08-08-2016 CCM SPECIALSpecial Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 8, 2016
Members Present: Mayor Dietz, Councilmembers Olsen, Burandt, Westgaard, and
Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Police Chief Ron Nierenhausen, Administrative Captain Bob Kluntz,
Patrol Captain Darren McKernan, City Administrator Cal Portner,
Interim Finance Director Lori Ziemer, Fire Chief T. John
Cunningham, Deputy Chief Aaron Surratt, Building Official Bob
Ruprecht, and Sr. Administrative Assistant Deborah Huebner
I. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2016 Budget
Various staff reviewed their budgets and goals as outlined in the staff report.
Police
Chief Nierenhausen reviewed the Police budget components including
administration, patrol, investigations, support, reserves and public safety building.
He responded to questions from the Council regarding the proposed rotating shifts
plan, computer needs, step increases/wages, and public safety building cleaning
machine.
Chief Nierenhausen gave a presentation in support of the department's request for
two patrol officers. Information included calls for service, training hours required,
accrual of time off and coverage needs. He stated he estimated it would take
approximately 5 months to hire a new officer, from the initial advertisement of the
position to actually start date. Mayor Dietz asked why they don't have enough
coverage, if they are at full staff now. Chief Nierenhausen explained that because of
the tragic circumstances of losing an officer, staff went without time off in order to
meet staffing needs. He cautioned that is not a good situation, as officers need their
time off or they will experience burn -out. He explained how the additional officers
would help them provide the necessary coverage to properly serve the city. Mayor
Dietz indicated the Council would take his request into consideration.
City Council Minutes
August 10, 2015
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Fire & Building Safety
Chief Cunningham reviewed the Fire Administration budget and the department's
goals, including review and update of the strategic plan and a focus on education.
Chief Cunningham explained that the additional staff person request is driven by the
rental program, and noted that the fire prevention specialist is currently completely
booked with rental inspections.
Deputy Chief Surratt and Chief Cunningham discussed the success of the fire
academy.
Mayor Dietz asked if the fire station study was just for Station 1. Deputy Chief
Surratt stated they will look at the entire district. Chief Cunningham noted their goal
is wrap up the study by the end of the summer.
Deputy Chief Surratt provided detail on the Fire Operations budget.
Mayor Dietz asked why the part time pay was increased substantially. Deputy Chief
Surratt explained that there has been an increase in the number of fire fighters and
cost of training. He stated they average 23 fire fighters showing up per call. If a
third station is added, they will change to station paging, where currently they page
everyone (44-45 fire fighters). He stated that they would only page the firefighters
assigned to a particular station.
Emeaena Management
Chief Cunningham stated that the budget mainly includes costs for batteries for
sirens and siren maintenance. He explained that they will not be doing any siren
.replacements next year because of the upgrades already in place.
Code Enforcement
Chief Cunningham stated they have tracked 227 complaints and 114 re -inspections
for follow-up on compliance. He stated their focus on education and community
outreach has paid off. Chief Cunningham stated that when they discuss strategic
planning, they would like to discuss blight and Council's objective. He stated that
currently, code enforcement is complaint -driven.
Councilmember Olsen, asked if the department is any way connected to HRA.
Chief Cunningham stated they may become more involved with the loan programs
to deal with blight.
Fire and Building Safety
Councilmember Burandt asked for clarification on building safety codes. Mr.
Ruprecht explained. He stated they do their best to insure buildings are safe.
Councilmember Burandt stated that her concern is accessibility issues in existing
businesses. Mr. Ruprecht stated that accessibility issues are addressed if a business
needed a building permit, and they do not normally go around looking for violations.
PANEAEN Nr
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City Council Minutes
August 10, 2015
Chief Cunningham noted they have had a significant increase in inspections and
complaint issues due to the increase in the number of older single family homes
converted to rental property.
Healtb and Safety
Chief Cunningham gave an update on this program and the Safety Committee. He
stated that training is done with contractual services. He stated his goal is to staff
this position to do most of this training with an in-house employee, which would
save costs. Deputy Chief Surratt provided information on the confined spaces
training and how critical this training can be.
Chief Cunningham stated that having the Deputy Chief on board, he was able to
focus on policy development; this year was safety and next year he will focus on
emergency management, looking at the city's operations plans. He stated that he
believes in hands-on time in training. He explained his goal is eventually to have the
staff to do various types of training, including confined spaces, OSHA 10, OSHA 30,
and other types of training.
Councilmember Burandt asked for an explanation of confined spaces training. Chief
Cunningham explained, noting that the fire department is listed as the emergency
responder for an emergency situation involving confined spaces for many types of
businesses. He stated that it is necessary that officers are trained to respond.
The Council recessed at 7:05 p.m. The Council reconvened at 7:10 p.m.
4. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 7:10 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Deborah Huebner.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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