Two Noteworthy 1 December 2009 City Council Agenda Items

ABSTRACT: Two noteworthy 1 December 2009 City Council Agenda Items, namely, Present FY 2008-09 Draft Audited Financial Statements by Ralph Marcello, Marcello & Company CPAs and a Resolution authorizing participation in an Initial Exploration and Analysis of Joint Fire Service Options, are presented. Selected excerpts from Agenda Item Summary and Staff Report are presented for the Resolution Agenda Item. Informational COMMENTS are made regarding the Initial Exploration and Analysis of Joint Fire Service Options.

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
City Council Agenda
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
4:30 p.m., Open Session

Live and archived video streaming available

City Hall
East side of Monte Verde Street between Ocean and Seventh Avenues

V. Announcements from Closed Session, from City Council Members and the City Administrator.

C. Announcements from City Administrator
1. Present FY 2008-09 Draft Audited Financial Statements by Ralph Marcello, Marcello & Company CPAs.

X. Resolutions
A. Consideration of a Resolution authorizing participation in an Initial Exploration and Analysis of Joint Fire Service Options.

Description: At a November meeting, Mayors, City Managers and Fire Department Managers discussed the concept of joint fire services. The main discussion of the meeting was to review the current opportunities given the shrinking financial resources available to public agencies. The discussion centered on the potential of achieving organizational and operational efficiencies through some joint fire service options. The general consensus of the group was to participate in further discussions and analysis of achieving joint fire services.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: $0 with this action/unknown as to any future expense.

Staff Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution.

Important Considerations: Joint fire services should only be considered if improvements occur through a joint management oversight and improvements to operational efficiencies.

Decision Record: Several discussions have occurred over the past three to four years regarding fire shared services. To date, no action has been taken by the Council to expand beyond the current fire administration contract with the City of Monterey.

Authorize participation in an initial exploration and analysis of joint fire service options with the following goals:
a. Reduce or maintain response time for each community
b. Lower ISO rating for each community
c. Lower operating cost for each community
d. Increase the number of people and equipment available for response

City Staff anticipates completion of the Initial Analysis in early 2010.

COMMENTS:
• On Monday, 16 November 2009, representatives, including Fire Chiefs, elected officials and administrators for the cities of Monterey, Seaside, Pacific Grove, Marina, Sand City, Del Rey Oaks and Carmel-by-the-Sea, as well as the Monterey Peninsula Airport District, Presidio of Monterey, and Salinas Rural and Carmel Valley Fire Districts, met in Monterey to discuss the concept of a Monterey Peninsula-wide Fire Department and agreed to further research the regional fire department concept.
(Source: Fire chiefs, political leaders want Peninsula-wide Department, MARY BROWNFIELD, The Carmel Pine Cone, 8a &30A)

• Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Interim Fire Protection Services Contract with the City of Monterey expires January 31, 2010.