2025.03.18 Work Session Packet
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Posted: March 14, 2025
City Council Work Session Agenda
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
6:30 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 18, 2025, 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 Economic Development Authority meeting at 6:45 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 18, 2025.
I. Attendance
Council members Staff
____ Budziszewski ____ Bell
____ Cummings ____ Tierney
____ Deshler ____ Therres
____ Eidbo ____ Elholm
____ Kamish ____ Larson
____ Kiser ____ Revering
____ Onesirosan ____ Hubbard
____ Struve
____ Sutter
____ Serres
II. Agenda
The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items:
1. West Metro-Fire Rescue District quarterly update.
2. Council liaison reports.*
3. Constituent issues update.*
4. City manager update.*
5. New business.*
6. Announcements.*
III. Adjournment
The work session adjourned at ______ p.m.
* Denotes no documentation 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.
1
West Metro Fire-Rescue District
March 18, 2025
Quarterly Update
ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS/COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Calls for Service Report
January 1 – December 31, 2024 Total Calls for Service 2103 1666 with 1 severe weather
Crystal 987 Estimated fire loss $1,604,084
New Hope 1060
Mutual Aid 55
January 1 – December 31, 2023 Total Calls for Service 2148 Estimated fire loss $2,174,929
Crystal 896
New Hope 1167
Mutual Aid 85
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
No response per COVID-19 Protocols 178
January 1 – December 31, 2019 Total Calls for Service 2018 Estimated fire loss $2,276,913
January 1 – December 31, 2018 Total Calls for Service 1856 Estimated fire loss $632,167
2
January 1 – December 31, 2017 Total Calls for Service 1922 Estimated fire loss $588,517
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
Retirement / Resignation
Firefighter Pat O’Malley retired on December 12, 2024 he was the longest serving firefighter EVER in the
history of West Metro Fire, Crystal Fire and New Hope Fire. He served the residents of Crystal and New Hope
for over 38 years. Apprentice Adam Lockrem resigned on December 19, 2024 after nearly 2 years with West
Metro, he left and became a full-time firefighter with St. Cloud Fire Department. Firefighter Ron Sederstrom
resigned on January 14, 2024 after nearly 17 years of service. Recruit Tyler Eckwright re signed on
January 8, 2025 after just over a month with us.
Fire Inspector/Lieutenant Jon Jaeger (full-time) retired on March 3. We hired his replacement from an internal
job posting. Ian Watson started on February 25.
Leave of Absence (LOA)
Captain Tara Gray began a LOA on January 1, 2025.
Recruitment
In November we brought on 2 lateral transfer paid, on-call firefighters. These are two experienced firefighters
that we brought on as apprentices. In December we hired 13 recruit paid, on call firefighters.
Staffing
We are currently at 11 full-time and 58 paid, on-call Firefighters, of which, 6 are on LOA.
Honor Guard
We had honor guard members help with the funeral of retired Fire Marshal Ralph Messer on January 25, 2025.
Community Outreach
Below is a list of the outreach projects Jesus Soto has done over the last two quarters:
Activity Age Group Date Amount
Explorers Teens 10/3/2024 12
Home Depot BP Families 10/5/2024 300
Beacon Academy Children 10/8/2024 50
Beacon Academy Children 10/9/2024 50
Beacon Academy Children 10/10/2024 25
YMCA Senior Expo 55 plus 10/10/2024 200
Near Food Shelf Families 10/12/2024 200
Pub Ed Children 10/15/2024 30
Sonnesyn Elementary Children 10/15/2024 25
Cooper HS with North Teens 10/16/2024 50
Explorers Teens 10/17/2024 10
3
Home Safety Survey 2 Seniors/1 Grandchild 10/17/2024 3
Home Safety Survey 1 Adult 10/17/2024 1
Station Tour 1 Adult/1 Child 10/18/2024 2
Sonnesyn Elementary Children 10/22/2024 25
Evergreen Elementary Pre-K 10/23/2024 25
SMART911 Presentation to Crystal Command Staff 10/23/2024 7
Sonnesyn Elementary Children 10/24/2024 100
New Hope City Day Families 10/24/2024 200
6607 46th Place B-Day Cake Family 10/25/2024 5
Live Burn WM FF's 10/26/2024 25
Kahoot Winner Visit Family 10/29/2024 5
Neil Elementary Children 10/30/2024 150
Explorers Teens 11/7/2024 10
Home Safety Survey 2 Adults/ 2 Children 11/8/2024 4
Meadow Lake Elementary Children 11/12/2024 60
Kahoot Winner Visit Family 11/12/2024 4
Meadow Lake Elementary Children 11/13/2024 80
Meadow Lake Elementary Children 11/14/2024 40
Home Safety Survey 1 Adult 11/15/2024 1
Home Safety Survey 2 Adults/2 Dogs 11/15/2024 2
Home Safety Survey 2 Seniors 11/18/2024 2
Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion Children 11/19/2024 60
Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion Children 11/20/2024 80
Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion Children 11/21/2024 50
Explorers Teens 11/21/2024 12
Home Safety Survey 1 Senior 11/22/2024 1
Home Safety Survey 2 Adults/2 Children 11/22/2024 4
Home Safety Survey 2 Adults 11/22/2024 2
Home Safety Survey 1 Senior 11/25/2024 1
Home Safety Survey 2 Seniors 11/26/2024 2
Home Safety Survey 1 Senior/1 Dog 11/26/2024 1
Kahoot Winner Visit Family 11/26/2024 6
Station Tour 2 Adults 12/2/2024 2
Forest Elementary Children 12/3/2024 80
Forest Elementary Children 12/4/2024 60
Explorers Teens 12/5/2024 12
HSS Seniors 12/6/2024 2
HSS Seniors 12/6/2024 2
HSS Seniors 12/6/2024 2
Forest Elementary Children 12/10/2024 40
HSS Seniors 12/11/2024 1
Anthony James Apartments Seniors 12/11/2024 30
Interview with CCX-Hydrant Hero News 12/12/2024 2
HSS Seniors 12/12/2024 1
HSS Seniors 12/13/2024 1
HSS Seniors 12/13/2024 1
4
PIM School Teens 12/17/2024 4
HSS Seniors 12/18/2024 1
HSS Family/2 Children 12/18/2024 4
HSS Seniors 12/19/2024 1
HSS Seniors 12/20/2024 2
HSS Adult 12/20/2024 1
HSS Family 12/31/2024 3
WM Explorers Teens 1/2/2025 8
HSS Adult 1/3/2025 1
Meeting with State Marshal Adult 1/7/2025 1
HSS Seniors 1/9/2025 2
Interview with CCX-SMART911 News 1/15/2025 1
WM Explorers Teens 1/16/2025 8
HSS Seniors 1/24/2025 2
Home Safety S u rveys (HSS)
In 2024 we conducted 41 surveys our goal is 30.
TRAINING /EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Officer Leadership Series
West Metro Fire is participating in an officer development program in a joint effort with the Plymouth Fire
Department and Century College. Fire Instructor I and Officer I have already been completed, Fire Instructor II
is currently underway. Upcoming classes include Fire Officer II, Strategy and Tactics, and Fire Inspector I.
Recruit Firefighters
The 2024 recruit class completed all seven pre-academy training sessions and the initial mentor program. The
pre-academy training and initial mentor program are designed to prepare the recruits for success at the Fire
Academy and orient the recruits to the District in a step by step process.
West Suburban Fire Academy
The West Suburban Fire Academy started on January 18, 2025 with a total of 38 recruits combi ned from
Plymouth, Golden Valley, West Metro, and Maple Grove. Classes are typically held on Monday & Thursday
evenings, with a graduation date of June 9, 2025.
Emergency Management
West Metro Fire-Rescue has been awarded an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant from FEMA, totaling
$91,247, for the purpose of upgrading and renovating the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Station 3.
Captain Wheeler is currently working through the Minnesota HSEM Grant Portal and with HSEM Grant
Administrators on requisite documentation to continue this process prior to grant disbursement. Tentative
goal for the award disbursement is the end of 2025.
