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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 09-22-82195 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH - SEPTEMBER 22, 1982 City Council met in special session on September 22, 1982 at 4:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Feibusch, Kelley, Hickey, Myers, Riley. Staff present: Payne, Orchard, Hassler, Tillotson, Melvin. NOTICE OF COMPLETION, SCHOOL STREET M/S: Feibusch/Kelley to agenda approval of Notice of Completion for drainage facilities on School Street. City Attorney stated the Code provides that at any special meeting the only action that can be taken by Council is that which appeared in the notice or consent to meeting. He further added that there is an additional problem of the media not being noticed regarding this matter. Councilmember Feibusch stated that this item was pulled off the consent calendar by the City Manager and the Public Works Director stated Council had the option to authorize him to ask the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Completion Notice or to postpone the matter until Council's next meeting. Councilmember Feibusch further stated that the job was completed the day after the meeting and a member of the private sector is being deprived of getting a notice of completion for three weeks. He was of the opinion that this showed an insensitivity to the private sector. He felt Council should authorize the Public Works Director to have the Mayor and City Clerk sign the Notice of Completion. Mayor Riley suggested that a special meeting be called to enable the Public Works Director to direct the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the notice of completion. After discussion, Monday, September 27, 1982 at 9 a.m. was set for the special meeting to consider approval of notice of completion. Councilmember Feibusch, with the consent of the second, withdrew his motion. Councilmember Feibusch questioned how adoption of Ordinance No. 798, Calaveras, appeared on this agenda. Mayor Riley stated this was discussed at Council's last meeting and Council requested that two items be noticed for a special meeting, Calaveras and ISO Fire Department Rating. City Manager stated that he specifically brought up the matter of the Calaveras ordinance being considered at this special meeting. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 798 M/S: Myers/Hickey to adopt Ordinance No. 798 by title only. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Feibusch, Kelley, Hickey, Myers, Riley NOES: None ABSENT: None M/S: Hickey/Myers to adopt Ordinance No. 798 approving the terms and conditions of a member agreement between Northern California Power Agency and certain participating members and authorizing the execution of and delivery of said agreement by the officers of the City of Ukiah. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Kelley, Hickey, Myers NOES: Feibusch, Riley ABSENT: None ISO FIRE DEPARTMENT RATING City Manager suggested that Council review the ISO rating individually to develop programs the Council may wish to create to reach a Class III rating. Ira Brannon, REMIF representative, reported his discussion with REMIF regarding the City and REMIF, on its own, establishing a contract agreeing Special Meeting September 22, 1982 Page 1 199 to indemnify property owners within the City for losses due to fire. He further reported that REMIF's attorney stated that the City could not, with REMIF, enter into such a program under present State law. He was of the opinion that this concept would merit an effort to cause this law to be changed but felt there would be substantial lobbying against it by insurance interests. He referred to the acquiring of a ladder truck and suggested that the City advertise in the Western Fire Magazine as a means to procure a ladder truck. A1 Bechtol, former Ukiah Fire Chief and representing Ukiah Valley Fire District, stated he was attending this meeting in order to determine how Council's action would affect the Fire District. He reported that a fire rating survey is based on the judgment of the one doing the survey. He stated that he had spent 30 years in the fire department and if he had had a ladder truck, it would have sat for 30 years. He suggested that Council consider, in increasing its points, additional manpower. He stated that when he was Fire Chief, his fire rating deficiency was manpower and a fire alarm system. A fire alarm system was installed at that time which is now worthless. City Manager stated that ISO is not telling the City what to do but has given the City a specific rating. Council should determine the potential way to accumulate points to get back the Class III rating. In answer to Mayor Riley's concern regarding an appeal process, City Attorney stated, in his opinion, that a judicial action would not have merit. Acting Fire Chief stated that the insurance industry is regulated by State law and as long as ISO stays within those parameters, they are well within the law. Receiving and Handling Fire Alarms 1) Credit for Telephone Service - Acting Fire Chief stated that by listing the Fire Department in two additional areas within the telephone book, the City would receive .02 points. 2) Credit for Operators - Acting Fire Chief stated that in ISO's opinion, the lack of a 24 hour operator was not good. He stated that the Fire Department has a dispatcher on duty Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discussion was had regarding a central answering for both police and fire at the police department which is estimated at $15,000. City Manager reported that this matter is presently being investigated. Acting Fire Chief felt it would be less than optimum to have a public safety man sitting at a dispatch panel not only dispatching for the police but also fire and felt this program could entail a major operational change. In answer to Councilmember Feibusch's question regarding the Police Department's budget for communication equipment, City Manager stated that the additional $15,000 would allow the Fire Department to insert their equipment into the Police Department's communication equipment. 3. Credit for Dispatch Circuits - Acting Fire Chief stated that ISO feels that a two station radio in line necessary in case one fails, the other one can be used. They also want electrical supervision on the radio with tape recorder for the radio equipment and this would require the Fire Department to go to a private line. He estimated the cost for this item to be $5,000. If dispatching was to stay within the Fire Department with the use of a vocal alarm system, it would cost less than $2,000. Councilmember Myers expressed his concern for the safety of Ukiah citizens and asked if the present communication system meets that need? Acting Fire Chief stated that there have been problems. If there is a structure fire, there is a time period of approximately 5 minutes when there is no one to receive fire calls. To meet ISO standards for No. 3, Acting Fire Chief Special Meeting September 22, 1982 Page 2 2OO stated it would cost approximately $7,000 and the City would receive 2.0+ points. Fire Department 1) Credit for Engine Companies 2) Credit for Reserve Pumpers 3) Credit for Pump Capacity Acting Fire Chief stated that these categories are adequate. 4) Credit for Ladder Service - In answer to Councilmember Myers' question regarding an aerial platform truck, Acting Fire Chief stated that an elevated platform and ladder truck are similarly designed for the same job. He stated the difference is the hydraulic arm at the end of the platform compared to a straight ladder. He further stated that a platform truck is more expensive and felt a ladder truck had more versatility. In answer to Councilmember Feibusch's question regarding the function of a ladder truck, Acting Fire Chief stated it was felt in the past, because Ukiah requires buildings of three stories to be sprinkled, that there was not a need for a ladder truck. Presently, Engines 1 and 3 are loaded with equipment in excess of what is required for lack of a ladder truck. In answer to a question regarding the use of the electric department's vehicles, Acting Fire Chief stated he could not recommend this as they are not equipped for the backlash from the nozzle and ISO would not approve. If a ladder truck is acquired, about $5,000 worth of equipment, in addition to what the Fire Department already has, would be installed. Acting Fire Chief stated the City would receive 4.03 points by acquiring a ladder truck. 5) Credit for Reserve Ladder Service - Acting Fire Chief stated that presently an older truck (Engine No. 2) is being equipped as a ladder truck. He further added that depending upon the type of equipment put on this truck, an increase in points would occur. 6) Credit for Distribution 7) Credit for Company Personnel - City Manager discussed this matter with ISO and to increase the City's points in this category, the City would have to hire 12 men to receive 2.5 points. Acting Fire Chief stated that volunteers were considered in the City's rating but do not count as much as a paid man. He further added that the loss of points under Item No. 8 was due to the lack of volunteer training. He was of the opinion that the number of volunteers must be maintained at a specific number in order to maintain control of the fire grounds. City Manager estimated that three new firemen would cost approximately $100,000. 8) Credit for Training - Acting Fire Chief recommended the building of a block smoke room at the base of the drill tower (estimated to cost $3,000) and the possible availability of Masonite pit. Presently, firemen receive two hours of training each day; ISO recommends 1/2 day training, eight times a year. Mayor Riley reported her conversation with Bob Pile at the college regarding training. Acting Fire Chief stated he would contact Mr. Pile. City Manager felt ISO's recommendation regarding inspection of the buildings by every fire fighter twice a year not appropriate. M/S: Myers/Feibusch to direct staff to advise ISO of the following program and immediately implement the area of increased training; 2) advertise in the Western Fire Magazine with the intent of acquiring a reasonably priced ladder truck; 3) consider items 2 and 3, handling of fire alarms and 4) provide two additional telephone lists (Item 1). Special Meeting September 22, 1982 Page 3 201 Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Feibusch, Kelley, Hickey, Myers, Riley NOES: None ABSENT: None Mr. Bechtol questioned the affect of Council's action on the Fire District. City Manager stated that this issue would be more appropriately handled by the Fire District Ad Hoc Committee. ADJOURNMENT - 5:20 P.M. Mary Melvin Deputy City Clerk Special Meeting September 22, 1982 Page 4