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MINUTES <br /> /r CITY OF <br /> City Council-Fire Department Staffing Workshop <br /> Hugo City Hall <br /> Tuesday,February 21,2023 � <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> COUNCIL PRESENT: Klein, Miron, Petryk, Strub,Weidt <br /> COUNCIL ABSENT: None <br /> OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, Finance Director Anna Wobse, Fire Chief <br /> Jim Compton, Jr., Deputy Fire Chief Dave Jensen, Assistant Fire Chief Colin Emans <br /> Council had previously discussed the possibility of creating a new full-time fire chief position at <br /> the Preliminary Budget and Midyear Budget Review Workshops in 2022. At the Midyear <br /> Budget Review Workshop Council had directed staff to place funds in the general fund budget to <br /> cover a new full-time fire chief position and to schedule a workshop in 2023 for further <br /> discussion on the topic. City Administrator Bryan Bear reviewed slides with the Council that <br /> provided background for the discussion on the Fire Department staffing needs. <br /> Bear reviewed call data for fire, medical and other calls. Two main options where highlighted <br /> during the presentation, including keeping things as they are or establishing a new full-time fire <br /> chief position. Bear reviewed the priorities that Council had discussed at the past workshops and <br /> possible options on how to proceed. Bear shared that funds were included in the 2023 budget for <br /> both the current officer salaries and for a new full-time fire chief position, and that Council was <br /> not required to create the new position simply because the funds were allocated for in the budget. <br /> Council asked questions on mutual aid, fire and medical calls. Chief Compton explained how <br /> and why the Fire Department goes on specific calls. Council discussed the importance of having <br /> succession planning and keeping firefighters motivated to advance in the ranks. Council felt that <br /> even if a new full-time fire chief position was established that it might be beneficial to keep <br /> some current officer positions as well so that firefighters remain active, involved and take <br /> ownership within the Department. Chief Compton shared some of his ideas on how to make that <br /> all work with a full-time chief position. <br /> Council raised concerns that many of the duties listed in the Chiefs' staffing plan are <br /> administrative duties and Council questioned if there was a need for an administrative assistant <br /> to complete those tasks. Chief Compton shared that he felt a full-time fire chief position could <br /> handle all of those duties. Council expressed a need to keep the culture of the Fire Department <br /> the same and questioned if establishing a full-time fire chief position would change that. Council <br /> agreed that this was a major decision that will have many permanent impacts on the future of the <br /> City and they want to make sure that they are looking at all angles before making a decision. <br /> The Chiefs' staffing plan had only highlighted the benefits of a full-time fire chief position and <br /> Council asked Chief Compton to make a list of drawbacks of a full-time chief position so that <br /> Council could look at both sides. <br /> Council directed staff to add the creation of a subcommittee to discuss the Fire Department <br /> staffing needs to the next City Council agenda. Council would like the subcommittee to consist <br /> of two Council Members,the City Administrator,the three Fire Chiefs, one or two current <br /> officers and one or two current firefighters. Council recommended that the Chiefs also set-up a <br />