PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

 

APRIL 27, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Marshall at 6:30 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  John Marshall, Leah Sellers, Mark Reams

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Kathy House, Floyd Golden, Johnie Myers, Gary Johnson, Phil Roush

 

AGENDA:

 

·        Organization

 

Mr. Reams nominated Mr. Marshall as Chairman, seconded by Ms. Sellers.  Mr. Marshall elected Chairman.

 

·        Code Red

 

Ms. House said the City has been in discussion with the County about the possibility of a city/county partnership in acquiring ___________    product.  Feels it would be very beneficial in a variety of capacities.  The quote received for the cost of the product is $14,000 for the County.  We are hoping to partner with the County.  She asked if Public Safety Committee would want the City to pursue this for budgeting purposes.

 

The Code Red system is a system where an alert can be put out via phone where a computer generated message is called out to whatever area designated to say there is a tornado warning, chemical spill, etc, to say this is what you should do.  It is in effect in other areas and apparently received high endorsements in those areas.  One of the advantages to getting on board early is that the price quoted never goes up.  Another advantage is that you can designate the area to be contacted, without having to contact the entire database.  Under the City’s authority, City has direct access to the program, etc. 

 

Mr. Marshall asked if protocol would be set up as to when to use it?  Ms. House said there are standards set up for what type of situations are appropriate and what personnel would be authorized to use it.  It also has the capability to filter out whether or not it has received an answering machine or no answer and recalls if it receives an answering machine or no one answers after a certain number of times.  Administration feels it’s a very useful product.  The cost sharing would probably be 50/50.  The $14,000 would be for software and you would get minutes for that amount.  If you need additional minutes you can purchase more for $2,000 per $10,000 minutes.  This is renewable annually.  The most likely uses for the City of Marysville would be tornado warnings, which would be in addition to tornado sirens, and train derailments.  It could also be used for lost children in a certain area.  Could also be used as something as mundane as change of day for garbage collection.

 

Chief Johnson stated that the sirens are audible warning signs.  The range can be significantly affected by rain, winds, traffic and buildings.

 

Purpose of putting this on the agenda is to make the Committee aware of such a product and to hear how strongly the Administration feels about it.

 

Ms. Sellers asked if there was any chance of getting Homeland Security Funds for this.  Chief Johnson said they are really tightening up on a lot of things.  He did not think Homeland Security funds would pay for something like this. 

 

Consensus of committee is that it’s a good idea. 

 

Ms. Sellers reminded Administration to look at all opportunities for grants.

 

·        NEW FIRE CODE

 

Chief Johnson explained that the City was previously under the Building Administrators and Code Officials Fire Code, which is mirrored in the City ordinances.  It has been changed from BOCA to the International Fire Code.  We’re now in concert with the Building Department who is also under the International Building Code.  We now have companion codes in the City for both the Building Department as well as the Fire Code.  City ordinances reflect the BOCA Code and need to be changed to the International Fire Code.  Before the Ohio Fire Code was referred to as the Ohio Fire Prevention Code.  These proposed changes to the ordinances are changes relative to the code designation itself.

 

A couple of other changes were recommended to Chapter 127 which basically states “a fire investigator”.  City now has three fire investigators which are Board Certified, so changes to the language are necessary to change from singular to plural.  

 

Also request a change in Chapter 110, City Fees, to the EMS billing to non-residents.  Propose adding “usual and customary fees” because fees change sometimes almost on a yearly basis, and they reflect not only what the market states, but what we feel we can reasonably charge.  A lot depends on the type of customer we’re servicing.  Allen Township charges $590 per run across the board plus $9.50 per patient load mile.  Marysville currently charges $450 per run plus $10.00 per loaded mile.  The difference being is that their situation   (inaudible) service are covered by private insurance where Marysville has a very large Medicare/Medicaid population that are once again based on those regulations and also insurance payouts.  Therefore, we’re requesting to add “usual and customary” in order to avoid having to come back with amended ordinances every 10/12 months.

 

·        NEW FIRE STATION OPTION & POST-VACATION OPTIONS FOR CURRENT STATION

 

Past discussions have indicated that the current fire station does not provide easy access to the entire city.  However, the City cannot afford to staff a second fire station.  The City is suggesting consideration be given to a spot in cooperative effort with the State of Ohio on the ORW property at the corner of Collins and Rt. 4.  There is a house and two outbuildings on the property.  City would request demolition of the two outbuildings in the negotiation process. The Mayor and Fire Chief met with the Warden at ORW, and Chief Johnson followed up with the real estate specialist for the State.  Have received preliminary estimates for demolition   He discovered that the Ohio Prison Industries does demolition, asbestos abatement and construction.  Ohio Prison Industries built a fire station about three or four years ago, so Chief Johnson has been talking to the Ohio Prison Industries to see what the possibilities are of working with them on such an endeavor.  To move forward on this, it would have to go through State legislature.  There is a cost involved.  Right now, we’re looking at treating that as agricultural land and balancing the cost of the demolition along with the average cost of tillable acre in the County, as far as the offering price if we get to that point.  Looking at roughly $3,000 an acre plus cost of demolition.

