2023.03.07 Work Session Packet
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Posted: March 3, 2023
City Council Work Session Agenda
Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 6:15 p.m.
Council Chambers/Zoom
Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter,
the work session of the Crystal City Council was held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at ______ p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, MN and via Zoom. If the agenda
items are not completed in time for the regular City Council meeting at 7 p.m., the work session
will be continued and resumed immediately following the City Council meeting. The public may
attend the meeting via Zoom by connecting to it through one of the methods identified on the
City Council Meeting Schedule for Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
I. Attendance
Council members Staff
____ Kamish ____ Bell
____ Kiser ____ Gilchrist
____ Adams ____ Elholm
____ Budziszewski ____ Larson
____ Cummings ____ Ray
____ Eidbo ____ Revering
____ Sutter
____ Serres
II. Agenda
The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items:
1. Public safety updates.
2. West Metro Fire-Rescue District quarterly update.
3. Constituent issues.*
4. New business.*
5. Announcements.*
6. Council vacancy items.*
III. Adjournment
The work session adjourned at ______ p.m.
* Denotes no supporting information included in the packet.
Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling the city clerk at
(763) 531-1145 at least 96 hours in advance. TTY users may call Minnesota Relay at 711 or 1-800-627-3529.
CCCRRRYYYSSSTTTAAALLL PPPOOOLLLIIICCCEEE DDDEEEPPPAAARRRTTTMMMEEENNNTTT
“Service with Compassion, Integrity, & Professionalism”
TO: Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Stephanie K. Revering, Chief of Police
CC: Adam R. Bell, City Manager
DATE: March 2, 2023
SUBJECT: WORK SESSION ITEM
___________________________________________________________________________
MMEEMMOORRAANNDDUUMM
The police department would like to provide you with our quarterly update on Tuesday, March
7, 2023, at a work session prior to your council meeting. We have several items to discuss,
including our 2022 calls for service/crime data.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.
1
West Metro Fire-Rescue District
March 7, 2023
Crystal Council Update
ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS REPORT
Calls for Service Report
January 1 – December 31, 2022 Total Calls for Service 2128 with 2 severe weather
Crystal 959 Estimated fire loss $1,501,240
New Hope 1099
Mutual Aid 68
January 1 – December 31, 2021 Total Calls for Service 2124 Estimated fire loss $1,703,242
Crystal 890
New Hope 1,169
Mutual Aid 65
January 1 – December 31, 2020 Total Calls for Service 1828 Estimated fire loss $1,313,433
Crystal 781
New Hope 983
Mutual Aid 64
Not responded to per COVID-19 Protocols 178
January 1 – December 31, 2019 Total Calls for Service 2018 Estimated fire loss $2,276,913
Crystal 840
New Hope 1097
Mutual Aid 81
January 1 – December 31, 2018 Total Calls for Service 1856 Estimated fire loss $632,167
January 1 – December 31, 2017 Total Calls for Service 1922 Estimated fire loss $588,517
Fires EMS/Rescue Hazardous Condition Service Call Good Intent Fire Alarm Severe Weather Total
Mutual/Auto Aid 43 22%0 0 0 25 23%0 0 68 3%
New Hope 92 47%648 53%77 37%51 69%49 45%182 58%0 1099 52%
Crystal 59 30%576 47%131 63%23 31%36 33%134 42%0 959 45%
Total 194 9%1224 57%208 10%74 4%110 5%316 15%2 2128 100%
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
2128 Calls for Service Jan 1 -Dec 31, 2022
2
January 1 – December 31, 2016 Total Calls for Service 1573 Estimated fire loss $1,637,094
January 1 – December 31, 2015 Total Calls for Service 1514 Estimated fire loss $657,914
January 1 – December 31, 2014 Total Calls for Service 1663 Estimated fire loss $1,861,162
January 1 – December 31, 2013 Total Calls for Service 1448 Estimated fire loss $357,182
January 1 – December 31, 2012 Total Calls for Service 1349 Estimated fire loss $169,900
January 1 – December 31, 2011 Total Calls for Service 1638 Estimated fire loss $318,749
ADMINISTRATION
Be a Santa to a Senior
We had another very successful event collecting gifts for the residents of the Crystal Care Center, Good
Samaritan and North Ridge. We collected over 300 bags of gifts this year – 200 for North Ridge alone. Several
volunteers (firefighters and family members) came in and made the deliveries to these facilities on Thursday,
December 15th.
