2012-02-22 CC Minutes - Approved

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City of Centerville Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2012 3.Res. #12-008 – Authorizing the Centennial Fire District Chief to Explore Legislative Changes to Allow for Local Controls of Determination of Provision on Local Ambulance Services Centennial Fire District Chief Jerry Streich gave a brief overview of the proposed resolution and stated that the resolution would allow City leaders an opportunity to work with the Legislature to make modifications in current law that would allow communities to choose providers for emergency ambulance services. Chief Streich stated that the resolution, which was recommended by the Fire Steering Committee, was being presented to all members of the district and that the City of Circle Pines had already approved it. Chief Streich stated that in 2011 the department handled 1,084 calls, which equated to 3 per day, with 60% of them being rescue calls and four (4) life saves. Chief Streich stated that all firefighters are trained at a Basic Life Support (BLS)/EMT service provider level in the district; however, most ambulance service providers have an Advanced Life Support (ALS) service provider (paramedic). Discussion ensued regarding future options for providing ambulance service, a form of ambulance service at the BLS or ALS services, required training and equipment. Chief Streich stated that the resolution only allows for discussion to be opened at the legislative level to modify the law allowing communities to make their own choices. The Chief was extremely clear that the community should have input into who provides services for them when called upon. Motion by Council Member King, seconded by Council Member Love, to approve Res. #12-008 – Authorizing the Centennial Fire District Chief to Explore Legislative Changes to Allow for Local Controls of Determination of Provision on Local Ambulance Services as presented. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Streich reviewed call statistics, budget amounts and the response area for Station 3 with Council. Chief Streich stated that with demographics, day time employment, recruitment and retention efforts failing, it has been extremely difficult to provide day time services. Chief Streich stated that many departments are encountering the same difficulties and are overcoming them by offering “day/duty crews” which would be 4 hour shifts that fire fighters schedule. Chief Streich addressed this issue with the Fire Steering Committee who approved the model to offer a “duty crew” position for 2012 and this has worked well. Chief Streich explained that many local departments and their communities have benefited from this type of scheduling and it allows the fire fighter to choose when they will be on-call versus all the time including holidays. The Chief reassured Council that when the “day/duty crew” was not responding to calls they would be working on equipment, cleaning or completing paperwork. Consensus of the Council was that this type of part-time scheduling would allow for retention of current staff and assistance in recruitment efforts while minimizing expenditures and providing excellent service to the community. 4.Ord. #55, Second Series – Amending City Code, Chapter 51 & 91, Adding Regulations for Illicit Storm Water Discharge & Detection Administrator Larson stated the City currently has a Storm Water Discharge Permit issued by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. MPCA is not satisfied with the current language within City Code and requires the modified language that has been provided prior to May of 2012. Council Member King requested that the item be tabled, allowing additional time for review. Page 3 of 4