HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2010-12-06 Item 7A - Motion - Formation of Joint Ad Hoc Committee with Kent Regional Fire Authority for Joint Fire Service COUNCIL A GENDA SYN0PsIS
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ITEM INFORMATION
CAS NUMBER: 10-141 J ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2010
AGENDA ITEM TITLE Fire Exploratory Committee Recommendation
CATEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution n Ordinance Bid Award I 1 Public Hearing n Other
Mtg Date 12/06/10 Mtg Date 12/06/10 Meg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date
SPONSOR Council Ma Adm Svcs DCD Finance Fire Legal 1 1 P&R Police PAY
SPONSOR'S Per Council direction, a Fire Exploratory Committee was formed to make a
SUMMARY recommendation regarding the possibility of fire service consolidation opportunities. After
five months of evaluation, the Committee recommends that the City Council approve and
direct the creation of a formal, joint ad hoc committee with representatives from the City
of Tukwila and Kent Regional Fire Authority to explore opportunities for fire service
consolidation between the two entities.
REVIEWED BY COW Mtg. 1 1 CA &P Cmte 1 1 F &S Cmte 1 1 Transportation Cmte
Utilities Cmte Arts Comm. n Parks Comm. PIannmg Comm.
DATE: N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR /ADMIN. Council
COMMITTEE
COST IMPACT FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
Fund Source:
Comments:
1 MTG. DATE 1 RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS
12/06/10 Memo dated 12/01/10 regarding Fire Exploratory Committee final recommendation.
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Cites of Tukwila
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City Council
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Tukwila City Council
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
Steve Lancaster, City Administrator
FROM: Fire Exploratory Committee
BY: Kimberly Matej, Legislative Analyst
DATE: December 1, 2010
SUBJECT: Fire Exploratory Committee Final Recommendation
ISSUE
The City Council requested an evaluation and comparison of options for providing fire and life safety
services within the Tukwila community, and a recommendation, as appropriate, for providing such
services.
BACKGROUND
The City of Tukwila General Fund is facing an unprecedented financial crisis with a long -term budget
gap exceeding $9 million per year. The City's ongoing financial challenges will make it more and
more difficult to provide the level of support to the fire services desired by the community. Preliminary
research indicates that creating another form of governance for the fire services, separate from that
of a municipal fire department (i e.: fire authority, fire district, etc has the ability to maintain and /or
increase current service levels with a dedicated funding source
This past June, the Tukwila City Council created a Fire Exploratory Committee (FEC) that was tasked
with evaluating and analyzing the following three options for providing fire and life safety services to
the Tukwila community
Option 1: Create a New Regional Fire Authority with Adjacent Cities
Option 2: Join the Existing Kent Regional Fire Authority
Option 3: Remain a City /Municipal Fire Department
The Fire Exploratory Committee was comprised of the individuals listed below, and met 13 times from
July through November to review research information, provide status on tasks, and analyze fire
service alternatives.
Joan Hernandez, Councilmember Committee Chair
Kathy Hougardy, Councilmember Committee Member
Nick Olivas, Fire Chief Committee Member
Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director Committee Member
Mark Crowley, Firefighter Committee Member
Kimberly Matej, Legislative Analyst Committee Staff
Dennis Robertson, Council President Alternate
Chris Flores, Assistant Fire Chief Alternate
Chuck Woolley, Firefighter Alternate
Steve Rydeen, Firefighter— Alternate
Jennifer Ferrer Santalnes, Fiscal Coordinator— Alternate
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FINAL RECOMMENDATION' Fire Exploratory Committee page 2
ANALYSIS /EVALUATION
The Committee analyzed, evaluated and considered factors including, but not limited to the general
realm of financial, governance, feasibility, levels of service and timeliness in relation to the following
three options:
Option 1: Create a New Regional Fire Authority with Adjacent Cities
Option 2: Join the Existing Kent Regional Fire Authority
Option 3: Remain a City /Municipal Fire Department
Although the factors listed above are important, the Committee also recognized the need to identify a
recommendation for fire service opportunities only when the option has the ability to provide the
Tukwila community with equal or greater fire and life safety services as compared to current levels.
With this commitment in mind, Committee members understood that some of the disadvantages to
forming a regional fire authority may include, but are not limited to: the potential for higher taxes, less
direct contact with the governing body, and reduced input on operations. In contrast, benefits
identified through forming a regional fire authority include but are not limited to: the ability to act as an
independent taxing authority, provide increased efficiency due to shared resources, and the ability to
maintain equal and /or provide greater levels of service
Each option bulleted above is discussed in more detail below. The discussion includes a summary of
actions that took place as well as the status of the ability to pursue future discussions. The
Committee recommendation follows each item in bold capital lettering
Option 1: Create a New Regional Fire Authority with Adjacent Cities
A letter of inquiry regarding partnership opportunities and an invitation to meet with the
Committee was sent to each of the following entities: King County Fire Protection District
(KCFPD) #2; KCFPD #24; City of Renton Fire Department and City of SeaTac Fire
Department (a letter of inquiry was also sent to Kent Regional Fire Authority which is
discussed in detail in Option 2). Each response is summarized below
KCFPD #2 Also known as Burien /Normandy Park Fire Department. Letter sent to Chief
Mike Marrs. Chief Marrs met with the Fire Exploratory Committee on August 31, 2010.
