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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/10/18 - Minutes - Fire Min (Closed) October 18, 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 18, 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 George Rivera, Administrative Services Manager. ****** B. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) Bl. LABOR NEGOTIATIONS PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6 TO GIVE GEORGE RIVERA, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER, PAMELA EASTER. DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, AND LINDA D. DANIELS, ACTING ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR, DIRECTION IN REGARDS TO THE MEET AND CONFER PROCESS - CITY & 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 5:30 p.m. ****** II E. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REpORTS 'I ****** II F. RECESS II The closed session recessed at 6:15 p.m. with no action taken. Fire Protection District Minutes October 18, 2006 Page 2 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MINUTES Reoular Meetino A. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District was held on Wednesday, October 18, 2006, in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. President William J. Alexander called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.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; James C. Frost, City Treasurer; George Rivera, Administrative Services Manager; Tamara Layne, Finance Officer; Helen Leeds, Sr. Accountant; Dawn Haddon, Purchasing Manager; Lorraine Phong, Sr. Information Systems Analyst; Shelly Munson, Information Systems Specialist; Jon Gillespie, Traffic Engineer; James Troyer, Planning Director; Dave Moore, Community Services Superintendent; Chief Peter Bryan, Mike Bell, Deputy Fire Chief, Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District; Pamela Easter, Assistant City Manager; Marcia Godwin, Assistant to the City Manager; Fabian Villenas, Management Analyst III; Shirr'l Griffin, Office Specialist II - City Clerk's Office; and Kathryn L. Scott, Assistant City Clerk. ****** II B. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENT A TIONS II No announcements/presentations were made C. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS C1. Jerie Lee re reconciliation of funds solicited by the Professional Firefighters Association showing community funds are not co-mingled with the political action funds; campaign issues and compliance of sign ordinance. C2. Bernadette Quercio re campaign issues. C3. Jim Townsend re charitable activities/donations by firefighters; fire prevention week/month; signage not available at a fire station or any city facility; charitable organizations; the Firefighters Association is fully tax-exempt w/accurate and timely reports, no co-mingling. C4. Unknown speaker re campaigning and a charitable donation to the VIP Club, Meals on Wheels, senior shut-ins by the Firefighters Association. Fire Protection District Minutes October 18, 2006 Page 3 C5. Michelle McNeill re Woodhaven Manor taken over by So CA Housing; quality & quantity of service by the council members. C6. Unknown speaker (police officer of nearby city) re crime/public safety and lack of commitment to public safety (staffing levels). C7. Leslie Grimes re politics/campaigning, freedom of speech and developer campaign contributions. C8. Jennetta Harris re serving the people and the closure of Highland Avenue; praised public safety and the professionalism of city council. C9. Carol Douglas, Alta Loma Riding Club, re potential site for fire station at Heritage Park. C10. Linda Yount re potential site for fire station at Heritage Park and environmental impact. C11. Colin McKenzie (deputy sheriff and Treasurer of San Bdno. Co. Sheriff Safety Employees Assoc.) refuted previous comments re Victoria Gardens; re candidate support by SEBA. C12. Bill McCliman re campaign, honesty to the public and his candidate support and political campaigns/issues. C13. Candice Fowler re campaign issues and statements made in publication by Mr. Gutierrez. C14. Terry Malady re pride in city accomplishments; campaign and concerns re potential site for fire station. C15. Shelly McCliman, student, regarding the campaign. C16. Jim Frost, City Treasurer, provided background regarding public safety, the safety contract with San Bernardino County, and the City budget and campaign issues. C17. Jane Bradshaw stated concern re politics at its worst and setting a good example; discussed the campaign and public safety. C18. Melanie Ingram re campaign, campaign reporting forms by firefighters and the SEBA (Safety Employees Benefits Association), and potential site for fire station. C19. John Lyons re campaign and endorsements and the overtime issue with respect to firefighters. C20. Jim Moffatt re campaign and the firefighters association. C21. Nicole Myerchin re donations for homebound shut-in senior citizens, publication by Rex Gutierrez, and campaign issues. D. BOARD RESPo.NSES TO. PUBLIC Co.MMENTS ~I II Dennis Michael stated it is deplorable to him personally to hear people get up and berate or demean projects like Victoria Gardens and refer to it as the ghetto. He said it is a beautiful city and $1.9 million has just been spent on annual operations for an animal and adoption center. which he said was Fire Protection District Minutes October 18, 2006 Page 4 approved unanimously. He assured the public that the Council sets priorities and has an aggressive plan to increase service levels in the Fire District. He said nobody else up here has ever gained a more rapid, aggressive approach to spend $12 million in capital improvements over the next five years, add two fire stations and relocate another one. He stated he was disturbed about "electioneering," as there was a group of boy scouts in the audience who wanted to hear what was going on in city government. He said when