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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-27-14 - Fire Services WorkshopWorkshop Fire Services OCOEE CITY COMMISSION Ocoee Commission Chambers 150 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL August 27, 2014 MINUTES 6:00 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the workshop session to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. PRESENT: Commissioner Grogan, Commissioner Wilsen, Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioner Johnson, and Commissioner Keller. IL Presentation from Orange County Fire Department regarding their offer to provide fire services to the City of Ocoee. Mayor Vandergrift introduced members of the audience, County Commissioners Scott Boyd and Fred Brummer, Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn and Windermere City Manager Robert Smith. Mayor Vandergrift reminded everyone of the civility code on the back of the speaker form. He explained that extra chairs had been placed around the perimeter of the room so everyone can take a seat. Orange County Fire Rescue Chief Otto Drozd gave a summary of his background and experience and why he understands the importance of a hometown department and the value it brings to the community. He said they will keep every fire station in Ocoee open and active and employ every firefighter within operations at their current rank and salary. He noted that if this is going to work, no one can be hurt in the process. He discussed things that were said in an interview with Channel 9 News with regard to their financial stability. He gave a PowerPoint Presentation that included: • Background Mission staternent Area of coverage that includes unincorporated Orange County and several cities (Belle Isle, Edgewood, and Oakland, as well as communications services for Maitland, Winter Garden, and Ocoee) 4 largest fire department in Florida with 41 stations and 1 l 77 employees Scope of services: Fire suppression, Emergency Medical, Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials, 911 Communications, Emergency Management, Community Outreach, Safety & Wellness, Training, Infrastructure Support • Feasibility Study: Agency Overview, Station & Staffing Comparisons, Emergency Communications, Financial /Position, Municipal Service Taxing Unit, Operational Response Analysis • Operational Analysis: Existing Resources, Effective Response Force, Physical Resources, Response Capabilities, Challenges • Benefits to Employees: Promotional Opportunities, Specialized Training, Special Operations Teams, Extra Duty Opportunities, Safety, Health, and Wellness Programs, Special Events, Ability to Stay in Ocoee or transfer. August 27, 2014 City Commission Workshop Page 2 of 4 • Financial Analysis: Savings for EMS Transport Patients, and Annual Finance Savings for Ocoee • Conclusions: Maintain hometown fire service with the benefits of a large regionalized system, dedicated Battalion Chief Assigned Full Time, who would have support of Executive Management Team and staff and who could attend Commission, HOA, and Community Meetings, Accountability to the Residents, Mayor, City Commission and City Manager III. Commis Questions and Answers for Orange County Commissioner Keller asked regarding keeping all four stations open and if they would need to add staff to some of those stations. Chief Drozd said that would be a product of an interlocal agreement that the commission would have to approve. Right now they feel strongly that they can maintain and improve on the service with the existing manpower and equipment. Commissioner Keller said it seems that a station would have to close or they would need more staff. Chief Drozd explained some of the options available for providing that service, they have done an outside analysis and they are confident they can keep the same service without additional staffing. Commissioner Johnson asked how they would guarantee that personnel would remain and the stations would remain open. Chief Drozd said that is there commitment that would be in the Interlocal Agreement; the commission would have full control over that. Commissioner Wilsen asked if they are keeping our four stations open, does this mean you will close any station surrounding Ocoee. Chief Drozd said no, all existing stations are needed; they will be more likely to expand on this side of the county. Commissioner Keller asked what happens to the buildings and the leases; is the city still responsible for the building and equipment maintenance and leases. Chief Drozd noted that the finer details will be in the Interlocal Agreement, what generally happens with buildings is that the owner would maintain the structure and they would maintain the interior. Commissioner Keller noted that if we are going to keep significant expenses it does not appear we are getting the savings that is reflected in the presentation. Commissioner Keller asked about the Windermere Fire Department, as that is $400,000 or income we will