04-11-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 11, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 4. FIRE SERVICE (continued) Katie Simpson, 142 Chevy Chase, stated response time might mean more to the Council if they lived in that area or their children, pets or home were at risk. Simpson stated she has had the Wayzata Fire Department at her house a couple of times and the police were not there first. Kristopher Scherer, 90 Ferndale Green, stated they live less than a mile from the Wayzata Fire Department and that he has a tough time with the estimated response times since he knows how quick Wayzata is. Scherer stated the Orono Police Department is a good department and respond quickly but that they do not come through his neighborhood very often. Scherer indicated he has not seen a police car in the cul-de-sac within the past six months and that there are not there very often. Scherer indicated he would prefer to stay with Wayzata. Gabriel Jabbour, 985 Tonkawa Road, stated he commends the Council on trying to find every possible way to save taxpayers money, but that it is disappointing to hear that the Council started to pick on this particular pocket to do it. Jabbour indicated he is equally disappointed to see that Council Members Printup and Walsh have already made up their minds on this issue prior to the public hearing. Jabbour noted he spent close to ten years putting this system in place and that they did not find it necessary to pick up the phone and call him. Jabbour noted he has been here for 45 years, and that when he was on the Council, Orono had three or four different fire services. Due to the Highway 12 construction, Orono had to tear down the old facility and construct a new one. Jabbour commented that happened after a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and that he would strongly encourage the Council to direct their energies to acquiring equipment for that department. Jabbour stated he is not sure if the Council is experienced or inexperienced, but that volunteers are shrinking throughout the entire country, particularly in the African American community. Jabbour stated maintaining the moral of the volunteers is important. Jabbour indicated he has talked with a number of firefighters in Wayzata and Long Lake and they all have said they would do whatever the Council decides to do but that they wish they would leave it the way it is. Jabbour noted some of this has unintended consequences and that it generates really bad will when Orono says they will leave the Wayzata Fire Department but yet still rely on them for mutual aid, with no intention to help Wayzata buy a ladder truck. Jabbour stated if the Council wants to do that, they can do it, but that they should keep in mind that Orono will have to help buy Long Lake a ladder truck at some point. Jabbour stated he is also not so sure Wayzata will respond at Orono's will anytime they wish them to as it relates to mutual aid, but that contractually they have to so. Jabbour stated he is not so sure Wayzata will give Orono all of their equipment simply because Orono is asking for mutual aid. Mayor McMillan closed the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. McMillan stated she would like the Council to make a decision tonight if possible or schedule a new date when this will be heard again so the residents are aware of the new date. Levang moved, McMillan seconded, to affirm the agreement with the Wayzata Fire Department. Page 6 of 32