HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-25 - Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council
Work Session
Minutes
DATE: June 4, 2025
TIME STARTED: 7:30 P.M.
TIME ENDED: 10:25 P.M.
LOCATION: Community Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty Councilmembers Cavegn, Ruhland Lyden and Stoesz
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Staff Members Present: Dave Pecchia, Karen Anderson, Roberta Colotti, Kelly Horn Tracy
Thoma, Curt Boehme, Dan L'Allier and Brian Finke
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Mayor Rafferty called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Setting the Agenda: Addition or Deletion of Agenda Items
The agenda was adopted as presented.
3. Police Department Retention and Recruitment Plan
The City Council supported the Police Department Retention and Recruitment Plan as
presented with an amendment to the recruitment bonus amount.
4. Fire Department Strategic Implementation Plan
The Fire Chief presented a PowerPoint presentation outlining the Fire Department
immediate needs in preparation for staffing 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Items to be
completed by the end of 2025 include applying for a Staffing For Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for 15 full-time employees. Promote current Fire
Lieutenant/Fire Inspector to Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal. Hire a full-time Firefighter
with administrative duties. Plan for accommodations (dorm) at both Fire Stations.
Apparatus, equipment and gear for staff. Four Duty Crew Firefighters on a shift, Monday
through Sunday 0600-1800. Begin the hiring process of the three Battalion Chiefs,
Mayor Rafferty said when talking about life and safety the city needs to have a plan,
however, the Citygate plan is jumping us from a paid on -call department to a full-time
department. It was reported by the Fire Chief that there were paid part time Duty Crew
firefighters signed up to work a weekly schedule but that was put on hold because of
the health insurance costs associated with the plan. Maybe the city should start with
that and pay the health insurance costs. The first question that needs to be answered
before implementing the Citygate plan is where the money is going to come from to
cover the new costs.
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The Fire Chief clarified that the paid on -call schedule only covered Monday through
Friday during the day. They need coverage 24/7. He said the Citygate study pointed out
where the deficiencies were and propose a three-year plan to address the deficiencies.
It may be possible to spread the plan out, but the staffing levels identified in the study
are where the department needs to be. He stated that with a full-time department
there would be a need for less firefighters and therefore less turnout gear. If the
Department wants to contract out services to neighboring communities, they need to
be fully staffed. He stated that they could have 12 vs. 15 firefighters if they have the two
station dorms to accommodate 24-hour coverage.
The Interim City Administrator stated that to address the deficiency during the daytime
the part time Duty Crew firefighter's schedule could be adopted and the insurance
benefits funded. With the promotion of the Deputy Chief and 1 Battalion Chief working
different hours could partially cover after hours. This would provide the city with time to
talk with neighboring cities. It doesn't stop us from applying for a SAFER grant. It would
be a bridge between current and future plans.
Councilmember Cavegn stated that even if Lino Lakes sub -contracts services to
neighboring cities, that would only cover a fraction of the costs. The total 77% increase
resulting from the plan is too much. He recognized that we may need the staffing levels
identified, but the costs are too much.
Councilmember Ruhland stated that the City just completed the fire department study,
one option would be to apply for a fraction of the planned staff funding through the
SAFER grant for 2026 and then apply again for additional staffing in future years.
Councilmember Lyden concurred that the budget numbers to move to a full-time
department were almost impossible.
The Interim Finance Director reviewed the budget projections. She identified which
costs in the plan for personnel, facilities and equipment were one-time and/or
transitional costs that could be supported by a one-time transfer from the contingency
fund and which items would become part of the annual budget expenses.
Councilmember Ruhland asked if there was a way to calculate the tax capacity ahead of
the numbers provided by Anoka County for budgeting purposes, using the building
permit data.
The Interim Finance Director provided the current numbers available and stated that it
would be a special project to prepare a tax capacity estimate separate from the County
numbers.
The Interim City Administrator stated that he would ask the Community Development
Director to follow up with Councilmember Ruhland on building permit data.
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Councilmember Stoesz asked if a two-year budget would be advisable to assist in
budgeting for the fire service.
The Interim Finance Director stated that currently the city uses an annual budget, so it
would take some time to develop a two-year budget, however, once established it
would be the same process as an annual budget to update. She noted that an annual
budget provides greater flexibility than a two-year budget.
The Fire Department SAFER grant, Station 1 & 2 facility improvements/dorms, and
equipment needs are all topics to be forwarded to a future regular meeting for formal
action.
Council Consensus
It was the consensus of the City Council to support the part time Duty Crew firefighter's
daytime schedule to provide coverage as secured by the Fire Chief and to provide
insurance benefits as required.
5. Notices and Communications
None
6. Adjournment
Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on June 23, 2025.
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Roberta Colotti, CMC Ro6dferty,
City Clerk Mayor
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