10-28-92 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 28, 1992 The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Blesener. Ayes (5) Scalze, Blesener, Hanson, Collova, LaValle. Nays (O). Resolution declared adopted. Mr. Fred Clasen asked to address the Council on the issue of charitable gambling and the Little Canada Fire Department. Clasen noted that he has been a resident of Little Canada for the past 27 years. Clasen reported that he has some issues to raise, which he knows are shared by others in the community, although there may be other residents who do not wish to come forward and address the Council. Clasen noted that when he referred to the Fire Department as a special interest qroup in a recent editorial he submitted to the North Suburban Press, he was not referring to the entire membership of the Fire Department as a special interest group. Clasen acknowledged that the fire fighters are a dedicated lot and the residents of the City are indebted to them for the services they perform. Clasen stated that his concern is that decisions are beinq made by a very few individuals running the Department. Clasen stated that he was also concerned that the City is relying to heavily on profits from charitable gambling to underwrite the cost of fire protection. Clasen suggested that with declining State aid dollars, the City should take a long, hard look at what they can afford. Clasen stated that he was angered when he read in the Roseville Review that the City subsidized payment for the new fire truck because the Fire Department was $125,000 short in anticipated gambling revenues. Clasen stated that he did not disagree that the Department's 22 year old pumper truck needed to be replaced, but questioned how this truck could be sold to another community if it did not meet fire safety standards. Clasen stated that the new truck is the envy of surrounding communities, but indicated that his concern was with the funding of this type of purchase in full or part with charitable gambling money. Clasen pointed out that this source of revenue could dry up quickly. Clasen asked if the City could afford this purchase without profits from charitable gambling, and asked if this purchase was absolutely necessary. Clasen asked if the City would be better off contracting for some services with other communities. Clasen also felt there were some half truths about the Fire Department's fund-raising at the Little Canada Bingo Hall. Clasen felt it was implied that this fund-raising was done by volunteers, when the fund-raising is done by compensated individuals who appear to be the hiqhest-ranking members of the Fire Page 18