§ 2-189.5. Mutual aid.

(a)

The head of each department of the city, or designee, in conjunction with the director, are authorized to respond to requests for mutual aid assistance in the form of city resources from any political subdivision within the state, agencies of the state, and federal agencies, for the assistance within the state, and non-profit emergency response or relief organizations, pursuant to Minn. Stats, Ch. 12, provided the operational needs of the city are not compromised and the city administrator or his respective designee is notified when city personnel and/or resources shall be committed to the mutual aid response in excess of 12 hours. The director, in consultation with the city administrator or acting city administrator, is authorized to respond to requests for mutual aid assistance in the form of city resources to governmental agencies outside of Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. The city administrator or acting city administrator shall report responses to areas outside of Minnesota to the city council within 48 hours.

(b)

The director, or the head of each department, and city administrator are authorized to enter into mutual aid agreements, which allow for the joint use of city personnel and equipment that will benefit the city.

(c)

The director shall annually report to the city administrator any mutual aid activity provided by the city to other political subdivisions within the state, agencies of the state, and federal agencies within the state, or received therein by the city.

(d)

The director shall prepare necessary documentation for recovery of city expenses incurred in response to mutual aid to the extent possible pursuant to federal and state statutes and mutual aid agreements. The city will pursue payment for services rendered for mutual aid when response time exceeds 12 hours, with billing retroactive to the first hour, unless mutual aid agreements specify some other number of hours as the threshold for billing purposes.

(Ord. No. 1853, § 1853.01, 4-11-2012)