City Council approves city, township fire department consolidation

Oct. 11--The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved consolidating Albert Lea Township Fire Department equipment, staff and real estate with Albert Lea Fire Department for nearly $210,000.

Sixteen Albert Lea Township firefighters will become paid on-call firefighters with Albert Lea Fire Department.

Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said the merger is beneficial to both fire departments.

"We are already working together very well, and a merger will simply provide more efficiency and limit duplication of costs and expenses, such as facilities, equipment, etc., for existing and future taxpayers of both districts," Adams said.

The merger provides a better insurance services organization rating for township residents, which usually results in lower property insurance premiums, Adams said.

"Such a merger will not affect current city residents' rating," he said. "We presently train together with the township's paid on-call members, and structuring us together will streamline communications and operations."

The merger will become final next month, if the Albert Lea Township Board approves the merger tonight.

Albert Lea Township will pay 50 percent of its tax rate for fire protection, Adams said. The city will be credited that amount against an unpaid balance on an annual basis.

Starting this year, the city will pay its pension contributions in the amount of $2,500.

Third Ward Councilor George Marin thanked Albert Lea Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske for his presentation on the merger.

"It was tremendously filled with the information we needed," he said.

The Albert Lea Township Fire Department is at 712 E. Main St.

Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen Jr. thanked the fire departments for completing the merger.

"It has been a long process, it's been several years since we've been working on this," he said. "Ultimately, I think it is going to be a good thing for both entities."

In other action, the council:

--Oversaw the awarding of a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting to the city of Albert Lea.

--Appointed judges for the Nov. 8 general election.

--Supported a grant application to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's sex trafficking investigation and training grant to assist in purchasing equipment, partnering with the Waseca Police Department and Southeast Minnesota Human Trafficking Coalition and Victims Services and paying educational training expenses.

--Authorized a storm sewer easement agreement with Bill and Kathy Hay to facilitate future development of a new home on the north end of their parcel.

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