Resolution to Replace the Duties Left Vacant by the Fire Marshal

Matt Kohner, the City's former Fire Marshal, took a position in the city of Fridley in late September, 2013.   Staff is proposing a Deputy Fire Chief as the replacement position, as described in the attached draft job description being brought forward for consideration.

This proposed position will provide back-up for the fire Chief,  anticipates the need for succession planning, will assist with the on-going fire service consolidation effort, and is meant to ensure exemplary ongoing fire administration for the community.

In short, the position duties breakdown into operations and code enforcement at a 60/40 split, respectively.  The Fire Chief has given this situation a significant amount of thought and he will be on hand at the Personnel Committee meeting to provide additional insight and answer any questions that the Committee may have.

Staff feels with this structure, the Department will operate efficiently and effectively both operationally and with code compliance activity. In the near future, if a large amount of inspection/code compliance activity should arise, staff may ask for assistance from either a contracted inspection service or utilize Paid-on-Call staff to fill the need.   This position will be paid through the Personnel Services budget of the Fire Department.   Due to the fact that Mr. Kohner left the City at the top of his salary range, staff feels there is more than enough room in the 2014 budget to accommodate this request which proactively seeks to fill the position based on the City's public safety needs at this time vs. back-filling inadequately.  Hence, it should be noted that this request is to fill the position with a Deputy Fire Chief at a salary range of $30.14 per hour to $37.67 per hour; as compared to that of the Fire Marshal position which was budgeted for $34.56 per hour (2014 rates) or a range of $27.93 per hour to $34.56.

The Fire Chief will be on hand to discuss any potential alternative options that the Committee would like to review.

The anticipated 2014 funding required for this position is approximately $89,346 -- this is only an estimate based on a hiring range of less than a mid-point. The Fire Marshal's position (2014 wages) was budgeted at $104,174.  

To make a motion, which upon City Council approval, will authorize staff to move ahead with recruiting for a Deputy Fire Chief,   posted at the position's full pay scale.

Motion to approve a resolution, which confirms the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to authorize staff to begin a recruitment for a Deputy Fire Chief, posted at the position's full pay scale.