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<br />Regular City Council Minutes - 08/04/03 <br />Page 8 <br /> <br />policy change, reiterating the Council's lack of consensus <br />for the proposal. <br /> <br />Further discussion and debate ensued regarding medical <br />training qualifications of Fire Department personnel; and <br />increased overall costs for implementation in salaries, <br />training, vehicle wear and tear; supplies (reimbursed by <br />Allina). <br /> <br />City Manager Beets defended the intent of the department <br />in an attempt to improve the level of service to the <br />community in emergency situations; and rationalized that <br />staff considered this proposal an extension of EMT <br />services that have been offered in the community for <br />years. <br /> <br />Mayor Kysylyczyn disagreed with City Manager Beets' <br />perspective, opining that the department couldn't <br />unilaterally implement this with the City Council <br />responsible to potential reduce or cut the service in the <br />future; citing the Council's authority to approve such a <br />policy change prior to implementation, as previously <br />outlined by the City Attorney in his legal opinion <br />determining Council and City Manager responsibilities <br />and authority. <br /> <br />City Manager Beets proposed that staff address each point <br />of concern by Councilmembers, illustrating within the <br />budget detail, how resources will be shifted wi thin the <br />department to accomplish the proposal. <br /> <br />Councilmember Klausing requested further clarification in <br />the future staff report regarding this issue the difference in <br />criteria for a proposed policy change, or the scope of <br />professional department managers utilizing those skills in <br />better overall management of their specific department. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder reiterated his concerns, and <br />welcomed additional staff information and explanations at <br />a future meeting. <br />