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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE June 2, 2026 <br />CONSENT <br />TO: Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: Jennifer Doyle, Administrative Services Director and Dustin Kalis, Fire Chief <br />AGENDA ITEM: Approval of the Fire Captain Hiring- Hathaway <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☐Vibrant, inclusive, connected community <br />☐Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance <br />☐Managed Growth <br />☒Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Council approved the addition of 3 Full-Time Fire Captains for 2026. <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Should council approve Joe Hathaway to be hired as the Fire Captain? <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />Twelve (12) applicants did first round interviews with a panel consisting of: Assistant Fire Chief Svoboda, POC Fire <br />Captain Schwarz, FT Firefighter Allickson, POC Firefighter Klitzke and Stillwater Captain Jansen. Five (5) of those <br />applicants moved on to a second-round interview which was of a three-part process. A command simulation with <br />Assistant Chief Svoboda and North St. Paul Fire Chief Mallinger, a panel interview with Fire Chief Kalis, Vadnais Heights <br />Fire Chief Frison and Administrative Services Director Doyle, as well as a written “In-basket” exercise. The interview <br />panels are recommending the hire of Joe Hathaway to fill one of the Captain positions. Joe is currently a Full-Time <br />Firefighter with Lake Elmo and has been with us since May of 2021. He has seven (7) years’ experience as a firefighter <br />and we recommend hiring Joe at grade level 7, step 3. As Joe is a current firefighter with Lake Elmo, the approval is <br />contingent upon successful completion of a Leadership Assessment evaluation. <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />N/A, the position is in the 2026 budget. <br />OPTIONS: <br />Approve the hiring of Joe Hathaway as the new Fire Captain for the Fire Department. <br />Deny the hire of Joe Hathaway as the new Fire Captain for the Fire Department.