07-26-1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COmm/^h mccTINQ It II 0 A 1999 REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION cn t ut- uhUNO DATE: July 22,1999 ITEM NO: /f Department Approval: Name Ron Moorse Title City Administrator Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: City Administrator’s Report Item Description: Fire Inspection Service Options Staff has completed an RFP process for fire inspection services. Staff has selected William Meyer, who currently provides fire inspections services to the City of Wayzata, to provide fire inspection services to the City. The initial plan was to enter into an agreement for fire inspection services on an independent contractor basis. However, Mr. Meyer currently provides fire inspection services to the City of Wayzata as a member of the Wayzata Volunteer Fire Department. As such, he is covered for professional liability and workers ’ compensation insurance through the City of Wayzata. To provide services to the City of Orono on an independent contractor basis would require Mr. Meyer to purchase professional liability and workers' compensation insurance, which would significantly increase his costs. One solution considered to address this problem was to contract with the City of Wayzata for fire inspection services, since Wayzata currently covers Mr. Meyer for the necessary insurances. The City of Wayzata has been very cooperative in trying to work out an agreement for fire inspection services. In working toward an agreement, Wayzata proposed that the City of Orono indemnify the City of Wayzata from any liability resulting from the provision of fire inspection services to Orono. In reviewing the liability issues with an attorney with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust; the attorney suggested that, because the proposed agreement between Orono and Wayzata called for Orono to indemnify the City of Wayzata, it may be easier to simply hire Mr. Meyer as a part-time employee of the City rather than adding the City of Wayzata as a third party to the arrangement for fire inspection services. The disadvantage of an employee vs. a contractual agreement is the potential loss of flexibility in relation to terminating the arrangement. An option for initially addressing this issue is to make the appointment a temporary appointment expiring in three months, six months, or one year to enable the City to evaluate its fire inspection service needs and whether a part-time position is the best method of meeting those needs. Staff recommends the option of appointing Mr. Meyer to a temporary part-time Fire Inspector position for a six-month period, subject to satisfactory performance. Work hours will be scheduled as needed. Tlie position will have a pay rate of $22.00 per hour and will not be eligible for the City’s benefit package. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: Motion to select an option for the provision of fire inspection services; and if the option selected is a temporary part-time position, to appoint William Meyer to a temporary part-time Fire Inspector position for a six-month period beginning Tuesday, July 27, 1999, at a pay rate of $22.00 per hour with no benefits.