Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRFA 2015-11-18 COMPLETE AGENDA PACKET1y,4 City of Tukwila f8 0200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington 98188 Jim Haggerton, Mayor AGENDA Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Place:Tukwila Fire Station 51 Training Room 444 Andover Park E, Tukwila, WA 98188 (206) 575 -4404 Time: 5:00 — 5:30 p.m. Refreshments 5:30 — 7:30 p.m. Steering Committee Meeting RFA Plan — Tukwila Amendment Brian Snure, Legal Counsel RFA (Sections 7, 8, 9) II. RFA Plan — Tukwila Amendment Committee Questions /Discussion III. Discuss & Finalize Recommendation Committee IV. Presentation to Council Moira Bradshaw V Adjourn Attachments: Memo 11/16/2016 Kent Fire Department (KFD) RFA Plan — Tukwila Amendment Draft Recommendation (from November 5, 2015 packet) Meeting Summary - October 14 Phone: 0o- 433.1800 • ChyHall Fax: 206 -433 -1833 • Website www.TukwilaWa.gov City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington 98188 Jim Haggerton, Mayor To: Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee From: Moira Carr Bradshaw Date: November 16, 2015 Subject: Completion of Committee's Tasks The Committee is charged with making a recommendation of yes or no. The months of review and discussion provide you with the most insight and knowledge about the impacts of this decision. If this proposal proceeds, the voters will ultimately decide, but your thoughts and ideas will be part of that community discussion. Kent Fire Department RFA Plan — Tukwila Amendment Attached is the draft Plan — Tukwila Amendment. There are structural changes to the document that resulted in a lot of strikeout and underline toward the last sections of the Plan, but I believe it is readable. A clean version is attached separately if you prefer that version. Sections, 7, 8, and 9 (pages 27 -44) will be the focus of presentation/discussion at Wednesday's meeting. The Committee reviewed Sections 1 -6 at your August meeting; although, Councilmember Seal asked for some additional thoughts about the Needs Statement in Section 1. Recommendation Attached is a DRAFT Recommendation. We want you to have an opportunity to articulate and include any additional thoughts. The following questions are included to spark those ideas. In order to help with the decision, please consider the following three questions: 1. If you are thinking about recommending yes, is there something that would change it to no? 2. If you are thinking about recommending no, is there something that would change it to a yes? 3. Other than the pros and cons that are listed in the recommendation, is there anything else that the Mayor or City Council should know about this issue? Phone: 206 -433 -1800 • City Hall Fax: 206 -433 -1833 • Website: www.TukwilaWa.gov 1 W A S H I N G T O N KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT "SERVING THE CITIES OF KENT, COVINGTON, TUKWILA AND KING COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 37" — REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY PLAN DRAFT DRAFT Tukwila Plan Amendment TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Acknowledgement 5 Strategic Opportunity 7 Section 1: Needs Statement 9 Section 2: Definitions 11 Section 33a: Formation Authority 13 Section 3b: City of Tukwila Annexation Authority 14 Section 4: Jurisdictional Boundaries 15 Section 5: Governance 19 Section 6: Organizational Structure /Operations 21 Section 7: Financial 23 Section 8: Administrative /Management /Personnel Components 27 Section 9: Fire Prevention, Public Education Services, Emergency Management and Fire Investigation Unit 31 Appendix At - Jurisdictional Boundaries 35 Appendix B? - Fire Benefit Charge 37 Appendix C - Organizational Structure 41 Appendix D1 -- Asset Transfer Upon Formation 433 Appendix D24 - Asset Transfer Upon Annexation 1 To be prepared and added by RFA 2 To be prepared and added by RFA 4 To be prepared and added by City of Tukwila prior to Annexation Operational Date 4 PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 5 KENT WASHINGTON ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Recognizing the challenges and opportunities that all fire jurisdictions are facing, the City of Kent and King County Fire District 37, through a partnership of many years, agreed in 2006, to explore the different options available in operating and funding the Kent Fire Department. In February 2008, the City of Kent and King County Fire District 37 Regional Fire Protection Stakeholders Report, recommended that the City and Fire District develop a Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Plan. Through the efforts, dedication and professional commitment of the individuals acknowledged, we have completed the Kent Fire Department RFA Plan. In 2015 the City of Tukwila and the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority formed a Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee. Through the efforts, dedication and professional commitment of the individuals acknowledged, the Steering Committee developed amendments to the RFA Plan for submission to the Tukwila City Council, the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority Governing Board and the voters of the City of Tukwila. On behalf of the City of Kent, King County Fire District 37, City of Tukwila and all Kent Fire Department RFA personnel, I want to thank everyone who participated in creating the future vision of our organization that will ultimately provide the citizens we serve and protect an enhanced opportunity to determine the level of service they desire. Your efforts are recognized and very much appreciated. Jim Schneider City of Kent Regional Fire Authority City of Kent Regional Fire Authority Planning Steering Committee Members: Committee Members: Debbie Raplee, Kent City Council Ken Weatherill, Deputy Chief Tim Clark, Kent City Council Pat Pawlak, Division Chief 11/17/15 4 Ron Harmon, Kent City Council Allan Barrie, Fire District 37 Mike Denbo, Fire District 37 Margaret Harto, City of Covington Brian Snure, Fire District Attorney Dr. Robert McKenzie, CEO, CSI Greg Markley, Battalion Chief Mark Jones, Captain, Union President Larry Rabel, Captain Deanna Gratzer, District Secretary Jim Schneider, Fire Chief RFA Communications Plan Committee: Ken Weatherill, Deputy Chief Lynn Heesen, Battalion Chief Eric Tomlinson, Battalion Chief Kraig