Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_12/02/1992_Fire-Rescue Task Force tE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (407) 575 -6200 a Fax: (407) 575 -6203 d 4 f7cN couMty T E Q U E S T A F I R E- R E S C U E T A S K F O R C E M E E T I N G M I N U T E S D E C E M B E R 2, 1 9 9 2 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Fire - Rescue Task Force held a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, December 2, 1992 in the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida. The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chairman Wade Griest: Task Force members in attendance were: Chairman Griest; Vice Chairman Robert Mortimer; Councilmember Ron Mackail; Mervin Crockett; Dr. Stanley Jacobs; Hal Hutchinson; Thomas Rodth; and Sandy Linnan. Staff members present were: Village Manager Thomas Bradford; Village Clerk, Joann Manganiello; and Police Chief Carl Roderick. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairman Griest asked to: 1) make comments to the public under Item IV; 2) under Item IV (C) to read Alec Cameron's letter regarding fire /rescue; 3) under Item V. ANY OTHER MATTERS, read Alec Cameron's letter regarding ERU to Commissioner Karen Marcus; 4) under ANY OTHER MATTERS, discussion regarding additional Fire /Rescue Task Force Meetings; 5) Boardmember Crockett under Item IV (A) discussion regarding hiring, manning and overhead; and 6) Boardmember Hutchinson wished to make comments under Item V ANY OTHER MATTERS. Councilmember Mackail moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Boardmember Crockett seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Wade Griest - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron Mackail - for Mery Crockett - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Thomas Rodth - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Recycled Paper Fire Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes December 2 1992 Page 2 ----------------- - - - - -- III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (November 18, 1992) Boardmember Hutchinson commented, regarding Item VI (C) that he did not desire to meet with the Village Finance Director to compare his figures with those of the Village Manager regarding firefighters salary survey. Boardmember Rodth moved to approve the above - referenced Minutes as submitted. Boardmember Jacobs seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Wade Griest - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron Mackail - for Mery Crockett - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Thomas Rodth - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. IV. DISCUSSION OF FIRE /RESCUE MATTERS A) Report On Meeting With Chief Brice. ( Councilmember Ron Mackail). Councilmember Mackail explained to Chief Brice at their meeting that the Tequesta Fire /Rescue Task Force had in their possession a feasibility study. He further explained to Chief Brice that the Task Force felt it was in the best interest of Tequesta as well as Palm Beach County Fire /Rescue (PBC F /R) to give PBC F/R another opportunity to discuss with Tequesta what the County has available and what they are looking at regarding leveling or reducing costs. The issues discussed were: 1) adopt ERU assessment methodology; 2) simplify the ERU implementation procedures so that the contracting city could receive the full benefit of the assessment by way of Interlocal Agreement without having to join the MSTU; 3) PBC needs to make a public presentation of its intent and efforts to control future costs: (a) reorganization; (b) downsizing operations; and (c) other; Fire Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes December 2, 1992 Page 3 ----------------------- 4) Implement a plan for financing of major capital expenditures, including fire stations, to help reduce the annual charge to taxpayers. Through that, Councilmember Mackail felt it had been the philosophy of PBC F/R finance to basically pay cash for current operations, current needs of capital equipment, etc. But, according to Chief Brice, PBC F/R is looking at ways to provide long -term financing, which would soften the blow to taxpayers, with perhaps a 7 -10 year financing program; 5) Consider implementing a North County MSTU with a separate North County Advisory Board, having a mandatory city representative, such as the Manager or such, on the Advisory Board to the Board of County Commissioners. This option appeared to overwhelmingly appeal to Chief Brice. Councilmember Mackail asked Chief Brice and Commissioner Marcus to make a presentation to the Tequesta Fire Rescue Task Force regarding the above items, perhaps at one of the next two scheduled meetings. Chairman Griest asked if Chief Brice made any further statements regarding PBC F/R administrative cost increases which he had commented on at the August 20, 1992 Village Council Workshop Meeting. Councilmember Mackail answered that Chief Brice stated that since consolidation, PBC F/R was trying to develop an equal level of service throughout the County. Chief Brice felt the level of monies would start to level off after the expansion programs were completed. The $55M Bond Issue is still a pending issue and will eventually need to be addressed. Chief Brice stated that 82% of his overall budget was related to labor costs. Boardmember Crockett felt that if PBC F/R is fundamentally interested in making a proposal to the Task Force which is new, positive, and different from that which was proposed at the August 20 Village Council Workshop, then he would be interested in hearing that proposal. Councilmember Mackail felt that Chief