12-08-1997 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 8, 1997 (# 18 Alarm Regulations and Requirements - Continued) • Jabbour felt charging for the second false alarm was too low in his opinion. He asked how much is charged for the first and subsequent false alarms. The second false alarm for police is $50, third is $100, fourth is $150, and fifth is $250; the fee for false fire alarms increases at a greater pace. Jabbour moved, Peterson seconded, to adopt Ordinance No. 165, 2nd Series, amending Ordinance No. 9.35, entitled "Fire, Burglary and Safety Alarm Regulations and Requirements ", to enable a false alarm fee to be charged when a public safety alarm system reports more than one false alarm to the City in a single calendar year. Kelley asked what percentage of fire calls to the City is false calls. Moorse said the percentage of alarm calls is 42 %, the majority of which are false. Kelley asked when the allocation costs with Long lake are reviewed, if the allocation is larger due to the number of alarm calls. He questioned if half are false calls, what the increment would be if these false calls were not included. It was noted that about $90,000 a year is spent for fire protection, and one -third are probably false in nature. Moorse noted that this cost is based on the market value of homes and hours of service calls. He thought savings would be in the thousands of dollars. Kelley said the percentage is likely higher due to more alarm calls, and results in higher costs to the taxpayers. Kelley said the City needs to get a handle on this issue. Jabbour noted that the charge is per hour and not per call. Kelley questioned if the cost of false alarms is passed on to the taxpayer. Moorse agreed that is basically what occurs. Kelley asked that the number of hours for false alarms be calculated. Moorse confirmed for Goetten that there is no charge to homeowners when fires actually occur. ( * 919) 1998 FEE SCHEDULE - ORDINANCE AND SUMMARY ORDINANCE FOR PUBLICATION NO. 166, 2ND SERIES Goetten moved, Peterson seconded, to adopt Ordinance No. 166, 2nd Series, amending the City's fee schedule and summary ordinance for publication. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 0. ( #20) RETIREMENT OF DOROTHY HALLIN, CITY CLERK - RESOLUTION NO. 4015 Jabbour indicated his great sadness in the resignation of Dorothy Hallin, who has served the City for 27 years. Moorse indicated a retirement party will be held in January. i 28