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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> February 27,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Walsh said it makes sense with the planned equipment being sunsetted. We want to make sure we get the <br /> right equipment for you guys. <br /> Benson asked what the turnaround time would be to get the radios and why the quote said Orono Police <br /> Department. <br /> Van Eyll said turnaround would be anywhere from eight to 12 weeks for the radios and the vendor did not <br /> have Orono Fire Department in his system so he used Orono Police Department but stated Fire <br /> Depai tiiient in the quote. <br /> Benson asked if the radios are for the ladder truck currently housed at Public Works and are able to be <br /> used on that truck. <br /> Van Eyll said that was correct. It's a mobile with a remote head for the ladder truck and that stays <br /> mounted directly onto the vehicle.And then there's four portable radios for the officer and the crew <br /> members to utilize on scene. They can be programmed and used as soon as they are received. <br /> Benson also asked where the equipment is currently being used and how the firefighters are currently <br /> communicating. <br /> Van Eyll said the mobile radio that's mounted in the truck right now is not used on Hennepin County <br /> system anymore. It's been discontinued, so they won't allow it on their system. There are no portable <br /> radios in that truck. Coon Rapids kept their portable radios. So that's why we had quoted portable radios <br /> in the original equipment listing. The firefighters do currently communicate with portable radios. <br /> Johnson said he agrees that getting the same equipment and same chargers for the police and fire makes a <br /> lot of sense to me going forward. <br /> Benson said she just wanted to state that the City currently has a needs assessment that's due in June, <br /> which is going to determine a lot more about the direction that we're heading in with regard to Orono Fire <br /> in the negotiations with Long Lake.And then there's also members of the public who have certainly asked <br /> many times to have a better understanding about this--the funds being spent and also the direction that <br /> Orono,the City, is taking with regard to its plan to establish an independent fire district. And this ladder <br /> truck that this equipment can be used on is currently parked.And again,we're not certain given the <br /> contract currently with Long Lake Fire to the end of 2025 where that's going to go and I am not <br /> comfortable. Given that the public doesn't feel they have the right answers right now about why we're <br /> doing this as a City,and this is funding that is coming from the citizens of Orono,I don't feel comfortable <br /> going forward with an expense, especially given that the turnaround time on these radios is not <br /> significantly long. Therefore, after a needs assessment, if we are really sure that we want to go in a certain <br /> direction I'd feel a lot more comfortable making a significant purchase like this. <br /> Seals said that's fair but regardless of where we land,whether we're with Long Lake or not with Long <br /> Lake,the truck will be usable.And for it to be usable,you have to have radios, so it's not really an option. <br /> I get where you can say we can take time,but my concern is every time we wait on this equipment, <br /> Page 8 of 22 <br />