05-10-2023 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA MAY 109 2023 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 1 Oth day of May, 2023 in the Council Chambers of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor Tom Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Fischer, Council Members T. Miller, Gutierrez,, Kwapick and D. Miller. Absent: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Chris Heineman and City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller. Fire Department Board of Directors: Chief Don Smiley, Assistant Chief Tim Boss, Assistant Chief Kevin Keenan, Firefighter Bryce Shearen and Firefighter Steve Anderson. ANNUAL MEETING WITH LITTLE CANADA FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Smiley stated that they had two firefighters resign in the last year. He noted that both became full-time firefighters in St. Paul. He stated they currently have 28 firefighters but would like to have 30, so they will begin recruiting for a start in the fall and also have a few people on a waiting list. Chief Smiley reported that in 2022 the Fire Department: responded to 409 calls which was a record high number, auto -aid responded to Little Canada 85 times last year and Little Canada went out 55 times; they held 36 trainings and 40 duty -crew shifts. Chief Smiley reviewed the 2022 operating costs. He noted that the building maintenance costs exceeded the budget due to unexpected replacement of parts for the garage doors, and maintenance on a hoist in the tower. He noted that fuel costs and vehicle maintenance and repairs were high, but this is a category that is impossible to accurately budget for since they cannot predict when repairs will be needed. He stated that the Fire Department conducts charitable gambling and uses those funds to pay for some additional equipment and building needs, and supplement social event costs. Chief Smiley stated that a new ladder truck was ordered in late 2021 and expected to arrive in October 2023, but is now not expected until spring 2024. He reported the department donated $130,000 from charitable gambling funds to the City's Fire Equipment Fund, and $18,000 was paid to the City's 10% Fund. He noted that they conduct charitable gambling at Gordie's Bar and Hoggsbreath, and are very appreciative of the community's support. He stated Little Canada is the last fire department in Ramsey County that does not have any regular part-time or full-time firefighters. He stated that they have been fortunate so far with having enough firefighters who are able to respond during the day. He stated there are two City staff and another that works in the city who can respond during the day.