Peiguss, Captain Kyle Ohashi, Captain Bud Sizemore, Firefighter John Robbins, Firefighter Don Barberie, Firefighter Deanna Gratzer, District Secretary Jim Schneider, Fire Chief City of Kent: Suzette Cooke, Mayor John Hodgson, CAO Elizabeth Albertson, Councilperson Tim Clark, Councilperson Jamie Danielson, Councilperson Ron Harmon, Councilperson Deborah Ranniger, Councilperson Debbie Raplee, Council President Les Thomas, Councilperson Robert Nachlinger, Finance Director Sue Viseth, Director Employee Services Becky Fowler, Employee Services Robert Goehring, Finance Bonnie Fell, Finance Kathleen Etheredge, Finance Paula Barry, Finance Mike Carrington, Info. Technology Director Curt Ryser, Information Technology 11/17/15 Jon Napier, Division Chief Greg Markley, Battalion Chief Eric Tomlinson, Battalion Chief Kevin Garling, Battalion Chief Larry Rabel, Captain Mark Jones, Captain Chris Martin, Captain Dave Woelber, Captain John Lytle, Captain Martin Oliver, Firefighter Margaret Martin, Executive Assistant Deanna Gratzer, District Secretary Jim Schneider, Fire Chief RFA Finance Committee: Pat Pawlak, Division Chief Jon Napier, Division Chief Greg Markley, Battalion Chief Kevin Garling, Battalion Chief Mark Jones, Captain Chris Martin, Captain Dave Woelber, Captain John Lytle, Captain Martin Oliver, Firefighter Margaret Martin, Executive Assistant Fire Department Planning Unit: Larry Rabel, Captain Randy Droppert, Data Integr. Coord. Mark Thompson, Tech. Integr. Coord. Jackie Yip, Senior Systems Analyst Fire Administration: Margaret Martin, Executive Assistant Deanna Gratzer, District Secretary Jane Ogren, Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Kingery, Admin Secretary Jennifer Bilodeau, Admin Secretary Kristine Hauer, Admin Support King County Fire District 37: Pat Riordan, Commissioner Bill Stewart, Commissioner Bill StcwartTom Sawyer, Commissioner (5) Paul Dunn, Information Technology Tom Brubaker, City Attorney Pat Fitzpatrick, Deputy City Attorney Jeff Watling, Parks Director Charlie Lindsey, Facilities Tom SawycrAllan Barrie, Commissioner Allan BarricMike Denbo, Commissioner A - D--:: 11/17/15 ( 6 ) CITY OF TUKWILA Jim Haggerton, Mayor Kate Kruller, Council President Joe Duffie, Councilmember Dennis Robertson, Councilmember Allan Ekberg, Councilmember Verna Seal, Councilmember Kathy Hougardy, Councilmember De'Sean Quinn, Councilmember 11/17/15 City of Tukwila REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY ANNEXATION STEERING COMMITTEE Jessica Jerwa, Tukwila Resident Jerry Thornton, Tukwila Resident Kathleen Wilson, Tukwila Resident Roxanne Knowle, CBRE Mark Segale, Segale Properties Genevieve Christian, Westfield Corp. Dawn Judkins, Captain, Tukwila Fire & President IAFF Local 2088 Alan Codenys, Firefighter, Tukwila Fire Merle Brooks, Firefighter, Tukwila Fire David Cline, City Administrator Joe Duffie, Tukwila Council member Verna Seal, Tukwila Council member Chris Flores, Interim Tukwila Fire Chief Non - voting KFD RFA members: Mike Denbo, Fire District 37 Commissioner Jim Schneider, Chief, KFD RFA Ray Shjerven, President, IAFF Local 1747 f'1 9 1 1 1 REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY VISION The Kent Fire Department RFA is a community partner, providing effective and sustainable fire and EM- Semergency medical services that maximize the resources entrusted to us to serve the needs of a changing community. STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY To strategically position the Kent Fire Department and RFA, which includes the King County Fire District #37, which includcsand the CityCities of Kent, Covington, and Tukwila in a cost effective partnership that provides the community with effective and sustainable fire and €P4Semergency medical services. • Effective fire and lifesaving emergency medical service is dependent on three components_ o Fire Prevention • Safe buildings reduce fire risk, life loss, and reduce the long term cost of emergency response; o Public Education • Perfect emergency response is not possible, the public must be empowered to reduce their own risk and provide time critical actions prior to arrival of firefighters; o Emergency Response • Perfect prevention does not exist, emergency responders must arrive prior to flashover in fire, and brain death in non - breathing patients. • The three legs of the fire service delivery system;_ fire prevention, public education and emergency response, can only be sustained with adequate funding_ o Level of Service performance objectives provide the measure of adequate service; o Prevention, Education and Response resources must be balanced to meet the Level of Service objcctivcobjectives and assure the most cost effective delivery of service; o Adequate funding of the fire service delivery system is evidenced by its ability to meet level of service performance objectives— (Appendix A), MISSION Professionally and compassionately helping people. VALUES Be Safe Do Your Best Serve With Integrity 11/17/15 0 ( 8 Take Care of Each Other 11/17/15 9 ) 11 1 2 PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 11/17/15 ( 10 ) KENT Wx�M��eie• KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Section 1: Needs Statement Adopted: 06 -03 -09 Revised: 12 -08 -09 1. The ability to respond to emergency situations by fire protection and emergency medical services jurisdictions has not kept up or progressed with the community's needs and special service demands; 2. Providing a fire protection and emergency medical service system requires a collaborative partnership and responsibility among local and regional governments and the private sector; 3. There are efficiencies to be gained by regional fire protection and emergency medical service delivery, while maintaining local control; and 4. Timely development of significant projects can best be achieved through enhanced funding options for regional fire protection, emergency services, specialized rescue, hazardous material mitigation, using existing taxing authority to address fire protection and emergency service needs, with new authority to address critical fire protection projects and emergency services. 5. The City of Kent Fire and King County Fire Protection District 37 have had a cooperative partnership, striving to provide the highest level of fire and emergency medical services to our citizens within the confines of available resources. 