Council forwards firefighter grievance to committee

Havre City Council voted 6-0 at their Monday meeting to forward a grievance filed against the Havre Fire Department by a former engineer, whose employment was terminated, to the council’s Labor Relations Committee.

Council members Caleb Hutchins and Karen Swenson, who sit on that committee, were excused from the meeting.

Council President Andrew Brekke, who sits on the committee, said after the meeting that he thinks Dustin “D.J.” Olson’s employment with the department was likely terminated in January but could not say for sure and declined to say why he was dismissed, citing privacy issues in a personnel matter.

A grievance report filed in January against the department says that the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 601 says the termination of Olson, an engineer with the department, was unjustly terminated and without due process.

Fire Chief Mel Paulson’s investigation before Olson was terminated was also incomplete, the grievance says. Olson was denied a required hearing before termination and there was no specific evidence to support the reasons for his termination, the report says.

An attachment to the report with Paulson’s responses to the allegation says that Olson’s termination was for good cause and that he was afforded due process, including a hearing.

Paulson, the attachment said, also performed an investigation that was adequate, professional and complete on several issues that resulted in Olson’s termination.

“Engineer Olson was given notices of investigation that detailed each alleged incident and violation of policy,” the response says. “Engineer Olson was given an opportunity to respond to information during investigations.”

The response also said that in the termination letter, the city and the department were very specific as to what codes, articles and policies Olson had violated.

Mayor Tim Solomon said in a mayor’s response that after reviewing the statements made by IAFF Local 601, he concurred with Paulson’s response to the grievance. The grievance signed by Olson says that he should immediately be reinstated as engineer at the department and “made whole again in every way” including but not limited to wages and benefits plus interest.

The IAFF also said in the grievance that several articles of the current collective bargaining agreement were violated when Olson was fired.

In other business, the council voted 6-0 to approve on first reading an ordinance to allow the Havre director of public works to establish a permitting process, assess a permit fee and issue permits to restaurants or bars to establish outside seating adjacent to their building.

Brekke said the current ordinance is not clear whether outdoor seating is allowed or not, but an establishment that serves liquor is required to get approval from the city.

He said the only reason why a simple change saying outdoor seating is permitted without a process is to avoid having narrow sidewalks in residential areas obstructed by outdoor seating.

In such an instance, Breeke said, public works could deny that establishment the ability to have outdoor seating.

The council voted 6-0 to approve a collective bargaining agreement for city dispatchers.

The agreement between the city and the Montana Public Employees Association is for the current fiscal year and contains a 2 percent pay raise.

Two separate resolutions were approved by the council in a 6-0 vote that allow Eagle’s Manor to apply for two grants to make upgrades to its facilities.

Solomon said that one grant authorizes an application for the Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant Investment Partnerships Program. A second resolution was for a Montana Department of Commerce Grant Investment HOME program.

The repairs include upgrades to an emergency elevator at the manor, Solomon said.

Council also voted unanimously for a Community Development Block Grant drawdown of $56,986.50 for renovations for the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line.

A request by the Havre Eagle Riders to block the 100 Block of Second Avenue East May 26 for the 6th Annual Wounded Warrior Ride was approved in a 6-0 vote.

Solomon also read a proclamation recognizing April 3 as National Service Recognition Day in the U.S. and encourages residents to recognize the positive impact of national service and thank those who serve and give back to their community.

The next council meeting is Monday, April 16, at 7 p.m.