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Bluffs fire chief search narrows to one
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |
BELLEAIR BLUFFS – An Internet posting of the city’s newly reinstated fire chief position drew more than 800 hits. After sifting through 38 applicants for the job and conducting interviews, the board which was formed to recommend candidates chose Patrick Competelli, currently a district chief in Dunedin.
The City Commissioners met Competelli for the first time prior to Monday’s workshop meeting. A decision was made during the meeting to raise the minimum salary offer for the job to $85,000 a year. The increase was recommended by Mayor Chris Arbutine. Largo fire Chief Michael Wallace, a member of the interview board, said that figure was needed to lure Competelli.
“(Competelli) wouldn’t even interview for the salary we were proposing ($75,000 maximum),” Wallace said.
Pinellas County Fire Coordinator Mike Cooksey said the increased amount is on the lower end of what single station chiefs are making.
“We would be very fortunate to get Chief Competelli,” he said.
The commissioners agreed by consensus to go with the $85,000 figure. Commissioner Robert Russo termed that amount a fair salary, adding, “It seems like he can do the job. If he can’t, he will be gone.”
Commissioner David Shimkus commented, “If you want quality people, you have to pay them.”
Fire Commissioner Hunt Brand pointed out that Competelli had said that an assistant fire chief was unnecessary, so money to pay that salary would be saved if he is hired.
“(The $85,000) is a very fair price. He didn’t need a second person,” Brand said.
A full discussion of hiring Competelli for the fire chief position will be on next Monday’s regular meeting agenda.
In a related move, the commission plans to terminate the current agreement for fire administration services with the city of Largo. Those services will no longer be needed once a new Bluffs fire chief is hired. The termination date will be in 120 days.
Hefty pay increases proposed for city department heads
Mayor Arbutine recommended 15 percent pay increases, from $58,000 or $59,000 to $68,000, for City Clerk Debra Sullivan and Public Works Director Robert David.
The two were given yearly raises in October, but Arbutine said he was proposing this increase to better reflect the scope of their job duties.
“Belleair Bluffs is growing, and their responsibilities have increased. It’s tough to ask people to work with added responsibilities and not compensate them,” he said.
Arbutine said Sullivan and David have taken on city manager roles, saving the city that expense.
Brand said the city needed to look at comparable pay scales in other communities, but he agreed that salary adjustments should be considered.
“What (Sullivan and David) do, hasn’t been reflected in their job descriptions. As government grows and regulations grow, there’s a lot more they have to do,” he said.
Commissioner Troy Krotz, who has opposed some city employee pay raises in the past, was not present.
The salary increases and revised job descriptions will be on next week’s regular meeting agenda.
Live oaks a possibility for Indian Rocks Road
Live oak trees should be added to the recent palm plantings on Indian Rocks Road, Shimkus said. The trees provide a canopy and shade, which is much appreciated by anyone walking in 90 degree weather, he said.
“The oak trees would add a lot of character to the palm trees already there,” Shimkus said.
Live oak trees also have big root systems that can disrupt the utilities in the right of way, Mayor Arbutine responded. They also fall over in storms, business owner Pat Arbutine added.
“If one falls on my building, the city will have to pay,” she warned.
Russo said he recalled two live oak trees being taken out during past road work on Indian Rocks Road.
“The roots weren’t anywhere near the utilities,” he said.
Russo also said residents rather than business owners should make the decision.
“Do the businesses control the city, or do we?” he asked.
David said live oak trees could be put in the city parks, and possibly at the corner near Cody’s restaurant. He agreed to look at the city landscaping plan that was prepared some years ago to see where live oaks were designated.
Meanwhile, David reported that the paving of Jewel Road is done and “looks great.”
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Article published on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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