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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 <br />Hall are projected to decrease by .50 %. Police expenditures are projected <br />to increase by 2.30 %. The Administrator indicated that the increase in the <br />Ramsey County Sheriff's Department contract is 1.17 %. The other <br />associated costs include Ramsey County Dispatch and the cost of a <br />hearing officer relative to administrative fines. The Administrator noted <br />that of the contracting cities, Little Canada's Sheriff's Contract cost <br />increase is lowest. This is due to fewer calls for service likely associated <br />to extra patrols at Montreal Courts and other areas of the City. <br />At this point in the workshop, Assistant Fire Chief Steve Morelan <br />appeared to review the proposed Fire Department budget which is <br />projected to increase by 12.21 %. Morelan indicated that the majority of <br />the increase is due to the addition of first responder training for fire <br />fighters. He noted that as a result of the 2011 Goal Setting Session a <br />committee was formed to look at long -range strategic planning for the Fire <br />Department. One of the outcomes of that committee was the decision to <br />train fire fighters as first responders so that the department could help <br />respond to medical calls. Morelan indicated that the majority of the fire <br />departments in the County offer that level of service. Morelan noted that <br />while Allina serves the City very well, it would be beneficial to have <br />additional help at larger medical scenes. Morelan indicated that six years <br />ago the Fire Department recognized the need to have first responders and <br />8 members of the Department have become certified. The Department <br />would like to have an additional 10 fire fighters trained which would result <br />in a little over half of its 32 members being certified. <br />Morelan then reviewed the detailed Fire Department budget. Morelan <br />noted under building expenses that utility charges are projected to <br />decrease due to energy efficient lighting and a new furnace that was <br />installed at the fire station. The estimated cost of Repair /Replacement is <br />also projected to decrease. Under Compensation, a 3% increase is being <br />proposed for paid positions. Morelan also noted that the data entry <br />position is being changed to a webmaster position as the Department <br />would like to develop its own web site. Start up costs for the web site will <br />come from the Department's fund - raising revenue. Morelan noted that <br />compensation for Fire Call & Drill Remunerations for 2012 was under <br />budgeted due to a mathematical error, and the increase reflected brings <br />that item into line with projected actual costs. Morelan indicated that it <br />may be possible to absorb that error in the budget. If not, the Department <br />may ask the Council for a 2012 Budget adjustment. Blesener noted that <br />the projected increase for City staff for 2013 is 2 %, and asked if the <br />Department would consider the same increase. Morelan felt that issue <br />would be up for negotiation. Montour noted that the addition of more first <br />responders will result in more call responses and increased remuneration. <br />Morelan indicated that that is correct, but did not anticipate a large <br />increase in call responses as the additional calls would likely be freeway <br />3 <br />