people talk about crime, he's concerned that the young boy scouts would leave with some false sense of security when there is no reason for them to be concerned. He talked about response times and said that citizens can feel safe at Victoria Gardens. He said we have a wonderful Police Department, along with the security forces that are hired by the mall to make sure it is a destination for people to shop. He said 34 police officers have been hired within the last five years and eight more this year. He asked that City Manager, Jack Lam, respond to the issue of crime in this city. He said Money Magazine doesn't rate Rancho Cucamonga in the top 50 cities to live in out of 700 cities in the United States without seriously looking at fire protection, police protection and quality of life in our city. Jack Lam, City Manager, discussed the uniqueness of Rancho Cucamonga as it is a metropolitan policing model-one of the largest such agencies in the area. He said this city does not have the overhead that other police departments have due to this particular contractual model. He said many services are available to us with this model when we need it, and, as a result, you don't have to maintain it on a constant basis. He cited as an example, use of a helicopter, which is here when necessary but the City doesn't have to spend millions of dollars each year for a helicopter fleet. He said the City Council's commitment to public safety service has been high, and there have been dramatic increases in both services over the last four years. He said in the last fours year, the Police Department budget has been 'increased by 56%; the Fire Department budget has been increased by 63%, and there has been a pre- commitment of funding for two new fire stations and the relocation of another one. He said the Chief is undertaking that effort now to get these stations constructed, and the City Council has unanimously approved the concept of a partnership with the County in locating and building a north end substation in addition to the substation in Victoria Gardens. He said the City will match County dollars on the new substation on the north end to even better distribute the resources that we have. Mr. Lam talked about statistics stating it is what you make of it and what you want to show. He said in this community the numbers are so low that any time there is an increase, it will reflect technically a higher number. He said it is more constructive to focus on now-2006. He said a couple months ago Money Magazine looked at 744 cities in the U.S., and Rancho Cucamonga is among six communities selected from California as part of the 10 best places to live. He said they looked at things like parks and shopping centers to cultural activities and schools and the FBI crime statistics. He said the numbers show that crime rates (personal and property) are over 30% less than the rest of the average of the 100 best places to live. He said property crime is greater than 10% less and in the first half of the status for 2006, we are moving toward 33% reduction form the year before. He said the Police Department does not brag them their statistics, nor do they use it for any hype. He said they use it for an analysis where to deploy their resources. He said they look at trends throughout the City in any given week and they look at deployment of resources in a way to be the most effective. He said when we talk about these other crimes, we are talking about a 91 % clearance rate on those crimes. He said that is a testament to the excellent police work that we have and he thinks that is the standard by which we judge our Police Department. He said they do an outstanding job. He said as far as the response times in the Police Department, they can show you the first eight months in 2006, which are at sub four minutes response time on emergency calls. He said the Police Department is very proud of the job they do for Rancho Cucamonga, as they are about the community and they look after the community as if t was their own family. He said the same is with the Fire Department. He said they are all dedicated to the welfare of this community. Councilmember Williams reminded everyone to get their flu shots early. She said women in any kind of position tend to be invisible, and, obviously, she has been very invisible at the Senior Center. She said she is there frequently but when someone infers that she is never there for anything, it is a little annoying. She said during avocado season, she never sees anyone reject truckloads of avocados and grapefruits Fire Protection District Minutes October 18, 2006 Page 5 from her trees. She said she is there and she is not invisible. She commented that the Alta Loma Riding Club did a great job of having a very fair and orderly forum, and it was well done. She said she heard there were two councilmembers committed to the Heritage Park fire station; she wanted to make it clear that it is not set in stone by any means. She said Mr. Gutierrez and herself both committed that they would continue to look for other sites and at least try to see what they could do. She agrees with the precedent setting issue and think's it's a huge issue that we have parkland. She said if we set the precedent now, future councils may see that as an opportunity to eventually gobble up all the parkland. She said to the residents to help us find a site; she said to talk to people who may have property; she challenged the people who oppose it to get out there and give us a hand. Councilmember Gutierrez said he has never heard more information in his entire life in one meeting. He said that's really depressing for a City this is suppose to be, on average, a very educated, enlightened populous. He said he has never tried to mislead the public in the things that he writes. He tries very hard to say it like it is, or at least say it as he sees it. He said that's the right of any editor, any writer. He said he is not