05-13-2024 CC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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new model is vastly different from the current model, rest assured, we are fully prepared, staffed and equipped to meet the needs of our citizens starting July 1st 2024. In appreciation of our years of partnership, Orono remains willing to provide fire response from our ‘career’ duty crews to the entire call area at no cost to the City of Long Lake during the transition period. We value the longstanding partnership between our cities and remain committed to finding a solution that enhances the quality of fire services for our residents. We remain open to a long-term partnership with Long Lake in many different forms. We remain open to negotiating a long-term partnership allowing Orono Fire Department to provide service to Long Lake. We remain committed to working out a long- term shared use agreement for the co-owned Willow Drive Station. We remain hopeful that we can partner to support one another as we move through this transition no matter the final outcome. Orono sees future fire service partnerships being modeled and benchmarked on our successful police service partnerships. For funding such an endeavor we agree with you that the League of Minnesota Funding Model mentioned in your recent letter is the best way forward. While the department would remain under Orono’s direct management, a board or commission would be established with powers similar to the Long Lake Fire advisory board or the Orono Police Commission. This proposal is an option that provides benefits and the highest level of public safety to our two most significant stakeholders: our citizens and our firefighters. We hope you will consider our new partnership ideas with adjusted funding formulas and our operational management shift. This is a partnership that will not only meet the needs of today, it will bring us well into the future. Although it is our wish that you would consider our proposed partnership, we understand you have other options you are exploring. If this is something you would like to pursue, please let us know and our respective staffs can begin to work on the details for the necessary agreements. In summary, we value the longstanding partnership between our cities and remain committed to finding a solution that not only maintains but also enhances the quality of fire services for our residents, preparing us for the future. We believe it is in both our cities’ best interest to focus on the future by either committing to a partnership as outlined above or focusing our efforts on proactively coordinating a plan for the disposition of the Orono owned and jointly owned fire equipment and facilities. There are benefits to both cities to establish a plan who will need what equipment and how we are going to share the Willow Drive Station. We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate and address shared challenges in ways that serve the mutual interests of both communities. We look forward to your response. Respectfully, On behalf of the Orono City Council Denny Walsh, Mayor 226