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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/10/04 - Minutes - Fire Min (Closed) October 4, 2006 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT CLOSED SESSION MINUTES II A. CALL TO ORDER II The Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District held a closed session on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, in the Tapia Room of the Civic Center located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President William J. Alexander. Present were Boardmembers: Rex Gutierrez, l. Dennis Michael, Sam Spagnolo, Diane Williams and President William J. Alexander. Also present were: Jack lam, City Manager; Pamela Easter, Assistant City Manager; James Markman, City Attorney; and Linda D. Daniels, Acting Administrative Services Director. ****** II B. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) II Bl. lABOR NEGOTIATIONS PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6 TO GIVE GEORGE RIVERA, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER, PAMELA EASTER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AND LINDA D. DANIELS, ACTING ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR, DIRECTION IN REGARDS TO THE MEET AND CONFER PROCESS - FIRE ****** II C. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) II No one was present to comment on the closed session item. ****** II D. CONDUCT OF CLOSED SESSION II Closed session began at 5:35 p.m. II E. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REpORTS II ****** II F. RECESS II The closed session recessed at 6:48 p.m. with no action taken. ****** Fire Protection District Minutes October 4, 2006 Page 2 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MINUTES Reqular Meetinq II A. CALL TO ORDER II A regular meeting of the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District was held on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, in the Council Chambers 01 the Civic Center located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. President William J. Alexander called the meeting to order at 7:03p.m. Present were Boardmembers: Rex Gutierrez, L. Dennis Michael, Sam Spagnolo, Diane Williams and President William J. Alexander. Also present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; James Markman, City Attorney; Linda D. Daniels, Redevelopment Director and Acting Administrative Services Director; James C. Frost, City Treasurer; Dawn Haddon, Purchasing Manager; Charles Scott, Sr. Information Systems Specialist; Sid Siphomsay, Information Systems Analyst; Joe O'Neil, City Engineer; Maria Perez, Associate Engineer; James Troyer, Planning Director; Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director; Dave Moore, Community Services Superintendent; Nettie Nielsen, Community Services Superintendent; Deborah Clark, Library Director; Captain Pete Ortiz and Lieutenant Bill Lenew, Rancho Cucamonga Police Department; Chief Peter Bryan, Deputy Chief Mike Bell, Deputy Chief Alex Rodriguez and Fire Prevention Specialist Kelley Donaldson, Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District; Marcia Godwin, Assistant to the City Manager; Fabian Villenas, Management Analyst III; Kathy Scott, Assistant City Clerk; and Debra J. Adams, Secretary. ****** II B. ANNOtJNCl3MENTS/PRESENT A TrONS II B1. Presentation of Proclamation designating October 8-14,2006, as National Fire Prevention Week and demonstration by the Fire District of Hazard House, a public education tool. Chief Bryan talked about their programs relating to this. Kelly Donaldson, Fire Prevention Specialist, gave a power point presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's office. She talked about the open house to be held on October 14 from 10 - 3, at the Jersey Fire Station. B2. Presentation of nine (9) pet oxygen rescue kits to the Fire District by Margaret Coffman, President of H.O.P.E. (Helping Out Pets Every Day). Margaret Coffman of HOPE presented 9 sets of pet oxygen masks to the Fire District. She complimented the animal shelter and staff for their work and their dedication. Chief Bryan stated the programs talked about above are leading edge and are a great benefit to our City. II c.. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS II Fire Protection District Minutes October 4, 2006 Page 3 C1. Jeri Lee, lived in the City for 26 years, asked for an answer to her issues. She stated she received something asking for a donation to the Fire District. She commented on the Fire Union's Casino Night. She asked if there is an accounting of the funds collected. She stated she is upset by the firemen going door to door campaigning. She felt it was an abuse of public trust. She commented on signs going up before the 30 days they are allowed. She stated she was disappointed in the Mayor's comments from the last meeting. She felt the law should be applied fairly to all. She stated she would like answers to her comments. Mayor Alexander stated hopefully the Council can answer her questions during their time to speak or it will come back at the next meeting. C2. Bernadette Quercio asked why the City Manager said we have no funds available when there is so much money in reserves. She asked the City to do something to get more emergency services before something really bad happens. C3. Diane Mindrum stated she has a business in the City. She stated at the last meeting Councilmember Spagnolo questioned where she got her information on wages earned by fire fighters. She states she got the information from public records that any citizen can obtain. She stated the information came from W-2's with the names, social security numbers and addresses crossed out. She continued to talk about the salaries and benefits of the fire fighters, engineers, captains, and battalion chiefs. She stated the information can be confirmed at ffcf36a@charter.net or webpages.charter.net/ffcf36a.. She stated we do not need more firemen or fire stations. She felt we need quick response