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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-2013 CCW Our Mission is to Provide Quality Public Services in a Fiscally Responsible Manner While Preserving the City’s Open Space Character NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING City of Lake Elmo 3800 Laverne Avenue North City Council Workshop Tuesday, October 8, 2013 6:30 P.M. AGENDA Present: Pearson, Nelson, Bloyer, and Reeves Also present: Zuleger, Malmquist, bendel, griffin, and bell A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pearson called the meeting to order at 6:30PM B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Reeves/?? 4-0 D. LAKE ELMO FIRE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW Chief Malmquist gave presentation on the fire dept. 2000 calls since January 2008. Little over 10% our ladder was the first to arrive. Discussion of false alarms. We charge on the fourth in a year. Most false alarms do not result in charges because they do not meet threshold. It was noted that many are alarm systems. However, overall the alarms are increasing year to year, the false alarms are not despite the increase in alarm utilization. Malmquist gave overview of staffing and recruiting. One of the challenges is must be a resident or within 5 ½ response time. Dept is currently staffed at 22 including chief and 1 captain at each station. Overview of what could be done to retain and attract recruits. Discussion of allowing a longer drive time and the impact. It would delay the response time. It was noted that Woodbury and Stillwater has paid full-time. They can have longer times for the POC as they are more of a second response team. Discussion of firefighter demographic to identify who to target. Typically working-class, someone who enjoys getting their hands dirty. Options for future: do nothing and rely more on mutual aid; incentives to POC (housing, financial, etc.); expand our duty crew shifts and rely more on mutual aid for larger events; paid part-time at stations; career/full-time staff. Overview of chief and PT Admin Asst/FF roles/duties. Overview of training. Cannot train for all scenarios. Adopted local, regional, state and federal training standards. National Fire Prevention Association. Most departments in the surrounding area have adopted the Washington County Fire Chiefs’ Association Officer Leadership Series. One of the challenges of POC is that all the staff has to be trained in all the basic areas because you never know who will show up to call. Much of the training is done at Century College. Training partnerships include the design of the East Metro Training Facility and Regions Hospital. Regional and Joint training is growing as well as networking. Overview of equipment. Went through the list of trucks and what stations they are located. It was noted that many firefighters prefer newer/better equipment and that the status of equipment plays a role in recruitment and retention. Shared services and capital replacement plans were discussed. Maintenance repairs were discussed. Despite a reduction in pump repair costs, chassis/body repair costs have increased. Fleet replacement plan was discussed. There is no plan to add trucks, but only replace trucks. There was a discussion of the different needs the north portion of the city versus the southern half. The north would require a 75ft ladder and the south would require the 100ft. the 100ft would not fit at most locations in the north. Discussion of the required SCBA equipment in 2014 and the past acquisitions. It will cost about $100,000 to replace the equipment and it is required by NFPA. ISO update overview. Dry hydrant project. Primarily in the north. Looking at getting a grant next spring. The discussion of previous resident comments about proximity to hydrants and the effect on insurance rates. It was confirmed that it does make a difference and that most insurance carriers provide discounted rates for proximity to a hydrant. Discussion of what a future ISO audit would rate us and the possible improvements. Discussion of the ISO audit and the process. It is a big event and demanding on staff resources. Provided overview of the 2011 shared services study. The future placement of new stations was discussed. It was noted that if consolidated, the first couple years would perhaps see an increase in costs, but after a few years, the costs can decrease. The biggest challenge is to fund the relief fund. Various functional consolidation options were explained. Mutual aid and auto aid and the differences were explained. It was noted that there is no guarantee that additional resources can come with either mutual aid or auto aid. Contracted services was discussed. Contract services can range from a piece of equipment to providing complete service. Expanding the service to other communities to share the costs was also discussed. It was the consensus of the council that something needs to be done. The city is playing catch up on some items while also growing. Questions of what can be done, and what the city wants to do. What does the city want to be considered philosophically, rural with lower level of service and added risks or more suburban with increased services. The area response time was explained. Consolidation and the considerations were explained. Bloyer left meeting 8:16PM E. 2014 BUDGET WORKSHOP 1. Review of 2014 Capital Funds Budget Bendel provided overview of the changes since the last CIP/2014 budget workshop. It was noted that in 2015, there are no street projects scheduled because of the $10Mil debt limit. If exceed that limit, no longer bank qualified. Overview and discussion of several street and water/sewer projects. Explanation and discussion of enterprise projects. Zuleger and Bendel presented a 10 year absorption rate for proposed developments known to date. Discussion of WAC charges and when they are due. Bell confirmed that $3000 WAC charges are due to city at plat. $1000 Connection charges are due at time of connection. Discussion of the building permit and plan review revenue and the needed increase in staffing. Discussion of arbitrage. It was noted by griffin that because the city has a high number of road mileage in relation to city population. Therefore it is necessary to grow in order to fund the infrastructure needs. It was explained that council will be asked to approve a 5-year CIP with a 2014 program and a 2015 plan 2. Review of 2014 Enterprise Funds Budget Bendel explained the enterprise fund account for actual 2013 and proposed 2014. Discussion of storm water management. 3. Review of Fire Department Shared Services Analysis F. ADJOURN Adjourned at 9:32PM