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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />SEPTEMBER 8, 1993 <br />Pedersen asked about the time commitment as Fire Chief <br />and asked if a full-time employee of the City could do <br />both jobs well. <br />Fahey felt this policy focused on one City <br />organization, and pointed out that there are other <br />organizations that a full-time City employee could <br />dedicate a lot of hours. Fahey felt the policy was a <br />bad one which should be reconsidered by the Council. <br />Fahey also pointed out that Jim Morelan, who is First <br />Assistant Chief as well as the City's Parks & <br />Recreation Director, is affected by this policy. Fahey <br />pointed out that Morelan has the knowledge, experience, <br />and confidence of the fire fighters, and if the Chief's <br />position became available would not be able to serve as <br />Fire Chief under this City policy. <br />The Fire Chief asked the Council to look at this policy <br />again feeling that a withdrawal of the policy would <br />create a better atmosphere between the City and Fire <br />Department. <br />LaValle asked how many applications the Fire Department <br />has received for the vacancies which currently exist on <br />the department. <br />Jim Morelan replied that a total of three applications <br />have been received, none of which are from City <br />employees. <br />The City Administrator reported that it is his <br />understanding the the policy was adopted because of the <br />major time commitment involved in serving as Fire <br />Chief. The Administrator pointed out that employment <br />as a City department head was also a major time <br />commitment. The policy was not intended to serve as <br />discouragement to City employees from serving as fire <br />fighters or officers within the Fire Department. <br />Fahey reported that the policy was adopted without <br />thoughtful discussion with or input from the Fire <br />Department, and Fahey felt that there were other ways <br />to address the time commitment concern. Fahey reported <br />that when fire fighters are putting their lives on the <br />line, they want to be serving under the individual they <br />feel can do the best job as Chief. Fahey pointed out <br />that an Administrative Chief can be appointed to assist <br />the Fire Chief in completing paperwork, thus reducing <br />the time commitment for the Chief. <br />Pedersen pointed out that the Fire Department has 36 <br />fire fighters, and asked if there was only one of these <br />fire fighters qualified to serve as Chief. <br />Page 6 <br />