Brice did have a new, positive and different proposal available. Village Manager Bradford informed the Board that on the County Commission Agenda for discussion on December 8 was the ERU methodology issue. Councilmember Mackail stated he informed Chief Brice that the Village needs specific commitments. The Board concurred that Chief Brice should make another presentation to them only if he had something new to present, and not merely re- hashing what he has previously presented. Fire Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes December 2, 1992 Page 4 ----------------------- Boardmember Hutchinson moved that Commissioner Karen Marcus and Palm Beach County Fire /Rescue Chief Brice be invited to make a presentation to the Tequesta Fire /Rescue Task Force. Councilmember Mackail seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Wade Griest - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron Mackail - for Mery Crockett - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Thomas Rodth - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Village Manager Bradford stated that the earliest Chief Brice could make a presentation would be Wednesday, December 9. B) Boardmember Crockett stated he had recently reviewed the hiring and manning practices with Palm Beach Gardens Fire Chief Arrants and Martin County Fire Chief O'Brien. Chief Arrants informed Mr. Crockett that he found competent firefighters available as replacement personnel without advertising; remuneration is discussed in terms of annual salary as opposed to an hourly rate, with a labor contract of a 48 -hour week; and annual salaries for a fully trained and experienced firefighter is usually $24,000 /year. It was Chief ArrantsI suggestion that Tequesta would need four firefighters on duty at one time. On the other hand, Chief O'Brien does advertise for replacement personnel, discuss remuneration in terms of annual salary, converting that to an hourly rate. His firefighters work a 53 hour week, plus three hours overtime. Chief O'Brien agreed starting annual salaries could range between $22,000- $24,000. Boardmember Crockett pointed out that adding,a Fire Department to the Village of Tequesta would only marginally increase the administrative costs. Boardmember Jacobs concurred with Boardmember Crockett's report. Village Manager Bradford agreed there would be little to virtually no administrative cost increases to the Village of Tequesta. Fire Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes December 2, 1992 Page 5 ----------------------- C) Review of Revised Fire /Rescue Budget: Based on the request of Boardmember Crockett at the last Fire Rescue Task Force meeting, Village Manager Bradford re- worked the Budget for EMS by North County Ambulance, increasing all salaries by 10 %, carrying that impact throughout the Budget, as well as adding three extra firefighters. Mr. Bradford submitted that Report to the Task Force members for their review. The bottom line is that Startup Costs, this fiscal year, would be $398,655, and the estimated annual cost starting FY 94 would be $943,120 (previous cost $765,075). The overall impact would be approximately $180,000. The Board agreed to review the report before the next Task Force meeting. D) Martin County Fire /Rescue; City of Palm Beach Gardens; and Wackenhut RFQs: Martin County was unable to respond at this time since they are in the process of increasing and enhancing the level of service in their own department, and would therefore not be able to provide service to Tequesta at this time, but would be interested in working with Tequesta regarding mutual aid. Palm Beach Gardens presented the issue to their Council. Their Council's suggestion was not to spend a lot of time on this issue. Wackenhut has responded with a five -year proposal, based on Tequesta providing the fire station, fire trucks and all operating expenses. The Wackenhut estimate was only for labor, supervision and management. A contract with Wackenhut for the first year would be $977,587, which includes more manpower than the Tequesta Fire /Rescue Report. Wackenhut felt salaries in the Tequesta Fire /Rescue Report were on the low side, and would attract only rookies. Wackenhut would not be interested in a proposal that would include a contract with North County Ambulance. Boardmember Crockett stated he would be reluctant to hire an outside service unless he was reasonably sure the benefit program was consistent with current Village employees. The Board concurred to review the Wackenhut Report before the next meeting. Chairman Griest submitted copies to the Board, for their review, of a letter written by Boardmember Alec Cameron expressing his views on a Tequesta Fire /Rescue Department and his position on ERU. Fire Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes December 2, 1992 Page 6 ----------------------- V. ANY OTHER MATTERS Boardmember Hutchinson questioned the Tequesta Fire Rescue Report regarding retirement numbers, rationale for a municipal contribution of 10% of salary for retirement included in the Report (instead of 27 %), and the Tequesta Police Department High /Risk Plan. He asked why firefighters would not have a high risk plan similar to that of the Police Department. Village Manager Bradford responded: The Plan in the Budget for the firefighters is a State Plan under Chapter 175, not a Florida Retirement System Program. Mr. Bradford had an attorney contact the Florida Retirement System and the Florida Department of Insurance; both departments verified that an independent Tequesta Fire Department would not be required to have firefighters in the Florida