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Lamont council hears fire department concerns over Innovative Ag testing, EMS staffing and communication
Summary
At a Jan. 25 special meeting, members of the Lamont Fire Department told the city council that communication around testing at an Innovative Ag site caused confusion, that the department needs EMS personnel and that IAS could be a revenue source. The council approved the agenda and agreed to keep lines open with the department.
The Lamont City Council on Jan. 25, 2023 met with members of the Lamont Fire Department to discuss communication breakdowns linked to testing at an Innovative Ag site, gaps in emergency medical services staffing and possible department revenue from IAS. The council approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session and adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting minutes record that Kim Cook asked whether the fire department must get council approval to purchase supplies; the minutes note that approval is not required when items are already budgeted. Keith Haynes said communication needs to "go both ways" and urged that issues be handled between the council and the department rather than involving outside parties. John Cook similarly emphasized that communication should be between the two parties only.
Terry Crow said the Innovative Ag situation "created the problem" and reported that the Fire Chief did not want to put his "butt in the wringer," an exchange the minutes record as describing the chief's reluctance to engage publicly on that matter. Cary Gentz told the council the department will respond "to the best of their ability" to any calls related to Innovative Ag and said the department is looking at IAS as a potential source of revenue.
Kim Cook also raised a need for EMS personnel. The minutes record general agreement between council members and the fire department to keep communication lines open going forward. Keith Haynes invited council members to attend the department's regular meetings, which he said are usually held the first Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance: The council approved the meeting agenda (motion by Slack; second by Lincoln) by a unanimous vote recorded as "all ayes." A motion to adjourn (mover Lamphier; second Devlin) likewise passed unanimously. No formal policy or funding changes were adopted at this meeting.
The meeting began at 7:01 p.m. and adjourned at 7:30 p.m. No follow-up deadlines or formal assignments were recorded in the minutes; both sides committed to maintaining open communication and the council was invited to attend future fire department meetings.
