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Cit',, Administrator Schroeder stated that during the interviewing process, Boardn'~ember Sharp
<br />posed the question of how man.,,' members the Board could have. Hc didn't take it to mean that an
<br />additional member would be appointed immediately, he understood the question to mean "get an
<br />answer and ponder the idea".
<br />
<br />Boardmember Sharp stated he had inquired aborn the structure of the Fire Board because he
<br />wanted to 'know where it originated.
<br />
<br />Councilmember Peterson stated this Board was started to keep a good working relationship
<br />between the Fire Fighters and the City Council and keeps the lines of communication open.
<br />
<br />Boardmember Sharp stated a board such as this one has its place; however, he questioned its
<br />credibility as it seems to sometimes "go in circles". He stated he would like to see the non-Fire
<br />Department members have more input with regard to where they would like to see the Fire
<br />Department go, etc.
<br />
<br />City Administrator Schroeder stated that the non-Fire Department members are relatively
<br />uninformed and do not have the knowledge to tell the Fire Department what to do. He suggested
<br />the Department show the Board their plans and goals and the Board will offer opinions on them.
<br />
<br />Boardmember Sharp stated his impression is that the Department only comes to the Board with
<br />regard to money issues.
<br />
<br />City Administrator Schroeder reported that all operational departments are putting together plans.
<br />A five-year plan, for example, is a step ladder to ,,,,,here the department is going.
<br />
<br />Boardmember Kapler stated he believes it's the Fire Department's responsibility to forward facts
<br />and the Board's responsibility to keep an open mind and make decisions with a consensus.
<br />
<br />Case #2: Discussion regarding Fire inspector Position
<br />
<br />Cib' Administrator Schroeder summarized his phone conversations regarding fire inspections. The
<br />State inspects day cares (the first time, then no more after that) and hotels, motels and schools.
<br />The State inspects restaurants on complaint and the Count,,,, inspects them as related to health
<br />regulations. The general comments received ~f ~" f .
<br /> r~_mmn~ other inspections were: shy away from da,,'
<br />care inspections, inspections are labor intensive and they require significant training, the fees don't
<br />cover expenses, new construction plan reviev,' for commercial/industrial should be done and public
<br />education for fire safer,,, should be done ,":',~' ' ~
<br /> . ~=ardiess of inspection prog-ram. Reaarding liability, the
<br />comments were no lia~iiirv for iack of program and ma',' be liability if adorn UTC or inspection
<br />pro,am and then don't insnect or don't catch eveu'tning. He ,,~ '
<br /> su==~stec, based on his telephone
<br />conversations, that the first area would be to plan review for ne,:,' construction tcormmercial) and do
<br />inspections at the building permit stage and also get computerization of what's "up and running".
<br />He felt the schools, da',, cares and restaurants would be in the second phase of inspecting. Mr.
<br />Schroeder recommended meeting with the City of Anoka, for budget purposes, after defining
<br />limits and stratification of an.,,, pro=m'am precedeni to budget discussions for the 1993 fiscal years.
<br />
<br />ru'e Chief Griffin stated it would cost o,~tv.. ~,... $200 and $400 for an individual to be trained to the
<br />inspection II level and he would like to have about two people trained in that field. He suggested a
<br />non-enforced, non-committ~ insr>ection pre-plan which would pose as a se~'lce to people and
<br />educate them. He stated that, based on Mr. Schroeder's information, the UFC could be referenced
<br />without having to adopt it and thought that might be better than adopting the Code.
<br />
<br />Boardmember Kapier expressed a concern that with more industry there ,,,,'ill be more hazardous
<br />materials and the Fire Depa,~ment should become more knowledgeable in that area. He also
<br />
<br /> Fire Board/May 20, 1992
<br />N~~ Page 2 of 3
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