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City of Lino Lakes <br />Work Session agenda item#7 <br />Fire Services Discussion Councilmember Lyden/Cavegn <br />August 7, 2023 <br />Ladies and Gentlemen our agenda item is"Discussion of Fire Services". <br />Specifically,on how a portion of our allotted"Public Safety Aid Dollars"from the State of Minnesota can <br />be the used as the initial driving force to support potential collaboration discussions as it relates Fire and <br />public safety. <br />The spirit of these discussion is best summed up in the following quote from John F Kennedy. <br />LET US NOT SEEK THE REPUBUCAN ANSWER OR THE DEMOCRATIC ANSWER,BUT THE RIGHT ANSWER. <br />LET US NOT SEEK TO FIX THE BLAME FOR THE PAST.LET US ACCEPT OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE <br />FUTURE." <br />I believe everyone in this room is very appreciative of our gift from the State of Minnesota of what is <br />called "Public Safety Aid Dollars"This is a timely,and unique opportunity to use"free"money(If there is <br />such a thing)to save our tax payers money on an annual basis as we move forward. <br />Although We-City staff and Councilmembers have done an excellent job of being prudent financial <br />stewards for our Lino Lakes residents.Our most significant challenge our"Achilles' heel"as they say is <br />the cost and other challenges of our Fire and First Responders. <br />A word about our first responders is appropriate here.In the recent year or so social media has not <br />always been kind to our first responders the men and women who put on the uniform.These are the <br />men and women I respect!These are the people I hold in the highest regard! In your hour of need or <br />your son's or daughter or the neighbor across the street these men and women in a moment come to <br />your aid. Maybe even to save your life!Their lens is clear,their strength of purpose is keen. In your <br />moment of need they don't ask what religion you are?They don't ask what race you are,and they don't <br />ask if you're a Republican or Democrat. Folks,social media is not going to save you! <br />Let us demonstrate the same laserfocus.Let our leadership demonstrate this same strength of purpose <br />here tonight. <br />It should be noted"loud and clear"that the challenges facing Lino Lakes are not unique.For example <br />Lino Lakes and all of or neighboring communities have seen the same fire truck and equipment jump <br />hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past year,We are all feeling the same"sticker shock". <br />What I am looking for from this Council tonight is to take the all important"first"step. Specifically, I'm <br />asking Council support to use"Public Safety Aid"dollars from the State of Minnesota to hire and <br />independent outside consultant to explore/analyze potential collaboration models.The single goal <br />being of strengthening everyone's service levels while reducing tax payer costs. I am not naive. I have <br />no illusion that you don't run a marathon with one step. <br />53