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AGENDA ITEM <br /> <br />Prepared By: Reviewed By: JVE Approved By: <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1. Purpose. The purpose of the action item is to answer council questions and receive initial input on <br />the draft Fire Needs Assessment as well as establish a process for the Fire Department Needs Assessment <br />Process. <br /> <br />2. Background. In 2021, the City of Orono notified the City of Long Lake that we would not be <br />extending the current fire service agreement. Following negotiations for the transfer of the existing fire <br />department to Orono control were unfruitful, in September of 2022, the City Council passed a resolution <br />of intent to establish the Orono Fire Department. At the November 14th meeting the council appointed a <br />new Fire Chief to build and then lead the new department. One of the Fire Chief’s primary duties prior to <br />the standup of the department is to complete a needs assessment for the city of Orono’s emergency <br />service needs. At the February 13, 2023 meeting council directed staff to complete a needs assessment by <br />June 12th. Over the past several months Staff in consultation with the Fire Negotiation Committee <br />prepared the Needs Assessment. Staff reviewed the draft needs assessment with the City Council at <br />tonight’s work session. A copy of the Needs Assessment is at Exhibits A. <br /> <br />3. Time Line: In order to meet key deadlines from the most time sensitive course of action the study <br />must be complete and direction received by end of month June. <br /> <br />When What Who <br />May 8, 2023 <br />Work Session <br />Review of the Draft report with City Council Fire Chief <br />May 8, 2023 <br />Council Meeting <br />Establish Needs Assessment community input Process City Council <br />May 9-18, 2023 Written questions on the Draft Needs Assessment via City <br />Website <br />Community <br />Members <br />May 22, 2023 Fire Needs Assessment Presentation and questions from <br />residents <br />Fire Chief <br />City Council <br />May 22-7 June, <br />2023 <br />Written Comments via City Website Community <br />Members <br />June 12, 2023 Final Report and Presentation to City Council <br />Guidance on way forward <br />Fire Chief <br />City Council <br /> <br />4. Community Input Process. In order to provide an open and orderly process for the community <br />input on the Fire Needs Assessment. the Negotiating committee recommends the following process: <br />a. Staff will establish a comment form on the city website to facilitate written comments and <br />questions. <br />b. Comments and questions received by close of business on May 18th will be included in the <br />Council packet for the May 22nd Meeting. <br />c. At the May 22nd Council meeting Orono residents will be given the opportunity to provide in <br />person input to the City Council. <br />1) The Mayor will establish a time limit for the comment period. Recommend 1 hour. <br />2) Staff will prepare a Fire Needs assessment public comment form (Exhibit B). Resident’s <br />wishing to speak at the council meeting will fill out the form prior to the meeting. The mayor will then <br />use the forms to call up residents. The intent of the form is to provide for an orderly process. <br />d. The written comment form will be available on the City Website until Close of Business June 7th <br />Item No.: 23 Date: May 8, 2023 <br />Item Description: Fire Department Needs Assessment <br />Presenter: James VanEyll <br />Fire Chief <br />Agenda <br />Section: <br />Fire Department Report