against anyone and not against our police. He said the police who know our city best are supporting him and Diane, and they happen to be supporting Don Kurth for Mayor. He said he couldn't be happier and he appreciates their support. He said it's true that the firefighters don't interview them like they use to, to at least get their endorsement, but that is gone now.' He understands that the first choice is an ex-fireman for someone to run for council; next choice they think is a relative; next choice is an employee or a close friend of the fire union. He said that's what appears to him and it is happening to cities all over; it's a design strategy to dominate city governments all over. He said he happens to think that is wrong. He said it is bad policy to have a majority of a city council all favored by and in favor of one particular special interest group. He said he told people at the Alta Loma Riding Club Forum that if you want a Council that is dominated by one group, please don't vote for him. He said his belief is that we need balance. He commented about the audacity of some people who get up and turn this chamber into a circus. He said you have this woman with the long white hair, and then the other woman in red, the wife of the fireman, who does the character assassination, to remind us this man (mayoral candidate) @ 20 was addicted to drugs. He questioned how many of us have not been affected in our families by someone who had a problem with addition. He said he's done all he can to make up for those mistakes, but he can't go back and change the mistakes. He said this is amazing for a Christian community. He asked when in someone's life do you decide to forgive. He also asked how many of us live in glass houses. He said people get up and berate us, people who have relatives in jail, who have driven our city's crime statistics up themselves; he said that is hypocritical to him. He said he is concerned about our city and about this election process. He said it's very depressing. He said people say that we do it for the money. He commented that he gets $21 ,ODD/year as a stipend for being on the City Council. He said he loves public service. He said he does not do it for the money, as it takes him away from his family and his work. He said he is dedicated and loves this city. He promised that he has always had the public's best interests at heart. He said he will champion your rights as long as your intentions are not infringing on the rights of someone else. He said he promises you that we are not a dangerous city and he is surprised that our Mayor and Councilman Spagnolo would put their name and their picture onto this campaign saying that we are in such dire straits and we need more public safety votes on the City Council. He reminded the public that this Council does try very hard to do a good job. He said they don't do everything right; mistakes are made and mistakes will continue to be made, but he is proud of this city and so proud of this mall. He said he hears people allover the State talking about this awesome mall in Rancho Cucamonga. He said regarding the compensation, he's not stupid and he does not mislead people and lie about what people make. He said he signs the budget every year and he's not ignorant of the facts. Councilman Gutierrez said he met a fireman who commented that he did not like the firemen telling him about the brotherhood and who should be supported and what signs to put in the yards just because the brothers say that this guy is the best candidate. He said this fireman said he doesn't vote for whom they tell him to vote for, as he does not believe in their political philosophy and he doesn't like paying dues every month. This fireman said he is proud to be a young man making six figures who has no formal education. Mr. Gutierrez said most of our firemen are making $120,000/yr., not including benefits. He said he heard three times tonight about the firemen's overtime. He said you won't see the Union coming Fire Protection District Minutes October 18, 2006 Page 6 up and asking us to take away the overtime, as that's their bread and butter. He said he doesn't believe it's right that public servants live high on the hog at the public's expense. He said he believes that is truly wrong. He said that people say he is going to go on and fun for other things and that he is not interested in the City. He asked if the public really thought he would succeed moving up in office with the State fire unions and the Nations' fire union fighting him tooth and nails for what he has said tonight. He said he doesn't care, that he'll do the best in the time he has; and if he's voted out, he will be able to sleep at night, as he thinks he's done a pretty good job. He said if he's voted in for four years, he'll consider it an honor. He said to seek for truth and fairness. Councilmember Spagnolo stated that he promised himself two years ago that he would never us this forum to support or oppose a candidate. He said it's difficult to listen to Mr. Gutiterrez destroy the career of which he spent 35 years. He said he would like to get back to the facts of what is important to this city. He said that the strategic plan that Chief Bryan has put together is not new to this city. He said the placement of Stations 7, 8 and 2 hasn't changed. He said it's been there for years and the problem is that the Council in the past has never acted on it. He said that is why we're in the predicament that we are today. He said with respect to the Police Department, they do an excellent job; they are just understaffed. He said the strategic plan put together isn't just for this City; other cities use it, as it is what you use to judge how many stations you need, the placement of stations and the engines that you need; the study that they use for police protection is the same everywhere. He said people are people and crime is crime and we are not exempt; this is a nice place to