be losing. Chief Drozd said they would honor the current agreement that we have with the City of Windermere and any details of how that will be handled in the future will be part of the contractual agreement. He previously noted that if the two entities can't come to a contractual agreement, than no merger will happen. Commissioner Johnson asked about the firefighters retirement benefits. Chief Drozd said under Florida Statutes any current employee has the right to choose to stay in Ocoee retirement system or go to the state system. New employees would go to the state system. Commissioner Johnson also noted that we would not be losing $400,000 in income if we lost Windermere because it is offset by the significant costs of providing the fire services for them. IV. Public Comments R acirlentc 1. Bruini Masse, 611 E. Lakeshore Dr., opposed to merger 2. Mark Scalzo,1248 Red Dandy Dr., had to leave but expressed that he was skeptical of a merger August 27, 2014 Page 3 of 4 City Commission Workshop 3. Ben Buckner, 563 S. Bluford Ave, opposed to merger 4. Kim Hogan, 864 Cool Springs Circle, Ocoee FD saved her son's life twice, opposed to merger 5. Charity Peres, 1302 Plumgrass Circle, Ocoee FD saved her son from choking, opposed to merger. City Manager Frank explained how the impact fees would go to the county along with any expense for expanding the system if that should become necessary in the future. 6. Terry Titus, 1100 Malcom Rd, retired Ocoee firefighter, opposed to the merger. 7. Anthony Adams, 9111 Pristine Circle, discussion on fire assessment fees, opposed to merger. 8. Mike Hopper, 240 E. Silver Star Rd., opposed to the merger. 9. Jackie Titus, 100 Malcom Rd, had petition to residents, opposed of merger. 10. Hope Freeman, Kimball Dr., has used fire /recce services several times, opposed to merger. l l . Jose Iglesias, 400 Misty Meadow Dr., opposed to merger. 12. Greg Keethler, 2430 Orsota Circle, discussion on north side coverage, in favor of the merger. 13. Andy Anderson, 2438 Alclobe Circle, opposed to merger 14. Larry Marshall, 305 Fox Valley Drive, opposed to merger 15. Mark Scalzo, 703 Marotta Loop, opposed to merger 16. Angela Rozelle, 300 Phyllis St, Fire Fee will help pay for FD, opposed to merger Current Ocoee Firefighters: ters: 17. Ron Howard, 8 year firefighter /paramedic, addressed the residency issue, opposed to merger 18. William Mendoza, 15 year firefighter /paramedic, addressed level of care, opposed to merger 19. James Kelly, 23 year FD employee, local union president, long time Ocoee resident, opposed to merger I V. Discussion Commissioner Keller displayed an Excel spread sheet that he felt demonstrated why the savings are not going to be 1.8 million as described. Ile noted that 69% of our budget funded by other sources and 31% is funded by ad valorem taxes. He additionally stated that it will cost residents more for the county to take over the fire department than what they are currently paying. Commissioner Johnson said he likes the fire department the way it is. He said he thinks the county has a great fire department and recued his son from a head -on car accident in Pine Hills years ago. IIe said we want residents to feel involved with their local fire and police departments. He reminded the firefighters that tonight they are talking about the importance of quality service, but it is a different story when they are in union negotiations they come up with a bunch of demands that the city has to figure out how to fiend. He said there are a lot of untrue facts being circulated and pleaded with everyone not to spread rumors if they don't know the facts. He said he is in favor of keeping the fire department, and also wants to improve the city by taking care of sewer and other projects. As far as the residency issue, he said it is not a requirement but he will always feel employees should live here if they can. If you are trying to buy a house, you should consider Ocoee first. Mayor Vandergrift explained his family history with firefighting and that he served as a volunteer firefighter when there was no fire department in Orange County. He was Mayor when the city started a one of about twelve hometown fire districts. He discussed the fire fee that the August 27, 2014 City Commission Workshop Page 4 of 4 city began last year, as well as the enterprise funds. He is still in favor of looking into a utilities commission. He added that he does not want to see our fire department go anywhere. Commissioner Keller asked to set up a public hearing, if that is what is needed, so they can vote and finish this to see if we want to pursue this or not so that it will be over. Mayor Vandergrift asked County Commissioner Boyd if he had any comments; he noted that he was just here to listen. He added that we have great fire departments in Orange County and in the City of Ocoee. ADJOURNMENT THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:34 P.M. APPROVED: Attest: City of Ocoee 1. IWITAIM .11 7i - - S. Scott Vandergrift, Ma or