08-07-2023 Council Work Session Minutes

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City of Lino Lakes Work Session agenda item#7 Fire Services Discussion Councilmember Lyden/Cavegn August 7, 2023 Ladies and Gentlemen our agenda item is"Discussion of Fire Services". Specifically,on how a portion of our allotted"Public Safety Aid Dollars"from the State of Minnesota can be the used as the initial driving force to support potential collaboration discussions as it relates Fire and public safety. The spirit of these discussion is best summed up in the following quote from John F Kennedy. "LET US NOT SEEK THE REPUBUCAN ANSWER OR THE DEMOCRATIC ANSWER,BUT THE RIGHT ANSWER. LET US NOT SEEK TO FIX THE BLAME FOR THE PAST.LET US ACCEPT OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FUTURE." I believe everyone in this room is very appreciative of our gift from the State of Minnesota of what is called "Public Safety Aid Dollars"This is a timely,and unique opportunity to use"free"money(If there is such a thing)to save our tax payers money on an annual basis as we move forward. Although We-City staff and Councilmembers have done an excellent job of being prudent financial stewards for our Lino Lakes residents.Our most significant challenge our"Achilles' heel"as they say is the cost and other challenges of our Fire and First Responders. A word about our first responders is appropriate here.In the recent year or so social media has not always been kind to our first responders the men and women who put on the uniform.These are the men and women I respect!These are the people I hold in the highest regard! In your hour of need or your son's or daughter or the neighbor across the street these men and women in a moment come to your aid. Maybe even to save your life!Their lens is clear,their strength of purpose is keen. In your moment of need they don't ask what religion you are?They don't ask what race you are,and they don't ask if you're a Republican or Democrat. Folks,social media is not going to save you! Let us demonstrate the same laserfocus.Let our leadership demonstrate this same strength of purpose here tonight. It should be noted"loud and clear"that the challenges facing Lino Lakes are not unique.For example Lino Lakes and all of or neighboring communities have seen the same fire truck and equipment jump hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past year,We are all feeling the same"sticker shock". What I am looking for from this Council tonight is to take the all important"first"step. Specifically, I'm asking Council support to use"Public Safety Aid"dollars from the State of Minnesota to hire and independent outside consultant to explore/analyze potential collaboration models.The single goal being of strengthening everyone's service levels while reducing tax payer costs. I am not naive. I have no illusion that you don't run a marathon with one step.