In the city, there's there's a much more mixing of drugs now. So it's not they may have opiates plus something else. So, first you hear a lot about Narcan and Narcan only works on, opiates and then the other things that it doesn't work on. So, that's just something that's happening in our community these days. But that's all I have for you, today. Happy to take any questions. Got the experts here to back me up. So Are there any questions? Mister Steichen. So your response time is less than seven minutes,
I believe you said for going. But you must stage your vehicles strategically certain parts of the day. Yeah. Well, our closest station to Dilworth is our Post 2, which is by I guess it's called Vicks Lounge now. So that's the closest ambulance to Dilworth. But we have, many spots throughout the community that will put an ambulance in a parking lot. I don't know if they become east on Highway 10 with a posting other than Glendon. We have one out there. And you gotta remember, we're we're covering Clay County too. So that hit that's, we're trying to get closer to Holly and and those points too.
When we when we have, all the ambulances available, they tend to get pulled in as the as we get busier, so we move them around. We have our own dispatch center. We move trucks around constantly trying to put them if you look at that map, the heat map, our data will tell us generally where we're gonna be busier, and we, you know, we're moving trucks around to accommodate the volume. But it's challenging. Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, and Delaware is moving outward. It's gotten a lot bigger geographically. So that's one of our that's our burden to figure out and cover those communities.
You mentioned bystander applied to AED. I know the police department, they've done a tremendous job. Is that does a police officer applying it, does that count as bystander applied AED? No. They're professionals as I just told Hunter. They have they have done all the right things. Well, we know the professionals. Those calls. I can, provide that information next year. But, no, bystanders would be somebody other than the police department or EMS. We've heard some great stories on their efforts. Doesn't always turn out, you know, like you'd want it to be,
but so appreciate the police. No. I suppose a lot of small towns have rescue squads, and that's kind of vital to get some action started early on. Then when they do have that, who calls the life flight and who has the authority to call it off, I guess? Well, coincidentally, I have a life AirMed too. That belongs to me. Any responder can request life flight AirMed. In our process at the ground ambulance service, depending on the type of call and where it's at, we will auto launch them for certain things. And it's usually a trauma related call because there's so much variance in medical related
calls. Like, somebody calls in with stroke symptoms, we get there, and it's not a stroke. It's something less than a stroke, diabetic or something. I mean, there's a lot of variability there. But, any responder can request a flight, and we would like the ambulance the ground ambulance to be the one that cancels them. But if somebody calls in with the sheriff's out in Yuleland says and says there's no point in sending a helicopter, we will cancel. But, that's always available. And then there's a helicopter in Detroit Lakes too. I mean, it's not very helicopters move pretty fast. We can get to Yulin in about six or eight minutes.
So Thank you. Any other questions? Thank you, man. How is staffing going for you right now? Good question. I would say staffing is the biggest challenge for, EMS in our country. It's not just here, but that has been a problem. Ten, fifteen years ago, we'd have 10 eight or 10 people for every job. Now we've had 20 positions open for a couple years. It has gotten better. We were up to 25 positions open last year. So we we are making headwind our headways with that.
The pandemic drove a lot of people out of this line of work, a lot of hours and, you know, the, fear of, you know, getting sick, all this stuff. And then a lot of people got used to working from home and all that. We we do not do any of that. I never had the day at home. So we gotta be there. It's gotten better. I think nationally, it's ticked up a couple percentage points to the better, people, entering the workforce. We have our own paramedic school. It takes a long time to make a paramedic. It's not it's not quick. We've implemented an academy since the pandemic.
We started an academy, so we will pay people to go to paramedic school for a year. And, then they have an obligation to work for us for, I think, three years. But, you know, that's a big investment in an employee. So that will I think it's in the $60,000 a person range to make a paramedic like that. Any other questions? This one's more along the lines of logistics and operations. Like, when you you mentioned reassigning assets and moving trucks, like, is that based on the data that you have or, like, here's what history tells us?
And then, like, the theoretical question moving forward, how how is, like, AI gonna can that help? Like, here's the data from the last ten years, and if we have to move it, like I'm just interested to see how that could make the job a little bit easier, but also create more employment opportunities. Sure. Chad, do you wanna make that one? Yes. We use historical data about every six months. We'll six months to nine months. We'll review our our posting scheme to see make sure we're we prioritize the right
areas of of the metro area. We are going to be moving to a new computer aided dispatch system, which has better reporting and other capabilities that we're excited to work with, to see exactly that. Well, you know, what are what are some new, data points we can pull and and, and generate the reports off of that to to, either confirm or change what we're what we're currently doing. The ambulances are gathering data anytime they're moving about real time, travel time on any segment of road.