6. Cooperation and the partnership between the City of Kent Fire Department and King County Fire District 37 began with an inter -local agreement in 1973, providing the legal structure for the entities to remain separate but work cooperatively together. 11/17/15 13 1 1 7. In 2007, the City of Kent and King County Fire District 37 completed a regional fire protection stakeholders report. The stakeholders involved in that process consisted of citizens of the Cities of Kent and Covington and unincorporated areas of King County Fire District 37_ It also included union representatives of IAFF Local 1747, business owners in our communities, and elected officials of the City of Kent, Covington and King County Fire District 37. 8. In 2008, after a 9 month process, the Stakeholders Committee, through consensus, selected and recommended that the City of Kent and King County Fire District 37 create a plan for a new entity, referred to as a Regional Fire Authority, as permitted by state law. 9. To streamline economies of scale, and diversify revenue options, the City of Kent and King County Fire District 37 will be asking its citizens to consider combining all functions and services provided by the two jurisdictions into a single entity, called a Regional Fire Authority. 10.The City of Tukwila considers the Kent Fire Department RFA a successful, highly competent, nationally accredited regional service provider with whom a jurisdictional border is shared. For decades, the City of Tukwila has been successfully collaborating with the Kent Fire Department, through such programs as the Zone 3 partnership and mutual aid agreements. Since the inception of the Kent Fire Department RFA in 2012, the City of Tukwila has enjoyed enhanced collaboration with the Kent Fire Department RFA through the South King County Fire Training Consortium, sharing training personnel, systems and methods. 11.To ensure that fire and emergency services continue to be delivered to the City of Tukwila community at existing or improved levels, the City of Tukwila desires to join the Kent Fire Department RFA in a shared belief that proportionally allocating cost is more equitable for its community. To that end, the Kent Fire Department RFA utilizes a benefit charge funding system that may be used to fund up to 60% of the RFA's operating expenses. 12.Consolidation of the City of Tukwila and the Kent Fire Department RFA provides greater flexibility in designing and opportunity for deploying an effective response force and provides additional services to the Tukwila community, such as non - emergency medical services. RFA Plan Revision: 1. The NEEDS STATEMENT section of The Kent Fire Department RFA Plan is subject to amendment by a majority vote of the RFA CovcrnancoGoverninq Board. Li 11/17/15 1 ( 12 i IPIIIII%b , A:111141 KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Adopted: 06 -03 -09 Section 2: Definitions Revised: 12 -08 -09 The definitions in this section apply throughout the Regional Fire Protcction ScrviccAuthority Plan, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. 1. "Annexation Effective Date ": Means July 31, 2016, the date the annexation of City of Tukwila into the Kent Fire Department RFA shall be effective and the Tukwila Plan Amendment, Sections 1 -5, and 7 shall be operative. 2. "Annexation Operational Date ": Means January 1, 2017, the date the Tukwila Plan Amendment, Sections 6, and 8 -9 shall be operative. "Board" or "Governing Board ": Means the governing body of a regional fire protection services authority. 4. "Participating Jurisdictions ": Means the City of Kent and, King County Fire Protection District No. 3737 and the City of Tukwila. 375. "Regional Fire Authority," "Kent Fire Department RFA ," "RFA ": Means a municipal corporation, an independent taxing authority within the meaning of Article VII, Section 1, of the Washington State Constitution, and a taxing district within the meaning of Article VII, Section 2, of the Washington State Constitution, whose boundaries are coextensive with the City of Kent, the City of Tukwila and King County Fire Protection District No. 37 that has been created by a vote of the people under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 52.26 to implement a Regional Fire Authority Plan. 46. "Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee" or "Planning Committee ": Means the advisory committee created under Rcviscd Codc of WashingtonRCW 52.26.030 to create and propose to participating jurisdictions a Regional Fire Service Authority Plan. 11/17/15 ( 13 1 15 1 6 577. "Regional Fire Authority Plan," "RFA Plan," "Kent Fire Department RFA Plan" or "Plan ": Means a plan to develop, govern and finance a Regional Fire Authority, including, but not limited to, specific capital projects, fire prevention services, fire suppression services, emergency medical services, and services for the protection of life and property pursuant to Rcviscd Codc of WoshingtonRCW 52.26.040, and the preservation and maintenance of existing or future facilities and services. 8. "Tukwila Plan Amendment ": Means the RFA Plan Amendment approved by the City Council of the City of Tukwila, the Kent Fire Department RFA Governing Board, and the voters of the City of Tukwila, pursuant to the City of Tukwila's annexation into the Kent Fire Department RFA as provided by RCW 52.26.300. RFA Plan Revision: 1. The DEFINITIONS section of The Kent Fire Department RFA Plan is subject to amendment by a majority vote of the RFA CovcrnanccGoverninq Board. 11/17/15 KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Section 3a: Formation Authority Adopted: 06 -03 -09 Revised: 12 -08 -09 A. Reference: 1. Authority to form a Regional Fire Protection Services Authority between the City of Kent and King County Fire District 37 (participating jurisdictions) is authorized by Chapter 52.26 RCW. 2. The authority to form and operate a Planning Committee is provided by RCW 52.26.030 and 040. 3. The City of Kent and King County Fire District 37 Planning Committee included three (3) members of the Kent City Council and three (3) Commissioners of King County Fire District 37. 