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8883, Lake Jane Trail Lake Elmo Minnesota 55042 March 13, 1997 To; Lake Elmo City Council cc Lake Elmo City Administrator Lake Elmo City MAC Mr. R.E. Johnson I was sorry to see Dick Johnson's resignation letter, but not surprised. Dick has expressed his concern at the apparent lack of support by the Council for his voluntary services before. I assume that the recent problems over the fire truck procurement culminated in his decision. But Dick has been a keen representative and volunteer for the City over a number of years, and his insight and comment has been invaluable. His challenges to basic assumptions will be missed. I am pleased that Lake Elmo generates a strong commitment from residents in being involved in voluntary activities which help frame Lake Elmo's past and future as well as making recommendations which improve efficiency, safety and welfare. At the same time, the Council, as the decision making elected body, has to make timely decisions whi with the more leisurely approach of a voluntary committee which has no ch may conflict t been given a completion expectation time. Dick, I feel, considers my action in pushing ahead with the fire truck procurement unwarranted and high handed. He could not see what had suddenly created the urgency. On my part, having seen the condition of the fire truck, and being aware of the imminent need to place an order to gain access to a demonstrator vehicle before anyone else, so as to gain a potential saving to the City of $50,000 or so, the time was now. I was not aware that the subject had not been discussed by the MAC for since October or so. I was aware that the MAC had reviewed the proposed new truck for some time - it had figured in the CIP for a number of years, but procurement had been deferred. The following actions were taken by the MAC and City Council in 1996 and 1997: April 22: The inclusion of the pumper on the CIP was questioned, the Fire Chief was not present. May 20: The Fire Department requested clarification of the intent to replace the pumper, MAC and Council concept approval was sought. July 1: The use of pumper 31.84 was reviewed. July 2: The City Council approved the purchase of a Kabota mower for the Parks Department, based on a MAC recommendation. July 16: The Council accepted the CIP report of the MAC. This included the purchase, in 1996, of a new pumper unit at $225,000 August27: At the Council budget workshop for 1997, $250,000 was allocated for a new pumper to be bought in 1997.