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<br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom questioned what impact the new Minnesota Paid Leave Policy would have on the City of Mounds View. Human Resources Director Ewald stated the paid leave policy would have <br /> a positive impact on younger employees that would be starting families. She indicated these employees would now be able to have up to 12 weeks off paid leave for bonding time with their <br /> child. She reported the City opted for the 50/50 pay option through MetLife. She commented further on how employees would positively benefit from this policy. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause indicated this policy would also apply to employees with elderly parents or an ailing spouse. Human Resources Director Ewald reported this was the case. <br /> <br />Council Member Clark inquired if the City would hire to backfill for an employee should someone choose to take their 12 weeks of family leave. Human Resources Director Ewald explained <br /> this would depend on the position and the budget the department may have. <br /> <br /> Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. <br /> <br />6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS <br /> A. SBM Fire Chief Retka – Quarterly Update. <br /> <br />Fire Chief Retka provided the Council with a quarterly update from the SBM Fire Department. He stated 2025 was a busy year and calls continue to go up, especially for medical calls. <br /> He reported the department’s prevention efforts were continuing to work along with the efforts to sprinkle buildings. He reviewed a year-to-date call map for the City of Mounds View. <br /> He commented on the major fires that occurred in the community in 2025 and discussed why yearly inspections were important. He discussed how overlapping calls were addressed by the <br /> department. He provided further information on how SBM would be taking over operations for Circle Pines and Centerville on a contract basis. He described how the department’s budget <br /> would also be positively impacted by the new contract with Circle Pines and Centerville. He noted this contract will assist with providing improved services to the east side of Blaine <br /> and the I-35W corridor. He explained he was proud of how response times have improved based on the department’s new staffing model. He discussed how the North Metro EMS, which was started <br /> by the SBM Fire Department, was working to train the majority of Anoka County, Ramsey County and the surrounding police departments which were creating a new revenue stream for the <br /> fire department. He asked for any comments or questions from the Council. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause requested further information regarding the recent promotions at the fire department. Fire Chief Retka reviewed the recent internal appointments with the Council <br /> and described how the deputy staff and battalion chiefs were reorganized. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause asked if the Centennial Lakes Fire Department just had a fire station in Circle Pines. Fire Chief Retka explained there was a fire station in Circle Pines and <br /> another in Centerville. He indicated the SBM Fire Department would have a 10-year renewable contract with the Centennial Lakes Fire Department going forward and their increases would <br /> follow the SBM increases.