02-23-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

COUNCIL MINUTES February 9, 2015 DRAFT 178 This resolution requiring transfer by September seems to be more of a push away than a pull together 179 effort. He suggests that it would be good for the city to have the experience of the CFD firefighters 180 for a new department. He asked that the council take a step back and hold off on the date. The 181 September date puts "a line in the sand" for firefighters. They may want to have time to look at the 182 plans further — January would be a better time for them. Leaving it open at this time would allow 183 more time to people to come together. 184 185 Council Member Rafferty noted that in the past thirteen months there seems to have been ample 186 opportunity for CFD members to get information. Mr. Manthey suggested that there's been only one 187 opportunity. There was discussion between the council and Mr. Manthey about a meeting held to 188 discuss pension matters and how it was communicated to firefighters. Mr. Manthey stressed his 189 concern that the CFD firefighters would like more time to understand the city's plans. 190 Council Member Roeser added his opinion that there has been adequate time and information for 191 involvement. Council Member Kusterman wondered what about the city's model do firefighters not 192 understand; the city has had open discussions. Mr. Manthey noted some areas not yet clear — i.e. a 193 timeline, the full model planned by the new director, medical calls, pay for training. 194 195 Chief Swenson responded that there was an open house held for CFD firefighters and there was a 196 meeting held with consultants where personnel could get answers on pension questions. The 197 meetings were communicated with CFD leadership who said they would forward the information to 198 individual members. Mayor Reinert noted that the city needs to have information about it's fire 199 force by September 1 in order to have plans in place for the new department; the model has been 200 discussed at length and Chief Swenson has made himself available to discuss it. 201 202 Chief Swenson noted that the September 1 date that is being questioned is necessary so that the 203 department has adequate time to make good decisions about who is brought in and have those 204 members in place when the department goes live in January 2016. 205 206 Mike Mooney, 900 Oak Lane, remarked that the statement that this will be a better model is not a 207 fact; people have the right to ask more questions. There is also a question of the experience level of 208 firefighters and that is worrisome to some CFD firefighters. He takes insult to a statement made that 209 the leadership at CFD is bad. He just wanted to clarify some of the comments made about 210 communication of meetings by leadership. 211 212 Matt Long, 997 Kelly Street, CFD Firefighter. He identifies himself as a newer firefighter. He has 213 seen Chief Swenson come to speak with them once. Past that he has heard nothing from the new 214 department leadership about the new model. He has a lot of questions. Mayor Reinert asked what 215 efforts Mr. Long has made to get answers to his questions. Chief Swenson said he will make himself 216 available to speak with firefighters. 217 218 Council Member Roeser moved approve Resolution 15-18 as presented. Council Member 219 Kusterman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. 220 221 4C) Public Safety Department Update — Chief Swenson updated the council: 222 5