IV.3. Resolution Approving Membership in the Hennepin County Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.; Specken
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2024-025
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Dale Specken, Fire Chief
Date: April 16, 2024
Subject: Resolution Approving Membership in the Hennepin County Fire Chiefs
Association, Inc.
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO Approve a Resolution Approving Membership in the Hennepin County Fire
Chiefs Association, Inc.
OVERVIEW
The Hennepin County Fire Chiefs Association (“HCFCA”) is a group of fire departments
and other organizations in the fire service industry in Hennepin County that provides
cooperation, education, and training regarding fire service and emergency response in
the county. While historical documentation is sparse, it appears that HCFCA was
formed in the early 1960s, but no records exist suggesting that the group has ever been
incorporated or recognized as a formal entity with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
In early 2023, HCFCA’s Board of Directors began an effort to formalize the group’s
organizational status, including ensuring that it is meeting state and federal tax
obligations. The Board engaged an attorney to advise it on organizational matters. The
Board discussed the relative merits of organizing as a joint powers entity under Minn.
Stat. § 471.59 or a nonprofit corporation, and ultimately decided to move forward as a
nonprofit to provide maximum flexibility in its authorized activities and members. In
making this decision, the Board looked to the organizational structure of the Minnesota
State Fire Chiefs Association, which is also organized as a nonprofit. The Board intends
to apply to the IRS for tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(6) business association.
To document each Fire Department’s membership in the new nonprofit corporation,
counsel advised that each member City adopt a resolution officially approving
membership in HCFCA.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Draft Resolution 2024-032
Fire Department
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2024-032
RESOLUTION APPROVING MEMBERSHIP IN THE HENNEPIN COUNTY
FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, INC.
WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Fire Chiefs Association (“HCFCA”) is an organization
of fire departments and others in the fire service industry in Hennepin County whose
purpose is to provide a forum to discuss and promote fire safety, to exchange ideas and
search for solutions to fire safety and other emergency response problems, to conduct
research, to facilitate educational programs, to promote legislation, and to promote the
spirit of cooperation between fire departments or other emergency response
organizations operating within Hennepin County, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, HCFCA was established as an association in 1961 but was not a formal
corporate entity recognized by the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State ; and
WHEREAS, Hopkins is currently a member of HCFCA; and
WHEREAS, HCFCA’s membership and Board of Directors has determined that it is in
the best interests of the association to organize as a nonprofit corporation in order to
formalize its operations and provide the option of applying for federal tax -exempt status;
and
WHEREAS, on January 8, 2024, the Hennepin County Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.,
was registered as a nonprofit corporation with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of
State; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes Section 471.96 provides authority for cities and
counties “to appropriate necessary funds to provide membership of their respective
municipal corporations or political subdivisions respectively in county, regional, state,
and national associations of a civic, educational, or governmental nature which have as
their purpose the betterment and improvement of municipal government operations”;
and
WHEREAS, Hopkins membership in the HCFCA as a nonprofit organization will benefit
Hopkins and its Fire Department and will provide for the betterment and improvement of
Hopkins operations surrounding fire safety and emergency response.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Hopkins as
follows:
1. Hopkins membership in Hennepin County Fire Chiefs Association, Inc. is
approved, and payment of annual membership dues is authorized.
2. Membership will be through the Fire Department and Hopkins Fire Cheif is
designated as Hopkins representative to HCFCA.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins on this 16th day of April 2024.
By:___________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk