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. Page 2 <br />that public access, storm drainage and sanitary sewer be provided. Hoyt <br />explained that this effectively eliminates any single or small lot development of <br />the area. Councilmember Hustad moved approval of resolution 99-16. The <br />motion passed unanimously. <br />Request to work with citizens to approach the Minnesota State Fair <br />regarding an off-leash dog walking area. <br />Mr. Steve Wikstrom of 1987 Garden Avenue explained that he was interested in <br />having State Fair officials consider an off leash dog walking area in the Buffalo <br />parking lot. Mr. Wikstrom asked the council to facilitate the request to the State <br />Fair. Ms. Roxanne Wigen, a co-chair of ROMP, a Ramsey County group that <br />promotes off-leash areas, described the work done with Ramsey County parks in <br />developing two off leash sites. She provided resource ideas on how to deal with <br />clean-up and dog fights, etc. Ms. Vera Wong, 1521 Asbury, explained that she <br />currently let her dogs off-leash in the area north of Hoyt on the State Fairgrounds <br />and found that the State Fair did not actively enforce its off-leash ordinance in <br />this area. Ms. Sjostedt, 1860 North Snelling Drive, expressed her frustration over <br />the city's policy of not permitting dogs in the city parks. She said that the <br />agricultural field roads and public pathways were not a reasonable alternative. <br />She supported the proposal for an off-leash area at the State Fair. Ms. Theresa <br />• Stead of Twin Cities REGAP (retired greyhounds as pets) described the special <br />needs of caring for retired racing greyhounds. The council discussed the <br />concept of off leash areas. Mayor Gehrz pointed out that the city had no control <br />over the State Fairgrounds but could facilitate the discussion. The council <br />directed the city administrator to start with an informal discussion between Mr. <br />Wikstrom and State Fair officials. <br />Update on the rescue service (EMS) fund. <br />Mayor Gehrz explained that the city council was reviewing the city's options <br />related to its BLS (basic life support) service because of the financial condition of <br />the rescue (EMS) fund, which is designed to be supported by user fees. She <br />said that the city currently had a dual response approach with the Falcon Heights <br />BLS EMT's responding to those emergency medical calls that did not require the <br />response of a St. Paul ALS (advanced life support) paramedic unit. Because the <br />rescue service is losing money and has been over time, she said that the council <br />needed to consider the alternative of having St. Paul ALS paramedics respond to <br />all calls for service and charge the users rather than risk having the city use tax <br />dollars to support the service. However, prior to making any determination on <br />the future of the Falcon Heights BLS service, the council requested that the <br />auditor do a thorough analysis of the current status of the fund and anticipate the <br />:7 <br />