03-10-14 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES February 24, 2014 DRAFT CITY OF LINO LAKES 1 MINUTES 2 3 4 DATE : February 24, 2014 5 TIME STARTED : 6:30 p.m. 6 TIME ENDED : 7:10 p.m. 7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Kusterman, Rafferty, 8 Roeser, and Mayor Reinert 9 MEMBERS ABSENT : none 10 11 12 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development Director Michael 13 Grochala; Chief of Police John Swenson. 14 15 PUBLIC COMMENT 16 17 Ivy Cavegn, 311 Linda Lane, addressed the council regarding their recent decision on seceding from 18 the Centennial Fire District. She offered information on the per capita cost of fire services, 19 expenditure increase safeguards included in the contract with the District, and calculations on how 20 costs are charged back to the city. She questions why the council felt the city needs majority veto 21 power on the district steering committee. She also questions why there is no cost analysis nor has 22 there been any community input on the establishment of a city fire department. 23 24 Adam LaMere, 7860 Lake Drive, addressed the council regarding the fire department and asked for 25 more explanation of why the city would want to pull out of the Centennial District; more planning is 26 needed. 27 28 Bill Neeck, 907 Oak Lane, noted concern about withdrawing from the fire district. He’s concerned 29 about impact on the employees, residents and taxes. 30 31 Mayor Reinert provided history on the city’s involvement with the fire district highlighting the growth 32 of the city in 28 years, the intent of allowing for renegotiation as population grew, the unwillingness 33 to allow for that renegotiation, and growth of fire department’s full time personnel. He explained 34 the review that the council has already undertaken, including information and plans for equipment, 35 insurance ratings and fire personnel. He explained the need for an additional fire station regardless 36 of the split from the district. He read from what has already been published providing information 37 including facts and responding to questions. 38 39 Council Member Roeser noted that the planning process for a new department will cover a two year 40 period. This was a decision made over time and based on concern that has existed for some time. 41 There are some fiscal responsibility concerns involved. This will be a journey and no plugs have been 42 pulled yet but there is a clear goal to provide the best fire safety services possible. 43 44 45 1