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Orono City Council <br /> Committee of the Whole <br /> November 25, 2008, 6:15 p.m. <br /> Orono City Council Chambers <br /> Present: Council Members Cynthia Bremer, Lili McMillan, Jim Murphy; Council Member- <br /> Elect Doug Franchot; City Administrator Bill Wells, Finance Director Ron Olson, <br /> Assistant City Administrator for Long-Term Strategy Mike Gaffron, City Clerk Lin <br /> Vee, City Attorney Soren Mattick, City Engineer Tom Kellogg <br /> 1. Long Lake Fire Department Update—James Van Eyll, Fire Chief, and D.J. Goman, Assistant <br /> Chief of Operations <br /> a. Handouts were distributed to reflect the following: <br /> i) Statistics and breakdown of calls for 2007 and January 1 to September 30, 2008 <br /> (1) Call volume is down for 2008 <br /> ii) Budget allocation <br /> iii) Budget revisions <br /> (1) Part-time administrative position eliminated <br /> b. Council agreed that the position of full-time Fire Chief has been a positive addition. <br /> c. The recent practice fire on ivy Place went well. These types of burns provide an <br /> excellent training tool. <br /> d. Chief Van Eyll commented that he approves of not requiring a permit for recreational <br /> fires as long as rules are published and well-known. The phone system at the Fire <br /> Department has a designated line for calls related to burning permits. <br /> 2. Presentation— Senior Housing at 875 Wayzata Boulevard West <br /> a. Charlie Thomas, property owner, Brian Winges and Rufino Lorenzo, Comforts of Home, <br /> provided information about a conceptual proposal for a senior assisted living and memory <br /> care facility. <br /> i) This would be a low impact, 44-bed facility where no one drives. Low traffic is <br /> generated with only family, visitors and 3-10 employees who drive to the facility. <br /> ii) Their facilities specialize in memory care/Alzheimer's and high acuity-24 hour <br /> care. <br /> iii) They have no request for TIF or special considerations for tax reductions. <br /> iv) They are typically located along main thoroughfares. Some locations include <br /> Champlin, Blaine, Maplewood, White Bear Lake, and North Branch. The units <br /> usually fill up in 3 months and stay full. <br /> v) The company was started 10 years ago in Wisconsin. These types of facilities are <br /> financed in several different ways. <br /> vi) Rates are affordable with rental and care packages. Resident assessments are <br /> repeated every 60 days to ensure they are placed at the appropriate care level. <br /> vii) Rooms are simply designed so staff can easily monitor residents. Residents are <br /> encouraged to be outside their rooms. There are large common areas to facilitate <br /> group activities where families can also participate. <br /> viii) Medical transport is minimal; some in-house medical resources and services are <br /> included. <br /> ix) Building materials would probably include stone and Hardy siding with flexibility <br /> in colors. <br /> *Indicates Staff Action Item Page 1 <br />