HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-19 CC Special MeetingOFFICIAL PROCEED111GS
CITY OF COLUMBIA, H�EIGHTS
F-1 ELY—f:14,
MAY 28, 20119
The following are the minutes for the Special Meeting of the City Council held at 6:00 pm on
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 in the Conference Room, City Hall 59O 40'x' Avenue NE, Columbia
Heights, Minnesota
Mayor Schniitt called the meeting to order at 6:15 pin.
2. ROLL CALL:
Present: Mayor Schmitt, Councilmembers Novitsky, Buesgens, Murzyn, and Williams.
Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois-City Manager- Lenny Austin-Police Chief, Gary Gorrnan-
Fire Chief., Dan O'Brien-Fire, Captain, and Shelley Hanson,, Secretary.
Fire Personnel-Emily Kosman, Kelly Schmidt, and members of the community were also
in attendance. Mike Pyka and Grant Dickinson arrived later in the meeting.
3. DISCUSS, PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFING STUDY ACTION PLAN
Bourgeois said she would give a brief update on what action has taken place thus far based
on recornmendations in the staffing study. She told members that she had sent an email to all
fire department personnel to update them on some of the changes that would be made : going
forward.
Fire Dept. -
1. The Fire Chief s last day is May 31, 2019. Therefore, Dan O'Brien was appointed
Acting Fire Chief effective June 1, 2019, and the Fire Chief position has been posted.
Priority will be given to applications received by June 3, 2019. It will be a priority to get this
position filled as soon as possible.
1 The ftill time firefighter vacancy left by Rich Hinrich's retirement, is in the last stages of
being filled.
3. Seasonal Inspectors are ready to start.
4. A firefighter came in and recommended putting a POC on as a temporary full time until
such time as additional firefighters can be hired. Bourgeois would like to do this as soon as
possible and is in the process of clearing it through all parties. The position would not be
PERA eligible, but would get additional credits through the Relief Association.
City Council Special Meeting
Page 2
May 2, 2019
5. Once the new penrianent chief is hired, a decision will be made regarding a "second in
command" position.
Police Dept —
1. The Council will consider creating the Lead Records Technician position at tile regular
council meeting following this meeting,.
Comments from Council:
Bourgeois was asked if she had anyone special in mind for the Fire Chief position. She told
rnembers that the position was posted internally and externally, and is open until filled. She
is giving priority points to those submitted by June 3, 2019. She will score the applications
and proceed as quickly as she can.
Murzyn agreed it was a good idea to fill the firefighter position temporarily with a Paid on
Call. Gon-nan and O'Brien also agreed as they need additional staff members. They
acknowledged the two Paid On Call firefighters (Grant Dickinson and Mike Pyka) who have
stepped up the last 2-3 months to alleviate the burden and staff the department even though
they have other jobs. They have been working a lot of hours. And Bourgeois said a couple
of firefighters are coming up against maximurn vacation accrual so a Memorandum of
Understanding will need to be entered into to extend that amount until such time the
department is fully staffed again. Murzyn also commented that O'Brien would be a good
candidate for promotion to Chief
Public Hearing, Opened.
Sclu-nitt asked Gon-nan for comments. fie said the steps being taken are a good way to
proceed, but he still advises that a "second in command" position be filled, even if they
decide to title it different.
Schmitt asked O'Brien for comments. Ile is all in favor of filling the positions to bring the
department up to full staff as quickly as possible, Ile said scheduling enough coverage has
been a problem.
Kelly Schl-nidt from the Fire Dept. has worked on the scheduling also and is finding it hard to
find people to fill the vacant times on the schedule. Weekdays are the hardest since most of
the POC have other day jobs. She stated that Emily has been working alone a lot daring the
day shifts. It is hard to cover the calls plus 28 inspections with only one person. Schmidt
also agreed to speed up getting coverage and to hire a "second in command ".
City Council Special Meeting
Page 3
May 2S, 2019
Bourgeois stated they must keep their eyes on the long range goal and continue down the
path we're going by getting the Chief position filled, then move on to the others.
Bourgeois then thanked Gon-nan for his service and his cooperation during this transition.
His input has been very helpful. Gorman stated he appreciated Bourgeois making a point of
meeting with the POC and emailing them to communicate directly about changes happening
in the dept. lie has never had a City Manager do that and felt it went a long way in making
them feel like they are an important part of the City team.
O'Brien told members that whether they go with two firefighters, or one firefighter and one
code enforcement officer, it will take about 6-8 inonths to train them for inspections, and get
them enrolled in classes, so they can be up to speed by next year.
Kosman stated .she isn't in favor of trying to curtail or screen medical calls since they aren't
always what they seem. By not responding to calls you think are i-ninor can result in life
altering situations. She said the department does need more help and the continued
redevelopment and added housing means more residents and more calls.
Schmitt asked Austin if he had any comments regarding the Police Dept, He told members
they are moving forwa d on the Lead Records Technician; he is looking at a policy for cell
phones; if the budget allows, he would like to start bar coding items for the evidence room;
lie would like to add an officer in 2020 and then phase other staffing, recommendations into
future budget cycles. He agrees with the City Manager and Council to leave inspections in
the Fire Dept, He told members that even though it is not part of the study, they are
proceeding with getting the details for the addition of a drone as previously discussed.
There were no other comments so the Public Hearing was closed
Motion by Buesgens, seconded ley Murzyn, to adjourn at 6:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
(ha N&)Y\
Shelley Hanson
Recording Secretary