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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,August 20, 2012 Page 11 periodically to seek resolution for any potential discrepancies or problem areas to ensure the best response time possible for citizens. At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Chief O'Neill reviewed the extensive process and considerations for changing emergency transportation providers and service areas; and requirements for providing those services and maintaining a cer- tain level of care for the community. Chief O'Neill referenced House File 2720 from 2011 allowing municipalities to choose whether to have an outside, private or- ganization or someone else (e.g. Fire Department) contracted to provide that ser- vice; however, the bill died without hearing at the legislative level. Chief O'Neill noted that there had been several similar attempts to change the law over the last decade, but not receiving much traction. At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Chief O'Neill advised that approxi- mately 70% of the Department's calls were EMS-related, with the remaining, ap- proximately 1,100 fire calls received annually. Parks and Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke noted that his department would work with administration on a volunteer management position to see what areas overlapped. At the request of Councilmember Johnson, Mr. Brokke noted that the 10% reduc- tion in recreation program participants from 2010 to 2011 was based on timing for the reporting process. At the request of Acting Mayor Willmus, Mr. Brokke advised that the Roseville Skating Center had seen no decrease with the Vadnais Center coming on line, and actually had seen an increase in August usage. At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Mr. Brokke noted that the largest addi- tion and dollar ramifications would be through additional personnel. Councilmember McGehee suggested that the City pursue a referendum by Friday, August 24, 2012, in order to provide citizens with a chance to weigh in on future park and recreation needs; and asked that City staff be directed to move forward ac- cordingly for bonding before year-end for the remainder of the money needed. City Manager Malinen questioned how such a timeline could possibly be accom- plished by Friday, since the City Council would need to vote on such action prior to moving forward. Acting Mayor Willmus refocused discussion on the issue currently before the body.