Between public outcry regarding the city’s current stance on bees and chickens and a serious personnel complaint, the Blue Earth City Council navigated a difficult meeting on Monday, Aug. 15.

The evening was capped by a closed session addressing a personnel complaint against Blue Earth Fire Department chief Steve Brown.

“At this time, we’re not going to do anything with what the charges against him are,” mayor Rick Scholtes said following the closed session. “Steve is doing his job to what the description requires.” 

The council then voted not to further investigate the complaints against Brown.

Three elected officers on the Blue Earth Fire Department - assistant chief Ashley Bleess, captain Nicholas Bleess and lieutenant James Wirkus – attended the meeting to voice their concerns following the closed session.

The officers noted Brown has failed to complete necessary courses required to hold the fire chief position. They also said they have received insufficient communication from Brown, and expressed concern that Brown has attended less than half of the Blue Earth Fire Department’s calls for service during his time as fire chief.

The council assured the officials that Brown’s failure to complete certain courses will be addressed. Meanwhile, the council maintained the other complaints were insufficient cause for investigating the matter further.

All three officers expressed their discontent with the council’s decision, and stated their intent to resign from their positions in protest.