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02/22/2000FIRE TASK FORCE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 22, 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 George Krause Task Force Member John Lee Task Force Member Scott Nall Task Force Member – arrived 3:55 p.m. Bill Schwob Task Force Member Duke Tieman Task Force Member Doug Williams Task Force Member Absent: William Sherman Task Force Member Jean Stuart Task Force Alternate Also Present: Margie Simmons Finance Director Tina Wilson Budget Director Cyndie Goudeau City Clerk – arrived 3:15 p.m. Sue Diana Assistant City Clerk Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 2 – Revised Part I – Background/Needs Chair Horne noted the revised Part I draft is not complete. ITEM 3 – Review of Draft of Part II – Funding Recommendations The following information was distributed: 1) a summary draft of funding recommendations provided by Budget Director Tina Wilson; 2) a fire assessment fee analysis; and 3) a draft from Member Evich regarding funding recommendations. Member Evich said his draft is a guideline for a suggested report format. He felt other issues needed to be addressed such as whether the fire station on the beach should be moved farther south as opposed to building a new station on Sand Key. He felt as the introduction of the report does not discuss specific numbers, a summary of the operating aspects are needed. Discussion ensued regarding the level of detail necessary for the report. It was noted that at the last meeting, it was agreed that Part I should have more substance. It was suggested that Part II include appropriate documentation without addressing all the issues in great detail. Budget Director Tina Wilson said as Part I was basically an introduction, the summary draft she provided for Part II generalizes annual funding requirements, staffing, annual plan needs by type for each station. It was noted that ladder trucks and engines and the Main Station were not included in the summary. Ms. Wilson said an item may have been overlooked and not listed in the summary document. The document also briefly discusses alternative funding sources reviewed by the Task Force, addresses issues as reflected in the meeting minutes, impacts on residential homeowners and commercial property owners, and impacts on the General Fund. It was suggested merging Mr. Evich’s information with Ms. Wilson’s and using her report format. As lack of detail is felt to be a deterrent in making an informed decision, it was suggested placing emphasis on the needs of the Fire Department and including a detailed description in the funding portion of the report. It was suggested using exhibits to provide detail for statements in the main report to avoid complicating it. It was suggested the recommendation to use Penny for Pinellas funds include a capital analysis and a statement that explains that the information does not refer to items already in the budget. Discussion ensued in regard to items in the current program budget and current funding. It was suggested to identify the total budget necessary to accomplish a certain level of service for the five-year period, of which there are dollars already budgeted. It was also suggested to include an explanation of those items not budgeted and the additional requirements necessary to meet the total capital budget along with a statement indicating the Task Force’s recommendation to obtain funds for capital items from Penny for Pinellas and the balance from ad valorem taxes. Discussion ensued regarding management’s request that more definitive recommendations be made to the Commission. It was suggested as Penny for Pinellas dollars already have been prioritized, the Task Force should suggest which items on the list should be moved down in order to meet the Fire Department’s needs. One suggestion was made to deduct 10% from each of the top five Penny for Pinellas projects, which relate to streetscapes, beautification, corridor enhancement, etc. Ms. Wilson remarked if 10% was cut from some projects, those facilities/projects may not be viable. Discussion ensued in regard to the Task Force already having validated the Fire Department’s needs and making a recommendation to use Pinellas for Pinellas dollars for capital items and the balance coming from ad valorem taxes. It was felt the administration has the responsibility to determine which projects on the Penny for Pinellas list should be reprioritized as they have the details of each program. It was remarked that many variables such as the partnership with the Coast Guard, the Clearwater Mall development, etc. also make it difficult for the Task Force to recommend how to prioritize those funds. It was suggested the City Manager make that decision. It was agreed that health and safety is of higher priority than quality of life. It was remarked that if the Commission is to reprioritize the Penny for Pinellas list, it may be necessary to start the entire allocation process over from the beginning in order to obtain enough funding for the Fire Department. It was suggested massaging the Penny for Pinellas list appropriately to obtain the necessary funds. It was remarked that comments from the public to Task Force Members have indicated the public is astonished the City has never allocated any funds from Pinellas for Pinellas towards the Fire Department’s health and safety needs. It was remarked the Fire Department is the only 100% emergency organization in the City and these facts should be emphasized in the report. In response to a question, Ms. Wilson indicated Assistant City Manager Bob Keller would be able to comment on projects included in the $5 million Penny funds for economic redevelopment and assessment. Consensus was to include the following language into the Task Force’s report: “In determining the level of Penny for Pinellas funds to meet the capital requirements of the Fire Department’s five-year plan, the Board feels that the health and safety needs of the community should be given the highest priority over all non-health and safety items.” This statement is intended to reaffirm the implied statement in Part I of the report. Discussion ensued regarding purchasing property in the area of the Sand Key Park. It was noted the City Manager did not approach the County regarding the Task Force’s suggestion to place a fire station in that area as it was felt an internal evaluation of city owned properties should be done. It was remarked the suggestion should be included in the report. It also was suggested the possible partnership with the Coast Guard station, the Clearwater Mall development, land costs, and any other open issues be included in the report. It was noted the Task Force previously recommended that the General Fund provide for the balance of the Fire Department’s five-year plan with special consideration to the reduction of nonessential services and/or raising additional revenue. It was indicated that statement was intended to convey that theTask Force finds it necessary to fund the operational requirements of the Fire Department. It was noted that it also indicates a preference to obtain any funds through other available means to minimize a millage increase. It was remarked the City must consider revenues that can be obtained from cuts in nonessential services. The Task Force is not suggesting taxes be raised dollar for dollar for the balance of funds not obtained from Penny for Pinellas. It was remarked that reprioritizing the General Fund is another option. It was noted the Task Force’s recommendation against a fire fee was not unanimous. It was indicated a fire fee may be a necessary solution sometime in the future, but for the short term would require a vast educational effort and would not withstand the political pressures if implemented now. It was requested to include in the report the legality, exemptions and timely implementation related to a fire fee. ITEM 5– Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.