CC_Minutes_2011_0926 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 26, 2011 Page 4 Councilmember Johnson questioned whether or not Councilmember McGehee had sup- ported the proposed project and stated that it was a great project in the recent past. Councilmember McGehee advised that at that time she had not had time to do sufficient research; and that her concerns had been prompted by the proposal for bonding without a voter referendum. Councilmember Johnson advised that he had served on the Fire Station Task Force, at- tending approximately one (1) year's worth of meetings; and questioned if Council- member McGehee was suggesting that the opinion of the Task Force and research of its members didn't count. Councilmember Johnson noted that the current department busi- ness model and staffing was different now than in 2001/2002 when the original study was done and completed; as well as changes in how the department serviced the community. Mayor Roe advised that it was his recollection that the newer study completed, in addi- tion to the 2006 mold study, and analysis of all stations by an architectural firm had pro- vided an update on the mold status and condition of each of the existing stations, as part of the recommendation of the Study Task Force. Fire Chief Tim O'Neill Chief O'Neill spoke to the age of the 2001 report of fire stations and the location study; noting that it was now a decade old; and further noted that it had been commissioned and the study done prior to staffing and other changes over the last decade. Chief O'Neill opined that that the number of stations wasn't significant compared to staffing and re- sponse times for medical and/or fire emergencies, as well as the training of the respond- ers. Chief O'Neill advised that the question was whether the Department could cover the entire city from one station. Chief O'Neill noted that the 2001 study had been completed, with the recommendation for a three (3) station concept when the department was still a volunteer department with staff coming to a station from home, and that at that time the department had an 8-15 minute response time; compared to the current average response time of a little over three (3) minutes; allowing the department to protect the community above and beyond what multiple stations could accomplish. On the issue of mold, Chief O'Neill noted that the mold study from 2006 was now over five (5) years old; and additional mold growth had been found again in Station No. 1, even after short-term mold abatement efforts had been undertaken following the mold re- port. Chief O'Neill opined that consideration had been given in the Task Force recom- mendation to the City Council on whether additional monies should be spent, or would be effective, for the short-term or if a long-term solution was a better investment for public monies. Chief O'Neill advised that the City Council had determined and directed that a long term solution be sought; and briefly referenced the many options provided from the most re- cent study; however, he noted that there had been no resulting action taken since that 2008/09 study. Upon his appointment as Fire Chief, Chief O'Neill advised that one of