04-15-03 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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7. MAINTENANCE/PARK/FIREBUILDING: A. City Code Amendments — Fire Equipment for Commercial Buildings Fire Chief Malmquist has requested that the late 2001/early 2002 proposal regarding enhanced fire fighting/safety for commercial buildings be brought back to the Council for consideration. The Acting Administrator reported that it appeared that the Council adopted modifications to the City Code regarding the provision of building floor plans, hazardous materials inventory, standpipes, exit signs, smoke detectors, and annunciator panels. The Fire Chief had also recommended provisions regarding building lock boxes, but that clause was deleted by Council action from the ordinance that was adopted. The Council directed that the new ordinance not be published pending distribution of the ordinance and solicitation of comments from the Lake Elmo Business Association. Staff was directed to bring a report back to the Council at the second meeting of January, 2002 as to the responses to the ordinance received from the Business Association. The adopted ordinance amendments were distributed to the Association, as directed and negative comments were received on the lock box provision. Council member Siedow said he doesn't like the key stored outside of his building because anyone could gain access to the key. He would rather pay the damage expense for the Fire Department to break into his building. Mr. Siedow said he would be favor adopting the lock box provision for newly constructed commercial buildings. M/S/P DeLapp/Johnston — to include the lock box provision on all new commercial structures and change the effective date as the date of publication of ordinance. (Motion passed 4-0.) Council member Dunn stepped out of the room when the vote was taken. B. Policy Regarding Fire Department Vehicle Usage The Acting Administrator explained that the issues of non -fire department personnel as passengers on fire department vehicles have been raised in the past on several occasions. There needs to be a City Policy governing the circumstance and conditions under which such activity is permissible. Another issue that surfaced in recent years has been the permitted use of the Fire Chief s command vehicle. There is no policy existing in this regard, and a policy should be adopted by the Council to avoid future issues in this regard. Several Council members believed that this command vehicle should not be used as a personal vehicle and asked about the increase in liability insurance for adding more people and the possibility misuse. Council member DeLapp asked how many miles of vehicle time in personal use are we talking about ... we should get some statistics. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 1, 2003