CCP 12-14-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 30, 1998 DRAFT 9 , e Councilmember Larson stated that the previous agreement had provided for any annual surpluses being returned to the cities and asked why this language does not appear in the new agreement. Mr. Fritsinger stated this question came up during the joint meeting in August and he did not recall exactly why this language was deleted. One of the LNFD representatives explained the discussion during the August meeting had been related to the return of excess funds and coverage for when the Fire Department was forced to go over budget. It was determined that this issue would be handled by the Fire Board. Mr. Fritsinger also pointed out that over the years any surpluses have been returned to the cities. Councilmember Larson stated his concem for having the Fire Board handle this issue was that the Fire Board was an advisory body and he was not sure that the Board would be the appropriate body to handle this type of requirement. Councilmember Larson stated another issue he had was with the reason for dropping the dispute resolution provision. He indicated, upon reviewing the Joint Powers Agreement, it states the Fire Board can make reconunendations regarding the rights and responsibilities of the Department and the individual cities, however, it was not a body which can resolve disputes that may remain between the four parties. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the idea behind creating a Joint Powers Agreement with a Fire Board was for this body to serve in the roll of bringing agreement between the parties rather than going to an outside source. During the last term of the agreement the arbitration process was not used. Therefore, during negotiations, it was decided that there . was not enough interest in trying to utilize this approach. It was determined that the Fire Board would deal with these issues. Councilmember Larson indicated, if a dispute between the three cities and the Fire Department arises that the Fire Board can not resolve, the cities hold the majority vote on the Board and the results may not be satisfactory from the Fire Department's point of view. Councilmember Larson conunented that, in reviewing the requirements of the various parties, he was unable to determine what Arden Hills' requirements are with regard to the budget. He asked, does the City simply receive the budget and approve it, or will the Council have the opportunity to review the budget and make necessary changes. Mr, Fritsinger stated the intent was to deal with the budget in the same way as with the agreement with the Ramsey County's Sheriff Department. The Fire Board will review the budget issues and will hold the major discussions on policy and prevention action issues, The Board will attempt to resolve any issues prior to submission to the various Councils. The Councils have the right to review issues which affect the budget and, if appropriate, take action which may not necessarily be in agreement with the Fire Board, Councilmember Larson stated his last question was regarding dissolution. He indicated that the Fire Protection Agreement assumes this could happen in two ways, by Fire Department initiated action and by city initiated action. In the case of city initiated action, it assumes all three cities e act together to dissolve the Fire Department. There was a provision that the City of Arden Hills review the agreement every five years and make a decision whether or not to continue the agreement for another five years, There was also a provision which allows the City to terminate the agreement with a one-year notice. If the cities act unilaterally and there was an issue the City of Arden Hills was unsatisfied with and the two other cities are not, it appears that there was no