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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />FEBRUARY 10, 1992 <br />Graczyk felt this policy would be setting a bad <br />example, and indicated that there are a lot of cities <br />in the Metro area where this occurs. Graczyk stated <br />that the Fire Department is a separate entity from the <br />City, an independent fire department on its own. <br />Hanson pointed out that the Fire Department derives the <br />majority of its operating budget from the City. <br />Boss asked if the City has checked with surrounding <br />cities on their policies regarding department heads <br />serving on volunteer fire departments. Boss felt that <br />this was common across the nation. Boss stated that <br />typically volunteer firemen are very active in their <br />communities, and this should not be held against them. <br />Boss suggested that based on the proposed policy a <br />Mayor or Council Member should not serve as Fire Chief <br />as well. <br />Scalze stated that this has been discussed, and the <br />difference is that the Council is talking about <br />full-time employees. <br />Boss stated that he found it difficult that the City <br />could regulate a person's private life. Boss reported <br />that the biggest corporations encourage their employees <br />to become active in their communities. <br />Hanson stated that there is a difference in an employee <br />being a volunteer fireman and an employee serving as <br />Fire Chief. <br />The Administrator reported that staff has done some <br />checking with a few cities, and for the most part, this <br />situation did not exist or had not been addressed, <br />therefore, these cities had no policy on it. However, <br />one city did indicate that they would be concerned <br />should this come up in their city. <br />Boss assured the Council that this was a common <br />situation in both the Metro area as well as across the <br />country. <br />Scalze stated that she was sure that there are places <br />that this occurs, however, she was not sure it was <br />right for Little Canada. Scalze did not feel it was <br />necessary in Little Canada for one person to serve as <br />the head of two City-funded departments. <br />Graczyk felt it would be a plus for the City, and <br />pointed out that it would provide someone who would be <br />available for day-time fires on a moment's notice. <br />Page 4 <br />