Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. .... <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Minutes of Special Council Meeting <br />Village of Arden Hills <br />Wednesday, September 8, 1976 - 7:30 p.m. <br />Shorevlew Village Hall <br /> <br />Ca II to Order <br />Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting was called <br />to order by Acting Mayor Charles Crichton at 7:35 p.m. <br /> <br />Roll Call <br />Present - Acting Mayor Crichton, Councilmen Wingert and Woodburn. <br />Absent - Mayor Crepeau. <br />Also Present - North Oaks Mayor Johnson, Councilmen Bjorklund, <br />Bondus, Fritze and Launder. Shorevlew - Mayor Olson, <br />Councilmen McGraw, Newbold, Wedell, Weyandt. <br /> <br />Mayor Olson noted the purpose of the meeting was to review <br />directives and assignments from the last meeting concerning fire <br />protection services for Arden HI lis, North Oaks and Shoreview. <br /> <br />Report of Shorev I ew Attorney 'F III a <br />Statutory cities have the authority to establish their own fire <br />departments and several cities could establish a Joint fire depart- <br />ment using a Joint powers agreement. <br /> <br />Cities can also contract with private corporations with broad or <br />specific terms. Generally cities can't require disclosure of <br />financial records from private corporations, but could be a re- <br />quirement In the contract. Cities do not have vested Interest In <br />equipment unless by special contractual clause. Contract can also <br />have formula determining annual payment. Use of replacement <br />cost Instead of depreciation for equipment Is not a common practice, <br />may affect tax status of tax exempt corporation. Contract could <br />specify purchase and use of city-owned equipment. Present contract <br />with Lake Johanna Fire Department Is very broad. As cities become <br />more Involved, It can be argued that department Is no longer an <br />Independent contractor. <br /> <br />A Joint Powers Agreement cannot include a private contractor. <br /> <br />Enabling legislation to establish taxing authority for fire pro- <br />te~tlon Is only available to rural areas, It Is doubtful that <br />le~lslature would extend such authority to metropolitan areas. <br /> <br />The Joint Powers Agreement has been prepared which formalizes the <br />group presently In existence, Shorevlew has passed agreement. <br /> <br />Woodburn asked about tort liability If cities get Into large <br />purchases and leases. Filla felt If cities do this they are <br />opening up for liability exposure. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Report of Shorevle" Manager Dickson <br />The creation of a fire department to serve the three cities Is a <br />feasible obJective. Approximately a year would be enough time <br />to make a reasonable transition from present service to a trl-clty <br />fire department. Amount of money available to purchase equipment <br />would affect quality of service. Ideally, a smooth transition <br />could use present members of L.J.F.D. to staff new trl-clty depart- <br />ment, with possibility that volunteers receive some compensation. <br />Fire stations would have to be geographically located to enable <br />good response time to communities. <br /> <br />There would be a definite Increase in cost. However, one advantage <br />would be the accountabl11ty of the department to the cities and <br />creation of an equity Interest In equipment and buildings. - Dickson <br />estimated cost for fire apparatus at $250,000 - $300.000. <br /> <br />Report of North Oaks Clerk Administrator Rozycki <br />SprlngL:ake Park -Blaine - Mounds View Fire Department at one time <br />served part of Shorevlew and Arden Hills, Is very busy, might be <br />able to serve part of Arden Hills and Shoreview. <br /> <br />Vadnais Heights Department Is five years old. not looking for addi- <br />tional service areas. might be able to serve North Oaks. <br /> <br />-1- <br />