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11/16/1999FIRE TASK FORCE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 16, 1999 Present: Bill Horne Chair (non-voting) Fran Briskman Task Force Member Joe Calio Task Force Member Joe Evich Task Force Member- arrived 3:04 p.m. Rowland Herald Task Force Member George Krause Task Force Member Scott Nall Task Force Member Bill Schwob Task Force Member Duke Tieman Task Force Member- arrived 3:07 p.m. Jean Stuart Task Force Alternate Doug Williams Task Force Alternate Absent: Russ Kimball Task Force Member John Lee Task Force Member William Sherman Task Force Member Also Present: John Carassas Assistant City Attorney Margie Simmons Financial Services Administrator Tina Wilson Budget Director Robert Lockwood Administrative Support Manager Sue Diana Assistant City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 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 Member Schwob moved to approve the minutes of the November 2, 1999, meeting, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each Member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Nall moved to continue approval of the minutes of the November 9, 1999, meeting until November 30, 1999. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Evich arrived after the approval of the November 2, 1999 minutes. He requested clarification of the first and third sentences on page 2, paragraph 3, and he noted on page 3, paragraph 4, the total budget increase is not 34%, but approximately 60%.” The motion for approval of the November 2, 1999, minutes was rescinded. The November 2, 1999 minutes on page 2, paragraph 3, the first sentence should read “…no budgeted costs…” On page 3, paragraph 4, the sentence should read, “A total of $5.6 million is being requested in the fifth year, over and above…” Member Evich moved to approve the minutes of the November 2, 1999 meeting, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Discuss Alternate Funding Sources for Fire Dept. 5-Year Plan – Continued. Task Force Discussion Concern was expressed the Task Force had not discussed nor assessed details included in the Fire Department’s 5-year plan. It was felt the City Commission’s direction for the Task Force to affirm the 5-year plan must be accomplished before funding solutions are considered. An opinion was expressed the City Commission should be responsible for identifying a funding source if the Task Force is expected to rubber stamp the plan. Discussion ensued regarding public safety, response times, departmental requests, and the needs of Sand Key residents. It was suggested the Task Force review the location of fire stations to maximize efficiencies. It was stated related costs need to be considered. It was felt the presentations by fire professionals had reviewed Fire Department proposals sufficiently to support the plan. Member Evich moved to approve the funding request in the Fire Department five-year plan for capital items of not more than $4.5-million to construct a fire station on Sand Key and to purchase appropriate apparatus as detailed in the plan. The motion was duly seconded. Administrative Support Manager Robert Lockwood said it is important to define what purchases are being approved. Discussion ensued regarding construction and apparatus costs. Member Evich withdrew his motion. It was recommended the Fire Department present statistics to the Task Force regarding population growth, current apparatus, staffing needs, etc. In response to a question, Fire Chief Rowland Herald said the department had been under interim leadership for more than a year. When the department reviewed its budget to meet the City Manager’s requested cuts, it became apparent that the budget already had been reduced so much, basic needs could not be covered. The department was last evaluated by the ISO (Insurance Services Organization) in 1993, when it received a rating of “3.” Concern was expressed a decline in the size of the staff providing services and a reduction in available apparatus may impact negatively on the City’s rating. Discussion ensued regarding the condition of various pieces of equipment. In response to a question, Fire Chief Herald said the City would have a good chance to be rated “2” if the department’s 5-year plan is implemented as proposed. It was recommended a City goal be achievement of a “2” rating. It was indicated the ISO rating affects property owners’ fire insurance rates and achieving a rating of “2” would result in a potential savings to the taxpayers. It was suggested reducing the size of the administrative staff would result in savings. Member Evich moved to approve a budget of up to $1,710,000 to construct a fire station on Sand Key exclusive of land and additional costs. The motion was duly seconded. An opinion was expressed current fire stations should be upgraded before new stations are constructed and related problems compounded. Member Evich indicated no additional costs in his motion to include apparatus and personnel. It was felt the Task Force must identify and approve needs before contemplating specific items. It was noted no decision has been reached regarding the number of bays and staffing needed for a fire station facility on Sand Key. It was suggested a primary problem could be met by increasing staff levels at current fire stations. It was stated the City currently does not meet the genuine needs of Sand Key residents for quick response to high-rise buildings. Discussion ensued regarding a multi-million dollar fire at a new Sand Key condominium building. It was recommended a 2-bay fire station could be constructed on City-owned land abutting Sand Key Park. It was suggested relocating the beach fire station could meet all island resident needs at a reduced cost. It was stated a fire station is needed on Sand Key regardless of the beach station’s location due to traffic congestion. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. The Fire Task Force recessed from 4:30 to 4:40 p.m. It was indicated the Task Force had not discussed the possible relocation of the fire station by Clearwater Mall or possible cooperation with the Coast Guard on Sand Key. It was recommended the Task Force use a structured approach to consider the various components of the plan. It was recommended the format consider all plan components before prioritizing items. It was reported the fire fee consultant is scheduled to address the Task Force at the next meeting. Consensus was to limit his presentation to one-hour. Member Nall moved to agenda a structured approach at the next meeting to consider the various components of the 5-year plan to include: 1) current capital needs; 2) current staffing needs; 3) current fire station conditions; 4) new fire station needs; 5) staffing levels needed for new fire stations; and 6) capital requirements associated with new fire stations. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The next meeting is scheduled on November 30, 1999, at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM #6 – Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.