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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />FEBRUARY 10, 1992 <br />employee from joining the Fire Department. <br />Hanson pointed out that in the past there was a City <br />employee who was also a fire fighter. That employee <br />was excused during work hours to answer fire calls. <br />The Administrator reported that he discussed with Bill <br />Blesener the pending policy of dual department head <br />status. Blesener's position was that he had no problem <br />with Morelan serving as Fire Chief provided that he <br />understood that his full-time position came first and <br />that he would not be involved in negotiations on <br />financial matters related to the Fire Department, <br />including budget and pension funds. <br />Fahey pointed out that prior to this year there have <br />been no problems in budget negotiations with the City. <br />Fahey felt that some concern on the part of the Council <br />may relate to an employee serving two masters, and he <br />can understand this argument as relates to budget <br />negotiations. Fahey suggested that perhaps the answer <br />is that if Morelan is Chief he not be involved in the <br />budget negotiation process. Fahey felt however, that <br />to prohibit Morelan from serving as Chief would take <br />away from leadership for the Fire Department and the <br />City. Fahey pointed out that the Fire Department has a <br />lot of time invested in Morelan as well as Dick Boss, <br />and it would be unfortunate if the City would not allow <br />Morelan to serve in the capacity of Chief. <br />Hanson stated that he did not feel comfortable with a <br />full-time employee wearing two hats. Hanson felt that <br />the Council was setting a precedent for the future, and <br />stated that he would not like to see other full-time <br />employees serving as Fire Chief in the cities in which <br />they reside. <br />LaValle stated that he did not have a problem if an <br />employee served as Chief for another city since that <br />employee would be accountable to Little Canada on a <br />daily basis. LaValle felt the issue was a dual <br />department head status for City-funded departments. <br />Fahey pointed out that as an assistant chief, or a <br />member of the budget committee, an individual can have <br />as much influence in the budget process as the Chief. <br />Fahey felt that the Fire Department was being singled <br />out in this issue. <br />Scalze disagreed, and stated that she would not be <br />comfortable with an employee who ran for the Ramsey <br />County Sheriff's position, for example. Scalze stated <br />that the Council is working on a policy so that <br />citizens will have a good perception of what is going <br />on as well as there being a good reality. <br />Page 10 <br />