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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,November 17, 2014 Page 23 Councilmember Willmus expressed concern with the projected number of addi- tional callbacks in this transition model; and while noting that concern may be mitigated if phased over a longer period of time, and as opportunities came for- ward to develop auto aid agreements with other communities. However, as he considered the options tonight, Councilmember Willmus stated that he was not yet ready to say which option to pursue; seeking more time to explore the actual impact of calls for service and transitions. Chief O'Neill accepted those reservations; and based on the feedback from Coun- cilmembers tonight, advised that he now felt comfortable having those mutual aid discussions with other departments, but had hesitated to do so before first bring- ing it to the City Council for their preliminary discussions. Councilmember Willmus noted that there were concerns and impacts if the Cities of Maplewood or St. Paul were not on board. Chief O'Neill advised that this was part of the rationale for the 3-4 yea r transition timeframe being what was the most realistic. Councilmember McGehee reiterated her request to see the base and auto aid agreements; observing that as long as the City maintains its part-time firefighters, it was adding more years to the Relief Association and pensions to which they were entitled, but creating additional long-term costs the longer it took to phase it in. Chief O'Neill concurred that the longer it took to implement the reorganization model, the higher the Relief Association liability was; however, he reiterated the steps taken by the City Council in 2010 for new hires to go with the PERA pen- sion fund and reduce liability for the Relief Association, which was in the $10 million range now, and would have probably been in excess of$13 million if that step had not been taken, thereby creating a significant step in the right direction as it related to that liability. Mayor Roe addressed actuarial assumptions tied to anticipating long-term liability and based on retirement, deaths or other impacts in relationship with future known liabilities. Mayor Roe noted that the City Manager's recommended 2015 budget included year one as the target. Councilmembers concurred that the current commitment for six new full-time people was a good start no matter the ultimate decision.