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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/17/1989 Council Minutes2 JOINT COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 1989 Mayor Benson called a Joint Meeting of the Lino Lakes, Centerville and Circle Pines City Councils to order at 7:10 P.M., Tuesday, January 17, 1989. Lino Lakes Council Members present: Neal, Bisel,'Bohjanen, Reinert. Centerville Council Members present: Peterson, Zoff - Pelton, Burgstahler, Mayor Haberman. Circle Pines Council Members present: Parsons, Wagner, Steenberg and Mayor Dahl. Others present: Circle Pines City Administrator, Keinath, Centerville City Clerk, Mitz - Miller and Lino Lakes Clerk- Treasurer, Anderson. Mayor Benson gave a brief background on the Centennial Fire District and explained the reason for this meeting is to set a committee to review the Centennial Fire District Joint Powers Agreement. He noted that during the Lino Lakes budget meetings, questions were raised regarding funding of the District, the general purpose of the rescue unit of the District, site selection, purchase of equipment, ability to sell facilities and dissolution of the District. Mayor Benson further noted that Lino Lakes is happy with the service provided by the District and agrees with the concept of the District. Each Lino Lakes Council Member gave a brief summary of their personal position regarding the Joint Powers Agreement. The consensus being that the concept is good, there is concern regarding a possible disparity in funding the District and a need to address the several issues listed on the agenda. Mayor Benson suggested that each of the three Council's appoint two members to a steering committee to review the Joint Powers Agreement. He also asked both the Centerville and Circle Pines Council Members to list the concerns that they may have regarding the Agreement. These items should also be addressed. He asked that this committee meet and report back to a joint meeting of the Council's on their progress by March 1, 1989. A total agreement may not be necessarily reached by that time. Mayor Dahl noted that he wanted the Fire District to continue and would have an open mind regarding making the Agreement fair for all cities. He said he did 'hot have any concerns at this time. He felt that the percentage of costs paid by Circle Pines seemed to be. generally in line with the services performed. Mrs. Parsons asked if Lino Lakes had received the graphs prepared by the Fire District as part of their budget presentation. She said -she was interested to see what Lino Lakes felt about them. Mayor Benson noted that they were part of the reason that Lino Lakes was prompted to seek negotiation regarding the operation of the District and the funding. Mayor Dahl noted that it appeared that the percentage that Circle Pines pays is higher than the service rendered and said maybe there are ways the overall budget can PAGE 1 1 1 1 JOINT COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 1989 be reduced. He noted that each city has different restrictions and looking at ways to reduce calls may also reduce the budget. A Circle Pines Council member explained that the information his Council is now receiving is by way of the media. He expressed concern that this may not be accurate. He also noted that this meeting should have happend six months ago before the budget concerns arose and all the attention was given to the matter in the media. Mr. Reinert expressed discomfort with this type of meeting and noted that the three communities are "plowing new ground ". He felt a uniform code is needed for all three cities and noted that there are many different ways to distribute the cost of the services. He stressed that all keep an open minded approach. A Circle Pines Council Member noted that one of the problems concerns the different geographic areas. He noted that another problem concerns the budget process and explained that Circle Pines completes their budget cycle just as Lino Lakes is starting theirs. He said he hoped everyone will keep an open mind and hoped to see the District continue. Mayor Haberman of Centerville agreed and noted he felt there were several things in the Joint Powers Agreement that need review. His personal opinion is that Centerville has come to this meeting with an open mind and feels it is in the best interest of all three cities to work toward solving the differences. Mrs. Zoff - Pelton said she is in favor of continuing the Joint Powers Agreement and said she truely believes that all three cities benefit from the Fire District even with the present formula. She expressed her concern regarding the letter sent by Lino Lakes regarding this matter. She felt it was important that the Fire District know that all three cities are behind the District. She wanted assurances that the Fire District could do what they had planned for 1989. Mayor Benson explained that Lino Lakes approved the Fire District budget contigent upon the renegotiation of the Joint Powers Agreement similar to Circle Pines approving the budget contigent upon Lino Lakes approving the budget. The quarterly installments will be paid based upon the present formula until a new formula can be negotiated and made retroactive to January 1, 1989. The Lino Lakes Council did not necessarily assume -that their portion of the budget will be the same as it is now in the Joint Powers Agreement. He also noted that Lino Lakes wants twenty five trained fire fighters at. Station No. 2 by the end of 1989. Originally the Council was told that this would be accomplished in 1989 and now the Council has found that this is not what the District really has in mind. ff6 3 JOINT COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 1989 Mrs. Zoff - Pelton asked if the three cities do not agree regarding renegotiating the Agreement does this mean Lino Lakes has not approved the 1989 budget? She said she is wondering about Lino Lakes intent. Mr. Reinert explained that the Council voted to approve the budget and the money is there. He also said he hoped that Centerville and Circle Pines will look at this in terms of going forward. Mr. Bisel said he hoped that the Joint Powers Agreement could be renegotiated so that it will include a budget process so that each Council will have the feeling that there are checks and balances in it similar to what is used for other city departments. Mr. Neal noted that every year the Fire Department has just gotten by and this year the budget reflects a "catch up" atmosphere. In his opinion, the budget looked good, his only concern is the portion that Lino Lakes contributes to the budget. Mr. Bisel explained that he is concerned because Lino Lakes is paying depreciation and the equipment is just junk. He felt