05-30-2002 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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TO: FROM: DATE: Mayor and City Council Ron Moorse, City Administrator May 28,2002 SUBJECT: 20-Year Fire Service Agreement with Long Lake The Settlement Agreement with Long Lake regarding the new fire station includes the development of a 20-year Hre service agreement to guide the fire service relationship. The Council has reviewed the proposed agreement and has not indicated any concerns regarding the proposed language. But the Council did direct staff to obtain input from Gabriel Jabbour and Jim Murphy prior to Council approval, particularly regarding suggestions by Dick Flint concerning the City of Orono having a greater voice in managing the Department, particularly the Fire Chief. In view of recent actions by the Long Lake Fire Chief in relation to fire service expenditures, hiring, and training that have each raised concerns, it is important the Council discuss this issue. Gabriel Jabbour has suggested language indicating that Orono has a strong inherent interest in ensuring the Long Lake Fire Department operates well and is well managed. Orono will work diligently with Long Lake to ensure effective management of the Hre service. Any detriment to the Long Lake Fire Department is a detriment to Orono and its investment in the Long Lake Fire Department. The language suggested by Dick Flint is as follows; 1.The Fire Chief may be removed with or without cause by either city upon a four- fifths vote of its City Council. No major contracts or other major financial obligation may be undertaken except with the approval of cities paying 60% of the operating costs that year. The challenge is to develop language that balances the fact that the Long Lake Fire Department is an operating department of the City of Long Lake with the fact that Orono pays over 70% of both the operating and capital costs of the Department, and Orono is committing to obtaining fire service from the Long Lake Fire Department for a 20-year period. While the current agreement language gives Orono control over the annual operating budget, we need language that enables the City to be proactive in addressing problems, particularly when a Fire Chief is making decisions regarding expenditures, hiring, and training that may create long term liabilities for Orono as a party to the fire service agreement, and as the party responsible for funding the majority of the costs of the Long Lake Fire Department. j i