And when and that's uploaded into our data. We have a lot of data. So we we have a pretty good idea how long it takes us to get from any point to point. That's all in there. And they recrunch the numbers to tell us, you know, what where do we have to put trucks to cover this geographic area in less than nine minutes? And we have a, a polygon map that the dispatchers are looking at, and it moves throughout the day, you know, depending on historical volume where things are busier. To me, that's fascinating. I mean, it's just it's one of those pieces that we don't often think about,
but I think it's I think it's interesting and I don't know. It's essential to continue to provide the level of service that you do. So thank you very much. We appreciate you coming out here tonight and the service you provide all year long. The 6,421 miles that you've driven from Dilworth to various hospitals is very important to our citizens. So thank you very, very much, Alan. Yep. Thanks for having us. Thank you. All right. With that, it does move us to number 10, council members' concerns, committee updates around the horn. Kevin? I'm good.
Amber? I had IGA recently. They had representatives from the Moorehead School District and DGF talking about truancy, which was kind of eye opening on how how that works and how many kids they have in their school district. And I did ask if there was, you know, anything the city could do. They didn't really have any ideas for us, so but it was just kind of eye opening to see how many kids struggle to get to school and the reasons why. And it was it was a good conversation. So it's just something to think about. And then I did go to kite day, which was a hit.
That was awesome. I know you guys put a lot of work into that, Stacy and Hunter and Kim. You guys it was awesome. It was a good day. I got so many compliments. So many people came up and said they were having fun. And so I just wanna say kudos to you guys. You get I know how much work you put in that. That was that was a good day. That's all I got. Interesting. Yeah. The, tight day was, I think, like a perfect day. And a lot of work went in. You see those two women there, Stacy and Kim. I mean, it's not just them, but there's others, and and their officers were busy, busy,
busy, busy. I counted, like, 200 over 200 people at one point. And there was people coming and going. And there were some little kids who were just trying to pull something that was hitting the ground and bouncing, and they were just as excited as something that was just doing some amazing things. But those big kites that came from the James I guess it's the Jamestown Kite Club and the cities, that whale was 60 feet long that was flying in the air. Just amazing. And they have bigger ones. If they had more room, they could have so next year, we plan, to have another kite event.
There's a lot of potential for people coming out, people doing things, and it just generated a lot of excitement. So I would do appreciate that. I was part of the Dilworth's mass school evacuation just like anytime they try something. There's gonna be many hiccups, but the police department was instrumental in guiding traffic and informing parents where to be and where to be picked up and everything that goes along with it. So it it's a it's a steep learning curve, I'm guessing, anytime you try this.
So but for what I did, I think it was successful, but I only seen saw my little part of it. So that same day, there was a DGF School of Excellence Excellence Award given, at the at Dilworth Elementary. There's six schools in the whole state that received that, and Dilworth Elementary was one of the six. There's six criteria, leadership, and basically, it's a commitment to the student success, and there's lots of different things that, the schools get,
evaluated on. So but there was one person that spoke that needs mentioning, second grader Zoe Melvin. She talked in front of the whole, assembly. And I know she had some practice here in this in these chambers, I guess, is what her mother was telling me. But to see a second grader standing up there with the poise that she had, and obviously, she had rehearsed it. So she just it was just amazing to see that. So it'll be fun to follow some of these kids when they get older and see what where life takes them.
So, you know, they had lots of fun. They had some trivia things. They had some, games, and and you get, I don't know how many hundred little screaming voices. The room got the auditorium got really quite loud, but that's the fun part of it too. So, the Dilworth Fire Department, my boy and Chezzy has been doing filming, and they got to film the last hurrah for the, fire station the old fire station before it get got demolished. And I imagine there's lots of learning that went on that day. It was fun to see them in action.
