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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE December 2, 1996 5 :40 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Chairperson Collier, Getty, Krizek. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. Moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty that the request of the Fire Chief for authorization to promote Michael Whalen to the position of Battalion Chief due to the retirement of Battalion Chief Dennis Moore, Steve Weliver to the position of Lieutenant to replace Captain Michael Whalen, and Cole Southworth and Jeff Cuttsforth to the position of Fire Engineer be approved. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the request of the Fire Chief for authorization to prepare specifications for a new Telesquirt be approved. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty that the meeting be adjourned at 5 :45 p.m. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE November 18, 1996 5 : 10 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Chairperson Collier, Getty, Krizek. Moved by Krizek, seconded by Collier that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the request of the Fire Chief for authorization to promote Stan Mingus to the position of Medical Coordinator be approved. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the meeting be adjourned at 5 :25 p.m. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE October 21, 1996 5 : 00 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Getty, Krizek. Members absent : Collier. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes : Two. Motion carried. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the request of the Fire Chief for authorization to dismount the Telesquirt of Engine #304 at a cost of $2, 400 be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the request of the Fire Chief for authorization to replace the current water tank on #304 - upgrading from a 500 tank to a 1, 000 gallon tank with two fire fighting foam compartments within the 1, 000 gallon tank at a cost of $7, 500 be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the request of the Fire Chief for authorization to purchase a foam pumping system for #304 at a cost of $4, 500 be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the meeting be adjourned at 5 :10 p.m. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE October 17, 1996 3 : 00 p.m. it First Floor Conference Room Members present : Chairperson Collier, Getty, Krizek. Also present : Mayor Rooff, Fire Chief Magsamen. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. Chairperson Collier provided a list of items for Chief Magsamen to discuss with the Public Safety Committee and Mayor Rooff. The list includes the Airport, Haz Mat Center, Fire Stations Five and Six, emergency calls breakdown, equipment, appointments, pay increases and Cedar Falls response . Mayor Rooff asked what could be done with staffing levels if the Airport Station is shut down by Waterloo Fire Rescue and let the Airport staff handle airport rescue operations. Chief Magsamen responded that he wouldn' t recommend removing professional firefighters from the Airport as part of a reorganization. The cost savings to the Airport would be minimized as they would have to hire replacement personnel and train them in crash fire response techniques . Getty asked how many calls were handled by the Airport Fire Station. Magsamen responded that there were 214 responses by the station for various calls for service. The types of calls include handling fuel spills and emergency response to aircraft . Getty then expressed that he had a problem with the fact that there are three firefighters on duty which are unable to respond to any calls beyond the southside of the railroad tracks by the Airport . He asked what other duties the firefighters perform while on duty. Magsamen reported that the firefighters do equipment maintenance, tours of the airport and training drills. Mayor Rooff asked how many firefighters are needed to cover one full-time position on a 24 hour tour of duty. Magsamen stated that with replacement needs for paid time off, five fire fighters are needed to staff one full-time position on station assignment . The current station staff assignments are as follows : Station 1 - 29 administrators 11 firefighting or paramedic positions Station 8 - 5 positions Station 4 - 5 positions Station 5 - 3 positions Station 3 - 3 positions Station 6 - 3 positions Airport - 1 position Each shift is assigned thirty to thirty-five persons with an average of six people gone on paid time off each day. The Haz Mat Center operates with two full-time employees and additional instructors as needed. Mayor Rooff asked if the Hunt-Wesson development project would affect the city wide placement of stations . Magsamen is confident that Waterloo Fire Rescue could maintain a four minute response time from the Ansborough Avenue or Donald Street stations . Mayor Rooff asked why station one has more emergency response calls that any other station? Magsamen pointed out that it is because station one has the greatest number of equipment pieces and various response units which include an engine, ambulance, rescue unit, aerial and the battalion chief' s vehicle. There are various other cars and pickups available for staff use also located at station one. Public Safety Committee October 17, 1996 Page 2 Mayor Rooff provided the committee with copies of the most recent capital needs list as prepared by Waterloo Fire Rescue. They include a 1 . 