05-12-2025 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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Date: May 12, 2025 Item: 19 Presenter: Adam Edwards, City Administrator / Engineer Section: City Administrator/Engineer Report Title: Orono Fire Department Reorganization 1.Purpose: The purpose of this item is to reorganize the Orono Fire Department by eliminating the full-time fire chief position and appointing a part-time interim fire chief. 2.Background: At the April 14th City Council meeting, the Council approved an Amendment to the Contract and Agreement for Fire Protection Services, originally dated 2002. During negotiations, Orono’s fire negotiating team made a commitment to Long Lake’s fire negotiation team regarding the status of the Orono Fire Chief position. Additionally, with the elimination of the City’s paid-on-call firefighter positions at the April 28th Council meeting, the City Council has determined that a full- time Fire Chief is no longer required. City code and state statute require that a Fire Chief be appointed as long as the City maintains a fire department. Therefore, with the elimination of the full-time position, a part-time Interim Fire Chief must be appointed. The Fire Chief role remains critical to the effective delivery of emergency services and is essential to ensuring a smooth transition to the merged department envisioned in the amended service contract. The authority to terminate City employees resides with the City Council. Upon Council direction, City staff will proceed with the necessary actions to eliminate the position and implement the associated staffing changes. 3.Cost: Chief Van Eyll has an employment contract with the City that provides for six months of severance pay and continued benefits. The total value of this severance package is approximately $83,000. 4.Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Council retain a highly capable Fire Chief who is committed to delivering the highest level of emergency services to the residents of Orono. It is essential that Orono’s Chief possesses the vision, knowledge, and passion to ensure the city's interests are well represented in the formation of the new department—one that is modern, well- trained, and adaptable. Most importantly, the Chief must be a strong leader who can guide OFD firefighters through this period of change and uncertainty, maintaining focus on the department's mission and core values. Chief James Van Eyll is that Chief and has served as Chief with distinction, meeting every challenge the city has asked of him. He successfully established a modern, highly professional department during a politically tumultuous time, overcoming numerous AGENDA ITEM 335