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COUNCIL MINUTES May 27, 2014 <br />DRAFT <br />91 <br />92 Mr. Karlson noted that the report contains information regarding service projections, the overall need <br />93 for a new station in Lino Lakes, that the annual operating costs would not increase, that some mutual <br />94 aid will still be needed for fire services, and that there will be certain costs related to starting a new <br />95 department. But he added that the numbers in the report are a worst case scenario. <br />96 <br />97 The action requested of the city council: <br />98 - Accept the report; <br />99 - Move forward with recommendations as the council desires. <br />100 <br />101 Mayor Reinert noted that, as far as moving to having a new department, he feels that the decision was <br />102 really made by the council members of all three cities involved in the Centennial Fire District (CFD). <br />103 He highlighted that if the city were to locate the new fire station at Birch Street and Centerville Road, <br />104 a response time map for that location shows improved response coverage from what currently exists. <br />105 Furthermore that location would involve land already owned by the city. He also noted that there <br />106 have been some dishonest statements made about costs rising and he can report that the analysis <br />107 indicates that costs on a day to day operational basis won't increase. He added that the new station <br />108 the city is looking at will actually have more space than anticipated and that means the possibility of a <br />109 community meeting room. The possibility of a police substation has also been discussed. He <br />110 explained why equipment costs will be less than estimated in the report because there will be <br />111 equipment from the CFD and some recruitment of firefighters. The council will be having more <br />112 discussion about the plans including pension options. <br />113 <br />114 Brad Robinson, 597 Marshan Lane, addressed the council. He noted that there was a "fire <br />115 committee" that worked with the consultants on providing information and direction on the analysis. <br />116 He wonders why someone with experience in fire services wasn't included in that group. <br />117 Administration Karlson explained that the fire committee mentioned was a working group — three <br />118 staff members and the mayor — and their purpose was to provide basic information needed by the <br />119 consultants who did the analysis. <br />120 <br />121 Matt Long, 997 Kelly Street, said he has a question about morale for the firefighters. While the city is <br />122 planning to recruit from current CFD personnel, he only knows of one person that is interested at this <br />123 time. That leaves him worried that the firefighters recruited for the new department will not have <br />124 enough experience. It would not be a good situation to have a new station with all new firefighters - <br />125 there must be some experience to rely on and he knows that because he is a firefighter. It would help <br />126 to get firefighters more involved in the discussion as it moves forward. The mayor concurred that <br />127 there is work to be done to get a department together and new station into shape; he is concerned that <br />128 misinformation will only hamper the situation. <br />129 <br />130 Council Member Kusterman moved to accept the Fire Department Analysis as prepared by Springsted. <br />131 Council Member Roeser seconded the motion. Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. <br />132 <br />133 PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT REPORT, JOHN SWENSON <br />134 <br />135 There was no report from the Public Safety Department. <br />3 <br />