4. The Commissioners of King County Fire District 37 appointed an elected official from the City of Covington to fill one of its positions because it was the planning phase of the process, and because of the long term relationship and partnership between the Fire District and the City of Covington. This option was agreed to by both parties for the RFA Planning Committee process only. 5. The mission and goal of the Planning Committee is to develop and present to the elected officials of each participating jurisdiction, the Kent Fire Department RFA Plan. 6. Upon development, approval and adoption of the Kent Fire Department RFA Plan by the Planning Committee, the Plan shall be presented to each participating jurisdiction's elected legislative body for approval and adoption by resolution for placement of the RFA Plan on the ballot for consideration by a vote of the people within the boundaries of the proposed RFA. 7. Upon approval of the RFA Plan by the elected legislative body of each participating jurisdiction, the participating jurisdictions shall draft a joint 11/17/15 ( 15 17 1 8 ballot title, give notice as required by law for ballot measures, and perform other duties as required to put the Plan before the voters of the participating jurisdictions for approval or rejection as a single ballot measure. B. Activity and Operation: 1. The joint agreement between the City of Kent and King County Fire District 37 shall remain in force during the RFA planning period. 2. Should the Kent Fire Department RFA Plan be approved by 60% of the voters of the participating jurisdictions, the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority shall be formed on, July 1, 2010, in accordance with RCW 52.26.070. If the Plan is not approved by 60% of the voters, then operations relating to the services set forth herein shall remain unchanged. 3. Upon voter approval of the Plan, the City of Kent and King County Fire District 37 shall continue to exist as Washington State Municipal Corporations. The exclusive purpose of the continued existence of King County Fire District 37 shall be to levy and collect taxes and /or other fire district revenue to be transferred to the RFA until such time as the RFA collects its own revenues and to provide representation to the newly formed Kent Fire Department RFA Governance Board. 4. Upon voter approval of the Plan, it is the intent that the City of Kent and King County Fire District 37 will cease to operate their own fire departments effective July 1, 2010. At such time as King County Fire District 37 no longer provides revenues or representative to the governance board it may be dissolved in accordance with RCW 52.26.120. C. RFA Plan Revision: 1. The formation authority section of the Kent Fire Department RFA Plan is subject to amendment only by a revised Kent Fire Department Plan being re- submitted to the electorate for approval. 11/17/15 fps) IPIIII‘ , Aish,dil LitiiitMi KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Section 3b: City of Tukwila Annexation Authority Adopted: Revised: A. Reference: 1. RCW 52.26.300 allows a fire protection jurisdiction to annex into an existing Regional Fire Authority upon approval of a plan amendment by the Governing Board and the voters of the annexing jurisdiction. 2. Annexation approval is required of the Governing Board of the Regional Fire Authority and a simple majority vote of the voters of the fire protection jurisdiction requesting annexation. 3. The City of Tukwila created a Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee to advise its City Council on whether to recommend proceeding with an annexation to the Kent Fire Department RFA. As part of their analysis, the Committee reviewed and recommended amendments to the Kent Fire Department RFA Plan. The resulting recommendations are titled the Tukwila Plan Amendment. 4. Upon approval of the resolution requesting annexation and recommendation of the Tukwila Plan Amendment by the Tukwila City Council, the Tukwila Plan Amendment shall be presented to the Governing Board of the Kent Fire Department RFA for approval. 5. Upon approval of the resolution requesting annexation and the Tukwila Plan Amendment by the Governing Board of the Kent Fire Department RFA, the Tukwila Plan Amendment shall be submitted to the Tukwila City Council for approval. 6. Upon final approval of the Tukwila Plan Amendment by the Tukwila City Council, it is the intent of the Tukwila City Council to place the question of whether the City of Tukwila should annex into the Kent Fire Department RFA, in accordance with the terms of the Tukwila Plan Amendment, on the ballot for consideration by a vote of the people residing within the boundaries of Tukwila. 11/17/15 ( 17 ) 19 7. Upon voter approval of the annexation and the Tukwila Plan Amendment, the annexation shall be effective on the Annexation Effective Date. B. Activity and Operation: 1. Upon voter approval of the annexation and the Tukwila Plan Amendment, the City of Tukwila shall continue to exist as a Washington State Municipal Corporation. 2. Upon voter approval of the annexation and the Tukwila Plan Amendment, Sections 1 -5 of the Tukwila Plan Amendment shall go into effect on the Annexation Effective Date. On the Annexation Effective Date, the Governing Board of the Kent Fire Department shall be constituted as stated in Section 5.B.2. herein. 3. Upon voter approval of the annexation and the Tukwila Plan Amendment, Sections 6 -9 of the Tukwila Plan Amendment shall go into effect on the Annexation Operational Date. It is the intent that the City of Tukwila will cease to operate its own fire department, and the Kent Fire Department RFA shall assume responsibility for providing fire, and emergency and non - emergency medical services within the City of Tukwila on the Annexation Operational Date. C. RFA Plan Revision: 1. The Annexation Authority section of the Kent Fire Department RFA Plan is subject to amendment by majority vote of the Governing Board participating jurisdiction that intcnds to onncx into the RFA. 11/17/15 foal KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Section 4: Jurisdictional Boundaries Adopted: 07 -15 -09 Revised: 12 -08 -09 A. Reference: 1. The authority to define the jurisdictional boundaries of the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority is_provided by RCW 52.26.020(2). B. Jurisdictional Boundaries on Formation of Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority: 1. If the adopted Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority Plan is approved by the voters, the jurisdictional boundaries of the Kent Fire Department RFA shall be the