HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221003 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota
City Council Workshop
October 3, 2022
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, October
3, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the Volunteer Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street,
Hastings, Minnesota.
Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Braucks, Fox, Leifeld, Vaughan
Members Absent: Councilmembers Folch, Lund
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
Fire Chief John Townsend
Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:41 pm. Wietecha introduced the workshop on
the Rural Fire Agreement. The Rural Fire Association is comprised of six entities under a Joint
Powers Agreement—City of Vermillion, Nininger Township, Denmark Township, Marshan
Township, Ravenna Township, Vermillion Township. The Contract with the Association is for
Fire and EMS service. Wietecha reviewed some of the historical context of the agreement with
the Rural Fire Association and some of the challenges experienced. Earlier documents describe
an expectation that the expenses would be a 70/30 split which has not been followed. The City
has absorbed expenses not supported by the contract. Costs are increasing and the City cannot
continue to absorb all of the increases.
Questions for Council:
If new agreement is not reached, does the City continue Fire service after January 1, 2023?
Do we purchase the Tinder that primarily serves the areas outside the city limits (currently in the
2023 budget proposal)?
Can we address the shortfall in EMS?
Should we contact EMSRB about service area for EMS?
Is there a different cost-sharing model?
Wietecha reviewed a model from LMC that showed a possible Fire service model that shows the
City would be responsible for 68% of fire expenses with the Rural Fire Association responsible
for 32% based on a formula considering population, structure tax capacity, and fire calls.
Council discussion on how the funds get collected from residents of areas covered by the Rural
Fire Association and which specific services are provided to the residents covered by the
agreement. Council discussed impact of home location and insurance rates. Council discussed
how the structure of the Fire Department might look different if the agreement was not in place.
Unclear as to how long the City has experienced increased costs that were not shared with the
association, especially with equipment investment in the last few years. Discussion about the
Fire Study that is in progress and whether it would have analysis that would help address this
situation. Council discussion on the service area and the state requirements to provide emergency
medical service. Council discussion on phasing into a new model like the LMC model.
General support from Council on a model like the LMC model and general support for phasing
in the increases for the association. Some interest in pausing the purchase of the Tinder until
there is a sense about the contract outcomes.
ADJOURNMENT
The workshop adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk