HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/01/2009 05B Minutes 11-23-2009 Council Public Safety CommitteeKWAW;;Wpl
FAMAZAA
10-
CounciCTu6Ck Safety Committee
Coumi[Cfiam6m
CUyMaX
MINUTES
Council Members Present: Maureen Adkison. Mayor David Edler, Rick Ensey
Staff Present: City Manager Dick Zais, Fire Chief.Charlie Hines,, CED Deputy
Director Michael Morales, Fire Administrative Assistant Connie Mendoza
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Adkison at 2:00 p.m.
Yakima Fire Department SAFER Grant Application
Dick Zais described the SAFER grant program and explained that this would be a
continuation of a program that was already in place. This is a Federal grant
program that assists local fire department with adding firefighters. It is similar to
the COPS grant that the Federal Government provides for law enforcement
officers. , The grant would fund the positions at 100% for two years. There is a
serious gap in the number of firefighters needed and YFD would like to apply for
three additional positions to be funded through the grant. The application
window is very tight and Zais would like to have the Public Safety Committee's
recommendation to proceed. All of the accounting procedures/processes are
already in place.
Chief Hines shared current staffing statistics with the committee and reiterated
that YFD was understaffed. Fire departments have very few oppoftunities to
apply for assistance however, thin is one opportunity funded by the Department
of Homeland Secur * ity. Points the Chief made were:
• Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program
'("SAFER")
• "SAFER" grants provide financial assistance to help fire departments
increase their cadre of frontline fire fighters
• Application period ends December 17, 2009
• Fully funded for two years (salary, benefits & turnout gear)
• Anticipate hiring in July 2010
YFD is requesting the opportunity to apply for three firefighter positions. This would
allow the department to convert the two-person "rescue unit" to a much needed
three-person engine company which is much more efficient.
Projected Fiscal Impact:
July 2010 — December 2010 ............... ...
$0
January 2011 — December 2011 .............$0
January 2012 — July 2012 . ....... .............
$0
August 2012 — December 2012 ..............$115,000
January 2013 — December 2013..:..........$231,000
Total Savings .....................$491,500
Zais covered possible funding sources. Options for continued funding after the
grant expires include: General fund (from an improved economy) or through
attrition of vacancies or retirements over the next two years. There is also the
likelihood that there will be savings reflected in the YFD overtime budget. Chief
Hines added that with the renewal of the EMS Levy (even if it is renewed at only
twenty-five cents} we will see a gain due to recalculation of the formula as a
result of the increased population and re-adjustment. Hines added that once the
rescue unit is upgraded to an engine company he plans to contact the
Wash ' ington Survey & Ratings Bureau to have them reassess the City's rating.
He feels that it rating will improve which will reduce the amount of money, citizens
have to pay for insurance.
Chairperson Adkison asked if the City already owned the apparatus to be used.
Chief Hines stated that we did.
Members of the committee approved the request and recommended that it be
placed on the next Council Meeting agenda.
.Mayor Edler and - - Chief Hines excused themselves at 2:15 p.m.
II. Legislative Priorities for 2010 Update
Zais and, Morales provided and update of the AWC & Cities, legislative priorities
for 2010. Zais stated that the focus would be the preservation of revenues such
as liquor excise tax and the anti - violent crime revenue. - Morales shared that the
AWC would be releasing their list of priorities any day. He said the city will be
organizing their leg islative'priorities to mirror the new priorities of government
model. He listed afew of the Cities priorities:. Gang prevention/intervention
funding; Capitol budget projects such as the completion of the A Street corridor;
completion of 2" d Street between A and Martin Luther King Blvd.; Miller
ParkNPal building improvements and supporting the Homebuilders self-
insurance'poo.l.
There will be more updates soon.
Ill. Meeting Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 2:33 p.m..
Maureen Adkison
Public Safety Committee Chair
Minutes prepared by Connie Mendoza