05-08-2023 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 2 Items 4A: Public Safety Director John Swenson advised council that approval is being 44 sought to sell Fire Division Grass #1 to the Scandia Valley Fire Department in Cushing, 45 MN for $15,000, consistent with the Council’s recommended sale price. 46 47 Item 4B: Public Safety Director John Swenson highlighted his staff report, including a 48 recommendation to renew the expiring lease with Allina Ambulance for a three-year (3) 49 extension for space at Fire Station #1 at $700 per month. 50 51 Mayor Rafferty asked of any improvement to ambulance response times. Public Safety 52 Director Swenson noted that Allina has met with Public Safety and improvements have 53 occurred, though there is still work to do. 54 Councilmember Lyden asked of the current monthly rate and Public Safety Director 55 Swenson advised that the current rate is also $700/month, as is the proposed rate in the 56 agreement before the Council tonight. Councilmember Lyden asked if any consideration 57 was given to a rate increase based on the current market and inflation. Public Safety 58 Director Swenson advised that an increase was considered but the value that the City 59 receives by having an ambulance service housed locally is a great benefit to residents and 60 given that factor, an increase in monthly rates was not pursued. 61 Councilmember Stoesz asked where the income from this lease is applied. Public Safety 62 Director Swenson confirmed the funds are directed to the buildings and facilities fund. 63 Councilmember Stoesz inquired if the funds could be redirected to the General Fund. City 64 Administrator Cotton advised that is not recommended because the lease is not a 65 perpetual revenue source and moving the income to the General Fund could result in a 66 levy increase if the lease is not in place in the future. 67 Item 6A: Environmental Coordinator Andy Nelson reviewed his staff report and 68 recommendation to approve Resolution 23-37, Spring Boulevard Planting. He noted that 69 the boulevard tree planting is for new residential lots and replacements of trees removed 70 in the previous year (mostly ash). 91 trees will be planted this year; this number is 71 consistent and in line with past years. 72 73 The work session was adjourned at 6:18 PM. 74 75 These minutes were considered and approved at the regular Council meeting May 8, 2023. 76 77 78 79 80 Jolleen Chaika, City Clerk Rob Rafferty, Mayor 81 82