Appoint Interim Fire Chief - This case was moved from Consent 4.5 to Case 7.6 on the Regular Agenda.

Fire Chief Kapler will be retiring effective March 1, 2016. With the recruitment process approaching the end, it is necessary to bridge the gap of time from Chief Kapler's retirement to the starting date of the replacement Fire Chief that is to be named. It is Chief Kapler's recommendation to name Fire Marshal Carey Schiferli as the Interim Fire Chief effective March 1st and continuing until the new Chief begins on or about April 10, 2016.

To maintain effectiveness and efficiency during the transition between Fire Chiefs, it is Chief Kapler's recommendation to name an Interim Chief to be the point person of the Fire Department until the new Chief begins in their position.

As per the City's policy regarding interim pay and at the City Administrator's recommendation, Fire Marshal Schiferli will be provided an increase of 10% of his current wage for recognition of his filling both roles. The financial impact for the March 1 to April 10 timeframe is estimated at $960, which includes salary and taxes. This amount would come from the personnel services section of the Fire Department budget.

It is recommended that Fire Marshal Schiferli be assigned the position of Ramsey Interim Fire Chief effective March 1,  until the new Chief begins the position on or about April 10, 2016, including a temporary increase in Fire Marshal's wage for this time period.

Motion to assign City Fire Marshal Schiferli to the position of Interim Fire Chief, effective March 1, 2016, and serving until the new regular fulltime Fire Chief reports for duty.