current legal boundaries of the participating jurisdictions, which boundaries are currently contiguous and are depicted on the map attached hereto and marked as Appendix "A" of this plan. C. Changes in Jurisdictional Boundaries after Formation of Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority: 1. Boundary Changes that do not require a RFA Plan amendment. a. City of Kent annexations of areas included within the boundaries of King County Fire Protection District No. 37. Such annexations will not affect the RFA since the areas will already be within the RFA boundaries. Pursuant to RCW 52.26.290 there will be no required asset or employee transfers between the fire district and the city. b. City of Kent ind City of Tukwila annexations of areas not included within King County Fire Protection District No. 37. On the effective date of such annexation, the territory annexed shall automatically be included within the boundaries of the RFA pursuant to RCW 52.26.090. The territory added to the RFA by such annexation shall be subject to the taxation, charges, and bonded indebtedness (if approved as part of the annexation process) of the RFA. Any transfer of assets or employees that 11/17/15 l 19 ) 21 11/17/15 occurs as a result of annexation shall be between the transferring entity and the RFA. c. King County Fire Protection District No. 37 annexations of areas outside the boundaries of the RFA. On the effective date of such annexation, the territory annexed shall automatically be included within the boundaries of the RFA pursuant to RCW 52.26.090. The territory added to the RFA by such annexation shall be subject to the taxation, charges, and bonded indebtedness (if approved as part of the annexation process) of the RFA. d. Partial merger of an area located in an adjacent fire protection district into King County Fire Protection District No. 37. On the effective date of such partial merger, the territory merged into King County Fire Protection District No. 37 shall automatically be included within the boundaries of the RFA. The territory added to the RFA by such partial merger shall be subject to the taxation, charges, and bonded indebtedness of the RFA in the manner specified in chapter 52.06 RCW. Any transfer of assets or employees as a result of a partial merger shall be between the merging district and the RFA. District No. 37 shall automatically be included within the boundaries 'subject to the taxation, charges, and bonded indebtedness of the RFA in thc manner specified in chapter 52.06 RCW. Pursuant to RC` 2.0 -5, thc merger will resul Full or partial merger of King County Fire Protection District 37 into an adjacent fire protection district. On the effective date of such merger, the areas within King County Fire Protection District No. 37 that are merged into the adjacent fire protection district shall be removed from the jurisdictional boundaries of the RFA. In this situation the RFA shall not be obligated to transfer employees or assets of the RFA and the adjacent fire protection district shall be restricted to assets and employees of the fire district, if any. g -f. Annexation of a portion of King County Fire Protection District 37 by a City that is not a participating jurisdiction in the RFA. On the effective date of such annexation, the territory annexed shall automatically be removed from the boundaries of the RFA. In this situation the RFA shall not be obligated to transfer ( 20 employees or assets of the RFA and the annexing city shall be restricted solely to assets and employees of the fire district, if any. Annexation of areas by the City of Covington. Provided that the City of Covington remains annexed into King County Fire Protection District No. 37, on the effective date of any such annexation, the territory annexed shall automatically be included within the boundaries of the RFA pursuant to RCW 52.26.090 and RCW 52.04.091. The territory added to the RFA by such annexation shall be subject to the taxation, charges, and bonded indebtedness (if approved as part of the annexation process) of the RFA. Any transfer of assets or employees that occurs as a result of such annexation shall be between the transferring entity and the RFA 2. Boundary Changes that require a RFA Plan amendment. a. The addition am of the City of Tukwila as aanother participating jurisdiction in the RFA requires an amendment to the rrLrricnt RFA Plan, approved by the City Ceur-i ra ct Llic City of TukwilaLegislativ y of the annexing entity, the Kent Fire Department RFA Governing Board, and the voters of the City of Tukwilaannexing entity, in accordance with the provisions of RCW 52.26.300. D. RFA Plan Revision: 1. Except as provided in paragraph C.2, the JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES section of The Kent Fire Department RFA Plan is subject to amendment by a majority vote of the RFA Governing Board. 11/17/15 ( 21 ) 23 24 KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Adopted: 07 -15 -09 Section 5: Governance Revised: 01 -01 -14 A. Reference: 1. The authority to provide governance for the Regional Fire Authority, and the organization and composition of the RFA Governing Board, +care stated in Title 52 RCW, and specifically RCW 52.26 et seq. ( providcd by RCW 52.26.080 and RCW 52.26.090A. B. Governing Board Structure and Operation: 1. As provided by RCW 52.26.080, the RFA Governing Board shall be established and have authority as of July 1, 2010. 2. As provided by RCW 52.26.080, on the Tukwila Annexation Effective Date, the RFA g-Governing bBoard shall include sixnine voting members consisting of three (3) currcnt, s atcd mcmbcrs from thc City of Kent Council members to be appointed by the Kent City Council President; and three (3) currcnt, atcd King County Fire District 37 Board of Commissioners membersi three (3) City of Tukwila Council members, to be appointed by the Tukwila City Council President; and two (2) en-e- nonvoting advisory positions consisting of one (1) currcnt, scotcd mcmbcr from thc City of Covington Council member, appointed by the Covington City Council, and one (1) , Covington City CouncilCity of SeaTac Council member. 3. The RFA Governing Board shall adopt governance policies and rules for conducting business for the RFA in accordance with RCW 52.26.080. 4. The RFA Governing Board shall adopt by -laws to govern RFA affairs in accordance with RCW 52.26.080. 