06-09-14 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 27, 2014 DRAFT 90 recommendation is the Public Safety Department. Mayor Reinert suggested that, if more 91 time is needed, the council could hold a special council meeting on June 2 when there is 92 already a work session scheduled. Tonight's action could still be to accept the report and 93 acknowledge that the city will be moving forward on a separate department. Police 94 Chief Swenson noted that time is of the essence especially as it concerns the need to 95 begin recruiting firefighters. 96 97 The council concurred that they would recess this work session and reconvene after the 98 regular council meeting. 99 100 The meeting was recessed at 6:35 p.m. 101 102 The meeting reconvened at 7:40 p.m. All members of the council were present. 103 104 Police Chief Swenson returned to discussion of the report, noting the pros and cons of the 105 two models — standalone fire department or public safety department model. Even with 106 the public safety department there are examples in other cities indicating different 107 models. He supports a model separating the police and fire personnel in that police, when 108 on duty, do not perform fire fighter duties. The police department does not have enough 109 personnel to sustain that model. In order to move forward with recruiting and other 110 pressing elements, the council needs to identify the model that should proceed so that 111 leadership and articulation of the plan can proceed. Recruitment is an important element 112 and having a clear plan will assist in that effort as well. 113 114 Council Members weighed in on the options: 115 116 Mayor Reinert noted that, through the review process and with the assistance of 117 information from Chief Swenson, he is seeing the public safety department model 118 as the way to go for this city. On the matter of moving forward, it's clear from 119 the expert assistance that the city will be able to do this project and now the drill 120 down to get a department in place must begin. He has heard from a number of 121 firefighters who support the effort and are open to recruitment. 122 123 Council Member Roeser said he likes the idea of having central administration, as 124 provided by a public safety department model. He'd also like to see work begin 125 on service agreements anticipated with other fire departments in the area, as he 126 knows that will be necessary. How the city establishes the pension plan for the 127 department will be an important element for recruitment. 128 129 - Council Member Kusterman asked how the city will establish a plan to get 130 recruits trained. Chief Swenson explained the means available to recruit trained 131 personnel as well as training options that will be explored. Chief Swenson added 132 that an important element is having leadership identified and in place so plans can 133 move ahead under that person's guidance. Council Member Kusterman likes the 134 idea of a public safety department because it allows the city to "hit the ground 135 running" more so than other options. 3