06-12-2019 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP JUNE 12, 2019 Fischer asked Undersheriff Ramacher to explain the department's policies on pursuits. Ramacher reviewed the Ramsey County Sheriff s Department Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) policies and the protocol when pursuits may occur. He also provided an update on when body cameras will be put in to service and explained that the County Board has to do a final vote in July. He noted that it is a $1.4 million investment to outfit all officers with cameras, along with squad cars. He stated that there are four full-time staff that will be needed to deal with the body cameras and everything related. He noted that video storage fees are the expensive piece of having body cameras. ANNUAL MEETING Chief Don Smiley reported there have been a few departures in the last year WITH THE LITTLE through retirement and resignation, so they are currently at 29 members. He CANADA FIRE explained the process for bringing on new members and the training and DEPARTMENT investment required. He stated in 2018 there were 305 calls for service which was a record number, and this year is trending high again. He reported. there are 5,000 man-hours spent on fire calls per year, but Little Canada has had lower property damage amounts lately. Chief Smiley reviewed the fire calls from 2018. He reported there are always a lot of cooking and vehicles fires, along with a high number of vehicle accidents. Assistant Chief Morelan reviewed the annual budget and noted that their charitable gambling funds go towards purchasing vehicles and major equipment. Mayor Keis asked about vehicle repair costs. Morelan stated that 2017 had a lot of repairs, but there was only $19,000 in 2018 which was less than budgeted. He noted that there is a pending repair now of about $10,000. He reported that the budget for next year will have an increase. Chief Smiley reviewed the 2018 highlights and noted that a new truck arrived and the fire station remodeling project that was planned for last year, is now finally underway. He explained what Auto -Aid is and reported that more groups have been added to it. He not that Little Canada has been doing Auto -Aid on the freeways for several years with Vadnais Heights, but have now added new groups for certain areas. The Lal{e Johanna Fire Department was added due to the construction project on I-694 and Rice Street, and Roseville Fire Department will be for around Highway 36 and I-35E. Chief Smiley reported that they have purchased the replacement self-contained breathing apparatus, and in 2021 they will be replacing all of the radios which are from 2005. He stated that the ladder truck is planned for replacement in 2022 since it will be 30 years old. He noted that the vehicle replacement schedule was updated this spring, and two new chief vehicles were purchased but have not been delivered yet. The third chief vehicle will be purchased in 2020. OA