5. The RFA Governing Board shall have all the power and authority granted governing boards under Washington State law, and shall includcincluding but 11/17/15 22 r not limited to the power and authority to make any and all decisions appropriatc for the RFA, pursuant to and for mattcrs rclatcd to Title 52 RCW. 6. RFA Commissioncrs of the Governing Board members will receive compensation in the same manner and under the same conditions as provided by . - of a firc protcc undcr Title 52 RCW. C. Regional fire authority name change: 1. Immediately subsequent to a positive vote by the voters of the City of Tukwila in support of annexing into the Kent Fire Department RFA, the participating jurisdictions (inclusive of the City of Tukwila) shall develop an appropriate new name for the consolidated RFA, which shall be submitted to the RFA Governing Board for approval. The RFA Governing Board shall develop a plan for the efficient and timely implementation of the new name. -=irl Placement of Ballot Measures before Electorate of the RFA: 1. Subject to state law, ballot measures may be placed on the ballot for a vote by the members of the RFA. Such ballot measures shall be approved by a majority vote of the members of the RFA Governing Board. The Board shall reach a decision of election at least 30 days in advance of county filing deadlines. Plan Revision: 1. The GOVERNANCE section of the Kent Fire Department RFA Plan may be amended by a majority vote of the RFA Governing Board. 11/17/15 23 ) 25 KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Section 6: Organizational Structure /Operations Adopted: 11 -04 -09 Revised: 12 -08 -09 A. Reference: 1. The authority for the RFA to establish an Organizational Structure is provided in RCW 52.26.040. B. Activity /Operation: 11/17/15 • managed, with leadership provided as shown in Appcndix "C" of the RFA Plan, as amended. 3.7—Commencing on the Annexation Operational Date, tThe RFA's Operations A . . - shall be shall is' organized, and a chain of command bc isshall be established in accordance with the Operational organizational structure provided in Appendix "C" of the RFA Plan, as amended. 41. :WO IF A shall bc referred to as the Regien -a-E Fire Authority Governing Board, as identified in Appcndix "C" of the RFA Plan. 5,-2. All currcnt operational and service delivery aspects of th^ Kent Fir^ the City of Tukwila Fire Department shall be transferred ovcr to the RFA on the Annexation Operational Date.day of formation. &3. Current staffing models, standards of coverage, deployment standards, field operations, command staffing, and operational policies .The Kent Fire Department RFA is an accredited agency under the Center For pUPublic Safety Excellence (24) Commission on Fire Accreditation Standards and the RFA will works to maintain its accreditation 4. The RFA maintains the Kent Fire Department RFA Standards of Coverage ,tdocument (2014, as amended;) which that wiH- defines services, levels of service, standards of coverage, development standards and customer expectations of the RFA. 775. Upon annexation of the City of Tukwila into the RFA, tFhe RFA av+E4shall maintainamend the Standard of Coverage document to include the City of Tukwila. The amended Standard of Coverage document shall reflect that the RFA will maintain and /or improve upon the level of service currently afforded to the residents of the City of Tukwila by the City of Tukwila Fire Department. and show or within T..kwiI- C. RFA Plan Revision -Disposition: 1. The Organizational Structure portion of the RFA Plan may be revised by a majority vote of the current sitting RFA Governance Governing Board. 11/17/15 ( 25 ) 27 1 11/17/15 8 PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK ( 26 ) Ir0M. 6.4121A KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Section 7: Financial Adopted: 11 -04 -09 Revised: 12 -08 -09 A. Reference: 11/17/15 1. The authority to providc FUNDING andfix and impose benefit charges and to levy taxes for the RFA is provided by RCW 52.26.050, RCW 52.26.120, RCW 52.26.140, RCW 52.26.150, RCW 52.26.160, RCW 52.26.170, RCW 52.26.180, RCW 52.30.020, chapter 84.52 RCW and chapter 84.55 RCW. The authority and mechanism for the collection of taxes and the benefit service charge shall be in accordance with RCW 52.26.170, RCW 52.26.200 - .270. Revenues /Funding: 1_Thc fundingFunding Prior to Annexation Operational Date: a. Funding for the operation and administration of RFA prior to the RFA contributed by ach of the participating jurisdictions for 2010 operationsAnnexation Operational Date shall be in an amount equal to accordance with the Kent RFA adopted 2016 budget. a,b. The City of Tukwila shall remain responsible for the funding total approved for the fire department services inand operation of the Tukwila Fire Department prior to the budgets of ach Annexation Operational Date, which shall continue to operate independent of the RFA foruntil the 2010 calendar y rAnnexation Operational Date. 2. Funding After the Annexation Operational Date: ( 27 ) 29 30 a. The RFA is currently funded by a property tax levy of $1.00 per thousand of assessed value or such lower amount as authorized by law and a benefit charge. The RFA property tax levy and benefit charge will apply to real property and improvements located in the City of Tukwila on the Annexation Effective Date although taxes and benefit charges will not be collected in Tukwila until January 1, 2017. year 2011on thc Annexation Operational Date and bcyondcontinuing thcr after shall be accomplished by levying o property tax of $1.00 per thousand of taxable assessed value or such lower amount as authorized by law, and a bcncfit service charge on all improved properties within thc RFA's jurisdictional boundaries scrvicc arca, The benefit charge shall initially be he general formula and methodology that will be initially applied in the City or i ukwila is set forth provided in Appendix B of the RFA Plan. 3. General Provisions on Funding: a. To the extent permitted by law, the RFA shall contract with agencies and entities exempt from property taxes in accordance with RCW 52.30.020 and related statutes. The Governing Board shall have the authority to pursue all additional revenue sources authorized by law including but not limited to revenue sources specifically identified in Title 52 RCW that are not otherwise addressed in chapter 52.26 