Added benefits for volunteer firefighters

By Karen Reisner
karen@fillmorecountyjournal.com

Mon, Jun 18th, 2012
Posted in Chatfield All

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The Chatfield City Council at their June 11 meeting acted on some issues related to the city’s fire department. Mayor Don Hainlen and councilor Josh Thompson were absent.

The Public Services Committee had recommended that a benefit which has long been offered to active EMTs and their families, providing ambulance rides at no cost, be extended to active volunteer firefighters as well.

The League of Minnesota Cities stated that the benefit should be limited to the firefighter, not to include family members, and be treated as income in the year provided. The council voted to authorize the benefit of a no-cost ambulance ride to an active volunteer of the fire department. City Clerk Joel Young pointed out that the additional benefit may help attract and retain volunteers.

The council approved the purchase of a replacement oxygen filling station at the low quote from Fire Safety U.S.A. for the amount of $6,995.00. The current filling station does not meet safety standards. The purchase was recommended by the Public Services Committee.

Young reported that Fire Chief Keith Bradt wanted the council to be aware that the foam unit in Engine #1 needs replacement. The Capital Replacement Fund is currently running a deficit balance due to the recent purchase of a new fire truck. The council did not approve the replacement foam unit expected to cost nearly $8,000 at this time, as the repair is not critical. The repair will likely be postponed until 2013.

Other Business In Brief

•Todd and Brenda Johnson were awarded the annual Preservation Award. May is preservation month. The Johnsons successfully renovated an older home. It was noted that these homes add character to the city.

•Approval was given for both the second consideration and the publication of a correction of errors in Ordinance #135 (written in 1955). City Attorney Fred Suhler said it had been brought to his attention that the name of “Park Avenue” instead of the correct “Park Street” and the spelling “McKenney” instead of the correct “McKinney” have caused some problems in gaining a clean title opinion.

•A permit was approved for R-4 Meats to park a concession trailer in front of their business on Thursdays and Fridays through August 3.

•The donation of a bench in memory of Robert and Vivian Coe was accepted to be placed at the corner of Root River Street and Fillmore CR 2.

•Authorization was given for Joel Young and Mayor Hainlen to sign application documents in an effort to obtain a portion of the $47.5 million set aside by the legislature for local capital projects. The funds were part of the bonding bill and are to be administered by DEED. The city is applying for funds to do further renovation on the Chatfield Center for the Arts.

•Filing for elected office in Chatfield will occur between July 31 and August 14.

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