5 Million dollar investment to purchase new equipment, open station six and move station five . Mayor Rooff asked if there is any way possible to open station six with the current staff of one hundred four firefighters . Magsamen responded that his staff has investigated many scenarios but to open station six, staff would have to be reduced at another fire station. Collier inquired whether it would be possible to take staff from station one and move them to six. Magsamen identified that equipment would have to be moved to another location for that to happen. Currently station one does have a high level of response calls. Stations one, eight and four make up the majority of service calls because of the medic units assigned to each station. Mayor Rooff questioned the staffing needs to open six with just a medic unit assigned there. Magsamen reported that a minimum of seven employees would be needed for just a medic unit . Conversely, a total of ten would be needed if an engine company and medic unit is assigned. Getty stated the opinion that only a medic unit should operate from station six but if the numbers of the chief bear out and you need seven personnel to handle the ambulance versus ten to handle the ambulance and an engine then you might as well fully staff it . Getty asked if the transfer of personnel from station five to the Haz Mat Center would require the same number of staff on duty as the station. Magsamen stated that the staffing requirements would be the same because the instructors aren' t assigned as first responders but they could be used in an extreme emergency. However the instructors also need to be responsive to their paying customers . Getty stated that after looking at where the stations and equipment are laid out he feels the City of Waterloo has excellent coverage and response times . For example, he has heard that the gym fire at Price Lab had a Waterloo engine on the scene twenty minutes after the Cedar Falls units arrived but still within thirty minutes of the alarm. The Waterloo engine was still the first to put water on the fire . Mayor Rooff indicated that, after meeting with the administration in Cedar Falls, they have stated that they won' t feel ready to talk for five years. Cedar Falls is focused on the need to increase its fire protection services with a decreasing fund availability. It is the intention of Cedar Falls to renew their efforts to utilize a volunteer force. Krizek asked "Even if the O.K. were given today to open station six, how long before it would be operational?" Magsamen reported that it will take approximately three months. Magsamen also reported that future employees for Fire Rescue will be required to have EMT training or to enroll in it at the employee' s cost . In the future it is hoped that an EMT certification will be a condition of employment . Mayor Rooff questioned the ability to regionalize the ambulance system, so that calls would be tiered with Fire handling 911 calls and cot or transfer calls transmitted to the hospital companies. Rooff asked that the possibility be analyzed to identify any savings . Fire Chief Magsamen reported on his response to the meeting with Cedar Falls. The Chief anticipated that there would have been more open communication from Cedar Falls on the possibility of alleviating their problems with response times through the cooperation of manpower and equipment between jurisdictions . But it is evident that Cedar Falls doesn' t wish to pursue efforts in Public Safety Committee October 17, 1996 Page 3 those directions. Mayor Rooff stated that if the Chief can make a case to open station six and convince this committee also, then the next step would be to find funding and to identify a timeline. Krizek asked if the committee would be in order to proceed with a 1 motion to open station six if money can be found. Getty responded that he needs to review the statistics more and to get the facts and figures clear before moving forward. Moved by Getty, seconded by Collier to schedule another Public Safety meeting two weeks from Monday for further discussion. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. Magsamen reported that he is recommending the appointment of Larry McKinney to Fire Lieutenant, Brett Bredman to Fire Engineer, Dave Boesen to Fire Inspector and an appointment to the Medical Quality Assurance Officer. The committee indicated it' s consensus to support the personnel appointments which Fire Chief Magsamen has indicated Getty stated that he feels that a bill should be sent to Cedar Falls for the police assistance Waterloo provided during the riot since they are reluctant to become collaborators on other efforts . Collier agreed with Getty' s suggestion. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Collier to adjourn the meeting at 4 :25 p.m. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE October 7, 1996 5 :30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Chairperson Collier, Getty, Krizek. Moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. The request of the Police Chief for authorization to purchase ASP 21 telescoping batons was reviewed. The Police Chief is requesting formal permission to change the impact weapon from the current PR- 24 side handle baton to the ASP 21 telescoping baton and authorization to seek bids for 110 ASP 21 batons and 110 breakaway carrying cases along with bids for sale or trade-in of existing PR- 24 batons . Funds for the estimated $7, 000 cost of this conversion are available in the $78, 000 federal Law Enforcement Formal Block Grant which has not yet been received. Councilperson Getty stated that he would approve this request when the funding is received. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that said request be approved and forwarded to the Finance Committee with recommendation of approval . Ayes : Three. Motion carried. The request of the Fire Chief for authorization to seek proposals to repair or replace Medic Unit #331 was reviewed. The medical unit is a 1992 model and has high mileage. It was recently involved in a motor vehicle accident and incurred extensive damage. as a result of the accident . Currently, the preliminary estimated repair cost would be between $20, 000 to $30, 000 . At this point the option of whether to replace the vehicle completely or repair it needs to be examined. Councilperson Krizek questioned if there would be a reduced cost if multiple units are purchased. Fire Chief Magsamen reported that there could be a savings in the engineering and specification costs if multiple units were ordered a the same time . Fire Chief Magsamen stated that he was still concerned about the need to replace the 1989 ambulance under the capital improvements program. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that said request be approved. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty that the meeting be adjourned at 5 :45 p.m. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE September 23 , 1996 5 :30 p.m Large Conference Room Members present : Getty, Krizek. Members absent : Collier. Moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty to approve the agenda, as proposed. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. The request to enter into an agreement with the University of Northern Iowa for four labor management workshops was reviewed. The total cost for the workshops is $6, 430 with an in-kind contribution from the UNI Management and Professional Development Center reducing the out of pocket costs. An additional grant from the Iowa State Labor Management Cooperation Council Workforce Development Center in the amount of $2, 000 . 00 was also received. The remaining $2, 605 fee has been found in the training budget revenue from non-department members course reimbursement and the regular department training budget . Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to approve the request to enter into an agreement with the University of Northern Iowa for four training workshops. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to adjourn the meeting at 5 :35 p.m. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE September 9, 1996 5 :35 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Chairperson Collier, Getty, Krizek. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the request of the Fire Chief for authorization to hire one firefighter to fill vacancy created by retirement of Battalion Chief Cook be approved. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Collier that the meeting be adjourned at 5 :46 p.m. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE August 19, 1996 5 : 10 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Getty, Krizek. Members absent : Collier. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. The request of the Fire Chief for authorization to test for the position of Battalion Chief and Captain was reviewed. The current Civil Service list for these two positions has expired. A vacancy for Battalion Chief will occur with the planned retirement of Battalion Chief Dennis Moore at the end of 1996 . There are no vacancies planned in the next year for the Captain' s position, but the Civil Service list is used for Lieutenants to fill in when the Captain is working as a shift commander or is off on personal time. Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that said request be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. The request of the Fire Chief for authorization to hire one firefighter to fill a current vacancy was reviewed. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Battalion Chief Cook effective July 2, 1996 . Councilperson Getty stated that he would like a meeting on opening Fire Station #6 before action is taken on this request . Moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to table to a future Public Safety Committee meeting. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Fire Chief Frank Magsamen updated the committee on the design and construction of the memorial . With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the meeting be adjourned at 5 : 20 p.m. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE August 5, 1996 Large Conference Room Members present : Chairperson Collier, Getty. Members absent : Krizek. Moved by Getty, seconded by Collier that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Krizek. Motion carried. The request of the Fire Chief for authorization to proceed with building a pump test pit to be located at the Hazardous Material Regional Training Center was reviewed. The Fire Department would do the construction of the project . Costs would be for materials such as concrete, wall forms, manhole covers, and dry hydrant systems. The pump testing facility will also serve as a confined space training structure. The pump testing pit will be ten foot deep, twelve foot long and ten foot wide with an attached seven foot 24" diameter tube that ties into a 48" manhole . Estimated cost for materials is $6, 000, and the project will be funded through the general obligation bonds. Moved by Getty, seconded by Collier that said request be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Krizek. Motion carried. The request of the Fire Chief for authorization to seek bids for replacement of ten overhead doors at various fire station locations was reviewed. Estimated cost is $25, 000, and funding will be provided by capital improvements general obligation bonds . Moved by Getty, seconded by Collier that said request be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Krizek. Motion carried. The request of the Fire Chief for authorization to seek requests for proposals for a traffic light signal system that gives fire emergency response vehicles an automatic green light was reviewed. A light beam is transmitted from the emergency response vehicles to the receiver on specific traffic light poles . This enables emergency vehicles in congested areas of the city to move with little delay through intersections by allowing traffic to move out ahead when the traffic light is turned green at the appropriate timing. The controls will be installed on all emergency fire department vehicles . Numerous intersections in the Crossroads area and University Avenue corridor have been targeted for this automatic signal control . The system will be funded through general obligation bonds with $50, 000 allocated for the project . All new traffic signals will be specified in the future with control heads that will be part of the emergency traffic control system. Moved by Getty, seconded by Collier that said request be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Krizek. Motion carried. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Collier that the meeting be adjourned at 5 : 12 p.m. Ayes : Two. Absent : Krizek. