Minutes - Council - 07/24/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. John Tonding of Anoka County Central Communications was present and indicated that Central Communications provides the emergency dispatch service for all of Anoka County. Mr. Tonding indicated that the problem Ramsey is facing with inaccurate addresses is not unique to Ramsey and those problems exist all over the County and the other communities are also proceeding to correct the inaccuracies. Mr. Tonding stated that past experience has shown that lack of logical numbering will ultimately result in a delay of essential services to properties and the staff at 911 is encouraging cities to make the appropriate changes to correct the inconsistencies. Mr. Tonding stated that a significant problem in Ramsey is that odd and even house numbers were assigned to the wrong side of streets and that goes against the standard in place for the entire County of Anoka and results in problems when emergency vehicles are trying to locate a specific address. Mr. Tonding stated that it is logical to expect that the emergency vehicles will eventually find the address but even a one minute delay could make a difference in a life and death situation. That process is hampered even more in the evening hours when it is dark and house numbers are not visible from the street. CITIZEN INPUT Barb Nelson, 5210 - 155th Lane N.W. - stated that she has had a situation where emergency vehicles were called to her home in the evening hours and she went outside to watch for the ambulance and flag them to her property and she had no problems. John Tousley, 5201 - 155th Lane N.W. - stated that it is logical to assume that an emergency vehicle trying to find an address that is off by 200 numbers would present a problem, however, in Ramsey's situation, we are talking house numbers that are off by one digit in some instances and that should not make a critical difference when emergency vehicles are trying to locate a specific property. Barb Nelson - stated that the proposed address changes will mean that property owners will have to change many records including mortgages, credit cards, W-2 Forms, driver's licenses, etc. She also stated that the proposed address changes may result in confusing assessing records. Chief Auspos stated that every time there are new officers added to or replaced on the Ramsey Police Department, they have to be trained as to the inconsistencies in Ramsey's street names and address number assignments. In addition to that, future owners of these same properties may not wish to retain the improper numbering system as the previous owner has and if they decide to change their number to its proper sequence, then that will set off a chain reaction of their neighbor's having to follow suit. Mr. Auspos stated that he recognizes that it is a hardship for the property owners to change their address on all their documents but there is generally a space provided on all of your regular mail to indicate any address change. City Attorney Goodrich stated that if the City is aware of a defect in the addressing system and if an event occurs at a property which is escalated because of a delay in emergency service, the City would be exposing itself to liability for injury caused if the improper address assignment caused the delay. With regard to the homeowners liability, if the homeowner were to have a guest over and emergency service was required and the homeowner has an improper address, the homeowner is also exposed to liability for improper address. Larry Schantzer, 5175 - 147th Circle N.W. - stated that he has not heard a good reason to change 147th Circle N.W. to 146th Circle N.W., noting that the Circle is the only one in River's Bend. Barb Nelson - stated that she does not know why she should absorb the cost to change all her documents because of an error on the City's part in assigning addresses. Barb suggested that the City indicate on a map all those areas with inconsistent addresses and provide that map to emergency services for their reference in responding to calls. Public Hearing/July 24, 1990 Page 2 of 3