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11/09/1999FIRE TASK FORCE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 9, 1999 Present: Bill Horne Chair (non-voting) Joe Calio Task Force Member Joe Evich Task Force Member Rowland Herald Task Force Member George Krause Task Force Member John Lee Task Force Member Scott Nall Task Force Member Bill Schwob Task Force Member William Sherman Task Force Member Jean Stuart Task Force Alternate Doug Williams Task Force Alternate Absent: Fran Briskman Task Force Member Russ Kimball Task Force Member Duke Tieman Task Force Member Also Present: Robert Lockwood Administrative Support Manager Jack Callahan Assistant Fire Chief John Carassas Assistant City Attorney Margie Simmons Finance Director Tina Wilson Budget Director Sue Diana Assistant City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 2 – Approval of Minutes of 10/26/99 and 11/02/99 Meetings Member Lee requested that regarding the minutes of October 26, 1999, that Page 3, paragraph 2, sentence 3 read “… Deputy Chief Jerry Worsham…” and paragraph 3, sentence 1 read “…Deputy Chief Worsham…”. He moved to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Schwob moved to continue approval of the November 2, 1999 minutes to the next meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 3 – Discussion of Fire Plan Needs & Budget Fire Chief Rowland Herald said Robert Sheets with the Government Services group will make a presentation regarding fire assessments at the November 30, 1999, meeting. He distributed a magazine article from Fire Chief regarding correlating a fire protection user fee with the type of property requiring protection. He said two-thirds of the buildings in Clearwater classified as high-rise buildings, 75 feet high or greater, do not have built-in automatic sprinkler systems. The City’s Community Fire Protection Plan dealing with emergencies in those buildings is significantly different than in buildings with sprinklers. At the previous meeting, it was suggested the City research the possibility of imposing a fire fee on buildings that choose not to install a fire protection system. In the recent past, homeowner associations fought state legislation requiring retrofitting in old buildings. The legislation was defeated. Chief Herald said he has information from the National Fire Academy available for members regarding alternative funding approaches. A statewide uniform building code is forthcoming in 2001 that will propose retrofitting high-rise buildings that currently have no sprinkler systems to comply with code within a 12-year period. Administrative Support Manager Robert Lockwood provided assumptions for the Fire Department’s proposed 5-year budget. He distributed and highlighted changes made to the previous handout reflecting current and proposed staffing levels by fiscal year (attached as Attachment A and as such made part of the minutes). He said the bottom line for each fiscal year reflected funds received from the County for EMS and services to unincorporated areas. Chair Bill Horne said figures do not include data for land acquisition costs, some construction management costs, permit and impact fees, and off-site improvements for sidewalks, etc. If additional funds are received from other sources, the bottom line will change. In response to a question, Chief Herald said the Belcher Road fire station is not part of the 5-year plan and is not included in the assumptions. Mr. Lockwood noted revenue received from the County goes into the General Fund and is not specifically earmarked for the Fire Department. A recommendation was made to adopt an ordinance dedicating County revenues to the Fire Department. Budget Director Tina Wilson indicated, technically, the funds are dedicated. In response to a question, Finance Director Margie Simmons said it is not necessary to establish an ordinance to specifically dedicate those funds to the department unless the City begins receiving more funds than are spent. Adopting an ordinance would require more complicated accounting and the need to set up a fire fund. In response to a question, Mr. Lockwood said if alternate funding sources are not found, a tax increase of approximately 1 mil may be necessary to meet the needs of the Fire Department. In response to a question, Chief Herald said he had no further updates regarding a station at Clearwater Mall. He said staff had met with the Coast Guard regarding joint use of the Coast Guard facility on Sand Key. He noted the Bayside Gardens Homeowners Association has expressed opposition to building a fire station on the north side of the Coast Guard station. The meeting recessed from 4:00 to 4:13 p.m. Discussion ensued in regard to Fire Department needs. Concern was expressed adding new stations would increase the staffing problem. It was questioned since the County is not a proponent of a second beach station on Sand Key whether it may be prudent to first address personnel needs especially if all funding being requested cannot be obtained. Discussion ensued in regard to entering into a partnership with the Coast Guard and it was indicated modifying the building would cost significantly less than constructing a separate facility at a cost of approximately $1.6 million. Chief Herald said the Fire Department feels strongly in securing a protective area for fire apparatus and a small workroom on the north end of the Coast Guard station. He believed establishing a relationship with the Coast Guard would save money. He noted staff is considering homeowners’ concerns. He said other beach communities have placed modular structures at strategic locations. In response to a question, Chief Herald said whether or not the County is a proponent of a new fire station, the City can still choose to build one. He believed it would be a tough decision to separate the need to increase staffing levels versus the need to provide a much- needed level of service in two particular areas of the community. Chief Herald said if he has to choose between building a new station or increasing staffing levels, he prefers to bring staffing to appropriate levels. He felt a strong need for the two fire stations being proposed. In response to a question, he said the north beach fire station has an aerial apparatus with a stand alone rescue unit. It is being proposed to staff the Sand Key station with a paramedic-capable fire engine and no more than five people. Chief Herald believed the two stations would compliment each other. According to ISO criteria, there should be no more than 1-½ mile travel time to a property. It was suggested educating the public regarding how ISO ratings affect insurance rates. Chief Herald said the ISO report done in 1993 rated the City a Level 3. The ISO report indicated part of the significant deficiency that kept the City from achieving a Level 2 rating was that a city the size of Clearwater should have at least 7 engine companies instead of 6, and 4 aerial companies instead of 3. Chief Herald said if one fire station was added and staffing levels increased accordingly, the City would be well on its way to a Level 2 rating. It was remarked it is important to consider the longer construction of a station is delayed, the more it will cost in the future. It was suggested that $3 to $4 million of Penny for Pinellas funds be requested without delay to ensure a fair share is received for the Fire Department. Chair Horne noted he sensed a consensus that the members agreed regarding the Fire Department’s needs. He said the Commission indicated no final decisions regarding allocation of Penny for Pinellas dollars will be made until the Fire Task Force gives its report. It was noted the Commission plans to schedule public meetings regarding Penny for Pinellas funds before final funding decisions are made. Discussion ensued in regard to the possibility of obtaining grant money. In response to a question, Chief Herald said grants for the Police Department are more plentiful than for the Fire Department. He indicated the possibility of obtaining grant funding for a shared facility. There was discussion regarding Task Force members addressing the Commission for Penny for Pinellas funds and it was felt members should make recommendations as a group rather than on an individual basis. Funding sources will be the main focus at the next meeting. A handout on alternate funding sources had been provided. ITEM 6 – Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.