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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 – Priester <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 Kevin Priester 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 Kevin Priester to fill one of the Captain positions. Kevin is currently a Captain at the <br />Roseville Fire Department. He has twelve (12) years’ experience as a firefighter, five (5) as Officer staff (Lieutenant/ <br />Captain) and they recommend hiring Kevin at grade level 7, step 6. As Kevin is not a current Lake Elmo employee, the <br />conditional offer will be contingent upon passing a drug screen, psychological leadership evaluation and background <br />check. <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />N/A, the position is in the 2026 budget. <br />OPTIONS: <br />Approve the hiring of Kevin Priester as the new Fire Captain for the Fire Department. <br />Deny the hire of Kevin Prieseter as the new Fire Captain for the Fire Department.