I mean, as realistic as they could make it. And I'm I was just watching the leadership stand back. You know, leadership like Chief Payne, they look at it from a overall view. And whatever he's was doing, I was impressed that, you know, there's some corrections made on the spot, but, that's how you learn. I mean, that's a fantastic way to spend some of the training when you actually get to tear into a commercial building and, you know, because, you know, hopefully you never need it, but, I guess, it's being documented what they've been doing and there's there'll be some more documentation as
well. So I did attend a chamber event at Microsoft, the Pulse, and they had the police chief, Cybulski, I forget the Moorhead Chief right now. Chris Hint. Hellmick. Hellmick. Hellmick. Hellmick. You guys wanna call them. And then the West Fargo One. And there was kind of a common theme of sorts. Mental health and drugs affects everybody across the metro area, and that's I suppose that's around the country as well. So, so that's always a concern. Staffing and officer wellness. I know chief,
Hunter has done a great job with working on the officer wellness, and that's that's vital to keep every department running and being healthy and, as possible. So I do appreciate what, Chief has done there. So, like, one of the towns, the the shoplifting has gone up quite a bit, but they have a lot more visitors too. So they they're they're try always trying to make some correlation to what what causes something else. But the thing that kinda stuck with me is in this one city, the crime is down,
but the fear of crime is up, which sounds a little strange, but, I guess if the fear of crime is is is gone up, I'm not sure how you deal with that or I mean, I guess the numbers speak for itself in the crime statistics, but apparently people are quite fearful of being, and the property crime has gone down in this particular, jurisdiction as well. So does that make sense, chief Hunter? Crime is down,
but the fear is up. I mean, you don't have if you wanna if you got some I was curious about that, what that really means. It is interesting. I think you'd have to take a look at a lot of variables, especially in the current climate politically and the world views. I think that does put people more of an anxiety just because of the bad news has traveled so far with the technology that there is a little more anxiety for that. And even if you're not gonna be a victim, I know my children have been more fearful sometimes just of an incident at school that might be on the East Coast,
West Coast. That does drive up fear. So but I don't have any studies to show, so I'm not sure. That's just my Well, I don't need to put you on the spot. Weird. You know, certain things that always stick with you after hearing people speak. So that was that was the one that they I, probably should have talked to him a little bit more offline. So but I do appreciate your insight. And I suppose kids' fear of school violence is, you know, it's you hear way too all too often way too often. And, I mean, the innocent most innocent ones are the ones that are
are the most scared about, what might happen or even if it's not, but anyway, do appreciate your insight and, hopefully, the the fear if it's children's fear, they can, deal with that at some level. Hopefully, just officer presence. I know we really strive on our, school patrols in the morning. You know, my view is we always drive around school. I kinda feel like, we're sharks kinda, you know, circling the school, but we wanna be visible. My view is a little different than maybe what the kids see. I I look for, unfortunately, you know,
potential soft targets, so I really watch the children on the playground just because of that fear so I can respond appropriately. But as long as the parents see us, the kids see us, they know we're there. They know we're here to protect them. Now being here sitting, I'm gonna say, do appreciate all your work, and the National Police Week is I'm gonna try to get to some of these events here. But, you know, if it's a police or the fire Mhmm. You know, the average citizen needs you at the worst possible moment many times. And you're so fast to show up and,
you know, it all starts with the staff that you have and your officers. So pass that on to everybody else, to everybody that you work with as well. Like, we do appreciate their their, their efforts and all their work that they they're putting their life on the line Mhmm. For us. And some of these officers aren't they're younger than my children. So Mhmm. I I do appreciate, what they do. As I tell our officers, someone's worst day is our average day. Good. So thank you. Thank you. Last thing, someone few people have asked me about this would be for,
Mike. They're concerned about the parks needing to be sprayed for dandelions. Is do you have a plan or is a policy or, how, when, if those things happen? Last year, I think we only sprayed once because of how wet and windy it was. Because if it's too windy, anything over 15 miles an hour, we can't spray because of drift. And if it's wet, we definitely can't spray. So that, we try to do it right away in the morning. So when kids show up, that stuff's dry and doesn't get onto them and affect them in any way. So there's a lot of variables we're gonna try.