5
LOGISTICS
Facilities
Captain Grimes worked with contractors to replace the exterior aluminum doors at both the front and rear of
Station 3.
Equipment
Captain Grimes is collaborating with the training division to evaluate primary fire attack thermal imaging
cameras.
Apparatus and Vehicles
We have the HAAS alerting system in our engines.
HAAS Safety Cloud digital alerts have been reaching drivers via the Waze navigation app since 2017. In 2022,
Apple Maps was added as a digital alerting partner and brought our alerts to millions of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®
and RAM vehicles. Recently, Mercedes-Benz added our alerts as part of a beta trial for in-vehicle safety
notifications to their drivers. VW will launch Road Awareness Alerts on select cars model year 2024 and 2025
later this year in the U.S.
The graphics for the new Suburban have been completed.
Staff are working closely with vendors to place orders for the emergency packages and upfitting of both the
Suburban and the 1-ton grass rig.
Lt. Nichols has successfully mounted all lights, sirens, and accessories on the new duty officer vehicle. He is
currently installing wiring harnesses and control modules.
6
IT and Communications
Assistant Chief Kunde has been meeting with vendors to evaluate options for replacing the iPads used in our
trucks. We’re seeking a cost-effective solution that enables two-way communication with Hennepin Dispatch.
As the dispatch center becomes busier and the recruitment of new dispatchers proves more challenging, air
time on radios has become more valuable. By integratin g devices that allow us to report in-service, arrival, and
clear times, we can reduce unnecessary radio traffic, while still capturing important data for reporting and
trend analysis.
PREVENTION
Inspections/Plan Reviews
Inspections 1/1/2024 thru 12/31/2024 Current Previous
Completed 1007 839
No violations 415 325
Re-inspections completed satisfactory 337 159
Re-inspections completed unsatisfactory 93 133
Awaiting re-inspection 162 212
Fire Permits Issued in January
Crystal 6
New Hope 4
Brycer Compliance Engine
We currently have 61 deficiency letters out for fire protection issues at several buildings. Businesses are
working on, and correcting the violations as they are informed of them. To date, there are 516 buildings in
compliance.
Fire Investigations:
10/25/2024 – 56XX Zealand Avenue North (Small cooking fire)
10/27/2024 – 33XX Yukon Avenue North (Electrical meter fire)
7
10/28/2024 – 32XX Winnetka Ave North (Commercial building fire, fire sprinkler save. One fire
sprinkler activated. The cause of this fire was improper
disposal of batteries)
11/6/2024 – 57XX Winnetka Avenue North (Small cooking fire)
11/11/2024 - Sunnyview Park (Playground fire, arson)
11/12/2024 - Winnetka and Quebec Avenue North (Vehicle fire)
11/14/2024 - Sunnyview Park (Playground fire, this was an arson fire. The police
arrested the suspects that started the fire)
11/24/2024 – 59XX Elmhurst Avenue North (Fire out report. Fire cause was improper disposal of
staining rags in a garbage can)
11/23/2024 – 52XX Scott Avenue North, (Candle on bed fire, contained to bedroom)
12/12/2024 – 58XX Hampshire Avenue North (Small appliance fire)
12/20/2024 - 62nd Avenue North and Highway 169 (Car fire)
12/05/2024 – 58XX Hampshire Avenue North (Small stove fire caused by oven glove)
12/19/2024 – 76XX 36th Avenue North (Small electrical fire in outlet)
12/22/2024 – 84XX 56th Avenue North (Small kitchen fire)
12/15/2024 – 54XX Boone Avenue North (Small refrigerator fire)
01/08/2025 – 53XX Kentucky Avenue North (Small electrical outlet fire)
01/09/2025 – 55XX Douglas Drive (Door mat fire)
01/12/2025 – 53XX Kentucky Avenue North (Small dishwasher fire)
01/29/2025 – 80XX Bass Lake Road (Small stove top fire from cooking)
Received the following email from a resident: