Rochester Council for updates in the fire brigade agreements of the township – Post Bulletin

Rochester agreements on the fire reaction on four townships around Rochester remain in the works, less than a year before the current 10-year agreement.

The discussions about a new agreement began last year, but the first draft was rejected by townships when some board members went against the support of Rochester plans for city growth.

The contractual discussions came when the representative of Olmsted County tried to optimize the monitoring of land use outside of the city limits, which the ability of the city to reduce veto requests for changes that could enable themselves to arise in contradiction to the city maps.

The former fire chief of Rochester, Eric Kerska, who retired in January, said the goal of the proposed changes to the fire brigade agreements was to avoid conflicts that were seen in 2020 when the Rochester Public Schools asked the city, 80 Tomorrow after Südwest -Rochester to integrate a new middle school in the middle of concerns about the lack of infrastructure, including one Appropriate fire reaction for a new school and the associated apartment growth.

At the request, some township officers pointed out to separate developmental issues from the contract that should concentrate on the fire prevention for communities in the city.

Others pointed out that a dilapidated agreement could cause the residents of municipalities to see higher insurance premiums for their houses and companies, since the response times are extended if firefighters had to be called from further away.

Rochester's firefighters are currently responding to Cascade, Marion and Rochester Townships as well as half of the Haverhill Township, and a new contract would be the third 10-year contract for the service of the areas.

On Monday, Rochester's city council will be updated by progress during a study meeting at 3:30 p.m. to achieve new contract agreements before the existing contracts expire at the end of the year.

Since the Council's last discussion, the district commissioner has updated the guidelines in connection with changes to the land use card. Mason Poole has become Rochester's new fire chief, and four new members have joined the council.

In addition, a report to the Council on January decisions of three townships shows to support a fire brigade contract that has not completely reflected the talks between the city's officials and the community in recent months.

The new contracts are expected to implement an annual increase in annual service changes by 4.5%, which has increased in the current contracts of 4%. The increase is an effort to reflect the average annual bump of 4.7% of the Rochester fire brigade since signing the current contract in 2015.

The new contract is also expected to provide the contractual language and update the services provided.

The discussion of the Council on Monday should contain suggestions for a section of the contract that deals with the growth coordination between the city and townships.

Suggestions try to clarify or change the previous voice equipment in order to ensure changes to the infrastructure and development in the townships that do not hinder the ability of the Rochester fire brigade to provide services. A proposed version would require a coordinated approval of the municipality and the city for future changes, while another course could restrict the service to existing developed areas.

Officials from the city administration and fire brigade will ask the Council on Monday for feedback in connection with options related to new contracts

The deputy urban administrator Ryan Yetzer said the goal was to conclude contracts that meet the requirements of the community and the city before asking the city council to coordinate the final approval later this year.

The meetings that are to take place in the week of February 24 include:

Rochester

• External understanding committees, 1 p.m. Monday in room 104 in the town hall, 201 forth St. SE.

• Study meeting of the city council, 3:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers of the city mouth center, 151 Fourth St. Se. The meeting will be available at www.rochestermn.gov/meetings/council-Meetings Livestream and on the Spectrum cable channel 180 or 188.

• Commission for the public service, 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday in room 104 in the town hall.

• Cultural heritage preserving commission, 5 p.m. on Tuesday in the council chambers of the municipal government center.

• Planning and zoning commission, 5 p.m. on Wednesday in the council chambers of the government center.

Olmsted County

• Board and Water Conservation District Board, 8 a.m. on Thursday in conference room 109 in 1188 50th St. SE Rochester