Lino Lakes has nothing to put their finger on after payment of the depreciation. If Lino Lakes has to share in the purchasing of equipment, Lino Lakes must have something to show for it. Mayor Dahl felt that would only be necessary if the District were to dissolve. If we have full faith in the District, this would not be necessary. Mr. Bisel said Lino Lakes has made depreciation payments for four years and if the District is dissolved, Lino Lakes has nothing to show for this. Mr. Peterson said he felt this was a negative attitude. Mr. Bisel said that we are just Council members and could be gone very easily. He felt the document needed review to make things more equitable. Mr. Steenberg asked what Lino Lakes brought into the Agreement. Mr. Bisel said nothing and after four years Lino Lakes still has nothing. Mr. Steenberg noted that if a fire trunk were purchased tomorrow, then Lino Lakes would have something. Mayor Benson said this is what has prompted Lino Lakes to look at the Agreement. Lind' Lakes is growing and we are saying we should look at this now and suggested that maybe each city should buy its own equipment and lease it to the District. He noted that he can envision that Lino Lakes will need at least two more fire stations and Lino Lakes wants to know if the District is looking in this same direction. Mayor Dahl said Circle Pines is willing to listen to Lino Lakes concerns but noted that Circle Pines is more interested in long term rather than short term interests of the District. He asked if Lino Lakes has a fifteen year long range plan? He said some answers such as these will come from staff work. He also noted that as the District PAGE 3 1 1 1 1 1 JOINT COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 1989 replaces its equipment, Lino Lakes will have something that Lino Lakes can say this is where their money lies. Mayor Benson suggested that all three Councils look at appointing a steering committee to review the Joint Powers Agreement. He felt a smaller committee would be more effective. He explained that the Lino Lakes Council is on record as asking for this committee and setting out March 31st as a date for obtaining an update from the steering committee and May 31st as a date for completion of the negotiations. Mayor Benson did not feel it was in the interest of the District or the three cities to allow this matter to linger. Mrs. Zoff - Pelton noted that everyone is in agreement to meet and review the Joint Powers Agreement and anything else that needs review. She noted that her Council could not agree to any changes tonight. Mr. Bisel noted that Lino Lakes is looking for an agreement by May 31st. Mrs. Zoff - Pelton noted that Lino Lakes has put a lot of thought into what their concerns are and asked that these concerns be forwarded to the steering committee ahead of time so that the committee can review them. Mayor Benson said the Council has tried to narrow their concerns and noted that the new Agreement should contain wording that would require the three cities to meet prior to the budget process to give the Fire District more direction regarding the budget. Mr. Steenberg asked where the Fire Commission fits into all of this and noted that it is part of their responsibility to work with the Agreement. Mr. Des Englund said that the Commission feels a review of the Agreement is not a bad idea, there are holes and inconsistencies. He suggested that one member of the steering committee from each city should be a Fire Commission member. It was noted that an attorney other than a city attorney should be retained to rewrite the Agreement. It was also suggested that an expert be retained to advise the three cities if they are getting something for their money. Mayor Haberman suggested that each city be able to open negotiations. He felt it makes no sense to let something get away and suggested a process that would allow any city to open negotiations on a particular matter. It was agreed to appoint a steering committee consisting of two persons from each of the three cities. These members could be Council Members or Fire Commission Members. They are to be given the perimeters and made aware of where each city is coming from on each issue. An update from this committee would be expected by March 31st. Mayor Benson suggested that each city put their concerns in writing and send a copy to the steering committee prior to their first 165 166 JOINT COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 1989 meeting. He also suggested that the committee hold two meetings in February. Mayor Haberman asked that there be timely exchange of information between the cities so that all information is shared and decisions can be made before the meetings. He felt if this did not happen, the members would just be spinning their wheels. Mr. Peterson suggested a separate independent party chair the steering committee. Mr. Keinath suggested that the Chairman of the Fire Commission be invited as the seventh member of the steering committee. Mr. Bisel said he felt it is just the three cities responsibility to draw up the Joint Powers Agreement and it is the responsibility of the Fire Commission to follow what has been given to them. Mayor Dahl explained that since they have to carry out the Agreement, it may be helpful to get their input to be sure they can operate within the Agreement. Mr. Reinert suggested that after the document is renegotiated, the Fire Commission review it in terms of operational procedures. Mayor Dahl suggested that each Council decide if they want to appoint a Fire Commission as one of their two steering committee members. A chairman of the steering committee was discussed. Mr. Reinert suggested that the administrators of the three cities be the chair on a rotating basis. The purpose of the chairman would be to keep the committee pulled together or to be sure that the group focuses on the issue at hand. Mr. Keinath suggested that if a concensus does not appear to be growing by April 1st, the three cities look at mediation services. He hoped that this would not be necessary. Mr. Peterson suggested that all three Councils hold a monthly joint meeting to measure what the steering committee has accomplished. Mayor Dahl asked that each Council appoint its members to the steering committee at their next regular Council meeting. It was decided to appoint Jim Keinath as the first chairman of the steering committee. He is to call the first meeting of the committee and gather the concerns of each Council for that meeting. The joint Council meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M. These minutes were considered and approved at a regular council meeting on February 13th 1989. M�ARI�LYN \. ANDERSON Clerk- Treasurer IPLA/A011:401 B ,,JAMS"''. BE SON Mayor