12-02-2019 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APPROVED 133 Mayor Reinert asked for more staff review and discussion prior to bringing it forward. 134 The mayor also requested that, if an ordinance is developed, it should include language 135 directing that the well permission is granted to the property and not the owner. 136 5. Ambulance Service —Public Safety Director Swenson and Fire Division Director 137 D'Allier reported. As of today, the City has received communication from North 138 Memorial executing early termination on their lease at the fire stations. This relates to the 139 merger of Fairview and HealthEast to MHealth Fairview. In terms of the change coming 140 June Pt. staff has received very little information about what ambulance services will be 141 offered going forward. While MHealth is saying they will be providing ambulance 142 service as of June 1, they are not giving any details. Director Swenson added that he 143 feels that the City is receiving deficient service from the current ambulance provider, 144 perhaps due to the uncertainty of their situation. 145 146 Director Swenson also noted that back in January, the City passed a resolution that urged 147 the State Legislature to institute a law that would provide more power to the City in 148 regard to its ambulance services. The legislation wasn't given a hearing. 149 150 Director Swenson then reviewed the processes that may be involved in considering the 151 change. The reason for bringing this forward is to get any direction the council would 152 like to provide. The license to operate ambulance service is given through the state's 153 EMSRB and they will be considering the request of MHealth going forward. Director 154 Swenson would strongly advocate that the application of MHealth be considered as a new 155 application rather than just a change of name so that proper input can be received by the 156 board. He has listed other options for ambulance service in his written report. Basically, 157 the City could make application to become owner of the ambulance PSA in Lino Lakes or 158 to pursue a vendor that would provide good service. 159 160 Mayor Reinert remarked that the council is concerned about the service level that is 161 occurring and it seems to be a result of what is happening. He wonders if the City needs 162 to show intent to move on its own application. Would such a resolution carry any 163 weight? 164 165 Director Swenson said staff is seeking council direction on those 166 recommendations/options brought forward in his report: continue with the legislature, 167 continue with the EMSRB on our contention that this is not just a name change. The 168 idea of being clear that the City is seeking a new application could be helpful. 169 170 Mayor Reinert suggested that staff form an appropriate action for consideration at the 171 next city council meeting. 172 6. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions —Mayor Reinert remarked that there 173 was a special meeting of the Anoka County Fire Protection Council to change their 174 budget reporting structure. 175 C!