07-30-2002 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Additional Language-Long Lake Fire Service Agreement Background The Cities of Medina and Orono have been very pleased with the quality of service provided by the City of Long Lake and the Long Lake Fire Department. In entering into a twenty year agreement for fire service, Orono and Medina need to be assured they will receive high qiiality, cost-dlective, fire service throughout the term of the agreement, and that the agreement clearly sets out the responsibilities and accountabilities regarding ensuring service quality and cost-effectiveness. The delivery of fire service in the west Hennepin County area is currently a subject of considerable interest and concern. The key concern is the effective management of fire service costs. Orono and Medina encourage Long Lake to take a proactive approach to the management of the Long Lake Fire Department, particularly the management of the Department's financial affairs, to enable and ensure continued high quality, cost-effective fire service. Administrative/Managerial Oversight The primary interests of Orono and Medina, in relation to fire service and this service agreement, are high quality fire protection and medical rescue ser\ ices, and efficient and effective management of the fiscal affairs and operations of the Fire Department. The City of Long Lake has the responsibility of overseeing the Fire Department to ensure these primary interests are met. Quality of Oversight Impacts Orono Although the Long Lake Fire Department is operated by the City of Long Lake, whatever occurs in relation to the administration of the Fire Department has a profound effect on Orono in a number of ways. 1. The LLFD serves the largest portion of Orono, If the administration of the Fire Department has an impact on the ability of the Department to provide high quality, cost-effective fire service, this has a significant impact on Orono. 2. Orono is the largest customer of the LLFD, and pays the majority of the costs for both operations and capital needs of the Department. If the financial affairs of the Fire Department are not being managed properly or elTectively, the burden of this deficiency falls primarily on Orono. 3. If the administration of the Fire Department results in the creation of liabilities that have financial implications, these also could have a substantial negative impact on Orono. Fire Department Responsibility and Accountability To provide the structure necessary' to ensure the proper and effective administration of the fiscal affairs and operations of the LLFD, the Long Lake City Council shall put in place, as of the effective date of this agreement, a Fire Ordinance that requires the following: 1. The Fire Chief is responsible and accountable to the Long Lake City Administrator and City Council. 2. The Long Lake firefighters are responsible and accountable to the City of Long Lake as City employees. 3. The policies and procedures required of the operating departments of the Cities of Long Lake and Orono in relation to purchasing, personnel administration, and operations shall be tq)plied to the