 

Mr. Reams stated in previous discussions, it was agreed there were different options and to evaluate all options, and not just settle on a site because it’s the cheapest.  Must ask what’s the best option long term.   He would like to see some evaluation of different locations.  He expressed concern that we’re a growing community and at some point, we do need a second station, whether it’s now or five or ten years down the road.  We know there is growth pressure on the Rt. 33 Corridor area, which is an area we serve through contracts with other townships. He would like to explore the idea of a fire district to serve those areas.  Given that, where would be the best location for a system with two stations, and that if we relocate the existing station, it should go to one of those two locations that would serve our future.  Would like us to pursue the idea of a more regional approach to fire protection looking at a fire district and how then that plays into a two-station operation and the location for the first of two stations.

 

The main reason for the proposed location instead of in the Mill Valley area, is it provides split access into the city, as well as to two bypasses, which gives access to the other side of the tracks.  Mr. Reams asked that if the City had a two-station operation, would the Mill Valley location have been a better choice?  Ms. House stated that a second additional station would be more appropriate on the southeast side of town so that either station could get to all four sections of town.  That area might be in the Scottslawn Road/Industrial Parkway area, near Rt. 33, in that direction. 

 

Mr. Marshall questioned why the City is still in the fire business with all the outlying departments that we have mutual aid with, why are we not pursuing a fire district, self-supportive, elected financing.  Ms. House stated that has been investigated, but in the last couple of years, the City has had too many other more pressing issues to deal with and have not had any time to deal with this issue.  It was brought up with some of the township trustees when fire contracts were discussed with us, but it hasn’t gone any further than that. 

 

Chief Johnson noted the majority of the runs are in the City.  Many times there are multiple runs at the same time where townships have to come in to help out.  Mr. Marshall pointed out that in the future when development occurs between here and Rt. 42, “in the city” could potentially be a run to Rt. 42.  We need a quick fix now, but also a long term plan.  He just hates to see the City spend the money on a fire station in the proposed location now, when in the future, we may go to a fire district and that station would not be needed because of positioning. 

 

Chief Johnson met with John Green to get a feel for the cost of staffing a second station.  You are looking at an average of $300,000 for the first two years.  He has all kinds of data regarding staffing.  Ms. House stated we have to take a first step then go on from there.  Ms. Sellers asked what she perceived to be the first step.  Response was relocating the fire station.  Mr. Reams disagreed.  He feels the first step is developing a plan for the future on how and when we’ll get to a two-station operation then decide where to locate those stations.

 

Consensus of the Committee is to begin meeting monthly on this issue to continue discussion/planning.  Ms. Sellers perceives an immediate need and appreciates all the work done so far on the proposed location, but would like more information and would like to move on this as quickly as possible.  Committee will meet the second Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. just prior to City Council meeting.  Next meeting is May 25, 2006 at the Fire Station.  Ms. Sellers asked Committee to think about forming a citizen committee for this issue.

 

 

·        CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY PROPOSAL

 

Chief Golden stated the purpose of this program is public education, public relations, contacts in the Police Department if you have a problem.  Let people know what programs exist within the Police Department.  Program will begin in the fall and will be held one night a week for a couple of hours.  This program will create awareness.  Program will be publicized in the newspaper and cable station and website.  Committee thought it was a good idea.

 

·        SMOKING BAN

 

Mr. Marshall stated back in November, 2005, Council received a group of letters from Mrs. Cunningham’s 2^nd grade class asking for a smoking ban in restaurants in Marysville.  He asked if the Committee wanted to take any action and if so, what action should be taken.

 

Mr. Reams commented that he was surprised the community hasn’t done something about this before now.  Ms. Sellers said this should be a community-oriented issue that the residents should come together and put it on the ballot.   Mr. Reams said he would welcome that issue on the ballot. 

 

Mr. Marshall will draft a letter to the class, telling them it had been discussed by the Committee and the feeling of the committee would be that it should be a public initiative to bring this forward and not a council initiative.

 

·        5^th STREET RAILROAD CLOSURE

 

                   This issue has been discussed at Public Services Committee. 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.