective
as of November 15, 1955 as of midnight. He also read a copy of the notice of
special meeting and public hearing called for November 15, 1955 to discuss the
reasons for the actions taken at the Council's meeting of November 9, 1955,
pertaining to the removal • f George E. Swanson as Fire Chief. The Clerk stated
the notice had been postede Village's three posting places and at .the fire
station.
Charges presented were that the Fire Chief did not cooperate
with or follow the orders of the council. Trustee Hustrulid presented a
documented case, referring to pages of the minute book, Nos. 552, 595, 607 and
611. ~d s the Chief failed to prepare a work sc~~d~~~~°~ ~'~id
firemen re u s e the council and that he did not pu ~ into eect as
directed. Other charges pertained to leadership and management of the department,
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resulting in the resignation and discharge of members and la ck of attendance at
drills. A detailed report xas read by Trustee Cartxright as to the Chief not
responding to some 17 fire runs in the past txo years, also regarding improper
entries in the log book covering absences of the Chief from the station.
Mayor Stenzinger said he opposed the removal of the Chief because of
the way it xas done by eliminating provisions of the ordinance calling for a
hearing. Trustee Cartxright read from a letter to the Fire Department's
Operational Board in which the council stated in brief (1) that the ordinance
adopted last spring xas not accomplishing the hoped for improvement within the
department, and (2) that the Volunteer department agreed to several recommendations
concerning the Fire Chief and operation of the department, xhich were to be
submitted to the council. That for some unexplained reason these were withdrawn,
and that the council's action in amending the ordinance was in part along the lines
of that recommendation.
Follv~ring a discussion of the letter received from the Volunteers as
to whether the signature was typewritten or not, John ft. Rysgaard, 17lil~ North
Pascal, a member of the volunteers, said the original letter carried the individual
signatures of the volunteers and that the letter was in his possession at the
present time.
George Swanson in ansxering the charges said that~$s not putting
the overlapping provision of the work schedule into effect on August 28, 1955
as ordered was an oversight. Swanson also gave periods of service of each
paid fireman xho had resigned from the department (Imhoff, Grumke, Morse and
Loclt~b) and their reasons therefor. Swanson said he averaged 20 out of 2!t
hours every day for 365 days a year and that he considered he was on duty xhile
in the building. Asked if that included sleeping and eating time, he agreed.
As to the charge that he missed 17 fires.in twa_years, Swanson said Falcon Heights
had !jl fires in 1953, that he attended 23 on off-duty time. The_nine he missed,
he said, were accounted forb~5ff duty and vacation time and when he was on village
business. In 1951 there were 45 calls, he said, and that he attended 28 on off
duty time.
Stanley Schultz, one of the three paid firemen, said he would like to
testify under oath. Said he heard about the opening on the department for
a paid fireman and came up to the station and talked with Robert Locke who
was resigning and who tried to discourage Schultz from taking the Sob because
of what he said were unsatisfactory working conditions. But Schultz said he
came up to see the Fire Chief, took the fob and got along all right for a year
or a year and a half. Said he had to perform personal services for the Chief's
family and that there was no instruction in the department as far as making
better firemen. He recited a list of grievances which he said he finally had
to take to the council..
James E. Desch, an officer of the International Association of Firefighters,
said that in the city the Fire Chief xas responsible to the council, but that
matters pertaining to the Fire Department are referred to the Chief for his
consideration. Said he felt politics xas wrecking our department, that the
charges against Swanson were "asinine," and asked that the council reconsider
their action in removing the Fire Chief.
Hal Nexell, a member of the volunteers, said he xas not Hour a resident
of Falcon Heights. He referred to the letter from the lea Department's
Operational Board, asking that the council inform the Board as to why the
council eliminated provisions from the ordinance calling for a hearing.
B.J. Slams, paid fireman, spoke for Swanson as to xhy the Chief
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did not go to the Winfrey store fire immediately when the call came in on the
emergency phone. This Slama said was because the fire was reported out and
ander control.
Citizens The following residents were then heard and spoke in behalf
heard of Swanson: Mrs. William Mock, 1397 Larpenteur Ave. West;
Marjorie Beck, 1776 Tatum; A.H. Strane, 1lt89 W. Idaho; R.N.
Sullivan, 1825 N. Pascal; Fred Martin, 1717 N. Pascal; Gordon
Nelson, 2110 Larpenteur Avenue West; Len Larson, 1897 N. Albert
(retired fire chief of Virginia, Minn.); Kenneth Hanson, 1lt83 W.
California; and Fred Thompson,l$°W. California. Taro women, whose
names were not recorded, spoke in behalf of the council.
Adjournments On motion by Hustrulid, seconded by Shavor, the meeting was
adjourned at 12:20 A.M., November 16, 1955, the vote recorded
as follows:
Nays: Stenzinger and Cartwright
Ayes: Hustrulid, Shavor and Stewart
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Approved:
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