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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_10/07/1992_Fire-Rescue Task Force if VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (407) 575 -6200 3 a Fax: (407) 575 -6203 d 4 couN 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 O C T O B E R 7, 1 9 9 2 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Fire - Rescue Task Force held a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 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 Wade Griest, Vice - Chairman Robert Mortimer, Councilmember Ron T. Mackail, Mervin Crockett, Thomas J. Rodth, Alec Cameron, Dr. Stanley Jacobs, Hal Hutchinson and Sandy Linnan. Mayor Earl L. Collings was also in attendance. Staff members present were: Village Manager, Thomas G. Bradford; and Joann Manganiello, Village Clerk. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairman Griest stated he would like to add to the Agenda a topic of discussion regarding the Lease Agreement with Station 11. Chairman Griest moved that the Agenda be approved as amended. Boardmember Crockett seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Thomas Rodth - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Recycled Paper TE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (407) 575 -6200 3 Fax: (407) 575 -6203 0 � 4 f7c� couNty 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 O C T O B E R 7, 1 9 9 2 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Fire - Rescue Task Force held a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 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 Wade Griest, Vice - Chairman Robert Mortimer, Councilmember Ron T. Mackail, Mervin Crockett, Thomas J. Rodth, Alec Cameron, Dr. Stanley Jacobs, Hal Hutchinson and Sandy Linnan. Mayor Earl L. Collings was also in attendance. Staff members present were: Village Manager, Thomas G. Bradford; and Joann Manganiello, Village Clerk. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairman Griest stated he would like to add to the Agenda a topic of discussion regarding the Lease Agreement with Station 11. Chairman Griest moved that the Agenda be approved as amended. Boardmember Crockett seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Thomas Rodth for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Recycled Paper Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 2 --------------- - - - - -- III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (September 29, 1992) Boardmember Crockett pointed out that page 2, third paragraph, should read: "Retired from Exxon Corporation as Vice President, involved in both domestic and international activities It Boardmember Jacobs pointed out that on page 1, next to last paragraph, should be added: "Chairman of the Village Planning Commission for three years, responsible for doing the Village survey questionnaire regarding an independent Fire Department for Tequesta, and Vice- Chairman of the Downtown Development Task Force." Boardmember Rodth moved to approve the Minutes as amended. Boardmember Lannan seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Thomas Rodth - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. IV. DISCUSSION OF PRIVATIZATION OF FIRE - RESCUE SERVICES WITH WACKENHUT SERVICES, INCORPORATED REPRESENTATIVE, ROY GUPTON. Village Manager Bradford introduced Roy Gupton of Wackenhut Services, Inc. of Coral Gables, Florida. Mr. Gupton pointed out that Wackenhut is a Florida -owned corporation, in existence since 1958 in Dade County, but they are international in scope. Wackenhut Services, Inc. is a wholly -owned subsidiary of the current Wackenhut Corporation, traded on the New York Stock Exchange, with almost a $1 billion last year. They are capable of providing any type of protective service Tequesta may need or desire, to include the construction of, purchase of fire apparatus, ancillary Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 3 --------------- - - - - -- equipment, fire stations. Such cost could be amortized over the period of the contract for however many years the Village would desire. Mr. Gupton reported that Wackenhut, though capable of doing such, has not purchased fire equipment for a contract. He stated further that Wackenhut is presently building and operating prisons for state and local governments, for which the interest rate is 1% over prime. Wackenhut entered into the privatized fire service area in 1964 with the Federal Government. Mr. Gupton joined the Wackenhut group at the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Wackenhut was the first fire service contractor to provide NASA protection for its launch pads and billions of dollars worth of ancillary buildings and equipment located there. Wackenhut provided the center with police and security protection, as well. Wackenhut also was contracted with the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and provided fire and EMS protection to Hall County, Georgia, for a period of six years. Wackenhut, when contracted, employs only certified, professional employees who are seasoned firefighters. They have an adequate pool of veterans available. Mr. Gupton informed the Board that Tequesta could state in the contract what their needs were and Wackenhut would supply that