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questions remaining but a decision needs to be made. She felt many of the questions raised by <br />the Ramsey Council depended on the selection of governance system and until a proposal is on <br />the table, those types of questions cannot be answered. Mayor Strommen believed it would be of <br />benefit to gain legal expertise to consider the next action, noting a similar discussion had been <br />held relating to the JPA with the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated it appears there is opportunity for Ramsey to take on additional <br />responsibility as the host City for personnel and payroll; however, it would place a burden on the <br />City's staff. He asked if it will be too much work for the City's current staffing levels so an <br />additional employee would be needed. <br />Fire Chief Kapler stated that would be a question for the Finance Director relating to the time <br />currently being spent on the Fire Department's payroll. He stated he believes that systems will . <br />continue to get more automated and hopefully the new records management system will result in <br />it being simply a download with little human interaction in the data transfer to handle the payroll <br />task. <br />Finance Director Lund stated payroll is more time consuming because it uses the State system. <br />There are 50 fire fighters who are paid quarterly. In addition, she does the audit work papers but <br />if the communities merge, she would not be able to handle that larger audit. She estimated a cost <br />of $2,400 for that larger audit and that it would take staff two full -time weeks to complete. <br />Mayor Strommen noted there will be some cost savings and efficiencies to run one payroll and <br />audit rather than four separate payrolls and audits. <br />Councilmember Riley thanked Fire Chief Kapler for this information on savings. He stated his <br />issue is one with timing, noting it is currently in the negotiating phase. He asked if the <br />agreement should be drafted once negotiating is completed and the terms have been reached. <br />Mayor Strommen stated that is a good point but this process will involve an exchange amongst <br />all parties. She felt it would be a mistake for the Council to assume it knows the legal issues that <br />need to be addressed within such a JPA. She stated in the end, she hopes it will save time to <br />have the JPA drafted at this point. <br />Councilmember Riley stated as this has been studied, Oak Grove withdrew because they felt it <br />was not a good idea. In addition, Centennial Fire District is disbanding so he would ask what is <br />going on counter to what is being considered with shared services. <br />Fire Chief Kapler stated in the last few years, issues with West Metro agreements have been <br />raised but they worked through those issues (larger versus smaller); and, Spring Lake Park - <br />Blaine- Mounds View also worked out their differences. He stated the Centennial Fire District is <br />the only one he is aware of that is disbanding. Fire Chief Kapler stated a key point is a review <br />within the JPA. He clarified that the JPA would be a tool to give the four City Council's <br />information on whether it is a good idea to move ahead. It is not a final document. Fire Chief <br />Kapler noted cities will change over time so the JPA needs to be fluid and periodically revised, <br />which is the same process used with other cost -share models. <br />City Council Work Session / June 24, 2014 <br />Page 3 of 8 <br />