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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.19.2024 Council Work Session MinutesAugust 19, 2024 COUNCIL WORK SESSION Harold E. Getty Council Chambers Roll Call. Members present: Mayor Pro Tem Ray Feuss in the Chair. Mr. Boesen, Mr. Nichols, Ms. Creighton -Smith, Mr. Simon, and Mr. Feuss. Mr. Chiles entered the meeting at 4:50 and Ms. Wilder entered the meeting at 4:55. Agenda, as proposed or amended. Nichols/Chiles that the agenda as proposed, be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes of August 5, 2024, Council Work Session as proposed or amended. Nichols/Chiles that the minutes of the August 5, 2024, Council Work Session as proposed, be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Discussion of station -specific paging. Bill Beck, Fire Chief, addressed the council regarding plans for a station -specific paging system. Lt. John Keeler presented information regarding the current alerting system which alerts everything, all the time at all six stations. Lt. Keeler presented medical information regarding health issues associated with sleep deprivation and the health risks for emergency services employees if the current system is left in place. Lt. Keeler explained that the stand-alone systems are standard in the industry and the City of Waterloo is the only city with one or more fire houses that does not utilize the stand-alone alerting system that is station specific. John Eastman, Firefighter Engineer, explained that currently the six firehouses receive an average of 37 calls a day or 1.5 calls per hour, 24-hours a day, increasing at 5% per year. Eastman explained the adverse effects to shift/healthcare workers with delayed and disrupted sleep and that station specific alerting would protect the health of the fire service members by limiting sleep disruption. Eastman further explained the new system would filter the calls and alert to only the firehouse specific to the call therefore limiting the sleep disruption of the entire force. Eastman explained the financial benefits in the ability to recruit and retain the best applicants, reduce healthcare costs, and reduce exposure to other financial responsibilities from fewer accidents, injuries and disabilities due to sleep deprivation. Chief Beck reviewed financing options for the new system, $545,000.00 plus a yearly subscription fee of 11 %, approximately, $60,000.00. Mr. Boesen, questioned what installation costs would be for the city, where this would come from in the budget and if it was budgeted for this year. Chief beck explained installation costs would be more effective if city employees provided Page 1 of 2 installation and that he felt this could be paid through the GMT service fees as those revenues surpass annual expenses. Chief Beck responded they do not have the funds this year. Mr. Boesen suggests spreading it out over the years and a better outline of funding costs before it comes back to the council. The timeline is 180 days once the contract is signed. Steve Simon questioned when the current system was installed, how it is interfaced, and if it is expandable if they combine with Black Hawk County. Jason Morris, Service Manager Raacom, responded the current system was installed in 2017. Chief Beck explained the installment would be seamless with the new fiber and could be expanded in the future. John Chiles questioned why this wasn't done earlier. Nia Wilder thanked the crew for serving under these conditions and hopes to be able to help to solve the problem. Ray Feuss asked the chief to organize numbers to be provided to council to move forward towards council approval. ADJOURNMENT Wilder/Nichols that the council adjourn at 5:09 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. 7(e(Cey EeCcfi(e SMED Kelley Felchle City Clerk Page 2 of 2