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1984-06-20 Council minutesPage No. 2056 June 20, 1984 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Continued Meeting Held Wednesday, June 20, 1984 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the continued meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, was held at 9:00 o'clock P.M. at City Hall, 750 South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Lockwood called the meeting to order at 9:05 o'clock P.M. City Administrator Frazell noted on Roll Call that all members of the Council were present. Item 3A Consideration of a resolution to be directed at the Metropoli- tan Airports Sound Abatement Council, concerning aircraft noise over Mendota Heights. Motion by Councilman Mertensotto, second by Councilman Hartmann, to adopt Resolution No. 84-38, "RESOLUTION REGARDING AIR TRAFFIC PATTERNS," and to direct the sending of copies to the Metropolitan Airports Sound Abatement Council, the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the City of Eagan. Motion passed unanimously. It was also noted that copies of the resolution should be sent to Bernard Friel and the president of the Friendly Hills Civic Association. Item 3B Continued discussion regarding Fire Department officers. Mayor Lockwood began the discussion by noting that at the previous evening's regularly scheduled Council meeting, the Council had conducted a public hearing on the removal of Fire Chief Leroy Noack from office. Mayor Lockwood said that due to the show of support by the Fire Department, the Council had asked the department to go back and come forth with a recommendation as to how the City could resolve this dilemma. Assistant Chief William Lerbs reported to the Council that the department had in fact discussed the matter and reached a concensus on a recommendation at their monthly meeting earlier that same evening. Lerbs said it was the department's recommendation that Leroy Noack continue as Chief, and that Bill Lerbs and John Maczko both be appointed as Assistant Chiefs, with one specific area of responsibility for the Assistant Chiefs to be a communication line between the fire department and the City Counciharid Staff. Lerbs noted that when Leroy Noack had been selected for appointment to the _position of Fire Chief two years ago, it had been done in a hurry-up fashion. He said that, therefore it had been very difficult for Noack to assume the responsibilities quickly. Councilwoman Blesener questioned what kind of a division of duties there would be for the Assistant Chiefs. Councilman Mertensotto stated that we might Page No. 2057 June 20, 1984 not have a second Assistant Chief in the future, but that this would be an interim solution for the time being to resolve the impasse. Councilwoman Witt questioned what input the fire hall committee wished to have on the construction of the station. Lerbs responded that the committee wished to have the opportunity to review and comment on significant changes, and would work cooperatively with project manager Gene Lange. Councilman Mertensotto said that he thought there was a need for more discussion and communication between Noack, Lerbs, Maczko, Mayor Lockwood and City Administrator Frazell to clear up the respective roles and responsibilities. Mertensotto went on to say that the petition which had been presented to the Council last night asking for the retention of Leroy Noack as Fire Chief was different from what he had been told. He said that in the past he had understood that there were some serious divisions within the department. Mertensotto said that he hoped the petition was an honest reflection of the sentiments of the department, and not just a quick fix solution to get us out of an immediate crisis. Firefighter Marc Connolly responded that what the Council had received was not a petition, but a letter objecting to the manner in which Noack had been treated by the City. Firefighter Ken Noack asked if the department still had a particular liaison person on the City Council. Councilman Mertensotto responded that that was no longer the case, that the City now has a full-time City staff and Administrator. He said that the days of the commission form of government, in which each Council member was responsible for a particular City department, are over. At that point, Mayor Lockwood said that he would like to turn the meeting over to Acting Mayor Mertensotto, so that he, City Administrator Frazell, Chief Noack, and proposed Assistant Chiefs Lerbs and Maczko, could recess to the City Administrator's office for a private discussion about understandings on how this might be worked out. The remaining members of the Council and Fire Department then had an open discussion about issues of concern to the department. Firefighter John Lapakko said that the department was concerned that there had been no contact by any city person with people in the Fire Department about all of the problems. Councilman Mertensotto explained the City's operational structure now, which provides for the City Council setting policy, and working through' the City Administrator for day to day operations. It was explained that the Fire Department reports to the City Administrator like any other City department, and that it is in fact considered a City department. There was some discontent expressed about the role of the building committee, versus that of project manager Gene Lange, in the construction of the new fire station, that being that the committee would like to be more involved in significant decisions. The Council agreed that one member of Page No.2058 June 20, 1984 the committee should be designated to be the liaison with Lange, so that important decisions could be coordinated. The method of disposition of the old fire tanker was discussed, and it was clarified that there needed to be better communication between the City staff and the fire officers whenever disposing of equipment, so that there were no misunderstandings. Other issues which were discussed included: 1. The clearing of snow in front of the fire station. 2. The delay in getting new batteries in the first line pumper unit. 3. The delay in putting the new chief's car into service. 4. General equipment maintenance procedures. 5. A desire that the Council and City Administrator not become involved in the selection and approval of captains. 6. The method and procedures for reviewing applications for membership on the Fire Department. At this point Mayor Lockwood, City Administrator Frazell, Chief Noack, Assistant Chief Lerbs and Mr. Maczko re-entered the meeting. Mayor Lockwood indicated that the group concurred that the department's recommendations as to officer positions would be acceptable and workable. He said there had been extensive discussion about Lerbs and Maczko attending regular City staff meetings to keep lines of communication open, and handling presentations to the City staff and City Council on Fire Department matters. Lockwood also reported that the group had discussed the Fire Department study committee, which had been part of the original plan for a change over in officers. Lockwood said that there were still several issues in the department which need to be clarified and a recommendation brought forth to the Council, so it was the feeling of the group that the study committee should go forth. City Administrator Frazell indicated that he was pleased with the proposed solution, and felt that it could satisfy everyone's concerns. Frazell said that in his opinion, although the Fire Department is a volunteer organization, it is no less important than any other City service, and he considers it to be a full status department of the City just like any other department. Frazell also said that with the officers' problem resolved, he would make himself more available to the department, and would try to maintain closer contact. Councilwoman Blesener questioned whether it would be a good idea to have written job descriptions for the officers' positions, to clarify responsibilities. Mayor Lockwood responded that he felt that could be a part of any revision to the City ordinance governing the Fire Department, which would be one of the subjects of study by the study committee. Motion by Mayor Lockwood, seconded by Councilmember Witt to lift the suspension of Chief Leroy Noack, and to appoint John Maczko as a second Assistant Chief, effective July 1, 1984. Motion passed unanimously. There was a question raised as to the authority for a second Assistant Chief's position under the ordinance, and what the pay would be. City Page No. 2059 June 20, 1984 Administrator responded that he thought both the ordinance language and the pay scale should be the subjects considered by the study committee, and that in the meantime we would "wing it," with Maczko being paid at the same Assistant Chief rate as is now established for Lerbs. Motion by Councilman Mertensotto, seconded by Councilman Hartmann to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 o'clock P.M. Motion passed unanimously. Kevin D. Frazell. City Administrator ATTEST: Robert G. Lockwood Mayor