(A) If, at the time of the adoption of this code, the city has a Volunteer Fire Department, there is continued in this city a Volunteer Fire Department. If the city, at the time of the adoption of this code, does not have a Volunteer Fire Department, the City Council may by resolution create a Volunteer Fire Department subject to the provisions of this code. All Volunteer Fire Departments are established under the authority of state law, M.S. § 412.221, Subd. 17, as it may be amended from time to time.
(B) All officers of the Volunteer Fire Department shall be appointed by the City Council. These officers may be removed by the City Council for cause and after a public hearing. If one of the officers duly appointed shall resign his or her office, be removed from office by the City Council, or is deceased during his or her term of office, the successor shall be duly appointed by the City Council as soon as is practical and no later than two weeks from the time the position becomes open. The officer so appointed is so appointed for any period of the unexpired term of the vacated office.
(C) Firefighters and probationary firefighters shall be appointed by the City Council upon recommendation by the Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department. The process of recruitment, selection, appointment and termination of firefighters and probationary firefighters shall, as required by state law, follow all of the provisions of the Veteran's Preference Act, M.S. §§ 43A.11 and 197.46, as they may be amended from time to time, and, as required by state law, there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or disability (except based on a bona fide occupational qualification) as provided by the Minnesota Human Rights Act, M.S. Ch. 363A, as it may be amended from time to time. Firefighters shall continue as members of the Volunteer Fire Department during good behavior until retirement, but may be removed by the City Council for cause after a public hearing.
(D) As required by state law, M.S. § 412.241, as it may be amended from time to time, the City Council shall have full authority over the financial affairs of the Volunteer Fire Department, and shall provide for the collection of all revenues and other assets, the auditing and settlement of accounts, and the safekeeping and disbursement of public money. This division does not apply to the funds of any Fire Relief Association.