Chief Marrs explained that currently KCFPD #2 is able to provide efficient and adequate
fire services to their community independently; however, they may have an interest in
discussing consolidation opportunities in the future REMOVE FROM CURRENT FEC
INTEREST LIST; KCFPD #2 IS NOT INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING CONSOLIDATION
AT THIS TIME, BUT MAY RECONSIDER IN THE FUTURE.
KCFPD #24 Letter sent to Fire Commissioner Chris Bauer. Commissioner Bauer met
with the Fire Exploratory Committee on September 9, 2010. At that time, he expressed
interest in discussing consolidation opportunities between the City of Tukwila and King
County Fire Protection District No. 24, but wanted to speak with the entire Board.
On September 9, 2010, the KCFPD #24 Board of Commissioners passed a resolution
authorizing exploration into regional fire authority opportunities between KCFPD #24 and
the City of Tukwila.
Upon a closer review of a basic financial analysis, the Committee concluded that this
option would not necessarily provide ample funding to support the independent operation
of a regional fire authority. Additionally, Committee members identified that the
parcels /area currently considered as King County Fire Protection District #24 will
eventually be annexed into the City of Tukwila via the Boundary Review Board process.
Finally, KCFPD #24 currently has no emergency personnel, fire stations or other such
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FINAL RECOMMENDATION Fire Exploratory Committee page 3
assets. Therefore, it is unlikely that formation of a regional fire authority with this entity
alone would result in equal or greater fire and life safety services compared to the current
levels of service for the Tukwila community.
For the above reasons, the Fire Exploratory Committee determined that, at this time, it is
not in the best interest of the City or community of Tukwila to further pursue the
consolidation of fire services with KCFPD #24. REMOVE FROM CURRENT FEC
INTEREST LIST; CONSOLIDATION WILL NOT IMPROVE FIRE SERVICES TO
COMMUNITY.
City of SeaTac Letter sent to Interim City Manager Todd Cutts and Acting Fire Chief
Brian Wiwel. A reply letter dated September 1, 2010, was sent to the Fire Exploratory
Committee by Todd Cutts, Interim City Manager The letter stated that SeaTac is in the
process of forming an exploratory committee with the Kent RFA to examine joining the
Authority as well as other interim consolidation opportunities
In the reply letter from Mr. Cutts, he extended an offer for SeaTac representatives to
attend a Tukwila Fire Exploratory Committee meeting to provide an update on the SeaTac
process. However, based on SeaTac City Council direction to pursue consolidation
opportunities with the Kent RFA, there is currently no interest in discussing consolidation
opportunities between SeaTac and Tukwila at this time REMOVE FROM CURRENT FEC
INTEREST LIST; CITY OF SEATAC NOT INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING
CONSOLIDATION WITH TUKWILA AT THIS TIME.
City Renton Letter sent to Chief Administrative Officer Jay Covington and Fire Chief
Mark Peterson. A reply e-mail was sent to the Fire Exploratory Committee on September
1, 2010, from Renton Chief Administrative Officer Jay Covington stating that Renton
would only be interested in consolidation opportunities if those opportunities resulted in
cost savings or increased services. Based on the results of recent analyses, the City of
Renton does not believe those benefits currently exist, and is therefore, not interested in
discussing consolidation at this time REMOVE FROM CURRENT FEC INTEREST LIST;
CITY OF RENTON NOT INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING CONSOLIDATION AT THIS
TIME.
Option 2: Join the Existing Kent Regional Fire Authority (RFA)
A letter of inquiry regarding a partnership opportunity and an invitation to meet with the
Committee was sent to Chief Jim Schneider of Kent Regional Fire Authority. Kent RFA
sent a reply letter dated August 24, 2010, stating that they recognize the benefits of joint
fire service opportunities; however, they are currently exploring opportunities with SeaTac
and Maple Valley, and do not have the capacity to take on exploration with an additional
agency. Chief Schneider offered to meet with the Committee to share his experience with
regional fire authority formation and did such on August 31, 2010
At that meeting, Chief Schneider conveyed that Kent's interest in exploring consolidation
opportunities with Tukwila may be changing. He stated that when able to confirm this
status change, it is very likely that Kent RFA would like to discuss opportunities with
Tukwila further. Since that time, Kent has confirmed their interest in consolidation
opportunities with the City of Tukwila.
