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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Safety Commission 05/12/2004CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MINUTES May 12, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Nethery called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Commissioner James Butzbach Commissioner James Larsh Commissioner Rick Lebel Commissioner Martin Nethery Also Present: City Manager Carlos L. Ortega Assistant City Manager/Community Services Sheila R. Gilligan Lt. Steve Thetford Division Fire Chief Ignacio Otero Finance Director Paul Gibson City Engineer Mark Greenwood Risk Manager Gary Rosenblum Guests Brad Harris, Deputy Fire Chief of Operations David Avila, Fire Marshal Walt Holloway, Battalion Chief G:ICityCUk\Karen Russo\Public Safety Commission 2004\May 2004 Mmutes.wpd 1 Public Safety Commission May 12, 2004 MINUTES III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes of the Public Safety Commission meeting of April 14, 2004. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Minutes as presented. Motion by Commissioner Larsh, seconded by Commissioner Butzbach, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 4-0. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Palm Desert Fire Services Monthly Report - March, 2004 Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file the monthly report for March, 2004. The Commission requested future reports include statistics for the reporting month along with the corresponding month . from the previous year, and Chief Otero will provide this information along with year-to-date statistics. Motion to receive and file the monthly report for March, 2004, made by Commissioner Butzbach and seconded by Commissioner Larsh. Motion carried 4-0. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2004/05 Fire Department Budget for Fire Services. Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file the staff report and provide comments if deemed appropriate. G:\CityCblcAKarea Russo\Public Safety Commission 2004\May 2004 Mimrtessvpd Page 2 Public Safety Commission May 12, 2004 MINUTES Ms. Gilligan indicated that this item is agendized for the May 13, 2004, City Council meeting. A question was asked about the status of the discussion with the Cove Commission. Mr. Ortega indicated that the three cities have not been able to come to a resolution on the funding formula to be used beginning July 1, 2004. The options for the City Council on May 13 are (1) agree on a funding formula, or (2) negotiate a separate contract with Riverside County. The three city managers made a recommendation to the Cove Commission, but it was preferred that the representatives take the issue before their respective City Councils. The funding issue has to be worked out by July 1. Otherwise, the Cove Commission cannot guarantee to the County that it will have the funding to pay for the contract. There are two separate agreements; the Joint Powers Agreement that specifies how costs will be distributed, and the County contract with the Cove Commission. Commissioner Lebel researched the contract with the Cove Commission Joint Powers Authority Agreement and found that the agreement had been modified four times since its original inception. The formula used by the Cove Commission was last modified in 1991, and that modification resulted in using the assessed valuation as the means of determining the proportionate percentages used by the communities to pay for the fire contract. Mr. Ortega did not feel there was a problem with the formula. The Commission is responding to a notice provided a year ago by the City of Indian Wells. The Joint Powers Authority Agreement does not provide for unilateral decisions. Therefore, Indian Wells unilaterally cannot decide to change the formula. Their only option was to give notice of intent to withdraw from the Cove Commission. A question was raised as to the City's options if Indian Wells does pull out of the Cove Communities Commission. Mr. Ortega discussed several options: (1) agree to the Indian Wells formula; (2) if the three cities cannot agree on a formula, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage could agree on a formula and form a JPA; and, (3) If agreement is not reached on a funding formula, send a letter to the County requesting that they provide a proposal for a separate contract. A question was raised as to whether the formula the city managers recommended would make a significant change in terms of the cost to the City of Palm Desert, and Mr. Ortega said no. Under the current G;CityClrk\Karen Russo\Public Safety Commission 2004\May 2004 Mnutes.wpd Page 3 Public Safety Commission May 12, 2004 MINUTES formula (assessed valuation), Palm Desert pays 52%. The formula the city managers reviewed and recommended put Palm Desert at about 54%. The major cost shift is between Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage. Page three of the May 13 staff report indicates there is the intent of reducing all firefighter positions down to 2 firefighters per engine and it shows an alternate funding formula based on those numbers instead of the Fire Department's budget numbers. Mr. Ortega mentioned that when the Cove Commission asked the Fire Department to come up with a proposed 2004/05 budget, it resulted in a 13% increase. The Cove Commission then instructed the three city managers to look at alternatives for reducing the cost without affecting the level of service. There were several alternatives considered by the city managers, and one recommendation was the reduction from three firefighters to two that reduced the cost by $1.5 million. Consideration was given to (1) cut back ambulance service from one station in Palm Desert; (2) not man the big truck; and (3) take one fireman off each engine. Out of these alternatives, the third is the one the city manager's recommended. Chief Harris indicated that when the budget was prepared, positions were estimated at top steps. Since not all positions are at the top step, there will be a savings in the budget of about 10%, or about $1 million. Under the current formula, without making any cuts, Palm Desert would save $500,000 this year. Mr. Ortega summarized staffs recommendations to the City Council: 1. Provide direction relative to the City's continuing participation in the Cove Communities joint contract for firefighting and paramedic services. If the direction is to continue to provide service under a joint contract, select a level of service and funding formula; or, 2. Direct staff to negotiate a stand-alone contract for firefighting and paramedic services with the County of Riverside and select the level of service desired. Commissioner Butzbach voiced two concerns: (1) encourage the representatives of the Cove Commission to resolve a new formula as necessary, and (2) do not compromise levels of service -- do not go below three firefighters. Commissioner Larsh wants to see the level of service remain the same for the good of the community. G:1CityClrk\Karen Russo\Public Safety Commission 2004\May 2004 Minutes.wpd Page 4 Public Safety Commission May 12, 2004 MINUTES Commissioner Lebel distributed a copy of a memorandum he provided to the Cove Commission at its' last meeting. He stated that he feels we are getting a bargain through the consolidated contract with the Joint Powers Authority. He is in favor of maintaining the contract the City of Palm Desert has with the Cove Communities Joint Powers Authority and feels that money is saved by doing this. Commissioner Lebel supports the maintenance of existing staffing. He could not recommend two person staffing under any circumstance. The Cove Commission and cities should maintain the existing JPA and contracts, and over the next year perform a comprehensive study of fire services and make a recommendation prior to next year. His recommendations are: (1) maintain the continuity of the JPA if at all possible, and (2) maintain the level of staffing on fire units and level of service in the community. Chairman Nethery feels strongly about keeping the staffing level the same if at all possible within budgetary constraints. He felt it would be nice if the City could remain part of the Cove Communities Commission. Motion to receive and file the Fire Report made by Commissioner Butzbach and seconded by Commissioner Larsh, Motion carried 4-0. Motion by CommissionerLebel to recommend to the City Council that it maintain the existing staffing levels of three persons on an engine company, seconded by Commissioner Butzbach. Motion carried 4-0, Motion by Chairman Nethery that the Public Safety Commission recognizes the Cove Communities Commission has served the communities well and is hopeful that agreement can be reached on a formula, seconded by Commissioner Larsh. Motion carried 4-0. B. Consideration of Report by Fire Chief Otero Relative to Ambulance Service Revenues. Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file the report and provide comment/recommendations if deemed appropriate. Chief Otero mentioned that at the last meeting the Commission asked for information regarding revenue projection if non-residents were to be charged for ambulance transportation. G1CityCirk\Karen Russo\Public Safety Commission 20041May 2004 Minutes.wpd Page 5 Public Safety Commission May 12, 2004 MINUTES *************************************************************************************************** A question was asked as to the definition of non-resident, and Chief Otero responded that non-residents are those who do not provide an address for one of the three cities. Another question asked was where revenue received from this would be deposited; i.e. general fund, fire fund? The answer was the fire fund. If Palm Desert were part of the Cove Communities Commission, the entire Commission would have to adopt this policy. Mr. Ortega stated the following should be taken into account when considering whether to charge non-residents for ambulance services. A lot of well-being for Palm Desert residents comes from the people who visit and shop here. Problems may arise in charging non- residents for ambulance services, such as (1) determining who is a resident, and (2) billing/collection issues. In most cases, billing is handled through insurance companies. The City receives benefits from those who visit - 50% of the City's sales tax is generated by non- residents. The City collects $3 million in property tax versus $14 million in sales tax. Motion by Commissioner Butzbach to receive and file the report and continue matter to June meeting, seconded by Commission Larsh. Motion carried 4-0. C. Coachella Valley Association of Governments - Public Safety Committee Goals for FY 04/05. Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. Mayor Spiegel, the City's representative to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Public Safety Committee, asked that this information be provided to the Commission. Motion by Commissioner Lebel, seconded by Commissioner Larsh, to receive and file the report Motion carried 4-0. VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. Update on School Resource Officer Funding. Rec: By Minute Motion, concur with the recommendations by staff and encourage further negotiations with Desert Sands Unified School District. G:\CityClrk\Karen Russo\Public Safety Commission 2004\May 2004 Minutes.wpd Page 6 Public Safety Commission May 12, 2004 MINUTES The City of Palm Desert is the only city in the Desert Sands Unified School District that pays for the School Resource Officers in their entirety. Staff has been successful in opening negotiations with the District for the position at the Palm Desert High School. Lt. Thetford reported there are grant funds available under the COPS in Schools grant program. In order to accomplish the requirements of the grant, the City would have to terminate its Resource Officer at the high school and the District would have to pick it up. The grant would be in a three-year increment, the highest payment being in the first year. Ms. Gilligan indicated that school district personnel have met with the County's grant administrator, and the District signed a Letter of Intent. The grant amount is $125,000 for three years. The School Resource Officer at Palm Desert Middle School would remain in the City's budget as it was an addition deemed necessary in the past. Motion by Commissioner Lebel, seconded by Commissioner Larsh, to concur with the recommendations by staff and encourage further negotiations with Desert Sands Unified School District. Motion carried 4-0. B. Update on Highway 74 Signal Proposal. Rec: By Minute Motion, receive oral report from the Public Works Department and make recommendations deemed appropriate by the Public Safety Commission. Ms. Gilligan reported that this item is on the City Council agenda for May 13, 2004 as the result of a fatal accident on Highway 74. Mark Greenwood, City Engineer, was present to respond to questions. A question was asked concerning the Department of Transportation's letter to the City that mentions, "The City's project will have to go through the Department encroachment permit process." It was recommended that the City consider installing a raised median on SR-74 between El Paseo and Haystack Road or restrict access to SR-74 from Bursera Way and Thrush Road in an effort to better channelize local traffic. Mr. Greenwood reported that staffs proposal was to include a median from El Paseo to Shadow Mountain. In the course of discussion, the preferred solution appeared to be to provide this signal so that those who felt they needed the signal for safety could use it. Those who preferred the convenience of non -signalized access would still have that choice. The signal is the first step and the second step is to provide a second signal at Mesa View. G.1CityCIriMaten Russo\Public Safety Commission 2004\May 20041Tinutes.wpd Page 7 Public Safety Commission May 12, 2004 MINUTES A question was asked as to timing, and Mark responded that Caltrans indicates a six-month process, along with additional time to go through the encroachment process. The estimated completion date will be spring, 2005. Motion by Commissioner Butzbach to concur with staff's recommendation to the City Council to proceed with design of a traffic signal for the intersection of Highway 74 and Shadow Mountain Drive, seconded by Commissioner Lebel. Motion carried 4-0. There was discussion about a signal at the intersection of Highway 74 and El Paseo and the installation of a light for southbound traffic to alert them as to the condition of the intersection. Mark responded that although Caltrans said it was a good idea, there was no money for this project. The City would have to put together a project and go through their encroachment permit process. C. Update on Program for Reporting Traffic Statistics Rec: By Minute Motion, receive oral report from Lt. Thetford. Lt. Thetford distributed sample reports on traffic updates, and asked the Commission for specific direction on the type of information and report they would like to receive. There was discussion about providing statistics on the top three intersections. A suggestion was made to provide the Summary, Primary Collision Factors vs. Citations, and Collision Report. Lt. Thetford will put together a report package for the next meeting for the Commission's consideration. Motion by Commissioner Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Larsh, to receive the oral report and documents from Lt. Thetford and to continue this item to the next Public Safety Commission meeting. Motion carried 4-0. IX. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION(S) Ms. Gilligan indicated the Council has not met since the last Commission meeting. A question was raised as to the status of the General Plan, and Mr. Ortega reported that it had been adopted by City Council. G..\CityCltk\Karen Russo\Public. Safety Commission 2004 May 2004 Mnutes.wpd Page 8 Public Safety Commission May 12, 2004 MINUTES X. REPORTS AND REMARKS Chairman Nethery appreciated the job done by staff, the Police Department, and Fire Department. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Larsh, seconded by Commissioner Lebel, to adjourn the meeting at 5:10 p.m. Motion carried 4-0. 1 atau Karen Russo, Recording Secretary G:1CityClrk\K ren Russo\Public Safety Commission 2004\May 2004 Minutes.wpd Page 9