09-23-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION SEP 2 5 2002 Cl» Y U^ OHOrjO DATE: September 19« 2002 ITEM NO: /5 Department Approval: Name RonMoorse Title City Administrator Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: City Administrator's Report Item Description: Agreement and Con^ct for Fire Protection With The City of Long Lake Attachments: Agreement and Contract For Fire Protection In the Settlement Agreement between the Cities of Orono and Long Lake regarding the new Long Lake fire station, the cities agreed to enter into a twenty year agreement for fire service. The attached agreement is very similar to the agreement previously reviewed by the Council. The only change is the addition of language that allows the agreement to be renegotiated or terminated by the cities to enable participation in a fire district or similar organizational arrangement. In past discussiot s. the Council has indicated that, prior to approval of the firt service agreement with the City of Long Lake, they wanted assurances regarding the fiscal man; gement of the Fire Department. Since that time, through meetings of the Long Lake Fire Comn ission, Orono has communicated the importance of strong fiscal management, and Long Lake ha demonstrated its commitment to strong fiscal management. Long Lake has adopted a fire ordinance which sets out clear responsibilities and authorities related to the management of the Fire Department. In addition. Long Lake is implementing recommendations from its auditor regarding the proper management of non-pension revenues in the Fire Relief Association. The Fire Commission has also met with the Treasurer of the Fire Relief Association to review the current status of the pension fimd. Although investments in the fund have not performed well recently, the pension liabilities are adequately funded. The Council had also wanted to include language in the agreement enabling the Orono City Council to require the Long Lake City Council to take action if a problem related to the management o*’*'.,; Fire Department is demonstrated. The reason for this language was to provide additional leverage for addressing problems related to the management of the Fire Department. As indicated above. Long Lake has now put in place the necessary controls regarding the management of the Fire Department. In additioii, the City Attorney indicates the language does not provide additional leverage to Orono. If there is an unresolvable disagreement between the cities regarding Fire Department management issues, the Orono Council can still terminate the agreement “for cause ”. For these reasons, the additional language is not included in the agreement presented for Council consideration. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: Motion to iq>prove the attached Agreement and Contract for Fire Protection with the City of Long Lake, and to authorize the Mayor/Acting Mayor and Cit>' Administrator to sign the agreement.