Crescent City Council / Measure S Oversight Committee Meeting - Fire & Pool

CITY OF CRESCENT CITY Mayor Jason Greenough Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore Council Member Beau Smith Council Member Isaiah Wright MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL/MEASURE S OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WORKSHOP MEASURE S – POOL / FIRE DEPARTMENT VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM MONDAY MARCH 29, 2021 5:30 P.M. OPEN SESSION Call to order Mayor Greenough called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Beau Smith, Council Member Isaiah Wright, Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore, and Mayor Jason Greenough Oversight Board Members present: Board Member Cindy Cruse, Board Member Emery Mattz, Board Member Ernie Perry, and Chair Kelly Schellong Oversight Board Member absent: Vice Chair Heidi Kime Staff members present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Patch, Public Works Maintenance Manager Jason Wylie, Recreation and Events Coordinator Director Holly Wendt, Finance Director Linda Leaver, Fire Chief Bill Gillespie, Human Resources Administrator Sunny Valero, and Police Chief Richard Griffin Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Greenough PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD There were no public comments CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Meeting Minutes • Recommendation: Approve the February 25, 2021 meeting minutes of the Measure S Oversight Committee/City Council. On a motion by Board Member Perry, seconded by Board Member Mattz, and carried unanimously on a 4-0 polled vote with Vice Chair Kime being absent, the Measure S Oversight Committee approved the February 25, 2021 meeting minutes of the Measure S Oversight Committee/City Council. On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Wright, and carried unanimously on a 4-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved the February 25, 2021 meeting minutes of the Measure S Oversight Committee/City Council. 1|Page 3/29/21 COUNCIL/MEASURE S MINUTES PRESENTATION 2. Measure S – Fred Endert Municipal Pool/Crescent City Fire and Rescue • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Oversight Committee • Technical questions from the Council • Receive public comment • Further Oversight Committee discussion • Further Council discussion • Take action as necessary and appropriate Fire Chief Gillespie gave a report on Crescent City Fire and Rescue and advised the Measure S Oversight Committee and City Council that the fire department has had 1,300 calls for service per year, served a population of 19,500 (City population of 6,500), 28.4 sq. mile service area (with the District being 26 sq. miles, City 2.4 sq miles), with 20 active volunteers. He went over the different types of calls for service the Department handles on a typical year, the current operating combined (City/District) budget (total operating expenses $875,243). Chair Schellong asked where the funds for the grants and contributions go; Chief Gillespie they are matching funds such as CalFire Grants who will match up to 50% for things like personal protective equipment. City Manager Wier stated that the net cost to the City for the CCFR expenditures is $320k and went over the Fire Department Master Plan. The identified critical needs for the Department are staffing, volunteer support (training, career opportunities), apparatus replacement plan, and fiscal sustainability (District will deplete reserves by 2023). Vice Chair Kime joined the meeting at 6:00 p.m. City Manager Wier detailed each of the critical needs for CCFR and applauded Chief Gillespie for carrying the Department on since Chief Wakefield’s passing and continuing to give impeccable dedication to ensure the safety of the citizens. Chief Gillespie went over the current organizational chart that shows what was current when the Master Plan was developed. He further explained what the proposed new organizational chart would look like and the schedule that would be given to the firefighters. It was also decided to develop a “sleeper program” that would provide volunteers a stipend to be on the apparatus, which would give a 24/7 crew at the station who can respond to any calls that come in. Chair Schellong asked for the qualifications to become a Captain; Chief Gillespie stated there would be a hiring process, job requirements for the position are being looked at now; certifications, experience and time will be a part of the requirements. City Manager Wier went over how our volunteers have worked out how they can cover shifts, even with full time jobs. Chair Schellong if there is no funding to hire the 3 Captains, is there a backup plan? Chief Gillespie stated yes, the Master Plan outlines staffing. Chief Gillespie went into the equipment replacement schedule that showed the apparatuses the fire department has; how old they are and the cost to replace them along with when it should be expected to have them replaced. Chair Schellong asked what was currently being set aside for replacements; City Manager Wier stated that there has nothing for the last couple of years. He further reported to the Board and Council the available revenue – the City passed Measure S on November 3, 2020, and 25% of anticipated revenue from Measure S would be $325k. The District’s benefit assessment failed and the 2006 Assessment sunsets in 2021. Without any additional funding, the District only has two years of reserve left to operate. Therefore another assessment will be sought after in Spring of this year. City Manager Wier explained what the next steps were for the fire department; there is an opportunity to address City-funded one-time needs such as a large diameter