The citizen committee put together to provide a recommendation on a new Jefferson City fire chief met for the first time Thursday and began to discuss available options for the process moving forward.
The seven-member committee discussed the city's internal search for a new fire chief. The position has been vacant since former Chief Bob Rennick retired in March 2013. It has been filled on an interim basis with Jason Turner, the division chief of prevention and public information.
Nine current Fire Department employees had previously applied for the position, but Human Resources Director Gail Strope said one applicant has withdrawn "due to the process."
The committee, selected by City Administrator Steve Crowell, consists of:
• Former Councilman Dan Klindt, the committee chair and spokesperson;
• Former Councilman Bob Weber;
• Arthur Brown, Jefferson City resident;
• Mitch Randels, Joplin fire chief;
• Scott Spencer, Jefferson City Fire Department union representative and committee secretary;
• Lonnie Brandt, Jefferson City Fire Department assistant chief and committee vice chair; and
• Margrace Buckler, human resources director for Columbia.
Former Councilman Mike Harvey also had been named to the committee, but withdrew prior to the first meeting.
Though no process or timeline has been set yet, the committee used the meeting to discuss possibilities for moving forward. Crowell has repeatedly stated his desire to have as open a process as possible, but some committee members seemed unsure of how an open process would go when meeting or discussing applicants.
"My hope is that the process be open for the public to view," Crowell said. "It's important to have that public transparency."
Klindt said there may be applicants who do not want to answer questions in an open session and there may be a need to close the process at some points.
"I think some of those questions need to be in closed session," Klindt said. "It's a pretty gray line we're walking."
Both Crowell and Buckler gave examples of open processes used in other communities such as Columbia, where actual interviews were closed, but there were press sessions with each of the final candidates and public forums where anyone could ask questions of the candidates. Crowell said having an open process adds credibility.
"People really want to be able to see the process," Crowell said.
The committee plans to meet again at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall to continue discussing the process and timeline, receive the applications and there will be time for public input.