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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Miscellaneous_09/29/1992_Fire-Rescue Task Force f VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (407) 575 -6200 3 o Fax: (407) 575 -6203 o � 4 v �4CH couNI 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 S E P T E M B E R 2 9, 1 9 9 2 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Fire - Rescue Task Force held a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 1992 in the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Earl L. Collings. Task Force members in attendance were: Mayor Earl L. Collings, Councilmember Ron T. Mackail, Mervin Crockett, Robert Mortimer, Mayor Nick Porto of Jupiter Inlet Colony sitting in for Thomas J. Rodth, Alec Cameron, Wade Griest, Dr. Stanley Jacobs, Hal Hutchinson and Sandy Linnan. Staff members present were: Village Manager, Thomas G. Bradford; and Joann Manganiello, Village Clerk. II. INTRODUCTION OF TASK FORCE MEMBERS. Mayor Collings called the meeting to order, announcing each individual member's presence, and explained that this Task Force has not only an interesting, but awesome job before them. As an investigative Body, they must come up with a consensus as to which is the best route for Tequesta to take in developing an independent fire rescue department. Each member gave some background of their person to acquaint all Committee members with each other: Robert Mortimer: Retired from Palm Beach County Fire /Rescue, a Tequesta resident interested in Tequesta government, currently Chief of Police and Fire for Mangonia Park. Sandy Linnan: A Tequesta resident, Head Nurse of Intensive Care Unit at Jupiter Hospital. Dr. Stanley Jacobs: A Tequesta resident interested in Village matters, President of Tequesta Country Club Community for ten years, assisted with research on PBC F/R costs, assisted with research for independent Public Safety Department for Tequesta. Alec Cameron: Former Mayor, with background in basic management. Recycled Paper Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes September 29, 1992 Page 2 --------------- - - - - -- Hal Hutchinson: Retired executive from Pratt Whitney, Tequesta resident extremely interested in Village matters, has had experience in Korea setting up a jet engine overhaul shop with familiarity with facilities and personnel. Wade Griest: Tequesta resident, retired Sales Manager from Johnsons Wax Company, has done some in -depth studies of the Village government. Mervin Crockett: Retired from Exxon Corporation as Vice President of Domestic - International Affairs, Tequesta resident interested in the future of Tequesta, currently on the Board of the Tequesta Towers Condominium Association and on the Beach Road Association. Mayor Porto: Mayor of Jupiter Inlet Colony sitting in for Thomas Rodth, has been a resident of Jupiter Inlet Colony for 30 years, on the Council there for ten years, retired supervisor from Pratt Whitney in charge of Procurement and Handling of Engine Parts. Thomas Rodth is also an employee of Pratt Whitney, Financial Department, with much experience in negotiating contracts, active in the past on many local and county issues. III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS A) CHAIR: Hal Hutchinson moved to nominate Wade Griest as Chairman of the Tequesta Fire - Rescue Task Force. Alec Cameron seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Mayor Nick Porto - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted making Wade Griest Chairman of the Tequesta Fire - Rescue Task Force. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes September 29, 1992 Page 3 --------------------- B) VICE - CHAIR: Mervin Crockett moved to nominate Robert Mortimer as Vice Chairman of the Tequesta Fire - Rescue Task Force. Hal Hutchinson seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Mayor Nick Porto - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - for Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted making Robert Mortimer Vice Chairman of the Tequesta Fire - Rescue Task Force. IV. DETERMINATION OF TASK FORCE MEETING SCHEDULE Mayor Porto commented that it will sometimes be difficult, because of his daytime job, for Thomas Rodth to attend morning meetings. It was suggested by other members of the Committee that a late afternoon schedule be planned for meetings. It was determined that the Tequesta Fire- Rescue Task Force will meet, weekly, on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m., starting October 7, 1992. The Executive Committee members and the regular Committee members will meet simultaneously. It was Mayor Collings' suggestion that, as the Committee gets into the business of the Task Force, it is probable that an individual will be assigned to cover one area of fact to then report back to the Committee. V. REVIEW OF FIRE - RESCUE ALTERNATIVES Mayor Collings reminded the Committee that the reasons Tequesta opted out of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBC F /R) were: 1) costs were increasing substantially, for the past number of years, beyond Cost of Living; 2) PBC F/R wanted to take over the ambulance service, thereby increasing PBC F/R capital by $2M. Because of that opting out decision, there has been created a list of ten options of different routes for Tequesta to take in creating an independent Fire Rescue. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes September 29, 1992 Page 4 --------------- - - - - -- Village Manager Bradford reviewed those ten options, one by one, receiving input from the Committee: 1. Contract with Martin County Fire - Rescue for service to Tequesta, with or without Jupiter Inlet Colony. For the time being, no time will be put into this option, although the door will be left open. 2. Enter into a service contract for fire - rescue services with a private entity, such as Wackenhut Corporation. Village Manager Bradford will try to set up a meeting to take place as soon as possible with Wackenhut to come and make a presentation to the Task Force. Mr. Bradford reminded the Committee that Wackenhut would merely be able to review their capabilities before the Task Force. They would not be able to present specifics at this time, since there are presently no specifics available for them. 3. Solicit Cost of Service Proposal from the City of Palm Beach Gardens for fire service, with medical /rescue provided by North County Ambulance. Village Manager Bradford will try to set up a meeting to take place as soon as possible with Chief Arrants, of Palm Beach Gardens, to meet with the Task Force. 4. Continue present Service Contract with Palm Beach County Fire - Rescue, keeping the cost of the same within the Tequesta millage rate. (status quo). Not applicable at this time. 5. Continue service with Palm Beach County Fire - Rescue but eliminate the cost from the Village budget and millage rate by joining the MSTU by referendum. Not applicable at this time. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes September 29, 1992 Page 5 --------------------- 6. Create an independent Tequesta Fire - Rescue Department, serving Tequesta only. Staff is working on this item and will make presentation to the Task Force as soon as the work is finished. 7. Create a Tequesta- Jupiter Inlet Colony joint fire - rescue department. Staff is working on this item and will make presentation to the Task Force as soon as the work is finished. S. Create a Tequesta Fire Department, with or without Jupiter Inlet Colony, and contract for rescue service from North County Ambulance. Staff is working on this item and will make presentation to the Task Force as soon as the work is finished. 9. Join in a regional North County Fire - Rescue Department with Jupiter Inlet Colony, Jupiter and Juno Beach. This may happen on its own. There is no need to work on this item at this time. 10. Require Palm Beach County to create a separate and distinct MSTU for the North County area to allow for self - determination in the establishment of the North County area fire - rescue level of service, with a commensurate millage rate and /or assessment fee. This issue is in the hands of Chief Brice and the County Commission. There is no need to work on this item at this time. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes September 29, 1992 Page 6 VI. CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATION TO VILLAGE COUNCIL REGARDING LEASE WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY FOR FIRE STATION ON SEABROOK ROAD. Village Manager Bradford explained that the Village owns the property which the Fire Station sits upon. The road that serves Shay Place subdivision used to be a private road. At some point in time the Village was supposed grant an easement, so that the road serving the lots in that subdivision would be clear and free. Mr. Bradford explained that the procedure for terminating the lease with Palm Beach County is by mutual consent and requires written notification of termination with one year's advance notice. Though there is no guarantee that Palm Beach County would accept the notice of termination, Mr. Bradford felt it probably would not be prudent for the County to continue operating that station. He pointed out further that Palm Beach County plans to build a new station in the Central Boulevard area, replacing the station at Hepburn Avenue. Since the Village desires for the transition to be a smooth and orderly one, Mr. Bradford would like to avoid a legal fight fot the station in Tequesta. Dr. Stanley Jacobs moved that the Village Manager write a letter October 1, 1992, to Palm Beach County notifying them of the Lease Termination as of October 1, 1993. Mervin Crockett seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Mervin Crockett - for Robert Mortimer - for Ron T. Mackail - for Mayor Nick Porto - for Alec Cameron - for Wade Griest - for Dr. Stanley Jacobs - for Hal Hutchinson - against Sandy Linnan - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Fire- Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes September 29, 1992 Page 7 --------------- - - - - -- VII. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING AGENDA. Chairman Griest stated that at the next meeting the Committee would carry on from where they left off today, pursuing options discussed at today's meeting, and asked Mr. Bradford to create a meeting Agenda. VIII. ANY OTHER MATTERS Mary Seay suggested that a copy of the contract which was negotiated between Jupiter Hospital and North County Ambulance be requested by the Task Force for their perusal. Mr. Bradford explained that since neither entity is a private one, they are under no obligation to share that contract with anyone except the concerned parties. Betty Nagey expressed concern about the lack of coverage of North County Ambulance at the Tequesta location. Mayor Collings explained that at the present time the service to this area from North County is as ambulances are available. In a verbal discussion Mayor Collings had with Jupiter Hospital representatives, he was told that there would be one unit always available to Tequesta. Mrs. Nagey stated further that she felt Tequesta's decision to opt out of PBC F/R was too sudden. Richard Berube felt the Village Council opted out of PBC F/R irresponsibly and much too suddenly, backing themselves into a corner, before knowing for a fact the Village could provide the same service, equal to or better than Palm Beach County, at a lesser cost. Mayor Collings reviewed for Mr. Berube the many public meetings that were held concerning this issue, the many studies that took place, and the review of the issue far in advance of making the decision to opt out. Chairman Griest felt, since the Task Force calendar is so short, there should be no time wasted debating issues which have already been decided. Fire - Rescue Task Force Meeting Minutes September 29, 1992 Page 8 --------------------- IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no other matters before the Task Force, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 A.M. Respectfully submitted, -; Fran Bitters Recording Secretary M Date Approved: ATTEST: J ann Manganielyo Village Clerk