SMB Fire Chief alleges Spring Lake Park Fire Marshall, Barry Brainard, negligent in duties.
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Citizens of Spring Lake Park
Oct 22, 2013, 3:09:47 PM10/22/13
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City Council votes, 3-2, not to terminate, Building Official / Fire Marshall / Code Enforcement Director, Barry Brainard, after City Administrator, Dan Buccholtz, presented allegations from the Spring Lake Park-Mounds View-Blaine Fire Chief that Brainard was negligent in attending meetings and performing his duties as Fire Marshall.
The Spring Lake Park city council held a special meeting at 5pm, on Monday, October 21, 2013 to discuss the matter of an employee's discipline.
Mayor Hansen called the meeting to order, and the City Attorney gave an overview of how the process works.
The administrator would present the allegations, council members could ask questions of the Administrator or Barry Brainard, and then Barry would get a chance to ask the Administrator questions and bring forward witnesses.
Administrator Buccholtz presented that in early September, the SBM Fire Chief asked to meet him for lunch. During that lunch meeting, the fire chief alleged that Brainard does not perform his duties as Fire Marshall for SLP. Allegations were that he doesn't reply to e-mails, doesn't check his dedicated mailbox at the fire station, didn't follow-up to fire hazards in the city, and hasn't attended meetings for several years, despite having claimed in his City Council Report that he has attended 16 meetings in the last 20 months.
Buccholtz presented on his inquiry into the allegations, including meeting with one of the Blaine Fire Marshalls who attested that Brainard has been absent from all meetings.
Several council members asked questions and/or made comments:
Council member, Larry Raymond, stated that he personally looked into the fire hazards that the Chief complained of and determined that they were minor as worst. He also repeatedly asked Buccholz if Brainard has any disciplinary history in his Personnel file.
Buccholz stated that his Personnel file actually contained very little information, other than one positive evaluation from approximately 2000.
Council member, Jeanne Mason, stated that Brainard should get a second chance.
Mayor Hansen was the most upset, stating that she was disappointed, he defied the public, and lost all trust.
Council member, Bob Nelson, echoed her comments.
Council member, Bill Nash, stated that he was very split on the matter, citing his role as a Department Head for another organization as his day job.
Brainard then was able to present his case.
Barry brought forward five witnesses, all of whom spoke of him being a good person and deserving a second chance.
Mayor Hansen moved to terminate him. Nelson voted with her. Raymond, Mason and Nash voted against termination.
Mason moved to allow Administrator Buccholtz to determine what discipline should follow.
A member of the public asked if "that means everything except termination, right?," to which there was no reply from council or staff.
Read the information on the web:
The Spring Lake Park city council held a special meeting at 5pm, on Monday, October 21, 2013 to discuss the matter of an employee's discipline.
Mayor Hansen called the meeting to order, and the City Attorney gave an overview of how the process works.
The administrator would present the allegations, council members could ask questions of the Administrator or Barry Brainard, and then Barry would get a chance to ask the Administrator questions and bring forward witnesses.
Administrator Buccholtz presented that in early September, the SBM Fire Chief asked to meet him for lunch. During that lunch meeting, the fire chief alleged that Brainard does not perform his duties as Fire Marshall for SLP. Allegations were that he doesn't reply to e-mails, doesn't check his dedicated mailbox at the fire station, didn't follow-up to fire hazards in the city, and hasn't attended meetings for several years, despite having claimed in his City Council Report that he has attended 16 meetings in the last 20 months.
Buccholtz presented on his inquiry into the allegations, including meeting with one of the Blaine Fire Marshalls who attested that Brainard has been absent from all meetings.
Several council members asked questions and/or made comments:
Council member, Larry Raymond, stated that he personally looked into the fire hazards that the Chief complained of and determined that they were minor as worst. He also repeatedly asked Buccholz if Brainard has any disciplinary history in his Personnel file.
Buccholz stated that his Personnel file actually contained very little information, other than one positive evaluation from approximately 2000.
Council member, Jeanne Mason, stated that Brainard should get a second chance.
Mayor Hansen was the most upset, stating that she was disappointed, he defied the public, and lost all trust.
Council member, Bob Nelson, echoed her comments.
Council member, Bill Nash, stated that he was very split on the matter, citing his role as a Department Head for another organization as his day job.
Brainard then was able to present his case.
Barry brought forward five witnesses, all of whom spoke of him being a good person and deserving a second chance.
Mayor Hansen moved to terminate him. Nelson voted with her. Raymond, Mason and Nash voted against termination.
Mason moved to allow Administrator Buccholtz to determine what discipline should follow.
A member of the public asked if "that means everything except termination, right?," to which there was no reply from council or staff.
Read the information on the web:
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