Retirement System, leaving options (State and local) of creating a plan under Chapter 175. Mr. Bradford would recommend the local option. Mr. Bradford explained his reason for 10% (as opposed to 27% paid in the police department): Discussions with the actuarial firm showed that the typical municipal contribution to a Chapter 175 Plan per employee ranged from an 8 -12% municipal contribution; therefore, Mr. Bradford chose the middle ground, 10 %. This contribution can be offset by a Homeowners Insurance Premium Tax which the municipality can implement (1.85% of premium for homeowners insurance). Boardmember Hutchinson felt firefighters should not have a lesser risk plan than the local police. Village Manager Bradford explained that the Florida Retirement System did not necessarily have a better plan than would be provided for Tequesta firefighters, and that it is presently operating under a deficit. If benefits equal to the Florida Retirement System are offered, it will, in all probability cost less, which is presently extraordinarily high, since it is an employer only contribution. Vice Chairman Mortimer agreed there was not that much difference between the two retirement plans. Vice Chairman Mortimer suggested that Lake Park Fire Chief Jim Boone be invited to make a presentation to the Task Force, since he is Chief of a smaller fire department and may be able to give the Task Force some valuable information regarding the operation of a small -scale fire department. Fire Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes December 2, 1992 Page 7 ----------------------- Boardmember Rodth moved that Chief Boone be invited to make a presentation at the December 16 Fire Rescue Task Force meeting. Boardmember Jacobs seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Wade Griest - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron Mackail - for Mery Crockett - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Thomas Rodth - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Boardmember Jacobs moved that the business portion of the Fire Rescue Task Force Meeting be adjourned. Boardmember Crockett seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Wade Griest - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron Mackail - for Mery Crockett - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Thomas Rodth - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. VI. CITIZENS COMMENTS Don Seay asked when the Task Force would be making their recommendation to the Village Council. Chairman Griest responded that since all presentations have not yet been heard, the exact date of the recommendation has not yet been determined. Mr. Seay commented regarding the wording of the Public Safety Referendum and felt that it was not clear to him that voting residents would want to change from the current system and support any of the proposals before the Fire Rescue Task Force for an independent fire department. Vice Chairman Mortimer commented that though he voted against Public Safety (combining the fire and police departments) during the Referendum, he is not against having a separate fire department. Mr. Seay asked if costs were included in the Tequesta Fire Rescue Report for adding a second floor to the present garage. Mr. Bradford answered in the negative. Fire Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes December 2, 1992 Page 8 ----------------- - - - - -- Sharon Hayward felt the wording of the Public Safety Referendum was vague, leaving loopholes. Ms. Hayward asked if the Village Newsletter would announce the Task Force recommendation before the recommendation is presented to the Village Council. Mr. Bradford responded that the issue date of the Newsletter is not yet known. Councilmember Mackail agreed that if there are changes in figures that those should be published in the Newsletter. Ms. Hayward further asked Mr. Bradford to explain to her more fully how a homeowner's insurance policy is funneled back down to reflect on a retirement plan. Mr. Bradford did so. Ms. Hayward felt the Fire Rescue Task Force was merely a replacement of the Public Safety Director. Chief Fredrickson - commented regarding the Retirement Plan. In 1957 the Firefighters Union sued the City of Miami. The Firefighters Union won that suit, with the ruling that the funds could not be used to supplement the city's portion of the retirement policy, and could only be used to supplement the firefighters' portion. Benefits then were taken from the city and the city had to make up several million dollars of funding into the firefighters' contribution portion. Michael Mayo commented that: 1) the morale issue regarding allotting equal benefits to firefighters and policemen alike was a valid issue; 2) he contended that the hourly rate salary vs. the annual rate salary is not the same thing; and 3) he felt comparing Palm Beach Gardens Fire Department and Martin County Fire Department to Palm Beach County was no comparison whatsoever. Fire Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes December 2, 1992 Page 9 ----------------- - - - - -- VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no other matters before the Board, Boardmember Rodth moved that the meeting be adjourned. Boardmember Hutchinson seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Wade Griest - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron Mackail - for Mery Crockett - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Thomas Rodth - for Sandy Linnan - for the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Fran Bitters 3 Recording Secretary Date Approved: Af93 ATTEST: ann Mangan' llo Village Clerk