Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/25/2006

Home

respond to their community's needs at a lower startup cost, as compared to creating a fire department on their own. The Council discussed the following issues associated with the potential agreement: Benefits to the City of Ramsey: opportunity for more daytime manpower, additional coverage in the northwest portion of the City · A minimum time commitment to the agreement. o Fire Chief Kapler advised staff would recommend a minimum 10-year commitment. · Ability to commit financially by Burns Township o Fire Chief Kapler advised Bums Township indicated they were comfortable with the estimated annual budget prepared. · Importance to be certain there is not any subsidization done by the City for Bums Township · Possible liabilities if the City is unable to meet a certain time period when covering the entire Township area. o Fire Chief Kapler advised the City's contract with Bums Township does not include a time response requirement. Ramsey is the priority for the City, but a situation with dual fires would trigger the mutual aid agreement. Fire Chief Kapler indicated staff is requesting a representative of the Finance Committee be appointed to review proposed details of the financing, along with bringing communications back to the full Council. The Memorandum of Understanding and appointment of a representative are included on the agenda of the Council meeting tonight. The consensus of the Council was to proceed with the Memorandum of Understanding and the appointment of a representative at the City Council meeting following the work session. 1) Current City Hall/Fire Station Issues Assistant City Administrator Nelson stated staff has been working on a number of issues related to the existing City Hall and Fire Station No. 2. She reviewed that in November 2005, City Council authorized an agreement with BKV Group for professional services regarding the future use of the existing City Hall and Fire Station No. 2. Since that time, staff has met with the BKV representatives and it has become apparent that additional work regarding the site for the eventual reconstruction of Fire Station No. 2 as well as a concept plan for the facility may be warranted. Over the winter, the plat for the existing City Hall site was approved, which carves out a site for the future reconstruction of Fire Station No. 2. That site was fit-tested by the City's Engineering Staff; however, a full study of how the site will function for the new Fire Station has yet to be completed. BKV Group has submitted a revised proposal that includes assessing the future site of Fire Station No. 2 and developing a concept plan for the facility. Ted Redmond, BKV Group, provided an overview of the proposal by BKV Group to study the space needs for Fire Station No. 2. He explained this proposal for services is in lieu of the signed agreement dated November 1, 2005, and is based on further input from staff and the City Council Work Session / April 25, 2006 Page 2 of 6