06-08-2015 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Search

COUNCIL MINUTES APPROVED June 8, 2015 136 Martha DeHaven. Mayor Reinert offered special thanks to Martha, noting that she was a big 137 proponent of the Lino Lakes Fire Department. He also noted her involvement in the beautiful 138 landscaping project outside city hall. She was always ready, willing and able to help the city. 139 140 Council Member Rafferty moved to accept the donation as presented. Council Member Stoesz 141 seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. 142 143 4C) Public Safety Department Update — Police Chief Swenson updated the council: 144 - New Fire Station Project — progress on construction is evident at the site and is currently 145 ahead of schedule. The rainy weather has actually been fortunate because the sandy soil at the 146 site is more tolerant resulting in extra constructors being assigned to that project. 147 - Training and Recruitment — There are currently 19 fully certified firefighters and the number 148 will rise to 32 by the end of August. The department is still recruiting for the last remaining 149 spots. 150 - Equipment — One new fire engine was reviewed by the council previous to the council 151 meeting. It is equipped and ready to go. 152 - Thermal Imaging Equipment — Early in the meeting the council formally accepted a grant 153 from CenterPoint Energy and those funds will be used toward the purchase of a unit (total cost 154 is approximately $8,500). He expects the department will have a few of the units since they 155 are very valuable for use at fire scenes. Mayor Reinert and Chief Swenson noted the 156 equipment that the department will be receiving from Centennial Fire District. 157 - Special Pension Legislation — A special law was passed that allows the transfer of pension 158 positions to the new fire department. Mayor Reinert noted that it was the City that wanted this 159 legislation and he is glad it came to fruition. 160 161 Mayor Reinert noted the outcome of a lawsuit brought in regard to the fire department. It was 162 dismissed with prejudice. That decision was appealed but upheld by the Court of Appeals. Council 163 Member Roeser noted that the suit cost the taxpayers considerable funds. 164 165 PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT 166 167 There was no report from the Public Services Department. 168 169 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT 170 171 6A) Resolution No. 15-58, Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing 172 Advertisement for Bids for Well No. 6 Pump House- Community Development Director Grochala 173 noted the report and plans before the council, adding that there has been a change introduced to the 174 plans based on the council's previous review. 175 176 Council Member Rafferty said he appreciates the effort and change proposed to this design. He is 177 also thinking about the storage element of the project in terms of what other city storage is already 178 available in the area of this pump house. He wonders about the prospect of making the storage 179 (garage) element an alternate in the bidding process. Mr. Grochala explained that the storage 180 element is a large part of the building so it can't be handled as an alternate. Removing the storage 4