05-27-2015 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY27,2015 line items noting that Fund 400 Operation was about $18,000 over budget due to vehicle repairs, the purchase of some new ice rescue suits, repairs needed to the Department's rescue tool, and hose replacement. Keis asked how long the suits are expected to last. Morelan was not sure and pointed out that most of the suits the Department has were donated from the Mahtomedi Fire Department. It was also noted that the style of these suits has changed making them more durable. Frison indicated that the Department has also changed the way these suits are stored so that should help them to last longer. Morelan noted that the Fund 500 Training is about $16,000 under budget noting that the Department did not promote training heavily in 2014. Morelan next reviewed two non -budget costs for 2014, one being $56,784 for Fund 610 New Truck and $30,850.78 for Fund 700 Non -Budgeted Items. These expenditures were outside the scope of the contract and were funded by the Fire Department. The City Administrator suggested that the Fire Department provide the City with a list of Fire Department funded projects from the last few years so that these can be publicized in the City's newsletter. Morelan then reviewed items that were part of the Capital Improvement Plan. In discussing these items, the City Administrator noted that the City will work on getting the sidewalk/stair concrete repaired at the Fire Station. The Administrator noted that the City has purchased 331 Little Canada Road, adjacent to the Fire Station. He noted the City's plan to purchase some other properties, and suggested that demolition of the structures be bundled into one bid package to achieve an economy of scale. The Fire Chief reported that if the City purchases 2801 Country Drive, the Department may be interested in doing a live burn of that structure. With regard to replacing the fence at 331 Little Canada Road, the Administrator indicated that the fence would not be replaced given the City's acquisition of this property. With regard to landscaping replacement at the Fire Station, the City Administrator asked the status of planning that project. Morelan indicated that the Parks & Recreation Director is having plans drawn up for the relandscaping. The Chief indicated there is one large capital item coming up for 2019. That item would be replacement of SCBA equipment at an estimated cost of $150,000. Frison reported that the life of this equipment is about 15 years. The next item reviewed by the Fire Chief is the Vehicle Replacement Schedule. The Chief pointed out that a pumper truck is scheduled to be replaced in 2017, and reported that a truck committee will begin meeting to plan for either replacement or refurbishing the existing pumper in the next month or two. The Administrator indicated that the City has had 3