City has ‘productive’ session with Rescue Squad members

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Editor

After close to a two-hour closed session negotiation between the City of Burlington and the Burlington Area Rescue Squad Tuesday night, the sides agreed to continue negotiating.

City Administrator Kevin Lahner said following the meeting, “We had a very good, productive conversation with the Rescue Squad members that were there.”

After Rescue Squad representatives Capt. Brian Zwiebel, attorney Dennis Lynch, Jeff Koenen and Troy Everson left, the council met for about 15-20 more minutes, and agreed to appoint a committee to meet with the Rescue Squad members in an attempt to “bring a resolution to our issues,” Lahner said.

On the committee from the city’s side will be Lahner, City Fire Chief Perry Howard, and Aldermen Bob Prailes, Ruth Dawidziak and Jon Schultz.

The tentative agreement is a step forward after what has been a year-plus of tension between the members of the Rescue Squad and the city. Simmering issues between Howard and Zwiebel – along with other problems perceived by members of the Rescue Squad – led to a public airing of the laundry in August.

Howard maintained that all he wants is a “best standards” policy to exist, as well as the best possible response times for patients.

The Rescue Squad contract is renewed each year, but the language is changing in the contract this year to address some of those standards. The language the city wants in that contract is the same that the Rescue Squad has concerns about, according to Lahner.

“We’re trying to work through those differences,” Lahner said. “I think tonight everybody agreed in good faith to continue working toward an agreement.”

Prailes said in a text Tuesday evening that the meeting was “a step in the right direction.”

“It is important for the council to hear from both sides at the same time so we can hash out what is true and relevant to come to the best conclusion for all city residents,” Prailes wrote. “I think that the only way to get through this contract is for all sides to keep an open mind to each side’s desires and expertise.”

The City Council gave both sides 90 days to resolve the contract issue. If there isn’t a resolution, the committee will have to make a recommendation to either agree to the current terms or not renew the contract.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Lahner said. “We’re hoping that doesn’t happen.”

When leaving the meeting on Tuesday night, the rescue squad representatives said they could not comment.