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<br />Fire Chief Kapler explained that it occurs more when there are simultaneous calls to the <br />department. He reported that there are about 12 to 15 structure fires and about 30 or 40 times <br />that the homeowner believes that something is on fire and the department must respond as such. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen questioned if there was a need to get more equipment. <br /> <br />Fire Chief Kapler advised that he actually believes they should have six more units but is <br />spreading that over the next three years for budget reasons. He was surprised that Ramsey <br />ranked so low in terms of equipment per fighter. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Miller advised that they had a planner leave their department <br />and she is currently working on that position description. She explained that they would be <br />reclassifying that position as a planning manager rather than an assistant director. She reported <br />that the reduction in the budget is because of that reclassification. She advised that they had a <br />reduction in office supplies, and gasoline had been removed from the budget as they were only <br />using City cars. She stated that the big item in the budget is miscellaneous professional services <br />because of the zoning code changes due to the changes made in the comprehensive plan. She <br />advised that they would probably not complete that project because the code rewrite would be <br />about $120,000 to $140,000. She hoped that they would be able to do a lot of that in house and <br />were also hoping to get some grants. She advised that they had budgeted $40,000 to begin with. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec questioned what type of grants they would be able to receive for the code updates. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Miller responded that there would be possible grants through <br />the MET Councilor McKnight. She advised that within the planning and zoning there was not <br />much change. She added that within environmental services Environmental Coordinator <br />Anderson's salary was offset by revenue. She advised that his events would be in that budget, <br />such as recycling day and Arbor Day events. She noted that there was a reduction in <br />professional services and explained that those services would deal with oak wilt and the emerald <br />ash boar. She advised that there. was an increase in the training section as Environmental <br />Coordinator Anderson's certification would be due in 2009 and he would need to be recertified. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that would complete the information for tonight in regard to the <br />budget. He advised that the next session, scheduled for August 19th, would cover <br />Administration, Finance, and the Police Department. He advised that August 19th is business <br />appreciation day and suggested that their meeting be moved to August 18th instead. He <br />confirmed that the meeting would be at 5:30 p.m. on August 18th. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig questioned if they could maintain a timeline for that meeting so that it <br />would not be ending at 9:00 p.m. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey questioned if there would be documentation on the cut to the data system <br />when they hear the technology section of Administration. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich advised that would be in regard to restoring digital video for the Police <br />Department. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session I July 29, 2008 <br />Page 13 of 15 <br />