Agenda - Council - 04/24/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember. Olson asked if there are ever any fingerprints taken in this type of situation that would facilitate in arresting the responsible individuals and recouping the clean -up cost. Police Chief Way replied due to the chemicals involved getting fingerprints is difficult and it is rare that this can be done. He stated there have been other meth sites in the City; in this case it was on someone's property. Rather than trying to bill the clean -up cost back to someone he felt it was necessary that the City step in and take care of this. It was obvious the chemicals were dumped and it is good policy that the City takes care of something like this or people may want to move it off their property, and possibly put themselves or their family at risk. He explained there are not many companies that clean up these types of chemicals. In this situation there were five containers to be hauled off the scene. Councilmember Elvig pointed out that the City has passed an ordinance recommended by the Police Chief that puts the responsibility of clean -up cost of meth labs on the property owners. The hope was that landlords would be accountable for what is occurring on their property. He believes that ordinance has been a good deterrent; however, the Police Chief is saying in this case the chemicals were dumped on someone's property. Mayor Gamec announced that any residents who see something that looks suspicious out in a wooded area should call 911 or contact the Police Department. It is better to be safe and call than to just push it aside. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to adopt resolution #07- 04 -098, transferring $3,163.78 from the Council Contingency Fund to the Police Budget of Professional Services to cover the cost of clean-up of a meth lab dump site. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Olson, Dehen, Jeffrey, Look, and Strommen. Voting No: None. Case #IA: Report from Personnel Committee 1) Consider Utilizing Paid -On -Call Firefighters for Fire Code Inspections Fire Chief Kapler stated with the adoption of the Minnesota State Fire Code, the City of Ramsey is required to conduct inspections in both new construction and annually in Ramsey's 450 existing businesses. In situations where the occupancy and hazard level warrant it, some businesses may be inspected twice annually. To -date, the Fire Marshal has been the sole staff member responsible for conducting fire inspections. Ramsey's volume of fire inspections and fire prevention activities has become difficult for one person to manage. It should be noted that unlike other areas of inspections, fire code inspections continue after construction is complete, for the purpose of verifying that life and safety maintenance issues are kept current. Mr. Kapler stated in response to the backlog of inspections created by Ramsey's rapid growth and understaffing in fire inspections, staff is proposing the creation of a part -time, temporary fire inspector assignment for current Ramsey paid -on -call firefighters. If approved, this fire inspector assignment will help reduce the backlog of fire inspections, leverage the training and skills of existing employees and provide on-the-job training and possible opportunities for career advancement. Mr. Kapler stated Council authorization is being requested for three paid -on -call City Council / April 10, 2007 Page 5 of 20