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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988/01/18 - Minutes - Joint (Foothill Fire District) January 18~ 1988 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Joint City Council/Foothill Fire District Meeting A. CALL TO ORDER A joint meeting of the City Council and the Foothill Fire Protection District met on Monday, January 18, 1988, in the Lions Park Community Center, 9161 Base Lie Road, Rancho Cucamonga. The meeting was called to order at 5:20 p.m. by Mayor Dennis L. Stout. Preset were City Councilmembers: Deborah N. Brown, Charles j. Buquet II, Jeffrey King, Pamela J. Wright, and Mayor Dennis L. Stout. Present were Foothill Fire District Board Members: J. Stephen Wheatley, President; John R. Lyons, James K. Latipow, Kevin P. Eggleston, William J. Alexander, and L. Dennis Michael. Also present were: City Manager, Lauren M. Wasserman; Assistant City Manager, Robert Rizzo; Administrative Services Director, Jim Hart; Community Development Director, Jack Lam; Senior Administrative Assistant, Mark Lorimer; and Deputy City Clerk, Debbie Adams. Mayor Stout commented that the reason for the meeting was to go over the report prepared by Ralph Andersen and Associates which pertains to the fire services feasibility study. B. STAFF REPORTS B1. Discussion of Fire Services Feasibility Study - Prepared by Ralph Andersen and Associates. (1302-00 Fire District) Lauren Wasserman, City Manager, gave a brief overview of the reports prepared. At this time, Walt Munchheimer, with Ralph Andersen and Associates, was introduced who presented the consultant's recommendation. Mr. Muchheimer explained his report dated January 18, 1988, describing the six different areas in which he covered. There was extensive discussion on the funding for the Foothill Fire Protection District between the Fire District Board Members and City Council. Fire District Board Member Bill Alexander stated that he did not feel the Foothill Fire Protection District could continue with the way things are being done at the present time. (1) Joint City~ Council/Fire District Minutes January 18, 1988 Page 2 Councilmember Buquet felt if the Board of Supervisors had done something about this a long time ago, this meeting would not be going on tonight. There was discussion on the condition of the Fire District's equipment. Mayor Stout asked how many cities did not have their own fire department. Lauren Wasserman responded, by saying that most cities do have some kind of fire services but that he wasn't sure how many of them had their very own fire department. Councilmember Wright asked if the City was to have their own fire department, would this need to be taken to the voters as part of the proceedings. Walt Munchheimer with Ralph Andersen and Associates said yes, and he stated that it would be a judgement for LAFCO to make. At this point, Lauren Wasserman wanted to comment on some of the issues he reported on in his executive summary. Operational Issues - Mr. Wasserman said the City would bring in all of the existing rules of the Foothill Fire Protection District. Councilmember Wright asked, how this would affect our current City employees. Lauren Wasserman, City Manager, answered that this would be resolved over a long period of time. Fire District Board Member, Kurt Latipow, felt that because the fire district personnel are safety people, things would never be quite the same between the Fire District ad City employees. Create an Opportunity for more cohesive local services - This would provide an opportunity for better coordination of fire services with other related City services, such as plan checking and building/fire inspection services. Financial Considerations - Mr. Wasserman stated this would take a great deal more study as far as: a) b) c) The division of the assets Determination of appropriate property tax allocations Disposition of special augmentation fund revenue Joint City Council/Fire District Minutes January 18, 1988 Page 3 Integration of City and District pension programs - Mr. Wasserman stated that the retirement programs for the safety and non-safety personnel of the fire district would probably continue as they presently exist. Unfunded Liability for Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual - If a subsidiary district is formed, some additional funds should be included in the annual budget in order to begin funding at least a portion of this liability. Mr. Wasserman commented on the City's policy to long range financial planning. He pointed out that the Fire Chief, Dennis Michael, is now spending a lot of time with the Board; and if the Fire District were under the City, he would have a lot more free time to do other things. It was brought up how this would affect the City Council. Mr. Wasserman pointed out their would be times when some of the fire items would need to be placed on the City Council agenda for approval or direction. Lauren Wasserman also reported on the following items as mentioned in his report: Personnel Issues - He stated the personnel of the Foothill Fire Protection District would be retained in their current positions and at their current salary and benefit level. Equipment Replacement - Because of its policy of budgeting for equipment replacement, the City is capable of providing a better means for assuring that major equipment is replaced as required. Mello-Roos Community Facilities District - This district which presently exists is not jeopardized by the formation of a subsidiary district. However, the formation of a separate City Fire Department will, according to special counsel, jeopardize the critical source of funding. Redevelopment Agency - It is anticipated that if a subsidiary district is formed, there will be no net loss of funds to the community for fire protection services. Elimination of Elected Board of Directors - If a subsidiary district is formed, the elected Fire Board would be eliminated and the City Council would become the policy making body for the district. Joint City. Council/Fire District Minutes January 18, 1988 Page 4 Mayor Stout stated this meeting was for information and discussion only. He felt that meetings should continue and a certain process should be take to get this issue resolved. Councilmember Buquet felt a definite time frame should be given to get this resolved. Lauren Wasserman, City Manager, stated that he and Chief Dennis Michael have offered to meet with the Fire Department crews to go over the information compiled on the fire services study. Fire District Board member, Bill Alexander, felt things could be resolved within the next six months. Mayor Stout asked if the Foothill Fire Protection District Board could report to the City Council in thirty days. Fire District Board Member Alexander stated yes. MOTION: Moved by Kevin Eggleston, Foothill Fire Protection District; seconded by Bill Alexander, Foothill Fire Protection District for the Foothill Fire Protection District to begin negotiations for establishing a subsidiary district with the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Motion carried 3-1-0-1. Lyons - no, Wheatley abstained. Fire District Board Member Lyons felt this should be discussed at the regular scheduled meeting. Mayor Stout stated it was his opinion that this matter should go back to the Public Safety Commission with a report back to the City Council. Councilmember Wright stated she would like to get more information on this being on the ballot for the next election. Councilmember Brown agreed with Councilmember Buquet stating she felt it should be done in a timely manner. Lauren Wasserman, City Manager, did not see why this could not come back within thirty days. C. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC No response from the public. Joint City Council/Fire District Minutes January 18, 1988 Page 5 Foothill Fire Protection District also opened the meeting for communications from the public. No communication was made. D. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by Buquet, seconded by Wright to adjourn. The City Council adjourned at 7:09 p.m. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Moved by Latipow, seconded by Lyons to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m. Respectful ly submitted, Debbie Adams Deputy City Clerk Approved: January 18, 1988