11-13-2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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r . t -i. MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 23, 2000 i ■ (#3) Maple Plain Fire Department Update — Chief Dave Eisinger Eisinger addressed the City Council regarding some information received regarding the purchase of the new fire truck. Eisinger noted the prior information supplied to the Council was iruccurate and that the cost for the new truck is higher. Eisinger stated the price included a $30,000 a year payment that the City had been paying for the 1989 pumper truck and the 1997 rescue truck. The Fire Department had assumed that cost was being passed on to the other cities, and based upon a review of the books, it has been determined that cost has not been passed on. Eisinger stat^ Orono contributes 13 percent of the Maple Plain Fire Department budget, which was originally thought to be 8 percent. Eisinger stated the City of Orono is looking at paying S7,18 1 for the new truck rather than $2,019 based upon the revised figures. Jabbour commented that based upon the growth the cities are experiencing, each city ’s percentage will probably continue to increase. Flint inquired what the formula is based on. Eisinger stated property values and population of the area is figured into the formula. Eisinger stated he docs not believe the number of calls is factored into the formula at this time. Sansevere commented it is a possibility that Orono’s percentage will decrease due to the additional growth being experienced in Independence and elsewhere. Eisinger stated the Maple Plain Fire Department presently serves the western edge of Orono. Sansevere moved, Flint seconded, to approve the purchase of an aerial truck by the Maple Plain Fire Department with the City ’s share of the costs to be $7,181.44 per year over a ten year period. Flint inquired whether there was a better way to coordinate the work of the various fire departments in the area in order to help decrease costs or make the departments run more efficiently by possibly reducing the amount of duplicated equipment. Eisinger stated in his view he feels it is possible to coordinate the fire protection better, noting he would like to schedule a meeting with the various fire chiefs to discuss this matter more indepth. Eisinger stated some of the other cities are looking at purchasing new equipment and he would like to look at combining their purchasing power in order to obtain a better price. Eisinger stated he would also like to consider hiring a full-time fire inspector for this area. Eismger noted the Maple Plain Fire Department contracts need to be updateefas well, noting they have not been updated since approximately 1981. Sansevere inquired w’hether the coverage area for Orono has ever been e.xpanded. Eisinger stated in 1984, the coverage area was changed slightly, but has remained the same since that time. Sansevere inquired whether the coverage area could be expanded somewhat. PAGE 2