Retirement / Resignation
We had 11 POC firefighters resign/retire in 2022. Which led us to recruit again in 2022. We normally recruit
every other year but did so consecutively in 2021 and 2022. We had 5 POC firefighters resign/retire in 2021.
Recruiting
In June we started the recruiting process, we collected applications through August 22nd, we received 45
applications. Of those 45 applicants, we invited 35 qualified candidates to the first round of interviews. We
invited 26 of those applicants to the second round of interviews. We mad e conditional job offers to 20 of
these applicants, all 20 accepted but one has a scheduled surgery in December that unfortunately will
preclude him from participating this year, we have encouraged him to try again in the future.
Of the 19 candidates that we made offers to, 15 made it through the entire process; four did not make it - one
dropped out, one failed the physical test and two failed the psychological testing. Two new apprentice
firefighters started on November 10 and 13 recruits started with an orientation meeting on November 30 then
they immediately began pre-academy training on December 1, 2022.
Our new members are:
Station 1
Matt Ruppert
Luke Pitra
Alyssa Anderson
Sam Gerlach
Station 2
Pete Goldsmith
Eri Gonzalez
Edd Hansen
Anthony Santana
Rory Purnell
Kyle McManus
3
*Piter Rodrigues
*Ian Planchon
Station 3
Jamel Hodges
Hayden Anderson
Adam Lockrem
*Piter & Ian went through our academy as recruits with Golden Valley Fire last year so they were hired as
apprentice firefighters.
25-year anniversary of West Metro Fire
Our 25th anniversary is coming up this year on July 6. We are considering a community BBQ and open house
type event the evening of the July 6 but haven’t made any plans because we would like input on what you
would like to see regarding the scope of the event.
TRAINING
2021 Apprentices
The entire 2021 recruit class has completed initial medical training and is now focused on working EMS shifts
as a third firefighter. This will aid in giving the apprentice firefight ers real-world EMS experience and increase
skills learned in the classroom.
Next up for the apprentice firefighters is the emergency apparatus driving program that starts in March.
2022 Recruits
The 2022 recruit class completed the initial orientation process and mentor program on January 19, 2023 and
started the West Suburban Fire Academy on January 21, 2023. This recruit class now has several academy
sessions completed and are doing well.
LOGISTICS
Equipment
We have taken delivery of the three new LUCAS CPR devices that were approved at the December 2022 Board
meeting. Currently staff is working on setting these up, training and deployment.
We have received the new thermal imaging cameras (TIC) that were approved at the December 2022 Board
meeting. Staff is working on the setup of these devices. This includes connecting them to a data source,
naming them, and setting parameters. These TICS have the ability to locate another TIC on a fireground if a
firefighter declares a mayday.
Apparatus and Vehicles
Three of the four existing engines have been sold. The first was sold to Coca Cola in Tajuana, Mexico, the
second was sold to the Olivia, MN Fire Department and the third was sold to Lanesboro, MN Fire Dep artment.
The last engine is listed for consignment with Brindley Mountain Fire Apparatus and there is some interest
from a department in Iowa. We have restrictions in place on when any potential buyer will be able to take
delivery of the used trucks to make sure the District is not left without one.
4
We are expecting the delivery of the first engine from Pierce in March with the remaining engines following in
approximately six weeks.
PREVENTION
Inspections/Plan Reviews
In 2022 we conducted 1,057 inspections/plan reviews/meetings, of which 410 required a re-inspection. We
have completed 270 re-inspections.
Home Inspection Program
We completed about 38 home safety surveys in 2022. Our goal again for 2023 is to complete 30.
Adopt a Hydrant Program
This program has been in place since 2015. The program encourages residents to adopt a hydrant, and insure
the hydrant is accessible and clear of snow in case of an emergency. This year we have had 25 residents sign
up for the program. We have approximately 102 residents from both cities participating in the program. We
have had three significant snow falls so far this winter where we have issued certificates and given a $25
Target gift card to one resident from each city who clea red their hydrant.