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE August 8, 1996 2 :30 p.m. First Floor Conference Room Members present : Mayor Rooff, Getty, Krizek. Members absent : Collier. It was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff asked for discussion of the memorandum provided by Fire Chief Magsamen requesting new equipment for the Fire Department . Magsamen has recommended that five pieces of fire equipment be replaced. Two ambulances should be replaced and three fire engines should be replaced with telesquirt units . The three pieces are currently reserve units and would be traded in for Pierce telesquirt units, one with a refurbished telesquirter installed. It is estimated that the refurbished telesquirter would result in $100, 000 savings over new equipment . Total cost estimates to replace all three fire apparatus is $875, 000 . The ambulances are proposed to be replaced at a cost of $185, 000 each in a lease purchase program. The committee discussed the need to evaluate scheduling of this purchase with the five year capital equipment program already established. Mayor Rooff also reported that several meetings have been held with local hospitals to determine the need for emergency services in the community. Covenant has recently acquired the Sartori ambulance service and is contracting with the Consolidated Dispatch Center for dispatching services . There will be questions about the viability of continuing to provide public emergency ambulance services for the community. Councilperson Getty reported that he has concerns about the Pierce Manufacturing specifications for new fire equipment . He understands that there are problems with fire fighters being able to reach hose on the truck without a ladder and the equipment with ladders installed won' t fit in our current station doors . He has also been told that the hoods can' t be lifted inside the station so all maintenance work will need to be done outside, even during the winter months. It was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to table the purchase of new equipment until another meeting can be set up with members of the committee, the Fire Chief and the Finance Manager to discuss finances and equipment specifications. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Getty requested that the Fire Chief provide an update on the status of discussions with the City of Cedar Falls regarding station placement in the metro area. If no resolution can be made to a metro wide station design then it is felt that opening Station Six should proceed. Krizek recommended that a joint meeting be set up with the two city councils and fire staff to make a presentation on the FLAME software analysis to both councils . Mayor Rooff stated that a response should be confirmed within a sixty day period after the meeting to achieve closure on this subject . Getty also recommended that further consideration be given to moving station five to the Hazardous Materials Training center with the new development at the Northeast Industrial site . The request of the Police Chief for funding of two officers from a Universal Hiring grant was discussed. Funding would require a $10, 000 match per employee and then full funding by the General Fund after three years . The council is hesitant to enter into any more hiring grants for permanent positions from grant funds . It was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to table the request until another meeting can be set up for the Public Safety Committee. Ayes: Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. It was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to adjourn the meeting at 3 : 08 p.m. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE June 13 , 1996 3 : 00 p.m. First Floor Conference Room Members present : Getty, Krizek. Members absent : Collier. Also present : Mayor Rooff, Police Chief Koehrsen and Fire Chief Magsamen. Moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. The findings, recommendations and report of the Waterloo Operational Review Committee were discussed. Police Chief Koehrsen stated that he agreed with all the items in the report regarding his department . The Teamsters Union has formally agreed to allow officers to work the front counter and the Clerk I' s and Clerk II' s will no longer have to wear uniforms . The Chief informed the committee that Sergeant Karlton Dyke' s position will be eliminated and that the Civil Service process has been initiated for a Fiscal Specialist . A sergeant will be retiring on January 1, 1997 and the property position will be held by a civilian. The number of sworn officers will go from 127 to 125 and the number of civilians will go from 10 to 12 . Councilperson Getty recommended that the Police Department accept the report, that the Records/Computer Manager position not be eliminated, and that the Police Department portion of the report be closed. Councilperson Krizek concurred with the recommendation. Mayor Rooff stated that he and Fire Chief Frank Magsamen have gone through the report again. The Chief is meeting with Cedar Falls discussing areas that could be shared by both fire departments . Chief Magsamen stated that some of the areas that could be shared are response and training. Areas of concern include : labor contracts, tax base, funding, shared equipment and building and fire codes . Until the issue of a regional fire rescue are resolved, no decision can be made on the issue of stations 6, 5 and 8 . The Chief stated that within 30 days a presentation could be made to the councils . The Fire Department agreed to the following issues : 1 . Discussions to be held with interested parties in an earnest attempt to explore the advantages of regional cooperation and partnership for fire rescue. 2 . Placement of stations issues (6, 5, 8) will not be resolved until the success\failure of the regional concept is determined. 3 . Rental inspections to be done by dedicated staff exclusive of engine company with the addition or a currently existing housing inspector. 4 . Registration of rental property to protect the tenants and insure prompt accurate safety inspections . 5 . Engine companies to do the inspections of commercial, public buildings, schools and hospitals in their coverage area. 6 . One authority for all types of safety inspections to be under the direction of the Fire Chief. 7 . Concerted effort to work with commercial inspectors with a goal of uniform forms and inspection that may have duel uses . 8 . The Waterloo Airport Commission must fully fund the entire cost of airport operations, it is critical for fire\rescue to identify exact costs . 9 . Leadership training with sunset provision. 10 . No predetermined waiting time in vacancies and promotions. Public Safety Committee June 13, 1996 Page 2 11 . Welcome retired individuals for a variety of items to include public relations . The ORC Committee was particularly interested in this possibility in connection with area schools for emphasis on things citizens can do such as smoke detectors and observation. The ORC thinks that a public relations individual from retirement would be of great service. 12 . Coordinated training. 13 . All new employees of Fire Rescue to be trained for medic\fire. 14 . Work with all local hospitals, as has been the case, to make sure that services and supplies are most properly utilized. Chief Magsamen stated that meetings are currently underway. 15 . The OCR Committee recommended fewer management and more fire\rescue personnel and to eliminate some of the reporting structure. They recommend more direct reporting and responsibility and the elevation of the rank of lieutenant to direct responsibility for station performance, training, maintenance, housekeeping and scheduling. The Chief is agreeable to some change of the structure of supervision and reviewed an updated organization chart . Items of differences are as follows : 1 . The privatization of the Regional Training Center. The Fire Department disagrees with this recommendation. Mayor Rooff stated that the Finance Team will review the center and look at it in a business perspective . Chief Magsamen responded that paying employees overtime rate is lower than hiring a contractor. 2 . All work by hourly employees should be scheduled and completed during shifts and not taken home . Chief Magsamen reported that no hourly employees have been asked to take work home. 3 . Elimination of user fees . Magsamen questioned how the revenue will be replaced. These are the final issues . 1 . User fees . 2 . Regional Training Center. 3 . Organizational structure. 4 . Combing Waterloo and Cedar Falls Fire Departments. 5 . Fire & EMS 6 . Stations 6, 5, and 8 . 7 . Combining inspections. Mayor Rooff recommended that no decision be made on the final issues for 30 days . Chief Magsamen will schedule the next meeting of the Public Safety Committee after he has met with Cedar Falls . With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the meeting be adjourned at 3 : 58 p.m. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE April 29, 1996 3 : 30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Mayor Rooff, Getty, Krizek. Members absent : Collier. It was moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff explained that he met with each department regarding the operational review committee report . The fire department staff went through each issue with the following responses : Recommendation #1 - Station Locations - The fire department has utilized the FLAME software in conjunction with the city of Cedar Falls . The resulting analysis made a case for the fire department to open Station #6 . An alternative would be to move Station 8 to a location at W. 9th St and Ridgeway Avenue. If Station #5 is moved to the Hazardous Materials Training Center and Station #6 & 8 are opened the department would achieve an optimal response time. This would be a twenty-two percent improvement in coverage. Mayor Rooff indicated that before a decision on the placement of Waterloo stations are made, we need to know what Cedar Falls will do. FLAME shows that a total of seven stations are needed to cover the metro area regionally. The EMS system also needs to be evaluated by FLAME. Recommendation #2 - Privatize Hazardous Materials Training Center - The fire department opposes the privatization of this valuable asset . The federal government supported the two million dollar investment to provide a facility for low cost training. The department agrees that there needs to be a financial analysis of the profitability of the center. The true picture needs to look at the costs of employees and training, capital expense support and the return on investment . The finance department is implementing a cash management system and this should be used at the training center. The fire department agrees with the need for a financial analysis and the development of a five year plan but feels it should remain under the control of the fire department . Recommendation #5 - Inspections -The department will be looking at cities which have consolidated inspection services . Ames, Duluth, and Elgin are models which can be used for implementation. Recommendation #6 - Fees - The fire department feels insurance should pay for the service provided under its coverage. The ambulance system needs to be looked at in a community process . Revenues should go to the general fund and a business plan needs to be developed. Recommendation #7 - Airport Fire Station - There is a need to coordinate building maintenance services throughout the city. There is a question of the valid certification of CFR for maintenance costs . Recommendation #8 - Structure Reorganization - The recommendation is to flatten the administration by eliminating the assistant chief and captain' s positions. The fire chief is recommending that the number of captains be reduced from five to three but the administrative staff is needed to direct command operations . The police department discussed the following recommendations with the Mayor: Recommendation #1 - Flatten Organization - The police chief has concurred and implemented the elimination of the assistant chief' s position by adding a captain to the administrative services Public Safety Committee April 29, 1996 Page 2 section. The recommendation to eliminate the computer systems manager would cause problems for the department in the migration from mainframe systems to a PC network systems . There is a plan to eliminate the sworn officer from the financial section and to replace it with a civilian which may allow the addition of one clerk' s position by transfer. The chief has had discussions with the clerk' s bargaining unit regarding officers working at the front counter. Recommendation G - Command Staff on the Streets - The police department is working on a rotation to allow command staff to be active on the street . Recommendation I - Provide Advancement and Training Opportunities - The committee raised concerns about the need to provide advancement opportunities to employees to ensure that retirements don' t deplete the experience needed to command the police department . The police chief does feel this recommendation creates a conflict with the need to flatten the administration but the creation of the new captain' s position will allow for advancement . Recommendation J - Consolidation of Finance & Computer Operations - The police department is working with the finance department and information services to provide a network hookup for sharing information. Payroll timeclocks are anticipated to be installed during the next fiscal year to alleviate the manual bookkeeping officers are doing now. With no further discussion on the operational plan review it was moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty to adjourn the meeting at 4 : 30 p.m. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE April 18, 1996 3 : 00 p.m. First Floor Conference Room Members present : Chairperson Collier, Krizek, Getty. Also present : Bob Fahr, Teresa Hoffman. It was moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. The Operation Review Committee and Public Safety Committee resumed the review of the recommendations for the Hazardous Materials Training Center. Bob Fahr stated that the major opposition of the operational review committee is to user fees and especially the establishment of new fees to visitors to the city. The committee feels that the city' s tax dollars should pay for services without additional user fees as an added tax. Citizens need to pay fewer taxes and any fees collected by the departments should be forwarded to a trust fund for the entire city and not to a department . Fire Chief Magsamen stated that everyone should pay for the use of services provided by the city. The taxpayers will bear the burden if insurance companies are not asked to pay their share . Brett Bredman reported that the fees aren' t based on any profit margin but are based solely on the need to cover actual costs . Most revenue collected in the fire department is based on insurance dollar collections and not out of the taxpayers' pockets . Fahr expressed the need to look at whether there is an opportunity to privatize services and remove it from the taxpayer' s burden. Magsamen explained that the ambulance service was started because of the training fire personnel has and their access and strategic locations . Ambulance service is best located within a fire department in the public sector as a needed public service . Hoffman agreed with Chief Magsamen and stated that after their review she feels the ambulance service is an asset to the city. Collier now present at 3 :20 p.m. Chief Magsamen reviewed the fire department' s response to the recommendation to privatize the hazardous materials training center. He explained that the federal grant was received for the purpose of establishing a low cost training facility to public sector employees . The privatization of the center would jeopardize the ability to provide a low cost service. Hoffman suggested that professional educators and business administrators would benefit the program. Fahr recommended that it should be run as a stand alone business and should have a separate board of directors . The practice of hiring instructors at time and a half pay is a bad business practice. The city should pay salaries based on the actual value of the service not because FLSA requirements dictate time and a half is required. If the program was set up as a separate business it may be able to use the trained instructors but avoid problems with FLSA. Fahr also pointed out that the business revenue should then be used to benefit the whole city and not just the fire department . He pointed out that the assistant chief is splitting his time fifty-fifty at the training center and he should be used full time in the department . The city should get a business manager to run the training center. Collier asked for a response to the suggestion of using outside educators . Magsamen explained that the advantage to using fire personnel is they are training in methods that the fire department develops and uses . Asst . Chief Duggan cautioned that full time educators can lose the edge that fire instructors who both teach and practice the curriculum have. Collier suggested that instructors would keep their edge by going to fires as observers. Public Safety Committee April 18, 1996 Page 2 Getty stated that with the information from the operational review committee has provided the Fire and Police departments would be looked at by the public safety committee. The public safety committee would be making recommendations on actions which need to be taken in response to the operational review findings. Magsamen stated that after the discussions he feels the fire department is working in the same direction as the operational review committee is recommending. Councilperson Collier thanked the committee members for their commitment to the city and the time spent on this project . Collier suggested that the public safety committee come together and address the issues one by one. Mayor Rooff asked Chief Magsamen to review the progress of the consolidation of fire services with Cedar Falls. Magsamen reported that Cedar Falls Fire is making the recommendation to build a third station and to purchase a platform truck to their council this evening. With no further discussion on the matter it was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to adjourn the meeting at 3 :55 p.m. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE April 1, 1996 3 :30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Getty, Krizek. Members absent : Collier. Also present : Theresa Hoffman, Art Helium and Bob Fahr. Moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Meetings will be held with the Operational Review Committee for one hour for four or five weeks starting on Thursday, April 18, 1996 at 3 : 00 p.m. to discuss their findings, recommendations and report . Fire Chief Magsamen stated that the Fire Department is receptive to discussing joint merger/regionalization of fire departments . They have a meeting scheduled with Cedar Falls to discuss this issue . There is a potential for a county-wide system. The Fire Chief reviewed maps of the location of the fire stations and the costs to move them. He stated that the report would like Station 6 to be placed in a location which would provide better coverage . The Fire Department feels that Station 6 is in a good location now but could be enhanced if a working relationship is established with Cedar Falls. The Operational Review Committee would like to focus on regionalization at this time and does not wish to address the issue of location of the stations until regionalization and combining/merging of fire departments is discussed with other entities . Councilperson Krizek stated that it would be more cost effective to move Station 5 to the Regional Training Center. The Chief agreed with the report that there should be a dedicated staff for rental housing inspection. Life Safety inspections will be done by the engine company this spring. We need to continue to improve housing stock whether rental or owned. It is a goal of the department to have uniform inspections . Mr. Fahr stated that there should be one stop inspection/permits and plan review should be first . The Chief agrees that the Airport Commission must fund airport fire rescue personnel . The Fire Department does the training and there is no reimbursement for personnel and benefits. Mr. Fahr stated that any costs associated with training should be borne by the airport . Fire Chief Magsamen does support leadership training. The Fire Department is looking for grant funding to cover cost for UNI leadership course . The Chief also supports the idea of utilizing retirees for public relations, particularly in schools and fire prevention. The report suggests that all new employees be trained for fire and medical emergencies . The Chief stated that all new employees must have EMT training within the first year of employment . In answer to the report' s suggestion that assistant chief and captain positions be phased out, the Chief stated that captains are utilized when shift commanders are absent . The Operational Review Committee feels that lieutenants are very highly trained and should have more responsibility, and that the Fire Department is top heavy with too many layers of management . Lieutenants could be managers of subhouses . Clerical responsibilities need to be identified and free up the administrators . Chief Magsamen stated that the captain positions need to be maintained. Public Safety Committee April 1, 1996 Page 2 Discussion was heard regarding non-exempt employees taking work home with them. The Chief stated that non-exempt employees are never asked to take work home, and if they do so they are doing it on their own. Mr. Hellum stated that non-exempt employees need to be informed not to take work home with them and that all tasks should be done during the working shift . Regarding the Operational Review Committee strongly opposing the use of user fees, the Fire Chief recommended that the issue be discussed with the council as they are the policy makers. User fees identify businesses using the services versus the taxpayers . User fees are included in the fire department' s budget . The Review Committee recommends that the user fees not be increased or any new user fees implemented. They would like the council to put all user fees into a trust fund for the citizens. The Regional Training Center was reviewed by Chief Magsamen. Chief Magsamen stated that the center was established through a grant to provide low cost training for public and private citizens . The center would not be in operation today if not for staff, congressional representatives and FEMA. The center is used by industries for low cost training and it assists fire fighters and businesses . If the center is privatized costs will increase and there will be less federal dollars to supplement training. The Regional Training Center will be further discussed at the next meeting. It was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek that the meeting be adjourned at 4 :42 p.m. Aye : Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk Public Safety Committee March 18, 1996 4 :30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Chairperson Collier, Getty, Krizek Also present : Mayor Rooff, Bob Fahr, Teresa Hoffman, Art Hellum It was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes: Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Fire Chief Magsamen requested the purchase of communications equipment for the Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue Team. The communications kit would provide two additional face mask sets and 100 foot lengths of cable at a cost of $7, 356 . 00 plus shipping charges. Con Space was the only bid solicited as no other company provides hard wired communications equipment of this caliber. The hard wired equipment is preferable for safety reasons, complies with OSHA' s confined space regulations and will not interfere with gas detection devices. It was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to approve the purchase of communications equipment in an amount not to exceed $7, 375 .00 for Con Space Kit #2 from Mid-Continent Fire & Safety. Ayes: Two. Absent : Collier. