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PCSO investigates Belleair Bluffs’ firefighter grievances
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007 |
BELLEAIR BLUFFS – An investigation into city firefighter grievances and other issues has been turned over to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Mayor Chris Arbutine said at Monday night’s City Commission workshop meeting.
The inquiry was requested by Commissioner David Shimkus at last month’s commission meeting following comments made by firefighter spokesperson Lt. Chuck Barlet, which were published in the Belleair Bee. Barlet’s remarks concerning grievances and procedure were sharply disputed by Shimkus and City Clerk Debra Sullivan.
An investigation into the situation was being conducted by the Largo Fire Department headed by then-acting fire Chief Karry Bell. Bell resigned at the end of August amid charges that he had failed to cooperate with aspects of the investigation.
Arbutine said he had turned to the Sheriff’s Office for help, because he wanted an “open investigation” free from any perceptions of bias. Belleair Bluffs utilizes the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. Arbutine said he and Sullivan had met with Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats for about an hour-and-a-half to discuss the situation and to ask for “assistance with the general issues regarding the fire department.”
The mayor said the Sheriff’s Office would be looking at “what did and did not happen” regarding the grievances controversy. The Sheriff’s Office will study the strengths and weaknesses of city policies concerning the firefighters, look at the union contract and any improprieties that may have occurred, and make recommendations.
“There will be a report forthcoming on the findings,” Arbutine said. “The investigation is out of Largo’s hands,” adding that the sheriff’s handling of the matter would be a “stabilizing force” for the department.
Shimkus called Arbutine’s action “a good and sound decision,” while renewing his charge that Barlet had “blatantly lied to a public news source.”
Commissioner Robert Russo said that all of the city’s policies and handbooks regarding city employees should be looked at and updated. He said that if the employees did not want to follow the policies in the handbook “it is time for them to go.”
“I want to be fair to the employees, but it comes to the point when you’ve had enough,” Russo said.
In another fire-related issue, acting Largo fire Chief Jeff Day announced that the agreement for the Belleair Bluffs fire department to provide ALS service was moving full speed ahead and would be operational by October.
City agrees to purchase property
An offer made by the city to acquire several residential properties on Bayview Avenue for a potential new fire station or other civic use was accepted, City Attorney Thomas Trask announced. The offer of $877,000 for the parcels was below the asking price of $1.2 million, but some $300,000 higher than a recent “drive-by” appraisal done of the properties.
Arbutine had defended the high price when the matter was first brought up at last month’s commission meeting, saying the use the city would get from the property “far exceeds its appraised value.” The property is across the street from the City Hall/Community Center complex.
Resident Mark Naedel chided the commissioners for being willing to pay “nearly a million dollars” for a property which he said was worth considerably less.
In a special meeting after the workshop, the commission voted to accept the offer. Upon signing the sale contract, Belleair Bluffs must make a deposit of $10,000 which can be refunded if the city decides before Oct. 15 to withdraw from the deal. After that date, the deposit would be forfeited if the contract were canceled.
The city plans to rent out the homes on the property to gain income while deciding exactly what to do with the property. While a new fire station site was the use most discussed, other possibilities such as extending the recreation park next to City Hall or using the property for a soccer field were also mentioned. Russo said building a new fire station would be “years away.”
Volunteers needed on city Board of Adjustments
The city needs to fill a vacancy on the Board of Adjustments and also an alternate to serve on that board. The Board of Adjustments is headed by Paul Kuykendall and counts among its members restaurateur Frank Chivas. Chivas is the owner of the Marlin Darlin restaurant on West Bay Drive, as well as other local eateries.
There is also an opening on the Fire Pension Board.
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Article published on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007
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