Sharla Steinman
Loveland Reporter-Herald, Colo.
LOVELAND, Colo. — The Loveland fire chief termination process stretched into next week after the board decided to continue discussion of their letter of intent to terminate to another online special meeting Monday morning.
The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board held an online-only special meeting Thursday where board members spent over three hours with legal counsel in a closed executive session discussing a letter of intent to terminate Loveland’s Fire Chief, Tim Sendelbach. The board will reconvene Monday at 9 a.m. to further discuss the letter, Loveland City Councilor Andrea Samson, who also serves on the board, said during the meeting.
The board placed Sendelbach on paid administrative leave Jan. 28, but has not publicly stated its reasons for pursuing termination and declined to answer questions about what it describes as a confidential personnel matter.
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At the last special board meeting Monday, the personnel committee, made up of Chairman Jeff Swanty and Loveland City Manager Jim Thompson, with the help of legal counsel, began writing the letter of intent to terminate Sendelbach after an approved motion. Monday’s meeting also included 45 minutes of public comment; Thursday’s meeting had none.
After roll call, the board immediately proceeded into executive session and when they returned, Ireland Stapleton attorney Emily Powell, who represents the agency, said that no decision had been made on the letter of intent to terminate. She said that if the board does decide to approve the letter at the next meeting, the termination process will continue.
“(Sendelbach) also will have the opportunity to meet with the board to discuss that document,” Powell said. “… The board would not make any final decision whether to terminate the fire chief’s employment until after that meeting occurs and they have the opportunity to speak ….”
Powell acknowledged that the process may feel slow to the public, but clarified that the appropriate steps are being followed with regard and consideration for those involved, she said.
Per Sendelbach’s contract, the letter of intent to terminate will include the board’s “just cause” reasons, which he will have an opportunity to discuss with the board during an executive session.
Fire chief termination process explained through Loveland chief’s contract
The agenda, with a link to the meeting, should be posted at this link within 24 hours of Monday’s meeting, https://lfra.org/AgendaCenter/LFRA-Board-2
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