Central Vermont Public Safety Authority

Central Vermont Public Safety Authority “Together is Better” Minutes of meeting of October 5,2017 Board Members Present: Smith, Golonka, Dworkin, Cheney Bate, Hoyt Guests: David Rubalcaba, Robert Gowans, Tim Bombardier, Tony Facos, Carolyn Earl, Jim Ward, David Delacore Meeting called to order at 6:35 Agenda approved on Motion of Smith, seconded by Hoyt, with addition to have executive session regarding tenure of Executive Director Aumand. Motion by Smith seconded by Dworkin and voted to approve payment of vouchers Motion by Smith seconded by Hoyt and voted to approve the minutes of 9/7/17, and 9/21/17. Aumand, gave an oral report. Principal activity was preparation of documents for presentation to Montpelier City Council on October 11th. Documents prepared and to be posted on Authority web site and be included in these minutes by reference. Aumand reported that he met with representative of Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission to determine if that organization could manage the financial accounting for employees of the Authority if they were ceded to it by a city. Determined that would be beyond the Commission’s capacity at this time. There is a budget balance of $22,522.43 due to unexpended training funds, Chief Bombardier reported that Valcore is the preferred (Records Management) system in Burlington. That Company is developing a CAD system with an anticipated cost of $324,000 which would be a porotype for other systems such as the Authority. Valcor was not designed by Fire or EMS but could evolve.  Central Vermont Public Safety Authority “Together is Better” Discussion of report of final meeting between potential Dispatch employees and board members. Board members generally agreed the report was accurate and helpful. Hoyt and Prevost attended the September 25th meeting. Dispatchers realized the authority might be fiscally able to provide for equipment upgrades that are needed to improve communications. Could remove clutter, and help to standardize and train for May Day calls. Dispatchers not ready for an up or down vote on support of the Authority. Understand it is an evolving concept. Cheney noted that the Press Report of the meeting included remarks by Chief Facos and Bombardier that one problem with the Authority, in addition to others they had raised was that from their point of view as the Authority as proposed could be competing for scarce public safety money would adversely affect their operations and budget. Discussion ensued regarding upcoming Council presentation. Golonka pointed out that City Council rarely spends more than one hour a year discussing public safety, and the Authority would have time for substantial oversight and opportunity to manage problems and develop improvements, and prepare budgets. Not likely to save money in the beginning, but over time efficiencies should arise in use of personnel. Aumand noted there were errors in his budget estimates. Dworkin pointed out errors in draft graphic displays that need correction, Golonka noted there are many areas suitable for regional communications systems such as Hospital and UVM Medical. He suggested that with both Chiefs opposed and Dispatchers undecided, alternative plans were needed. He passed out a memo for City Manager Fraser also suggesting reasons why dispatchers should not be ceded to the Authority (to be posted on web site and referenced in these minutes.)  Central Vermont Public Safety Authority “Together is Better” Bate mentioned a possible proposal to have the Authority take over the entire Montpelier City public safety department as a way to combine management and budgets. Chief Gowans expressed serious alarm that such an idea would be proposed without discussion with him and his employees. Following further discussion Bate moved seconded by Cheney and voted that the Authority report to the Montpelier City Council that there had been many changes and proposal put forth in the last week. The Authority would not ask to have despatchers ceded to it to manage, but would ask the Council for show of support for continuation of the Authority and time to revise a proposal for it to become operational. Cheney moved seconded by Smith that there was need for an executive session to discuss continued employment of the executive director and terms of such employment. So, voted. Smith moved seconded by Dworkin and voted to go into executive session for that purpose. Session held and ended by same process. Meeting adjourned at 8:20PM Respectfully submitted Kimberly B. Cheney Secretary. -30-