06-09-14 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 27, 2014 DRAFT 136 137 - Council Member Stoesz wondered if there is a possibility of a fire district again in 138 the future and Police Chief Swenson indicated that wouldn't be a discussion he'd 139 enter at this time. Council Member Stoesz asked about how properties bordering 140 or outside the city borders are handled under mutual aid and Chief Swenson 141 explained that mutual aid and auto agreements are status quo and will be a part of 142 any department and are something that will begin to be established as soon as 143 possible. 144 145 Council Member Rafferty noted that just the changes at CFD will decrease the 146 number of firefighters needed there. 147 148 Current firefighters in the audience offered comments on the public safety department 149 model, the need to keep roles of police and firefighters separate, the importance of the 150 pension issues to current personnel (not losing pension benefits), and the importance of 151 recruiting some trained personnel, 152 153 Administrator Karlson noted that there will be an actuarial done so that personnel can see 154 exactly how individual pensions will look. 155 156 The council discussed how to move forward. Chief Swenson suggested that the public 157 safety department or standalone fire department are the two options he sees. 158 159 Council Member Rafferty expressed that he'd prefer to have more time to review the 160 report. Since the council only gives direction at work session, the council would act at a 161 council meeting to authorize steps forward. 162 163 On architectural services for a new station, Community Development Director Grochala 164 noted that he plans to send out the request for qualifications to eight firms just to receive 165 information on possibilities; hiring for the project would be subject to a council vote in 166 future. 167 168 The mayor announced that he is hearing concurrence on accepting the report, having a 169 fire department, having a new fire station, and establishing it though a department of 170 public safety. So staff is directed to move in that direction. The council can set a special 171 meeting to precede the work session on June 2 to take a vote on formal directions. 172 Council Member Roeser said he wants to ensure that communications on what is 173 occurring is fully open with the CFD personnel. Chief Swenson said he will be 174 providing status updates to that personnel as well as implementing a recruitment plan as 175 soon as possible. 176 177 2. Street Reconstruction Plan Update — Community Development Director 178 Grochala distributed a map and recalled that the council has previously discussed this 179 plan and setting the stage for the issuance of street reconstruction bonds for a project in 180 the beginning of 2015. The draft the council has seen had five phases of projects totaling 181 about $15 million. Staff has worked with Springsted on phasing and is now 4