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Item No: 3 M0v�s V MW Meeting Date: December 7 2420 Type of Business: W5 Administrator Review: City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Don Peterson, Director of Public Works / Parks and Recreation Item Title/Subject: Reviewing the Minnesota Public Works Joint Powers Mutual Aid Agreement Introduction/Background: The Minnesota Public Works Joint Powers Mutual Aid Agreement provides a formalized and approved process for units of government to share public works personnel, equipment and resources with other agencies that are also signatories to the agreement across the State. Currently, it is not uncommon for adjacent communities to provide support and resources to each other in the event of equipment breakdowns or availability of parts and or materials. The specialized equipment needed in public works operations can at times be unavailable due to repairs, damage, etc. In those situations, neighboring communities are notified that in the event of an emergency, they may be called upon to assist with repairs. This has been common practice between neighboring counties and cities for years. The Minnesota Public Works Joint Powers Mutual Aid Agreement has been developed to provide participating units of government the necessary framework to request aid and provide aid with a common understanding of where liabilities and responsibilities lie. Participating parties to the agreement can, at their own discretion, decide when and in what situation mutual aid is appropriate. This agreement is not limited to emergency response or catastrophic situations; participants can utilize the resources for many reasons including routine circumstances such as training efforts, maintenance operations, joint projects and back-up support service. It is a long-standing practice to assist other agencies in times of need, whether that is responding to emergency events like flooding or to the more routine cases of equipment sharing that weren't related to emergencies. The Minnesota Public Works Joint Powers Mutual Aid Agreement formalizes what we're already doing in the industry and provides clarity with regard to responsibilities for service and equipment requests. Hennepin County Emergency Management (HCEM) has volunteered to coordinate and administer the Agreement, and there is no cost to participants. As of November 16, 2020, there are 22 signatories on the Public Works Joint Powers Mutual Aid Agreement. However, with concerns about the impacts of COVID-19 on the Public Works' workforce, it is anticipated that more agencies will become signatories to this agreement in the near future. Discussion/Recommendation: Public Works staff along with the City Attorney has reviewed the Minnesota Public Works Joint Powers Mutual Aid Agreement and is seeking feedback and direction from the City Council on proceeding with the agreement. Respectfully submitted, Don Peterson Director of Public Works/Parks and Recreation Attachments: Minnesota Public Works Joint Powers Mutual Aid Agreement, Email from City Attorney