need. After questioning Mr. Gupton regarding staffing levels on other Wackenhut contracts for fire stations and ALS services, Mr. Hutchinson questioned whether those levels met the NFPA standards. Mr. Gupton answered that not even the Federal Government could afford to provide the optimum protection at all times. Mr. Gupton explained that under most Wackenhut contracts, the government entity has provided the fire station and the fire apparatus. A contract is normally four -five years with a one - four year option of renewal. The Request For Proposal would specify the length and terms of the contract. Approximately 5% of Wackenhut's contracts are with the public sector, the low percentage being due to animosity regarding privatization. Mr. Gupton stated that though he could not state specific costs to Tequesta since he had not studied the demographics, Wackenhut could probably save Tequesta 35% on present costs for the same service. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 4 --------------------- V. DISCUSSION OF CONTRACT FIRE - RESCUE SERVICES FROM THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS WITH CHIEF ED ARRANTS, CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS FIRE DEPARTMENT. Chief Arrants stated that Palm Beach Gardens has provided fire service for 25 years to its residents, originally under contract with Old Dixie, which was an entity of Palm Beach County. The City of Palm Beach Gardens has enjoyed a success and planned growth from a closed -door, volunteer operation to the present fire department, and presently has an operating budget of approximately $1,700,000. A volunteer force is still maintained. Palm Beach Gardens Fire Department is a three - station department with 36 employees and 20 active volunteers, nine firefighters and a commander on each shift. A shift consists of 24 hours on - 48 hours off (10 -hour days; 14 -hour nights). Palm Beach Gardens Fire Department has an experienced management team. Most of the personnel started as volunteers. Presently in the State of Florida there are 12,000 certified unemployed firefighters, so trained personnel is available to Tequesta. Specialized equipment can now be purchased at 5.25 %. Palm Beach Gardens wrote their own specs for their fire equipment. The Fire Department has no written Mutual Aid agreement with Palm Beach County, but operate under the NAMAC Agreement only, relying on those communities within the NAMAC Agreement. Palm Beach Gardens Fire Department operates under established policies and procedures. Their firefighters work under contract, with a pension system in place, have their own training and career development program. Palm Beach Gardens has developed a buying network of those with whom they choose to do business, has a community program in place, and have an accreditation program for fire services similar to police accreditation. Chief Arrants suggested that if Tequesta was going to implement their own department in one year, they should accelerate the process. Ordering special equipment would take approximately nine months. However, there are five trade shows per year around the country from which equipment could be purchased. Mr. Mortimer pointed out to the Board that Chief Arrants is one of the most respected Fire Chiefs in Palm Beach County. The Retirement Plan for Palm Beach Gardens firefighters is Local Law Chapter 175, with no extra benefits, with 6% payout, with the City contributing nothing. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 5 --------------------- VT. ANY OTHER MATTERS A) Hal Hutchinson stated that citizens from last week's Fire /Rescue Task Force meeting had stated to him that they would appreciate it if the Task Force did not face their backs towards them. Chairman Griest explained that it would be next to impossible to seat everyone at a long table so that all would face the audience since: 1) there are usually 10 -12 people seated; and 2) it would be difficult for the recording apparatus to properly pick up everyone's voice with that type of seating arrangement. B) Hal Hutchinson stated he felt it was necessary for, and moved that all Task Force members submit a written, signed Agreement stating that they would not seek nor accept employment in the Village of Tequesta as a result of any action resulting from this Committee. There was no second to that motion. C) Chairman Griest suggested that representatives from the Jupiter Hospital and from the local fire station appear before the Board at its next meeting to make a presentation. The Board concurred. It was appointed to Village Manager Bradford to make those arrangements. D) Village Manager Bradford reported that he has done interviews with Fire Chiefs, and has completed salary surveys for fire departments. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 6 --------------------- VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no other matters before the Board, Boardmember Crockett moved that the meeting be adjourned. Boardmember Hutchinson seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Thomas Rodth - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Sandy Linnan - for the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ,/n Fran Bitters Recording Secretary 4Z Date Approved: ATTEST: J Manganiedilo Village Clerk