live but we are behind and we're trying to play catch up. He said public safety is the main job of government. He said we were faced with the animal shelter when it became an issue that had to be dealt with, and we were forced to make decisions that should have been made a long time ago. He said there is a lot of blame to go around and Mr. Gutierrez needs to take a lot of it. Mayor Alexander stated that for the last five years, being in the minority, the Fire District wage has been set primarily by the majority of the Council. He said if the wages are going to be complained about, then perhaps certain council members should have voted against it. He said they never did and always voted for it. He said that a public safety committee was addressed but it was shot down by three members of this particular board, as it would have provided public input, and they didn't want that. He said two years ago what the other council members wanted was to have community and neighborhood meetings, but we haven't had one single meeting. ****** II E. CONSENT CALENDAR II E1. Approval of Minutes: September 20, 2006 E2. Approval of Check Register dated 9/27/06 through 10/10/06, for the total amount of $74,507.96. E3. Approval to receive and file current Investment Schedule as of September 30, 2006. E4. Approval of a Resolution declaring results of a Special Election in Community Facilities District No. 85-1, Annexation No. 06-9 (Hellman RV Storage - APN: 0209-012-07) RESOLUTION NO. FD 06-046 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE RESULTS OF A SPECIAL ELECTION IN COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 85-1, ANNEXATION NO. 06-9 Fire Protection District Minutes October 18, 2006 Page 7 E5. Approval of a Resolution to adopt a new Memorandum of Understanding (FD 06-032) between the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District and the Fire Management Empioyees Group for Fiscal Years 2006-2007,2007-2008 and 2008-2009. RESOLUTION NO. FD 06-049 A RESOLUTIN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE EXISTING COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DISTRICT EMPLOYEES AND APPROVING THE CERTAIN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND FIRE MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES BARGAINING GROUP FOR WAGES, BENEFITS AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR FISCAL YEARS 2006- 2007, 2007-2008 AN D 2008-2009 MOTION: Moved by Michael, seconded by Williams to approve the staff recommendations in the staff reports contained within the Consent Calendar. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0. A recess was taken at 9:13 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:24 p.m. with all Council members present. F. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS F1. CONSIDERATiON OF ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION DECLARING ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY (CREATIVE INVESTMENTS GROUP LP - SUBTT17823 - ANNEXATION NO. 06-7) TO AN EXISTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT. CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION AND AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF LEVY OF SPECIAL TAXES TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS Staff report presented by Peter Bryan, Fire Chief. He stated the two annexation items are required public hearings to annex property to existing CFD's in order to mitigate the development's impacts on emergency and specifically fire protection services. He said the first item, Resolution No. FD 06-047, is a proposed development to construct eight single-family residences on approximately 2.39 acres and it is the proposed annexation to CFD 85-1; the second item, Resolution No. FD 06-048, is a proposed development by International Restaurant Village, and it includes 7.74 acres divided into ten lots to be proposed to annex to CFD 85-1. He stated the Council, upon approval, will be setting a public hearing and calling for a special election to be conducted on October 25 for both items. Mayor Alexander opened the meeting for public hearing. There being no response, the public hearing was closed. RESOLUTION NO. FD 06-047 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RANCHO CUCAMONGA FiRE PROTECTiON DISTRICT, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY (ANNEXATION NO. 06-7) TO AN EXISTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT (CFD 85-1), CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION Fire Protection District Minutes October 18, 2006 Page 8 AND AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF LEVY OF SPECIAL TAXES TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS F2. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION DECLARING ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY (INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT VILLAGE - SUBTPM16767 - ANNEXATION NO. 06-10) TO AN EXISTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT. CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION AND AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF LEVY OF SPECIAL TAXES TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS RESOLUTION NO. FD 06-048 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY (ANNEXATION NO. 06-10) TO AN EXISTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT (CFD 85-1), CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION AND AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF LEVY OF SPECIAL TAXES TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS MOTION: Moved by Williams, seconded by Michael to approve Resolution Nos. FD 06-048 and FD 06- 049. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0. ****** II G. ADJOURNMENT II MOTION: Moved by Williams, seconded by Michael to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m. ~eJeGtfUIlY submitted, cHpf'~ U c!Jlj)p- Kathryn L. Scott, CMC Assistant City Clerk Approved: December 20, 2006