PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 29, 2007
The meeting was called to
order by Chairman Marshall at 7:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Reams, John Marshall
OTHERS PRESENT: Kathy House, Phil Roush, Fire Chief Gary
Johnson, Asst. Fire Chief Jay Riley
AGENDA:
Fire Station Planning / Progress Report
Ms. House stated Kellam & Associates is doing the engineering work for
this project. They met with each of the
Fire Units, as well as Administration, twice to try to narrow the list of
specifications. The first 5 pages of the
handout spell out the specifications for each area. Next is the square footage necessary to
accommodate those specifications.
Mr. Roush commented on Page
7, proposed potential bay spacing.
Equipment length was discussed and how long should a bay be to contain
two pieces of equipment. Without going
to the next economic bay, they came up with a bay that would house the
equipment so they can grow a little in the future. The rest of the building fits around that
area. Another area looked at was a
community room, to be used for community meetings, etc. Taking all those into account, they came up with a layout of what square footages would be necessary,
including the bays, living quarters, fire administration, community room and restrooms.
Mr. Marshall asked about a
secured entrance to the community room since the public would be in and
out. Ms. House said the training
classroom and restrooms would be adjacent to the community room. The classroom could be blocked off if it
wasn’t needed for a community meeting.
They are looking at cameras, key cards ID readers for entry. Chief Johnson said the current key cards can
be used, would just need to purchase the equipment for reading the cards.
A couple of assumptions made
would be a two-story building with living quarters and kitchen above the bays
and community room.
Three fire stations
to be toured, one on
Mr. Marshall asked how much
acreage would be needed. Response was
3-5 acres.
Possible proposed dates for
touring the fire stations are: November
16, 26, December 7, 12, 13, 14.
Decision needs to be made
whether this is going to be a replacement station with a plan in the future for
adding a second station, or is this a second
station. If this is a replacement, where
is it going to go.
If we’re going to pursue the ORW land, we need to move quickly because
it will take a year or more to get through the legislature.
Financing
model needs to be determined in order to know how many stations we need and how
to staff them.
Mr.
Marshall said we need to find some way to put more revenue on first-responder
services and including the Police Department.
Need to look at several different options. If we ask people for a tax increase, need to
have a specific plan. Need to have
public input to receive their general opinion.
People want to know what their money is going for.
Ms.
House doesn’t feel the existing building suffices as a main station. Administration recommendation has been to
build a new main station with a master plan for a second station in the future.
Check
with Mr. Morehart to have him figure scenarios for how much revenue various
percentage increases would generate. Mr.
Marshall said we need to raise just enough to offset what we already have in
the budget. This would pay for the
building and pay it in cash going forward.
Need a plan to upgrades services over a period of time, get caught up
and without going into debt, a plan to build buildings and a plan to replace
equipment.
Mr.
Roush said 1% would bring in $7M per year.
$7M is the amount of the Fire and Police Department budget now. The 1% income tax, which pretty
much goes to Police and Fire Departments, and they are both scratching to keep
up their services, because they are extended as much as they can be. Should probably be spending $10/12M a year
for Police and Fire.
In
summary, date will be set for field trip to area fire stations. Start the process for the financial
model.
Mr.
Reams questioned the specification calling for the smooth, glossy sealed, stain
and oil resistant bay floor for the apparatus bays. He noted at Honda, the experience with smooth
and glossy was not positive. They ended
up having to go with a textured surface.
Chief Johnson said textured floors are very expensive. Mr. Reams said the smooth surface is very
slippery. Fire equipment comes back to
the bay and is wet. There should be more
discussion about this specification.
Meeting
adjourned at 7:57 p.m.