RCW. e:c. The RFA shall pay all costs of continued operation of King County Fire Protection District No. 37 subsequent to the formation of the RFA_ E:C„ Assets Transferred Upon Formation of RFA: 11/17/15 1. Once the RFA is formed on July 1, 2010,- King County Fire Protection District 37 shall immediately transfer the remaining funds approved for the 2010 King County Fire Protection District No. 37 budget, and shall transfer all future property tax and contractual payments received at the time of receipt unless otherwise specifically allowed by the RFA Plan. 4k2. Once the RFA is formed on July 1, 2010, the City of Kent will then transfer the remaining funds approved for 2010, on a proportional basis, on the 15th and 30th of each of the six remaining months for 2010, through December 31, 2010. ( 28 ) 673. Transfer of Project Fund accounts and Reserve Cash funds from the City of Kent and King County Fire Protection District 37 as identified in Appendix 9D1 of the Asset Transfer Appendix, shall be transferred to the RFA on the date of the formation of the RFA in the amount remaining in the accounts on the date of formation of the RFA. &4. Transfers of Real Property. Via. All real property owned by King County Fire Protection District No. 37 shall be transferred to the RFA on the date of formation of the RFA. gib. The following real property owned by the City of Kent shall be transferred or leased as identified below: i. Station 71:- City of Kent shall sell to the RFA for $1, with an automatic reversionary interest in the event the station is no longer used for RFA purposes. ii. Station 72: -City of Kent shall sell to the RFA for $1, with an automatic reversionary interest in the event the station is no longer used for RFA purposes. iii. Station 73: -City of Kent shall sell to the RFA for $1, subject to any easements or other interests, with an automatic reversionary interest in the event the station is no longer used for RFA purposes. iv. Station 74 /Administration: — City of Kent will retain ownership of property and lease Y2 of the space to the RFA for an amount to be determined. As a condition of the lease, the RFA will agree to assume Y2 of the maintenance costs of the property, except for the burn tower, which the RFA will assume 100% of the maintenance costs. v. Station 75: City of Kent will retain ownership and lease to the RFA for $1 /year, subject to the right of the City of Kent to sell the property. In the event the City sells the property, the City shall, prior to the closing of the sale, be financially responsible for relocating Station 75 to a location with a structure that is operationally ready and allows for an equivalent level of service to that provided from Station 75. vi. Station 76: City of Kent shall sell to the RFA for $1, with an automatic reversionary interest in the event the station is no longer used for RFA purposes. vii. Washington Avenue Property: City of Kent shall sell to the RFA for $1. RFA shall lease property to City of Kent for storage for $1. The RFA shall sell the property back to the 11/17/15 29 ) 31 City of Kent for $1 at a point when the RFA no longer wishes to retain the property. viii. Ropes Course Property: City of Kent will retain ownership and lease to the RFA for $1 /year 975. Transfers of Personal Property. a. King County Fire Protection District No. 37 shall transfer all personal property, including but not limited to equipment, supplies, agreements, documents and records to the RFA on the date of formation of the RFA. b. Unless otherwise agreed to in an interlocal agreement, the City of Kent shall transfer for $1 all personal property used by the Kent Fire Department (administration, support services, emergency management, prevention and Operations) including, but not limited to equipment, supplies, agreements, documents and records to the RFA on the date of formation of the RFA. 4-076. Risk of Loss. a. All buildings and equipment that have been transferred to the RFA, shall be operated, insured, and maintained at the expense of the RFA. D. Assets Transferred Upon Annexation of City of Tukwila: 11/17/15 1. Transfers of Financial Assets: a. Fire Impact Fee Mitigation Funds. Tukwila shall transfer to the Kent RFA all unspent fire impact fee mitigation funds existing on the Annexation Operational Date, and all future fire impact fee mitigation funds collected by Tukwila on behalf of the RFA. b. ContcntsFunds allocated to the Tukwila -f Fire Department held in theaccounts Equipment Rental andVchicic Replacement Fund, Tukwila as identified in Appendix D2 of the Asset Transfer Appendix, shall be transferred to the RFA in the amount allocated to the Tukwila Fire Department remaining in the accounts on the Annexation Operational Date. 2. Transfers of Personal Property: a. Unless otherwise agreed to in an interlocal agreement between the City of Tukwila and the RFA, the City of Tukwila shall transfer all personal property used by the Tukwila Fire Department as of the Annexation Operational Date, as identified in Appendix D2 of the Asset Transfer Appendix, including but not limited to apparatus, vehicles, equipment, supplies, agreements, ( 30 ) documents and records, to the RFA on the Annexation Operational Date, with the exception stated in Section 7, subpart D.2.b. of this plan. b. The City of Tukwila and the RFA shall enter into a separate agreement to permit the RFA use of the City of Tukwila's boat and its trailer. At all times relevant hereto, the City of Tukwila shall retain sole ownership of the boat and its trailer. c. In the event the City of Tukwila ever withdraws from the RFA, the RFA shall transfer ownership of all personal property used by the RFA at Stations 51, 52, 53, and 54 and thc ncw Station 51(as , including all personal property purchased by the RFA for use at the aforementioned stations, to the City of Tukwila at no cost to the City. 3. Real Property: a. Station 51: On the Annexation Operational Date, the City of Tukwila will retain ownership and lease Station 51 to the RFA, pursuant to a separately- executed lease agreement. That lease shall automatically terminate once the new Station 51 (referenced in Section D.4.a of this Plan) is fully operational, unless agreed to in writing by the City of Tukwila. In consideration of the lease, the RFA will be responsible for all maintenance, repairs and improvements to Station 51. b. Station 52: On the