12-23-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 4 Mayor Reinert asked for more staff review and discussion prior to bringing it forward. 133 The mayor also requested that, if an ordinance is developed, it should include language 134 directing that the well permission is granted to the property and not the owner. 135 5. Ambulance Service – Public Safety Director Swenson and Fire Division Director 136 D’Allier reported. As of today, the City has received communication from North 137 Memorial executing early termination on their lease at the fire stations. This relates to the 138 merger of Fairview and HealthEast to MHealth Fairview. In terms of the change coming 139 June 1st, staff has received very little information about what ambulance services will be 140 offered going forward. While MHealth is saying they will be providing ambulance 141 service as of June 1, they are not giving any details. Director Swenson added that he 142 feels that the City is receiving deficient service from the current ambulance provider, 143 perhaps due to the uncertainty of their situation. 144 145 Director Swenson also noted that back in January, the City passed a resolution that urged 146 the State Legislature to institute a law that would provide more power to the City in 147 regard to its ambulance services. The legislation wasn’t given a hearing. 148 149 Director Swenson then reviewed the processes that may be involved in considering the 150 change. The reason for bringing this forward is to get any direction the council would 151 like to provide. The license to operate ambulance service is given through the state’s 152 EMSRB and they will be considering the request of MHealth going forward. Director 153 Swenson would strongly advocate that the application of MHealth be considered as a new 154 application rather than just a change of name so that proper input can be received by the 155 board. He has listed other options for ambulance service in his written report. Basically, 156 the City could make application to become owner of the ambulance PSA in Lino Lakes or 157 to pursue a vendor that would provide good service. 158 159 Mayor Reinert remarked that the council is concerned about the service level that is 160 occurring and it seems to be a result of what is happening. He wonders if the City needs 161 to show intent to move on its own application. Would such a resolution carry any 162 weight? 163 164 Director Swenson said staff is seeking council direction on those 165 recommendations/options brought forward in his report: continue with the legislature, 166 continue with the EMSRB on our contention that this is not just a name change. The 167 idea of being clear that the City is seeking a new application could be helpful. 168 169 Mayor Reinert suggested that staff form an appropriate action for consideration at the 170 next city council meeting. 171 6. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions – Mayor Reinert remarked that there 172 was a special meeting of the Anoka County Fire Protection Council to change their 173 budget reporting structure. 174 175