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff initiated the discussion of the operational review committee findings by stating that he promised the operational review committee that all of their recommendations would be reviewed by the Public Safety Committee and full council for action. The council would report back to the operational review committee with justification for any recommendation not implemented. Mayor Rooff stated that the police department is primarily through the review and has entered the implementation stages of the report' s findings. Fire Chief Magsamen has provided documentation for action on many issues but some unresolved areas remain at this time. Consolidation of fire services with Cedar Falls will remain an open issue until Cedar Falls has settled their upcoming interest arbitration. The Hazardous Materials Center is under going analysis. Due to time constraints it was determined that the Police Chief would review his responses to the operational review report and then further meetings would be set up for the Fire Chief' s responses. Chairperson Collier now present at 4 :45 p.m. Police Chief Koehrsen stated that there was only one item which his review team felt unable to implement. The review team did not feel it was possible to eliminate the position of Computer/Records Manager. The Chief is concerned about the loss of a supervisor for the records section clerical staff along with the need to complete the project of conversion from a mainframe environment in the police department to a wide area network of sixty-three personal computers. The operational review committee suggested that it would be more cost effective to hire a clerical supervisor who would assist with clerical duties in addition to supervisory functions and allow the city' s MIS department to provide technical support . The chief expressed his support of the idea to expand the records staff to cover the open counter hours from 8 : 00 a.m. to 11 :00 p.m. However it is felt that this would require two additional clerks for safety reasons which has not be budgeted for at this time. Bob Fahr suggested that it would be cheaper to install safety glass at the counter rather than hire another clerical employee with full benefits. Art Helium expressed the need for supervisory staff, specifically that Captains and Lieutenants be required to alternate weekends so that they may get out on the streets with the employees to understand the problems faced at all hours and days by police 11 xaa13 ATM uewbued uesns •paTaaeo uo-pow •aaagy : saki •w•d OE:S 1e buTlaew eql uanolpe oq uepaor Aq papuooes 'aaTTTo3 Aq penow seM qT uoTssnosTp aatpan3 ou gftM •aagpan3 gaodaa aoTlod an ssnosTp oq •w•d 00 : E qe 1118Z goaeL uo gaaw osTe T1TM Aga;es oTTgnd agy •3Teg auo pue anoq UP ATaleuTxoadde ao; 9661 '1 'Tidy uo qas seM suoTgepuawwooaa alp oq sasuodsaa s ,quawgaedap aaT3 aqp MaTnaa oq buTpaaw y •MaTnaa aaipan3 ao3 aaggTwwoo spunoab pue fiuTPTTnq pue aallTwwoo Aga;es oTTgnd agp oa paaaa3aa aaaM ATT1Toe3 Mau e 3o quawgsTZgegsa ao suoTgenouaa gbnoatp saagaenbpeaq aoTTod agp anoadwT oq suoTwepuawwooaa eta • TanaT wnwTuTw alp uTequTew oq 33o awns Auap ao TTeoaa oq kkTaoqpne age uaATb aq 33egs puewwoo pue paT3TquepT aq Tana' 33egs wnwTuTw e iegp spuawwooa1 aaggTwwoo agy •sabegaogs aanoo of saeoT33o Tleoaa oq 'TTTTge aTagf gnoge aansun aq oq wags Aagp saapuewwoo gogeM aqf gpTM suoTssnosTp a9g3e qegp paleoTpuT wnhTaH •aaggTwwoo MaTnaa alp Aq pesTea seM sagogez ao3 TanaT buT33egs aqp gnoge u1aouop •sageuTp.ogns goaaTp aTag1 ATuo puewwoo ao gTTM apTa 33egs luawabeuew pue oq paaagpe aq Tugs puewwoo 3o uTego age gegf pauaaouoo seM aq geq.4 pauTe1dxa qnq uoTpepuawwooaa aqq ggTM paaanouoo 3aTgo aoTTod aqy • Tauuosaad abed 9661 '81 goaeW aaggTwwop Aga3es DTTgnd Public Safety Committee February 12, 1996 4 : 30 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present : Chairperson Collier, Krizek, Getty It was moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty to approve the agenda as proposed. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. Chairperson Collier asked for the Police and Fire Chief' s reports on the establishment of implementation teams for the Operational Review Committee recommendations . Police Chief Koehrsen reported that the police implementation team would consist of himself, Captain Beener and Captain Helgesen. If a vacant captain position is filled, the appointed officer would join the implementation team. Fire Chief Magsamen reported that the fire implementation team would include Asst . Chief Duggan, Captain Whalen, Medical Supervisor Bredman, Lt . Powers and himself. It was moved by Getty, seconded by Collier to receive and file the implementation teams as recommended and requested that a meeting be set up for the public safety committee and operational review committee to jointly discuss the proposed recommendations . Ayes : Three. Motion carried. Police Chief Koehrsen reported to the committee that the three general obligation bond requests for improvements by the police department have been spread through the year 2001 . The three requests would cover jail and basement remodeling, a video incident capture system and a new impoundment building. The police chief stated his concern that the needs which were identified by the operational review committee are not going to be met under the current capital improvement plan. Councilperson Getty recommended that the public safety committee members tour the police and fire departments to review their capital improvement requests . It was moved by Krizek, seconded by Getty that a meeting be set one week from Thursday with the City Planner, Finance Manager, Administrative Director and the Police and Fire Chief to review the capital improvement requests. Ayes : Three . Motion carried. The police chief updated the committee on the status of moving police dispatchers to the consolidated dispatch center. Dispatchers are expected to be moved on February 25, 1996 . Previously approval was given to contract with Answer Iowa for answering services until a new phone system can be installed. Answer Iowa has raised concerns about accepting the liability for answering emergency calls. Koehrsen is proposing to use the US West voice mailbox system approved for the fire department in place of Answer Iowa. This should reduce the cost dramatically and still meet the needs of the department for non-emergency phone calls during the period in which clerical staff is unavailable . It was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to approve the request of the police chief to contract with US West for voice mailbox service . Ayes : Three. Motion carried. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Krizek to adjourn the meeting at 4 :45 p.m. Ayes : Three. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk