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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-13-2012 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special Council Meeting March 13, 2012 Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Medicine Lake Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on March 13, 2012. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Willis, Stein, Black, Bildsoe, and Johnson. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Community Development Director Juetten, Park and Recreation Director Evans, Human Resources Manager Kone, Fire Chief Kline, Deputy Fire Chief Springer, Office Support Representative Sanderson, and City Clerk Engdahl. Fire Study Fire Chief Kline gave a high level overview of the draft Fire Study and questions that the report raised regarding a number of issues such as hiring/recruitment, the current type of workforce, services that the department provides, response times and numbers, and financial impacts regarding various options. He stated it has been 10 years since this type of report has been prepared, and this report covers the next 10 years. He stated the fire department is a paid on-call organization (hybrid type of volunteer department). Members receive an hourly wage and pension after 10 years. He stated one of the challenges the department is facing is the ability to recruit new members. He mentioned a fourth fire station, but that needs further discussion as well as the ability to staff another station. Currently, they have a good balance of firefighters to cover the shifts. The vast majority of the firefighters come back for other calls in addition to the duty crew program. They have revamped their recruitment process which is done once a year. However, there has been a change in the work force industry. Most people want to do something attractive and know that what they contribute to the community is valued highly, and they use their time wisely. The ability to schedule their time is what attracts people to serve as firefighters. The Council had a number of questions regarding the report and staff is to provide a follow-up report to the Council. These questions included: How does the fire department respond/schedule for non -duty crew calls? What is the City trying to solve? Is the department's authorized strength truly an accurate number? Should it be reviewed? Are current firefighter retention levels acceptable? Adopted Minutes 1 of 2 Special Meeting of March 13, 2012 What's the option for only building a fourth fire station? What percentage of non duty crew calls were emergencies? Are we able to staff a fourth fire station and/or a 24/7 duty crew? What percentage of fire calls are fire alarms? What is the training time commitment and number of required training sessions for firefighters? Can we increase or change codes and inspection processes? How do we decrease non -emergency calls? What is the Council trying to resolve or are the issues identified in the report for the Council's review while taking into consideration four alternatives? Are response times acceptable? If not, how can that be improved? Why are so many firefighters giving time to other departments when the City struggles with their time commitment to our department? Should the City change how fire fighters are being paid (pay and benefits versus a pension if people aren't staying with the department 10 years or more)? In addition to the above questions, further information was desired comparing the City's firefighter retention numbers with other fire departments, increasing the involvement of the fire department in planning future developments in the City, comparing the City's hiring process for firefighters with other cities, discussing considerations to better retain firefighters based on pay and benefits, discussing benefit of scheduled staffing versus levels of experience, and clarifying auto -aid and mutual with other cities (i.e. City of Maple Grove responding to calls in Northwest Plymouth). The Council stated after receiving a report with answers to the questions and statements posed above, it's likely another study session(s) will be schedule in the future. Future Study Sessions No future study sessions were scheduled. Adiournment Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m. w x gandra R. Engdahl, Cit lerl Adopted Minutes 2 of 2 Special Meeting of March 13, 2012