After receiving confirmation of interest, the FEC requested an appropriate consultant
conduct a fire benefit charge analysis. This analysis estimated the amount of funding that
would be generated by implementing the Kent RFA fire benefit charge formula to the City
of Tukwila community factors The data suggested that if a regional fire authority was
formed between Tukwila and the existing Kent Regional Fire Authority, essentially Kent
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FINAL RECOMMENDATION: F i r e Exploratory Committee page 4
would be subsidizing Tukwila. The Committee was speculative if there was a way to
equalize the difference in the fire benefit charge disparity, and shared the report data with
representatives from Kent RFA.
Upon an independent review of the data conducted by Kent RFA representatives, Chief
Schneider continued to express interest in discussing consolidation opportunities more in-
depth His financial staff believes more information is needed in order to truly and
completely understand the financial impacts and requirements of such a consolidation
This type of information can only be explored further in a more formal fire exploratory
process during which both Tukwila and Kent representatives meet to discuss opportunities
and specific requirements for fire service consolidation.
Representatives from Kent RFA have stated there is one obstacle that would affect Kent's
ability to enter into consolidation with another entity such as Seatac or Tukwila. That
obstacle is the current legislation (Revised Code of Washington [RCW] Chapter 52)
regarding regional fire protection service authorities. According to the current legislation, if
a city or other entity were to join an existing fire authority, a vote would be required in both
jurisdictions. Since Kent was recently formed via election in 2010, they do not want to go
forward with another vote until required in 2016. Therefore, until the legislation is
successfully amended to require a vote only in the joining entity, Kent is not interested in
entering into the formal consolidation process with an additional agency However, Kent
intends to pursue the RCW change during the 2011 Legislature which will convene on
January 10, 2011, and is scheduled to last 105 days. Regardless of the current status of
the legislation, Kent has still expressed interest in discussing consolidation opportunities
further. FORM A COMMITTEE WITH KENT RFA TO EXPLORE CONSOLIDATION
OPPORTUNITIES IN MORE DETAIL.
Option 3: Remain a City /Municipal Fire Department
Regional fire authorities are appearing as the up and coming way of providing fire and
life safety services to communities throughout the state. Seven RFA's have formed in
Washington since 2007, and at least three more are currently pending or proposed. Fire
service entities are finding it increasingly difficult to address ongoing liabilities while
meeting the increased need for resources and capital improvements without
consolidating into a regional fire authority.
As mentioned earlier, the City's General Fund is facing an unprecedented financial crisis
with a long -term budget gap making it more difficult to provide the level of support to the
fire services desired by the community. Over time, financial forecasting suggests that
continued cost increases and revenue decreases will affect the City's ability to provide
essential community services
After review of the first two options discussed in this memo the Fire Exploratory
Committee did not identify any arguments that would suggest the City should not pursue
a formal process to discuss and explore fire service consolidation opportunities.
Currently, representatives of the Kent Regional Fire Authority have expressed serious
interest in such discussions.
RECOMMENDATION
By unanimous approval, members of the Fire Exploratory Committee recommend that the City
Council approve and direct the creation of a formal, joint ad hoc committee with representatives from
the City of Tukwila and the Kent Regional Fire Authority to explore opportunities for fire service
consolidation between the two entities.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATION. Fire Exploratory Committee
page 5
This recommendation differs from the original Option 2: Join the Existing Kent Regional Fire
Authority that the Committee was tasked to consider This recommendation advises the formation of
a joint committee with the Kent Regional Fire Authority that will further explore opportunity and
feasibility as well as identify the financial likelihood of a successful consolidation of fire services. The
current Tukwila Fire Exploratory Committee is not recommending that the City of Tukwila join the
existing Kent Regional Fire Authority at this time. Consequently, the formation of an ad hoc
committee in no way constitutes a contractual agreement or promise to enter into joint fire service
operations.
Committee members are confident that entering into the ad hoc committee process will be beneficial
for the City of Tukwila. Regardless of the outcome of the committee or legislative efforts, this formal
opportunity to explore consolidation will enhance the City's understanding of the regional fire authority
process Additionally, it will build upon established working relationships between the two entities
The Committee respectfully thanks the City Council for the opportunity to research and evaluate
these options relative to the consolidation of fire services. This recommendation is presented to you
as a unanimous decision by the Committee in which each member at the first FEC meeting,
discussed and agreed to: approach this process with an open mind, and consider all possible
alternatives; agree to disagree in a courteous and genuine manner; treat each other respectfully; and
revisit the goal of the FEC as often as necessary to remain focused
Members of the Fire Exploratory Committee will be available to answer questions you may have
regarding this recommendation at the December 6, 2010, Regular City Council meeting
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