Public Safety (Subcommittee of the City Council)

Public Safety Committee Minutes Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Taftville Fire Department Committee Members Present Alderman Mark Bettencourt Alderman Jon Jacaruso Committee Members Absent Alderman William Nash Administration and Staff Present Alan H. Bergren, City Manager Fire Chief Kenneth Scandariato Gene Arters, Emergency Management Director Police Captain Tim Menard Volunteer Fire Departments Chief Frank Blanchard - Yantic Chief Pat Daley-East Great Plains Chief Ed Martin-Laurel Hill Chief Timothy Jencks-Taftville I. Meeting was called to order by Alderman Mark Bettencourt at 7:10 p.m. – It was determined a quorum was present. On motion by Alderman Jacaruso, seconded by Alderman Bettencourt it was unanimously voted to add the 2009 Public Safety Committee meeting schedule to the agenda under new business. On motion by Alderman Bettencourt, seconded Alderman Jacaruso it was unanimously passed to add a report by Chief Scandariato on the Central Ave. fire onto the agenda. II. Approval of minutes from November 12, 2008 were not available at time of meeting. Alderman Bettencourt stated that he expected that situation to be rectified with new staffing changes so that all future meetings would be posted promptly. III. Correspondence Alderman Bettencourt submitted an email regarding dispatch issues which has been distributed to all Fire Chiefs and committee members to be attached to minutes. IV. Citizen Comment None Public Safety January 14, 2009 Page-2- V. New Business a. 2009 Public Safety Committee Meeting Schedule Motion to accept by Alderman Jacaruso, seconded by Alderman Bettencourt, motion passed. b. Report by Chief Scandariato on Central Ave fire Chief Scandariato reported that the fire is still under investigation. They are waiting for the forensics lab to process. It will remain under review until the report from forensics is received. The Chief thanked Taftville Fire Chief Jen cks and members for assistance they gave. Central Fire has reviewed all procedures and made modifications to protocols to better equip the department for next fire – Improvements were made to the communications protocol. It is a global system and it will be up to the volunteer departments to implement it or not. Alderman Bettencourt preferred not to discuss the particulars of the fire until the investigation was made public. Alderman Jacaruso inquired about the status of the two firemen injured in the fire– Chief Scandariato reported that they are doing well. A safety check found that the regulators that had been used by the two firefighters were damaged. A check was conducted of all of the regulators in use by the department and many had issues that could affect safety. Alderman Bettencourt would like to put the Central Ave. fire on the agenda for discussion after the investigation is completed. VI. Old Business a. Evaluation of Equipment & Deployment – Update (City Manager) Chief Blanchard – The formal report will be distributed to the City Manager after all chiefs have signed it. Alderman Jacaruso asked that the report be ready next week so they will have time to review it. b. Infrastructure Strategy Plan – Update (City Manager) There is a meeting scheduled on Thursday, January 29th with Public Utilities to discuss interim steps to improve the water system. January 14, 2009 Public Safety Page-3- c. Hoses – Update: Funding Possibilities  Spreadsheet was given out – Community Development funds have been approved for Occum and Central for Hoses. Alan Bergren reported that they have a vendor in mind for asset inventory – There is a $38000 shortfall – If the vendor will hold the price until July, the difference may be able to be made up from Capital. The Finance Department is working on alternatives– A couple of funding sources from left over funds were found to make up approximately $20,000. Alderman Bettencourt asked if they would need a resolution to take out line items. Alan Bergren will check into this. The hose order should be submitted as soon as possible. d. ADA Access-Occum Fire Dept. Bathroom – Update (City Manager) Will be discussed after budget is in place. e. Sylvia Lane – Update (City Manager) Captain Menard reported that the issue is out of the Police Department’s scope and is a Public Works issue at this time. The Police Department takes action when there is a violation occurring. VII. Other a. Vergasun Ave Gates (Chief Blanchard) Photos were handed out to committee members to show difficulty of access when there is snow plowed up against the gates. The gates are old and a different style would enable Public Works to open them easily to plow to make the road accessible. Captain Menard pointed out that if the gates were removed, it would increase traffic on Vergasun as well as Sylvia Lane. It was agreed that the best remedy would be to change the gates. City Manager Alan Bergren will discuss low or no cost options with Public Works as well as making new employees aware that snow cannot be plowed up against the gates. b. Grant Presentation Chief Blanchard invited Public Safety members to a presentation on the grant, Friday 1.pm. Mohegan Sun Public Safety Complex. Public Safety January 14, 2009 Page-4- c. Limited Access Highway State Response Chief Blanchard asked if there was a response from the state on limited  access highway. Alderman Bettencourt responded that the state is looking to cut expenditures and funding for this was not foreseeable. d. Budget Limitations Alderman Jacaruso asked that everyone be aware of budget limitations on city due to shortfalls from city/state revenues and to please tighten budgets in this difficult time. VIII. Adjournment-7:32 p.m.