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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.06.19 Work Session Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WORK SESSION MAY 6,2019 Mayor Larson called the work session to order at 6:05 p.m. Roll Call Present-Larson, Donnelly, Bernhjelm Craig and Hoyt Absent-None Also Present-Administrator McKnight, Fire Chief Elvestad,Assistant Fire Chief Albee,Assistant Fire Chief Schmitz, Assistant Fire Chief Fischer and Fire Captain Price Agenda Motion by Craig, second by Bernhjelm,to approve the agenda. APIF, motion carried. Future Fire Engine Replacements Fire Chief Elvestad and Assistant Chief Fischer reviewed the next two engines scheduled for replacement as a part of the fire department capital improvement plan. These vehicles include Engine 2 which is a 1993 Luverne and Engine 1 which is a 2001 Pierce. Elvestad is proposing to replace Engine 2 in 2021 with a Ladder Truck and replace Engine 1 in 2026 with an engine. The estimated cost at this point are $1,100,000 for a Ladder Truck in 2021 and $1,063,350 for an engine in 2026. Mayor Larson asked why the department would need a ladder truck. Elvestad shared the reasoning for the request including how it is safer than sending people into a building and the safer approach of fighting the fire from above. In addition, with today's home construction material fires burn much faster than in the past. Fisher shared that the Lakeville ladder truck has been in Farmington 30 times in the past five years. In addition,the city has received ladder support from other communities as well. Councilmember Bernhjelm asked if we could partner with another city purchasing an engine at the same time to save money. Fire staff shared information on the HGAS program the city is a part of that purchases trucks through a cooperative program. Staff will look into the duel city question as well. May 6,2019 Work Session Minutes -1- Councilmember Donnelly asked how many engines are needed at each station. Elvestad explained the approach and reasoning behind having two engines at each station. After additional discussion, the consensus of the city council was to support the purchase of a ladder truck in 2021 or when economically feasible and the purchase of another engine in 2026. Fire Response Issues and Future Options Fire Chief Elvestad shared that national trends in the volunteer and paid on-call fire service have changed over the past decade. Firefighters are harder to recruit and retain. Many firefighters also work outside of the city during daytime hours and daytime response has been an issue. Fire staff reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of duty crews, fire brigades and full time staff approach to fire department staffing. A video of a house fire was shown to provide an example of the speed at which homes burn compared to response times to fires. Elvestad explained how the department is going to do a trial run of duty crews during three community events this year. Councilmember Bernhjelm stated that charging these costs back to events in the future should be considered. Councilmember Craig asked how many firefighters serve on a duty crew shift in other cities. Elvestad stated it is typically two or three. Councilmember Hoyt shared thoughts on the approach including the risks of the approach in terms of where they are staffed versus where calls from. The city council appreciated the information on this topic. They were supportive of the test fun for duty crews. Fire Stations Study Fire Chief Elvestad asked the city council to perform a study on the current and future uses and placement of fire stations. Staff has worked with BKV Group to provide a proposal for a full scale study of operational assessments of the current stations, fire station location analysis to be based off response times and staffing trends, space programming to identify the current and future space needs, concept May 6, 2019 Work Session Minutes -2- planning with future fire station locations and current station upgrades, cost estimates to begin budgeting for future needs, implementation schedule and financial planning. The full cost of the study is $14,000 and a not to exceed reimbursable allows of$500. Councilmember Craig asked how you determine a possible location for a third fire station. Elvestad stated at this point they use the 2040 Comp Plan and growth projections. Councilmember Bernhjelm was concerned about performing a study and then having no financial resources to follow through on the recommendations. Other councilmembers agreed with this as well. Councilmember Hoyt preferred to use these potential dollars for duty crew work, work on developing a financial plan for this issue, use fire staff's knowledge for now and perform the study when appropriate. The consensus of the city council was to complete the duty crew test this year, include the fire station issue in the financial plan and perform the station location study when appropriate. The city council thanked the fire officers for their time and thoughts. City Administrator Update Administrator McKnight updated the city council on: ✓ July 1/July 8 city council meeting schedule, the July 1st meeting will be cancelled ✓ Reminded the city council of the joint city council/school board meeting scheduled for July 15th ✓ Shared that the 2020 budget development process has started at the department head level ✓ Reminded the city council that they will receive an update on the Bike/Ped Plan on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. ✓ Asked the city council if they had any interest in purchasing or renting the property at 202 Oak Street. The city council did not have any interest at this time. Adjourn Motion by Hoyt, second by Bernhjelm,to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 p.m. APIF, motion carried. May 6,2019 Work Session Minutes -3- Respectfully Submitted David McKnight, City Administrator May 6,2019 Work Session Minutes -4-