Now we only have one guy that has their spray license since Jeff left. So it might be a little harder this year. We're trying to get another guy his license, but it takes time. So Well, it's on your radar. So I'm I I didn't doubt it wasn't on your radar. But, but yeah. The way it started out last last spring with all the rain, initially, we were so far behind that we didn't really spray till towards the end of the year. So it was probably overtook us a little bit. Okay. Well, thank you. Hopefully, this year, we'll be on top of it a little better. We've already started mowing, had all of our mowers out today,
so we're making a little headway. Well, they they they the dandelions do spread fast, and they're so visible. They were growing a couple of weeks ago already, so But thanks for all your your efforts in town and all your I mean, your work and effort, so thank you, Mike. Julie? Anything else, Mr. Steichen? That's where I'm going to end. Julie? So I think the best part about the kite thing, the best compliment is when everyone's like, is it gonna happen again? You know? And then you know it was a event they really enjoyed. And so it was really fun to hear all those comments and just people who
just stopped from other places because they saw him from the highway and everything. And so I think it just turned into so much more of an event than was even imagined. It was very, very you know, it was just wonderful. Anyway, looking forward to the events this week to get out to where we can. And, oh, I just wanted to say a special thank you to staff and our community members that spent all day interviewing for, construction management group. I mean, that was all day and,
especially the other volunteers that showed up and took time out of their lives to be a part of that process. I really appreciate the time they took and the input they gave. We had a lot of good presentations, so I do appreciate that. Okay. Thank you, Jill. Anything else? You're welcome. Peyton? Thank you, mayor. To buffer that point that council member Nash was just iterating there, we have some tremendous individuals in the community that come out and help participate, volunteer.
We'd obviously love to have more, but we have a tremendous infrastructure in place and well organized. And, you know, we have two here this evening that the chief was referencing earlier with the police auxiliary that's been recently established. That's a tremendous asset, and it's all for the benefit of our guys. We're not just our guys and women, but not just our officers, but for all officers in the areas. We're very appreciative of that. Tracking the happenings and goings down in Saint Paul, little disjointed right now.
Usually, you see this as it's coming down. The home stretch session is supposed to end. Is it next week, I believe? Yeah. Yeah. So it's supposed to end here pretty soon. May extend on going to overtime. We'll see how it goes. So this is when all the last minute bills really start to come together. Two versions of I think I'd sent an email last week where I'd sent about the if on the senate tax proposal, the the senate tax bill, you know, it had a 3%, three point one % reduction LGA across the board.
Now the house released its proposed tax bill and does not it maintains the current levels there. So we'll have to see where all that shakes out. It it it in the event that were to happen, and I don't think we get looked at as a surprise given the deficit and projected, you know, shortfalls the state is anticipating in the coming years. You know, one thing that to keep in mind, we also benefited too a couple years ago. If you remember, we got a pretty big spike in the LGA, front with a recalibration of the formula and then pumping in a little more money.
So while this would be on the downside going trending down, it still would not be at the same rate as what we went up before. So trying to remain optimistic and pay attention to that and other bills that could impact cities. But we have a lot of great advocates on our side working with the city of Morehead right now on some border city legislation. So I'm still pressing, with our local lawmakers on that as too. So, well, more to come in the following week or weeks
with in Saint Paul. That's all. Thank you. Thank you, Peyton. With that, just just quickly, the Duluth Police Department, Stacy, like, your crew, I guess, like, the the the kite festival, I guess, is just you've elevated are you like, our community outreach, your community outreach is elevated to new heights. That was above and beyond. Like, that was I forgot, like, how much fun it was to be a kid in flag kite, but that definitely reminded me. So, that was that was that was pretty awesome. And I will also say it's really symbolic of what you've done in that department
over the last ten years, plus or minus. You haven't been at all, like, you know Mhmm. Sorry. I know. But but but I I but in all seriousness, like, I remember our Night to Unite, and there was two dozen people that showed up. And now it's 200. Right? The lunch with a cop. Right? All the all the little things that you've been able to put together are simply amazing. So and and, again, I I I am very thankful for for the efforts across the board. Just quick congratulations to DGF schools.
That, acknowledgment is is very impressive, and so too is our, outstanding audit that we received. Had to have that got to have that phone call. So that was that's always interesting to me. It brings back some some fun times. And then we also have our Highway 10 corridor study coming up, that open house. I know it's not our bill or not our not our party or whatever, but they are our citizens. And I think we need to make sure that our our constituents are on board, and they're seeing the proposed, changes that are coming to their neighborhoods and coming to their businesses.
And, this is their chance to have their voice heard. So if you wanna have input on what happens, the best chance is upcoming May 20. So, with that being said, I have nothing else at this time. So I will move us to number 11, entertain a motion to pay the bills. Oh, sorry, Kale. I didn't get my paper copy of the bills. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. I can't keep that to my printer. Anything else? Sorry, Kevin. I'll make the motion. I have a motion by Kevin. Second. Second by Nash to pay the bills. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.
And with that, and with there no being no further business before council this evening, calls meeting adjourned.