06/26/2007 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Special Council Minutes of 6/26/2007 Barker, yes; Tallon, yes; Gareau, yes; Ryan, no; Jones, yes; Miller, no. The motion passed with five yes votes and two no votes. Councilman Barker, member of the Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee, made a minority report: 1) The Safety Committee met on June 25, 2007. He is in favor of extending Ordinance 2007-79 because we have a fire fighter moving past Lieutenants and Captains to become an Assistant Fire Chief. This gentleman has no management experience, and he has no training regarding Assistant Fire Chief duties. Keeping the part time Administrator on for another 60 days, or possibly 30 days, in his opinion is a good idea. Serving an apprenticeship some 38 years ago, he had a mentor to help and guide him along the way for 4 years to train him in his occupation. The administration asked for 120 days, which has now been cut to 60 or 30 days, depending on how the vote goes. The 30 days would cost the city approximately $2,730 out of the Fire Dept. budget, providing about 105 hours of guidance for our new Assistant Chief, with an additional $400 going to PERS for a total of $3,130. He feels it is a worthwhile investment considering there aren't any training classes or seminars for that position. Due to the fact that a Captain or Lieutenant decided not to advance in rank, we have a situation that can be solved with a little money that is already in the budget and help this fire fighter learn the position for which he successfully tested. Also, it would provide a smoother transition for the whole department. Councilman Ryan commented he had attended the Public Safety Committee meeting. He feels very strongly that we should always be supportive of our safety forces, including our fire fighting forces. He finds it highly unfortunate that, for whatever reason, the Fire Chief did not attend. He also finds it very interesting that no one has given Council any background or any information at all on the person who is being hired. Information needed would include who is being hired, what is his experience, how come the person hired originally to catch up examination of reports suddenly becomes that person who is qualified to train? He finds it highly interesting that person has not worked as a fire fighter for seven to eight years and has never been involved as an assistant chief. The Safety Director said that the North Olmsted Fire Dept. is a unique situation. Councilman Ryan said we are very fortunate in our community to have Captains and Lieutenants who are available on a 24 hour basis who can train and instruct the new Assistant Chief. Council does not know who the individual is. But Council is asked to blindly spend taxpayers money when the Fire Chief will not even come in and extend the courtesy to appear and tell Council what he intends to do and who he intends to hire. He would spend a million dollars if the administration would only show him how effectively that money was going to be used. LEGISLATION Ordinance No. 2007-77 introduced by Mayor O'Grady was given its second reading. An ordinance to make and transfer appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the City of North Olmsted for the year ending December 31, 2007. Councilman Tallon moved for suspension of the rule requiring three readings noting that the legislation had been heard in committee. The motion was seconded by Councilman 2