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01/04/2000FIRE TASK FORCE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER January 4, 2000 Present: Bill Horne Chair (non-voting) Joe Calio Task Force Member Joe Evich Task Force Member – arrived 3:06 p.m. Rowland Herald Task Force Member Russ Kimball Task Force Member – arrived 3:40 p.m. George Krause Task Force Member John Lee Task Force Member Scott Nall Task Force Member Bill Schwob Task Force Member Duke Tieman Task Force Member William Sherman Task Force Member Doug Williams Task Force Member Jean Stuart Task Force Alternate Also Present: John Carassas Assistant City Attorney Tina Wilson Budget Director Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Sue Diana Assistant City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Chair reported Fran Briskman had resigned and the City Commission had appointed Doug Williams as her replacement. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 2 – Approval of Minutes of 12/7/99 and 12/14/99 Member Tieman moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 7, 1999, as submitted in written summation to each Board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Chair Horne noted regarding page 5, paragraph 5, of the December 14, 1999, minutes, the national standards were distributed at that meeting. Member Tieman moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 14, 1999, as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. In response to questions raised at the last meeting, Assistant City Attorney John Carassas said Florida Statute allows the use of Penny for Pinellas funds to purchase fire engines noting they last longer than 5 years. He said the City cannot charge an additional fire inspection fee to residents or businesses in unincorporated areas because the ten-year fire agreement with the County pays the City to provide fire protection services including inspections to those areas. Discussion ensued to the availability of a one-acre plot at Sand Key Park in the area of the former tollbooth. It was suggested this site could be used for a fire station. It was felt time is of the essence in pursuing this plot. There has been some opposition for a fire station at this site from a county employee who resides in the park. Member Herald said the Fire Department has spent time over the last few weeks trying to determine land costs associated with placement of the fire stations. A computer model indicated the ideal location for a fire station is in the area at the south end of the Sand Key Bridge, which also would facilitate response time to the South beach. The second choice would be the Coast Guard Station. The Sailing Center property and the old police station on South beach are distant third and fourth choices. Concern was expressed a fire station on the Sailing Center property would encroach on the number of parking spaces needed at the Center and would leave no room for Sailing Center expansion. It was noted the Coast Guard continues to express interest in a joint partnership with the City for a station at their facility. The major concern will be appeasing the nearby residents. Member Herald said if the Coast Guard considers entering into an agreement with the City, it would be for 5 years and reevaluate it afterward to determine if another 5-year agreement is appropriate. The Coast Guard would give up a number of parking spaces to allow for a connection between the existing housing portion of that facility over to the adjacent city-owned property. Relocation of pipes would allow for a small fire station far enough removed from Bayside Gardens to be acceptable to residents. Consensus was for staff to suggest to the City Manager that consideration be given to obtaining the one-acre plot at the Sand Key Park to be used as a site for a fire station. ITEM 3 – Discuss Alternative Funding Sources for Fire Department Five-Year Plan Budget Director Tina Wilson noted that Finance Director Margie Simmons had prepared the financial data and was to make the presentation, however, was unable to do so. Ms. Wilson gave an update of the millage data for residential properties with assessed value from $25,000 - $250,000 in $25,000 increments; discussed the basic finances of the City; presented a recap of proposed expenditures for land and buildings, engine/vehicles, equipment/furnishings, personnel and other operating expenses; funding options for the proposed 5-year fire department plan; and additional revenues anticipated from fire inspection fees and how they will affect the bottom line of net costs to be paid from the General Fund. She stressed that all figures are estimates. It was noted the building/land figures do not include land acquisition costs. No exemptions for commercial or institutional properties or revenue from the County were included in the fire fee data provided. Discussion ensued regarding the impacts of purchasing land, buildings, and equipment with Penny for Pinellas dollars and other items being paid for from the General Fund. It appeared some of the data provided needed to be updated. As Ms. Wilson had not prepared the data, she said she will review it with the Finance Director and, if needed, will refine the data for the next meeting. The meeting recessed from 4:12 to 4:24 p.m. Member Herald noted at the end of the fifth year of the Fire Department 5-year plan, the obligation to the old Fireman’s Pension Relief Fund will be satisfied, freeing up just over $1 million. It was felt those funds may be a potential funding source for years past 2005. Discussion ensued regarding what entities and/or agencies might be exempted if a fire fee is imposed. It was remarked that it is improbable that a fire fee will be collected from other government entities and public schools. Ms. Wilson said the fire user fees proposed by the Fire Department are estimated to be $377,996 and would go into the General Fund to offset costs of the Fire Department, as do the revenues received from the County. Member Herald noted as compliance increases, revenue decreases. Fire Marshal Randy Hinder said the City currently charges for false alarms, burn and fireworks permits; the other fees being proposed are conceptual. He said the fee structures are based on City areas, not properties located in the County. He said the City must decide if it is practical to charge a permit fee in addition to a service fee. It was remarked the Fire Department should be entitled to a portion of the impact fees collected by the City. It was noted some fees in the General Fund are already allocated to the Fire Department. It was remarked the Fire Department’s budget is greatly impacted by commercial properties. Discussion ensued in regard to using Penny for Pinellas funds and it was indicated all options need to be considered and the need for members to reach a consensus on what is feasible. It was felt each member should present his views on funding options. It was remarked alternative funding sources other than a fire fee or property tax increase offer minimum revenue. It was also noted decisions must be made regarding related issues such as fire fee exemptions, etc. should a fire fee be recommended. ITEM 4 – Discuss Task Force Report and Commission Presentation Various formats used by previous Task Forces regarding recommendations presented to the City Commission were distributed to the members. ITEM 5 – Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.