2016.01.12 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 12, 2016 Page 7 of 10 County Fire Chiefs Association, in that the capacity and resources existed to provide a more rapid emergency response to someone in need, versus the importance of local government control of service levels. The Ramsey County Fire Chiefs formed a working group, which New Brighton staff participated in, to examine the issue with respect to a variety concerns, and made the recommendation that the closest unit dispatching be utilized for cardiac arrests, working structure fres, and Project Lifesaver searches. While New Brighton Fire Division staff possesses the capacity to respond to cardiac arrests, following a staff analysis, staff does not believe this component of the closest fire unit dispatching would be a good match for our City. The Police Division has Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Emergency Medical Response (EMR) trained personnel who are equipped to provide this service in a timelier manner with a high success rate. However, staff does feel the working structure fire and project lifesaver component of the closest unit dispatching agreement would be effective for the City and have a negligible budgetary impact. This agreement is also timely with the upcoming reconstruction of the County Road E2 Bridge, which will impact Public Safety's ability to respond to the Southeast section of the City. Under this agreement if the CAD indicates that a New Brighton Unit would provide a more timely response to a structure fire than another unit in Ramsey County, the New Brighton Unit will be added to the response and respond as if the call was in its jurisdiction. Additionally if the CAD indicates that another Ramsey County Fire Unit will provide a more timely response to a New Brighton structure fire, they will be added to the call. While this agreement currently only involves Ramsey County fire units, staff has been in informal discussions with the Fridley Fire Department to also provide closest unit dispatching to the northwest portion of the City to allow us leverage the proximity their fire station to our border. This current agreement would be able to be utilized to add the City of Fridley to the closest unit response program and no additional Council action would be necessary. The Fire Division responds to approximately 300 calls for service per year and it is anticipated this program would add between 3-5 additional calls per year making its financial impact negligible and supported by existing budgetary allotments. Staff is aware of the importance of not supplanting the services of neighboring communities with New Brighton funded resources and will monitor our participation to ensure this does not occur. However, we feel the lifesaving benefits to this program represents a balanced approach to leveraging existing technology to save lives and property with the obligation of government to provide for the safety of its citizens and businesses. He reviewed the financial impact to structures per second and noted how the proposed agreement would benefit local property owners. Officer Hamdorf commended City Attorney Gilchrest for his efforts on the mutual aid agreement and recommended the Council adopt the Mutual Aid Agreement to provide for the automatic dispatch of the closest emergency response unit regardless of jurisdictional boundaries. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays -Motion Carried 2. Consideration of a Resolution Accepting the Economic Development Commission's recommended Business Retention and Expansion Program and Authorization to enter into a contract with Open to Business. Motion by Councihnember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Jacobsen to Adopt a Resolution accepting the Economic Development Commission's recommended Business Retention & Expansion program and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract with the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers for the New Brighton Open to Business Program. City Manager Lotter indicated Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gundlach had a presentation for the Council. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gundlach explained historically, the 2. Consideration ofa Resolution Acoeptingthe Economic Development Conunission's remnunended Busiir Retention and Expansion PMgram and Authorization to enter into a contact with Open to Business