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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEMBER 17, 1991 <br />department. Better training programs are now available <br />through the St. Paul Fire Department as well as <br />vocational colleges. <br />Brian Grittner, Fire Department training officer, <br />outlined his history with the department. Grittner <br />reported the comments he gets when he tells people that <br />in 1991 he received approximately $5 per fire call. <br />Grittner reported on the expanded training <br />opportunities the members of the department now have, <br />as well as supported previous comments regarding the <br />stringent requirements that must be met through NFPA <br />1500. Grittner also reported on the hazardous <br />materials training that is necessary for department <br />members. <br />Grittner reported on his previous service with the West <br />St. Paul Fire Department, and his involvement in <br />fighting a particular fire with that department. Three <br />of Grittner's colleagues and friends were killed in <br />that fire. Grittner could not stress strongly enough <br />the need for training and education of fire fighters. <br />Mike Fahey, fire fighter, suggested that the budget <br />process is not final and conclusive in terms of where <br />the Fire Department needs to go. Fahey pointed out <br />that approving a Fire Department Budget is not <br />approving the Fire Department contract. That is a <br />different process. Fahey felt that the Council should <br />focus on a creative way to fund the Fire Department's <br />budget requests, and pointed out that the Fire <br />Department has depleted its continqency fund. Fahey <br />suggested that an appropriate way to fund the shortfall <br />would be through the use of City reserves. <br />Fahey pointed out that at the end of this year City <br />reserves are projected at $889,000, and the City's <br />accountant has indicated that $569,000 is adequate to <br />get the City through to its first property tax payment <br />in June. <br />Fahey indicated that the City has a Reserve Fund as <br />well as a Park Development Fund which has served the <br />City well in the past. Fahey stated that the City has <br />achieved the reasons it initially set aside the Park <br />Development Fund. Fahey also pointed out the fund that <br />the Fire Department has contributed to the City through <br />its charitable gambling operation. <br />Fahey indicated that, as always, the Council has done a <br />good job in trying to hold the bottom line of the <br />budget. Fahey suggested, however, that the Council try <br />to look at the issue from the Fire Department's side, <br />and pointed out the funding the Sheriff's Department <br />gets with no negotiation on the part of the City. <br />Page 7 <br />