98-081
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD
RESOLUTION NO. 98- 081
A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE EXCELSIOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the cities of Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay have had
a tradition of excellent fIre and rescue service from the Excelsior Fire Department for over one
hundred years; and
WHEREAS, the cities have a mutual interest in providing the highest quality service
possible for all south Lake Minnetonka residents; and
WHEREAS, the stability of a fIve year service contract is important to the department,
and for the fInancial planning of each of the cities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Deephaven has concerns that need study and deserve thoughtful
consideration; and
WHEREAS, the City of Shorewood has signifIcant fInancial concerns due to the levy
limit imposed by the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the Shorewood City Council supports a thoughtful review of carefully
defined Fire Department management and governance issues.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Shorewood supports the following:
1 . That a fIve year contract be entered into with the City of Excelsior for fIre and
rescue service. Said contract shall be in effect from January 1, 1999 through
December 31, 2003.
2. That a Special Fire Department Review Committee be established to study issues
and complete a report with recommendations to the cities by July 1, 1999.
3 . That said Committee may study management and governance issues, but may not
consider funding formula issues.
4. That any costs of said Committee shall be born by the cities in the same ratio as
established for the 1998 budget:
Deephaven 22%
Excelsior 22 %
Greenwood 5%
Shorewood 40%
Tonka Bay 11 %
100%
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RESOLUTION NO. 98- 081
Page 2 of 3
5. That on July 1, 2001, which allows a two year period for implementation following
submission of the Committee report, the contract will be automatically renewed for an
additional five (5) year term (through December 31, 2008), unless at least one of the
contracting city councils notifies the other city councils in writing by June 30, 2001 of
their intent to not renew the contract. The ensuing twelve (12) months shall be spent
attempting to work out any differences and complete a five (5) year contract renewal
with all partners included. Any mediation costs will be split based on the ratio
established in #4, above. Should a contract not be reached by July 1, 2002 the
remaining cities will commence negotiations on a new contract for service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the framework for a Special Fire Department Review
Committee be as follows:
Committee Purpose: To carefully study and make recommendations regarding a list of issues
on the management and governance of the Excelsior Fire Department heading into the
twenty first century.
Committee Tasks:
1. To identify and define the list of issues to be studied upon input from each of
the cities.
2.
To carefully consider each issue the Committee should:
· Establish a reasonable research objective.
· Seek input from and tap creativity of department personnel.
· Conduct interviews with other fire departments.
· Analyze alternatives, considering level of safety and fiscal impact.
· Thoroughly discuss each alternative and recommend the best among
them.
· Decide on a best package of recommendations including a proposed
implementation timetable.
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Committee Makeup:
1 . Each City Council shall appoint one voting representative on the Committee.
2. Each City may appoint one non-voting technical support person who may
participate and vote when the voting member is not present.
3. The Fire Chief (or a designee) and an individual with fire service experience
appointed by the Excelsior City Manager shall serve as non-voting technical
support.
Committee Procedures and Sunset:
1. The Committee shall base its decisions on the question, "Is this good for the long
term management and governance of the department as a whole?"
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2. The Committee shall establish its own rules, procedures and timetable.
3. The Committee shall cease to exist on July 1, 1999.
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RESOLUTION NO. 98- 081
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Shorewood City Council agrees to negotiate a
five (5) year renewal agreement and execute said agreement during the month of October, 1998.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that each city is encouraged to pass a resolution similar
to this resolution and appoint appropriate committee representation at the earliest date.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD this
24th day of August, 1998.