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05/02/2000 - Fire Funding AlternativesCITY COMMISSION SPECIAL WORKSESSION FIRE FUNDING ALTERNATIVES CITY OF CLEARWATER May 2, 2000 Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner Ed Hooper Vice-Mayor/Commissioner J. B. Johnson Commissioner Robert Clark Commissioner Ed Hart Commissioner Also present: Bill Horne Assistant City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The meeting was called to order at 1:34 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM 2 – Fire Department Presentation re Alternatives The City Manager said the Fire Department’s needs have consistently been overlooked in the past. As the Commission will be deciding a number of issues in the near future, including downtown redevelopment, it is crucial to realistically address the Fire Department’s needs and balance the overall needs of the City. Fire Chief Rowland Herald presented a proposal to address the Fire Department’s needs over the next five years. He thanked the Fire Task Force for spending over six months reviewing the Fire Department’s needs. While not discounting the Task Force’s recommendations, he suggested an alternative proposal that includes construction of a Northwest fire station and hiring additional firefighters. He suggested 1) delaying construction of the Sand Key fire station as efforts are being made to share the Coast Guard facility; 2) postponing a decision on the Clearwater Mall pending a developer agreement; 3) postponing a decision on the training facility pending an evaluation of the County’s proposed training facility; and 4) postponing a decision pending an evaluation of using the General Support Services building for the shop and supply facility. He summarized the costs of facilities and equipment and noted the apparatus replacement schedule originally submitted a year ago has not changed. In response to a question, he said research substantiates the increased effectiveness of four person engine crews and annual fire prevention inspections. He said there is a great need for increased staff to ensure inspectors and other personnel are in the field instead of doing paperwork and to ensure safety and welfare of citizens are met. It was remarked that putting off tomorrow what should have been done yesterday will greatly impact Clearwater’s citizens’ safety and welfare. It was suggested cutting non-essentials wherever possible. The City Manager said the issue of identifying a revenue source to incorporate four-person engines is difficult and would create a huge impact on the budget and will be difficult to attain absent a revenue stream. It was suggested phasing in personnel over a period of time to achieve four-person engine crews. It was remarked that citizens would be willing to pay some additional amount to know they are safe and lives are being protected. It was felt the City should not abdicate their responsibilities by postponing the Fire Department’s needs. Concern was expressed the Coast Guard could close down their facility at any time. It was suggested scheduling public meetings throughout the City to discuss the Fire Department’s needs and obtain input. The meeting recessed from 2:38 to 2:50 p.m. ITEM 3 – Comments by Fire Task Force Members John Lee expressed concern that no one on the Fire Task Force was briefed before Chief Herald’s presentation. He felt it vital that the Commission consider four-person engine crews. The City Manager and Chief Herald will respond to Mr. Lee’s concerns. Joe Evich said the Fire Task Force reaffirmed the needs of the Fire Department. He said even with the imposition of a Fire Fee, residential homeowners would pay double the tax imposed by an increase in ad valorem taxes. He suggested $4 million of unallocated Penny for Pinellas dollars be used for Fire Department capital needs. He said if other funds are reprioritized and federal funds obtained, additional money can be found for the Fire Department. He questioned if incremental funds received from redevelopment in the CRA district can be allocated for the Fire Department. The City Attorney said she will research if CRA funds can be applied for any of the Fire Department’s needs. The City Manager said a reduction in ad valorem taxes was an element of the Fire Fee, based on a full fee. He said ad valorem taxes cannot be extrapolated expressly for a Fire Fee. Russ Kimball commended staff for their competency in providing information to the Fire Task Force. He felt the issue of safety must be addressed with four-person crews. He said he voted against a Fire Fee and feels the ad valorem process is the fairest method of adding to the revenue stream to fund the Fire Department’s needs. Joe Calio complimented staff for providing the Fire Task Force needed information. He expressed concern the Coast Guard could decide to close their facility at any time and that the facility is insufficient to meet the needs of the Fire Department. He suggested educating the public prior to implementation of a Fire Fee. He said the Task Force had identified the need for a Sand Key fire station. Duke Tieman said the Task Force spent over seven months reviewing the Fire Department’s needs. He felt as the City has grown, four-person crews are mandatory and must be addressed now. He felt Task Force members would be happy to help the City educate the public about the Fire Department’s needs. He suggested health and safety be prioritized and efforts be made to keep up with needed facilities and manpower. The City Manager will present the Commission with a balanced budget by the end of the month, deal with reallocation of Penny for Pinellas dollars, and address comments made today. He said staff will recommend three-person crews, as the budget cannot provide for four-person crews. It was remarked there is a difference between a TIF and a special revenue source from the CRA. Chief Herald said personnel costs are spread over a five-year period, as are other costs. He said due to illness, shift works, etc., 3.6 bodies are needed to staff one position for 24 hours, seven days a week. The City Manager said decisions must be made regarding what lines of business the City should be in and if any other organizations or entities can provide services the City currently provides. It was remarked that it is not feasible to add 45 additional staff in one year as a number of issues need to be weighed. In response to a question, Budget Director Tina Wilson said that $2.8 million in unallocated Penny for Pinellas money is available over a period of ten years. She said to add $1.7 million to the budget next year, a 3/10 of a mill increase is necessary. She said the budget format this year will not include need to do, nice to do, and mandatory items. This year’s budget document will be in standard format. The Commission will adopt a one-year budget and a second year forecasted budget. ITEM 4 – Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 3:51 p.m.