medic service. She did not feel we need 4 man fire truck crews. She said taxpayers have the right to question where their tax dollars are going. She mentioned the work Dieter Dammeier does as an attorney for public safety organizations and all of the cities he has sued. C4. Michelle McNeill showed what'the firemen make per the Fire District approved Resolution. She commented on the Fire Department helping other cities when they have emergencies. She talked about response times for emergencies and stated they need more people on the trucks and also more stations to service the people. She stated her goal is to replace some of the people that sit as Councilmembers. She asked if there is a place people can go if there is an emergency. She asked the citizens to vote for new Councilmembers. She had a newspaper article displaying the City's fund balance of $77.3 million. She stated the citizens have been fooled long enough. She stated this is Lupus Awareness Month. C5. Jim Townsend, representing 73 professional fire fighters, stated he is also a career fire fighter. He said he is elected by his peers for this position. He said the fire fighters are highly trusted in the community. He also said there are people that continually bad mouthing the firemen. He asked what the hidden agendas are of some people. He said the firemen are supporting the Chief's Strategic Plan and are being attacked for doing this. He said he has a salary schedule signed by the City Council and approved by the City Manager. He commented that a beginning fireman starts out making $18.11 per hour, not $106,000 per year, which would require them to work 17 out of 31 days on 24-hour shifts. He asked why fire fighters are being attacked for their wages. He said people can go to City Hall to find out what fire fighters really earn. C6. Claudine McClintock stated she cares very deeply for the City. She stated it is amazing to her the statistics that are being reported at the meetings. She commented on an article from Money Magazine and stated Rancho Cucamonga was ranked #42 as best places to live and raise a family. She stated it referred to Ranch Cucamonga's low crime rate. She felt this was an article that states the truth. She felt a lot of this debating back and forth is because of the "billboard" that was put up stating that we need one more vote to help public safety. She stated this billboard offended her because the Mayor supported this. She hoped the voters will vote for the right people to represent our City. She did not think there should be four fire related Council persons on the Council. C7. Craig Griffin, has lived in Rancho Cucamonga for 13 years, stated there has been a letter circulated by Council member Gutierrez that goes against his first amendment rights. He stated Councilmember Fire Protection District Minutes October 4, 2006 Page 4 Gutierrez's words were to intimidate him. He did not feel what he puts in his yard was anyone business, and would be taking away his first amendment right. He stated this letter was singed by Councilmember Gutierrez. He felt Councilmember Gutierrez's letter was absurd and that people shouid go ahead and put in their yards what they want to. ca. Joe Estrada, lived in City for ten years, felt the Mayor has abused his power by keeping his kids and grand kids out of jail. He stated he knows the Mayor is aligned with Congressman Gary Miiler, pushing his project through the City to cut the hiilside for more than 100 new homes. He stated he knows that the Mayor is also representative of Lewis Property Management, which will be pushing for more than 1000 more homes in the City. He mentioned the porn site cover-up and asked how much money was spent to cover this up to protect the firemen involved. He stated he wouid like to know how much taxpayer money was used for this cover-up. He asked about the sexual harassment cover up where firemen were sexually harassing other firemen in the shower. He wanted to know why the taxpayers were not informed of these situations. He advised that Councilmember Spagnolo had his campaign debt paid off by the Leggio brothers. He said now Councilmember Spagnolo and his wife have matching Escalades and wondered if they got those from the Leggio dealerships. He asked to see the records that he paid for these. He felt the people deserve some answers. C9. Mike McCliman stated he is sad tonight for the high school students having to listen to this tonight and stated politics it now at its lowest. He stated politics is owned by money and power. He stated by him speaking puts him at risk. He felt slanderous comments just made need to be put to rest. He stated he is a member of the Fire Fighters Association, and has seen many tragedies at 33 years old. He stated he is passionate about his job and does not like to see their response time take eight minutes. He stated he is tired of people using their political agendas to slander the fire fighters. He commented on the disgusting article recently written by Gary Lacy which attacked anyone putling,on apublic safety uniform. He quoted from various emails from Mr. Lacy stating he would be meeting with Councilmember Gutierrez who loves his reports. Mr. Lacy also stated he felt the Fire District sh'ould be disbanded and start a new. He quoted from the February 23, 2006 meeting where Councilmember Gutierrez states he likes the idea of a volunteer fire department. He felt by disbanding the Fire District would eliminate any political opposition. He stated people's safety is what counts and added the Fire District has a contract until 2009. C10. Rebecca Guerrero, a teacher from Rancho Cucamonga High School, stated she loves fire fighters and added she worked at the World Trade Center after 9-11 because she appreciates what fire fighters do. She wanted to point out to her students what was being said tonight. She stated it is wise to have money in reserves and felt this was important. She stated to have a high quality of life include fire, police and common sense. She stated the job of the City Council is to set high priorities and take a budget cut if possible. She stated in previous years, budget cuts were made and services cut, but not the fire fighters. She felt the whole pictures always needs to be looked at which includes all services for the City. C11. Sandra Maggard stated she is not putting the firemen down per say, but her problem is with the union. She commented on the firemen's salaries. She stated her daughter is a teacher will never make as much as a fire fighter. She said a fire fighter job is not as dangerous as someone that built this building. She stated she went to the candidate's forum last week and didn't agree with the comments made about the crime going up. She felt the City needs to be smarter about where it's money is going. C12. A man who did not identify himself, stated he doesn't care when signs go up and stated firemen put their lives on the line every day. He commented about making $20,000 when he went to Viet Nam and put his life on the line. He stated he didn't care what we pay fire fighters. C13. Lesiie Grimes commented on the salaries of various professions. She stated teachers do not make the amount of money they should. She did not feel this should be used as an argument comparing what firemen should make. She commented on the work they do and what they have to live with and dream about every night. She stated there is always a political agenda and people should not have their salaries begrudged. Fire Protection District Minutes October 4, 2006 Page 5 C14. John Lyons from the Etiwanda area of City stated he is running for City Council. He stated people are happy with the fire fighter's service. He stated he is running his campaign against Diane Williams and Rex Gutierrez. He did not feel the fire fighters should be trashed. He stated his campaign slogan is "Clean out the Council, not the Mayor." C15. Mark Voss, a resident of the City for seven years, stated he has never heard Councilmember Gutierrez trash the fire fighters, but that he has a concern of a single interest taking over the City. He commented on a door hanger left at his house. He commented on all of the hats that Mr. Dammeier wears. He felt there was enough fire representation on the Council right now. He stated he would like to keep it balanced. C16. Bill McCliman stated the Council signed the Fire Department contract. He said if people are not happy with what the Fire Department make, they should hold Councilmembers Williams and Gutierrez and everyone else accountable for it. He said there are people that say they are tired of people being disrespectful of everyone and then they get up to the podium and do the same thing. He said the response time issue is not a joke, that it is serious stuff. He said the fire fighters should not be blamed for this, that they follow the Chief's plan. He stated people can put whatever they want in their yard. He stated his father received a letter from Rex Gutierrez about his sign that was in his yard. He asked at the next meeting that the issue of response time be reported on and the progress made since the Strategic Plan was approved. He stated it is not the firemen that run the City, it is the City Council that works with the City Manager to set the budget. He said if people are not happy with them they should not vote for them in November. C17. Melanie Ingram stated she disagreed with some of the speakers who felt it wasn't a good thing for the high school students to hear this, and added she felt it was. She asked anyone turning 18 to go register to vote. She commented on the firemen's salaries, adding it was not $106,000. She stated the over time is a necessary part of being a fire fighter. She stated the over time spent to help out other cities and counties comes back to the City. She felt the people in the City need to know the real information. She did not agree with Councilmember Gutierrez that there should be a volunteer fire department. She stated Councilmember Williams had previously made a comment that if people are worried about their house they should move next to a fire station. She stated she is not concerned about there being three people on the Council that are retired fire fighters. She stated people can vote for whomever they want. She stated the number of signs you have up doesn't mean you will be elected. ****** D. CONSENT CALENDAR 01. Approval to withdraw from the PASIS Workers Compensation JPA and provide required notice. MOTION: Moved by Michael, seconded by Gutierrez to approve the staff recommendations in the staff reports contained within the Consent Calendar. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. * * * * * * E. STAFF REPORTS. · E1. UPDATE ON STATION 177 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, STATION 178 AND STATION 172 RELOCATION (Oral) A staff report was presented by Fire Chief Peter Bryan. (His talking points are on file in the City Clerk's office.) He stated they are having a public meeting coming up on October 16 regarding Station 177 and Fire Protection District Minutes October 4, 2006 Page 6 the EIR, and that everyone is invited. He stated with the construction of Stations 177 and 178, and the relocation of 172, that response time will improve. He invited everyone to contact him if they have any questions. Councilmember Gutierrez asked what is the goal for response time or travel time with the Strategic Plan. Chief Bryan stated once Stations 177, 178 and 172 are completed, they should be at the 4 minute travel time. He commented on the travel time in the northwest part of the City decreasing by one minute to provide better care to the community. Councilmember Michael said there is a huge commitment by the City to improve emergency services. ACTION: Report received and filed. ****** . ; F. . ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by Michael, seconded by Gutierrez to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ib::~~ Secretary Approved: November 15, 2006