10-28-92 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 28, 1992 should be ordered should have been put to the citizens. Clasen expressed concern that fire fighters who refer to themselves as volunteers are making $50,000 to $100,000 salaries from charitable gambling. Clasen reported that he is forming a non-profit organization called Concerned Citizens of Little Canada to look into matters such as this and raise concerns to the City Council on behalf of the citizens of Little Canada. Clasen felt it was time the City was given back to the citizens of Little Canada, and not the three or four individuals who are running it. Clasen stated that the power that the Fire Department and LCRA has in the City are unbelievable, and the grass roots citizens feel enough is enough. Clasen reported that he has talked with representatives of other fire departments, and he questions why the City needs a fire truck with a 75 foot ladder. Clasen pointed out that the highest buildings in Little Canada are 36 feet in height. Blesener pointed out that the 75 foot extension ladder would allow a fire fighter to shoot water from above a fire, and that the ladder would have to be extended at an angle to keep the truck away from the fire. Clasen stated that he was concerned with paying a gambling manager $50 to $100 per night, when fire fighters in the City receive only $7 per hour for fighting fires. Hanson reported that the City has supported the Fire Department, and commented that he was a member of the building site .committee which recommended the location of the new fire station. Hanson also reported that when the Fire Chief approached the City about the purchase of the new fire truck, the City was glad to have the Fire Department handle the purchase with the understanding that the Fire Department fund the entire cost. However, the Fire Department's income from charitable gamblinq was below estimate. Aanson reported that the City has put into place quarterly meetings with the Fire Department and has identified to the Fire Department that accountability of taxpayer dollars is on everyone's mind. Hanson reported that the City did borrow the Fire Department money for the balance owed on the fire truck, rather than having the Fire Department go to a bank and borrow the money. The Fire Department will repay that money with 90% of their future profits from charitable gambling. These funds will be placed in a truck fund for future purchases. Page 21