CC 07-27-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 27, 1998 3 _ ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS . . Mr. Fritsinger introduced Nancy Randall as the new Associate Planner. Mr. Fritsinger said there would be a joint meeting of the Arden Hills, North Oaks and Shoreview City Councils on August 19 at 5 p.m. The main purpose of the meeting is to discuss renewal of the fire contract with the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Malone commented on the fire protection services Joint Powers Agreement as it is set up. He understood it would be in the same form for all the cities with some customization. He noted that the objective measures of the Fire Department in the old contract took up a great deal of space. Hc referred to a five-year threshold. Since under a Joint Powers Agreement, all the cities are members; he believed the budget should be presented as the entire budget for the Fire Department. Councilmember Malone also recalled that the Council formerly received the budget for only the Arden Hills' portion. It was his belief that the Councilmembers should see all of the budget. Councilmember Malone also noted there were references to obtaining city approval on capital expenditures of $10,000 or more. He understood, as the contract was written, it requires City approval of capital expenditures of $1 0,000 or more per City. He wanted that to be known. Mayor Probst expected this would be discussed at the meeting on August 19. Mayor Probst asked why the contract wasn't with the Joint Powers Board. Mr. Fritsinger said the Fire Department was not part of the Joint Powers Agreement; it is set up with each individual city. The Joint Powers Agreement is among the three cities who work on fire protection with the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department. Mayor Probst noted it was unlike the 1-35W Corridor Coalition which enters into agreements rather than the individual cities. Mr. Fritsinger said that option wasn't pursued but staff could research it. The contract was the same for all communities except for one paragraph. Mayor Probst expressed curiosity about why the Joint Powers Agreement was inclusive of all cities, but the contract was city-specific. Mr. Fritsinger explained that the Joint Powers Agreement addressed corporate issues, and included the Fire Department as part ofthe process and allowed them to be able to make recommendations to the various cities. The Joint Powers Agreement, unlike the 1-35W Corridor Coalition Joint Powers Agreement, doesn't have approval or denial power. Mr. Fritsinger explained that this type of Joint Powers Agreement and individual contract allow the Fire Department and each City the most flexibility for a long-term contract. Councilmember Malone agreed with the Mayor's point of view and indicated, ideally, that is how it should be set up but that would give the Fire Board the jurisdictional power to approve the budget, which the member cities may not agree with since it will interfere with the Council's ability to exert budgetary control.