HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-2006 Special
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
August 22, 2006 6:00 PM
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
A special City Council meeting was held in the Council Chambers located
on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn,
Washington.
The meeting was convened at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Peter B. Lewis and the
following Councilmembers were present: Rich Wagner, Sue Singer, Gene
Cerino, Nancy Backus, Bill Peloza, and Lynn Norman. Councilmember
Roger Thordarson was excused.
Staff members present included: Human Resources and Risk
Management Director Brenda Heineman, Finance Director Shelley
Coleman, Risk Manager Rob Roscoe, Interim Deputy Police Chief Bob
Lee, Interim Deputy Fire Chief Mike Gerber, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid,
Fire Captain Pete Connell, Intergovernmental Services Coordinator
Carolyn Robertson, Communications Assistant Dana Hinman, and Deputy
City Clerk Cathy Richardson. Emergency Services Consulting, Inc. (ESCi)
Consultant Robert Merritt was also present.
II. DISCUSSION - REGIONAL FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE AUTHORITY
(RFPSA)
Mayor Lewis invited Emergency Services Consulting, Inc. (ESCi)
Consultant Robert Merritt to review his background for the Council.
Mr. Merritt stated that he retired from Snohomish County where he served
as the Fire Chief and has worked for ESCi for approximately two years.
Mr. Merritt explained that ESCi engaged with the cities of Auburn, Algona
and Pacific in April 2006 to go through the process of establishing the first
Regional Fire Protection Service Authority (RFPSA) in the State of
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Washington. Much of the analysis related to formulating a RFPSA was
performed by the City of Auburn Fire Department.
Mr. Merritt reviewed the RFPSA Planning Committee which consists of the
Mayor and two Councilmembers from each jurisdiction. The Committee
was formed to compile an RFPSA Plan. The Plan defines and designs
the development, operations, funding, and transfer of assets.
Mr. Merritt distributed a draft of the Valley Regional Fire Authority,
Regional Fire Protection Services Authority Plan. Mr. Merritt reviewed the
following aspects of the Plan:
o Services needs statement
o Plan definitions
o Formation authority
o Jurisdictional boundaries
o Funding
o Governance
o Organizational structure
o Administrative/Management/Personnel components
o Operations and delivery systems
o Support services
o Prevention/Public education services
o Benefit charge formula
o Organizational chart
o Assets
Auburn Fire Captain Pete Connell spoke on behalf of the Auburn
Professional Fire Fighters (APFF) Local #1352. Captain Connell stated
that he is Vice President of APFF Local #1352 and reported that APFF
Local #1342 members voted 61-11 to support the initiative for a RFPSA.
Captain Connell stated that APFF Local #1352 looks forward to working
with City of Auburn administration and City officials on the planning of a
RFPSA.
Mayor Lewis thanked APFF Local #1352 for their support of a RFPSA.
Councilmembers reviewed the draft RFPSA Plan and discussed the
following issues:
o Transfer of assets
o Organization structure and administration
o Funding
o Insurance and liability
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o Tax exempt entities
o Service benefit charge
o Public education
o RFPSA Board membership
o Police/Fire personnel
o Emergency services Level of Service
o Benefits of a RFPSA to the City of Auburn
Finance Director Shelley Coleman distributed two proposed ballot
measures for the formation of a RFPSA and Revised Code of Washington
(RCW) Section 84.36.010 entitled "Public, certain public-private and tribal
property exempt".
Mayor Lewis noted that the ballot language must be the same for all
participating cities.
Councilmembers reviewed the ballot measure language of Options A and
B. It was the consensus of the Council that the language under Option A
was preferable.
Mayor Lewis distributed four samples of a proposed logo for
Councilmember review.
Mayor Lewis and Councilmembers commended efforts of Fire
Department, Finance Department, and Human Resources Department
staff for their work regarding a RFPSA.
In response to questions from Councilmember Wagner, Director Coleman
explained that government properties are exempt from the benefit service
charge. Exempt entities can contract for emergency services with the
RFPSA, if it is adopted.
IV. Adjournment
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 752 p.m.
Submitted by:
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