fire hose ($30k), minor City facility upgrades ($10k), volunteer recruitment and retention consultation ($15k), and a larger deposit in apparatus/equipment reserve ($38k annually). Chair Schellong asked when the last time they surveyed the volunteers to see what would make them want to respond to calls; Chief Gillespie stated this is an ongoing process to see what motivates people. Council Member Smith stated that the College of the Redwoods Fire Academy is what helped him to become a firefighter and an incentive for him. Mayor Greenough asked what could be done to help the fire department to recruit volunteers; 2|Page 3/29/21 COUNCIL/MEASURE S MINUTES Chief Gillespie said to push CR to partner to bring training opportunities here instead of having to go to Eureka. In the interest of time, City Manager suggested having a separate meeting to discuss the Pool, so the presentation is not rushed. City Manager Wier suggested having the Pool meeting on Thursday, April 1st. The Board and Council were at odds to availability for a meeting on the 1st. Chair Schellong stated that perhaps April 12th is too soon to make the final recommendations for Measure S funds. The Board and Council were in consensus to have the Pool meeting on April 12th. The Board was in consensus to move the meeting to have the final recommendations for Measure S funds a week after the 12th. Board Member Perry stated that he knew Chief Wakefield personally, and staffing is a huge issue that needs to be addressed for the health and betterment of our firefighters. Chair Schellong stated that there was confusion when Measure S, Measure R, and the Benefit Assessment all going out at the same time. Suggested there should have been much more marketing done to help clear up any miscommunications. City Manager Wier stated that the decisions that should be considered for the fire department would be a portion of the larger deposit into the Apparatus/Equipment reserve could be reappropriated through Council action and used to start a Volunteer Staffing Sleeper Program for $73k ($37k from the City due to being split 50/50 with the District); and a recruitment process for Captain II positions ($132k/Cpt II) for $66k (City) per Cpt II per year. City Manager Wier stated that this can come in phases. In summary, 25% of Measure S would be $325k; 10-year costs associated with the Fire Department Master Plan would be $307k (City) primarily associated with staffing. The options laid out for FY21/22 were to fund one-time minor facility improvements of $40k, fund a Recruiting/Retention Consultant for $15k, place a larger deposit in Apparatus/Equipment Reserve: $38k + $52k = $90k (if District assessment passed, $52k could be used to fund the Sleeper Program and one Capt. II). The remaining funds could be allocated towards other one-time expenses such as additional equipment for the fire department, for streets and for the police department. Council Member Smith stated that the sleeper program will see the retention of the Captains we have. Chair Schellong clarified that the Captain position is covered 50% by the City and 50% by the District and asked why that was as it used to be a 35/65 split; City Manager Wier explained that the position is needed by both the City and the District, therefore is equally split between the two. Chief Gillespie explained that the decision to be 50/50 was decided upon by the City Council and the Fire District Board. Board Member Perry said it makes good fiscal sense to share the financial burden between the City and District. Mayor Greenough asked about the $132k for the Captain II, would this be Pers Retirement; Chief Gillespie stated that yes, it would be a position with benefits with the City. There were no public comments. City Manager Wier explained that the $132k staffing is a 10-year cost that will average back down. This will not be a starting salary; it accounts for the next 10 years that includes COLAs in the amount. Chair Schellong stated that her priorities are to have a plan in place to replace equipment, taking care of the volunteers, and fulfilling the Captain position. Vice Chair Kime stated that she loves the outreach and Council Member Smith’s story about College of the Redwoods. Agreed with Chair Schellong about having a fund to replace equipment. Board Member Cruse and Board Member Mattz both agreed that the volunteer base is a priority. Board Member Mattz also stated he was in agreement with the equipment replacement fund and paid positions to alleviate the workload at the fire department. Board Member Perry stated that the first year of Measure S funds will allow for some flexibility. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stated that he spent a whole day with Chief Wakefield and they spoke about a new way of doing things and that what he was doing was not sustainable; therefore our priorities need to be with the staffing plan. Council Member Smith stated he has worked for the fire department for 15 years and saw the change in Chief Wakefield. He further stated that Chief Gillespie came under the recommendation of Chief Wakefield. Mayor Greenough gave his support of the Committee and Council comments; the staffing plan is the biggest priority; with the equipment being secondary. 3|Page 3/29/21 COUNCIL/MEASURE S MINUTES ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Measure S Oversight Committee and City Council, Mayor Greenough adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m. to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City scheduled for Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., via Zoom, Crescent City, CA 95531. ATTEST: _____________________________ Robin Patch City Clerk/Administrative Analyst 4|Page 3/29/21 COUNCIL/MEASURE S MINUTES