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Committee sends firefighter rank-change to second reading after dispute over handling
Summary
City staff said an extra lieutenant slot created under the prior administration needs correction; the union reportedly signed off but several council members expressed dissatisfaction with how the law director responded and the committee agreed to a second reading and possible executive session to discuss employment matters.
City administration staff described a personnel correction for the fire department on March 4, telling the finance committee that an extra lieutenant position—created when an incumbent served in a non-suppression capacity—should be eliminated so ranks match the number of active trucks.
“Kyle” (staff member) said the prior administration had retained an acting lieutenant who worked in a non-suppression role, and that subsequent promotions and retirements created a surplus lieutenant slot that the city now proposes to remove. “Lieutenant count is based on number of trucks,” Kyle said, describing how promotions will be adjusted so the promoted employee will be demoted into the corrected position tomorrow and that, when the next retirement occurs, the vacancy will be filled in sequence.
Kyle told the committee the chief had discussed the change with the union and that the union had agreed and signed off. Council members pressed for more detail about the staffing changes and for clearer communication from the law director; several members said they were dissatisfied with how questions were handled during the floor discussion.
Adam Venti of the law department recommended a second reading and advised that employment-related details may be best discussed in an attorney–client executive session rather than on the council floor. “I don’t view this as a very controversial piece of legislation, but ... I’m not comfortable talking about it further on the floor of the council meeting,” Venti said.
The committee moved to send item 7 to a second reading and indicated it may use an executive session to hear employment-related details.
Next steps: item 7 will return for a second reading and the council will consider whether to convene for an executive session to discuss employment matters.
