South Lake Tahoe to start new search for city manager and fire chief

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the City of South Lake Tahoe in need of both a city manager and fire chief, the City Council today discussed the best route to take on their recruitment.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue has been without a full-time chief since Jeff Meston retired in February, 2019. Two recruitment tries have not resulted in a person to come on board though they got close when Ken Harrison accepted the job in October and planned to relocate from Southern California. Citing personal reasons just seven days later he decided against the move and City officials went back to the drawing board.

Since Meston left, Battalion Chief Jim Drennan and retired Fire Chief Bruce Martin have filled the duties. Martin can only work 20-hours per week due to retirement restrictions with CalPers and can only fill the position until March at which time he runs out of available time due to retirement system rules.

During a special City Council meeting Tuesday, Martin said the staff needs and deserves a full-time person on board as their leader.

Tom Stuart, the City's human resource manager, said their recruiting firm, Ralph
Andersen & Associates, is recommending the City put the fire chief recruitment on hold. The firm said the City should select a new city manager first as not having a permanent city manager in place is likely to hamper recruitment efforts.

Martin said one of the battalion chiefs would be interested in helping fill the chief position until a permanent one could be found but more prolonged time without a chief hired will see employee morale starting to slide.

"Like most folks, they'd like to know who their boss will be, and would like to see sooner rather than later," said Martin about the fire team.

South Lake Tahoe Firefighters Association President Scott Blasser agreed.

"It is important for us to be part of the process," said Blasser. "We need someone leading us. A short time [without one hired] is fine."

Blasser suggested a more attractive pay is necessary to bring in a qualified fire chief who will stay in South Lake Tahoe.

"Firefighters keep carrying the weight of no leader," added Blasser. "They could be getting tired of training and leading without a chief."

The department is training seven new firefighters as they prepare to move back into Station 2 this spring. City Councilman Cody Bass said new leadership in place is needed for that transition.

Council gave direction to staff to start the search so they aren't waiting another six months for a viable candidate to be identified.

When Frank Rush gave his notice that he'd be leaving his city manager position and taking the same position in Big Bear Lake, it was just under a year since the recruiting services firm of Prothman has brought Rush to the City. Their services included a one-year guarantee which they are honoring so the search for Rush's replacement will not come with a professional search fee from Prothman.

During the search for Rush, the City didn't pay transportation costs of the candidates, something Councilwoman Brooke Laine said was "very unprofessional." They have decided to cover those costs this time around as well as adding five percent to the pay scale for a new hire.

The Council provided Stuart with the qualities the perfect candidate should possess including things Rush possesses like kindness and niceness, as well as years of experience. Knowledge of California and Lake Tahoe regulations is also important they said.

Councilman Devin Middlebrook said perhaps city manager experience isn't needed as long as they have comparable experience and "gusto and talent."

Prothman will be posting the desired profile to possible recruits on December 27, then advertising for the position will start in January.

The Council also wants the job materials to be jazzed up and look more exciting, and to use pictures that South Lake Tahoe is famous for, and not a boring sheet of paper that looks like all other job openings. They also asked for City PIO Chris Fiore to create a video as part of the sales pitch.

The other item on Tuesday's agenda was in Closed Session, one that would look at an Interim City Manager. There was no reportable action though possible interested parties will be contacted to check their interest.

Rush's last day is mid-January.