Annexation Operational Date, the City of Tukwila will transfer ownership of Station 52 to the RFA, with an automatic reversionary interest in the event the station is no longer used for RFA operations. c. Station 53: On the Annexation Operational Date, the City of Tukwila will transfer ownership of Station 53 to the RFA, with an automatic reversionary interest in the event the station is no longer used for RFA operations. d. Station 54: On the Annexation Operational DateL the City of Tukwila will transfer ownership of Station 54 to the RFA, with an automatic reversionary interest in the event the station is no longer used for RFA operations. e. In the event the City of Tukwila ever withdraws from the RFA, the RFA shall transfer ownership of Stations 51, 52, 53, and 54 -a-nd thc ncw Station 51(as dcscribcd in Scction D.4.a of this Plan, including any replacements thereof, back to the City of Tukwila at no cost to the City. 4. Replacement of Real Property: 11/17/15 31 ) 33 a. Replacement of Station 51. i. The RFA shall construct a new Station 51, at its own expense on land currently owned by the City of Tukwila that will be transferred to the RFA prior to the beginning of construction, with an automatic reversionary interest in the event the land is no longer used for RFA operations..- The RFA will consult with and obtain the input of the City on the design of the new station. The new Station 51 shall be fully operational no later than January 1, 2020. b. Replacement of Stations 52, 53 and 54. i. The RFA shall construct new and /or remodeled Stations 52, 53 and 54, in accordance with the schedule agreed -upon by the City of Tukwila and the RFA in a separately- executed interlocal agreement. The City shall assist the RFA with finding new land suitable for any necessary station locations within City limits. 5. Risk of Loss. a. All real and personal property that is transferred to the RFA by the City of Tukwila shall be operated, insured, inventoried and maintained at the expense of the RFA. 67E. Allocation of Liabilities Upon Formation of RFA: - 1. On the date of formation, the RFA shall assume all outstanding liabilities of King County Fire Protection District No. 37. On the date of formation, the RFA shall assume the following liabilities of the City of Kent. a. Except as provided below, all employment liabilities associated with the employee transfers as provided in Section 8 of the Plan. `. The City of Kent shall retain the following liabilities: 11/17/15 a. The City of Kent will keep the liability for retired and active LEOFF 1 Kent Fire Department FTE's to include medical and long term care insurance payments and any other expenses incurred by the Kent Fire Department LEOFF 1 personnel in accordance with the City of Kent LEOFF 1 Policies and Procedures. b. The City of Kent will retain its Fire Relief and Pension Fund and make required pension payments to eligible LEOFF 1 participants. c. The City of Kent shall remain responsible for the following accrued but unfunded employment liabilities: 32 i. Between July 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011, the City agrees to pay to the RFA for vacation hours accrued and owed to a retiring RFA employee; provided, the amount paid shall not exceed a total of $50,000 or payment to five employees, whichever is less. The City shall not be liable for any vacation of any RFA employee after December 31, 2011. F. Allocation of Liabilities Upon Annexation of City of Tukwila: 1. On the Annexation Operational Date, the RFA shall assume the following liabilities of the City of Tukwila: a. Except as provided below, all employment liabilities associated with the employee transfers as provided in Section 8 of the Plan. 2. On the Annexation Operational Date and thereafter, the City of Tukwila shall retain the following liabilities: a. Liability for retired and active LEOFF 1 Tukwila Fire Department full time employees (FTEs) to include medical and long term care insurance payments and any other expenses incurred by the Tukwila Fire Department LEOFF 1 personnel in accordance with the City of Tukwila LEOFF 1 Policies and Procedures. b. The City of Tukwila Fire Relief and Pension Fund and required pension payments to eligible LEOFF 1 participants. c. The City shall reimburse the RFA, in an amount not to exceed $160,000, for the full actual cost of accrued leave paid out under the Kent RFA Collective Bargaining Agreement for City employees that retire after the Annexation Operational date but prior to June 30, 2018. mod. The City shall reimburse the RFA the full actual overtime cost incurred by the RFA as a result of any Kelly days or vacation time that were granted by the City and taken by former City employees between the Annexation Operational Date and the end of the last FLSA cycle of 2016, not to exceed $20,000. 3. The City of Tukwila shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the RFA from any and all demands,_ claims or actions by City of Tukwila employees which arise out of, or relate to, the City employees' employment prior to January 1, 2017. G. RFA Plan Revision : 2,1. Subject to any statutory requirements for voter approval, the funding portiefiFinancial section of the RFA Plan, including the benefit charge funding formula and methodology may be rcviscdamended by a majority vote of the current sitting RFA CovcrnanccGoverninq Board. 11/17/15 ( 33 } 35 6 11/17/15 f301 KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Section 8: Administrative /Management /Personnel Components Adopted: 11 -04 -09 Revised: 12 -08 -09 A. Reference: 1. The authority for the RFA to establish and provide Administrative, Management and Personnel components is provided in RCW 52.26.040 and RCW 52.26.100. C.B. Activity /Operation: 1. The transfer of authority, administration and management of the City of Tukwila Fire Department to the RFA that occurs as a result of the annexation of the City of Tukwila into the RFA shall be seamless. 2. Integration of Employees, and Transfer of Employee Services and Benefits: On the Annexation Operational Date, all 13,a. to thc RFA to fulfill assigned duties as outlined in the organizational structure in Appendix C. All current FTE's of the City of KentTukwila Fire Department and King County Fire Protection District 37 shall be transferred on thc day of formationto and become employees of the RFA, at their current rank, grade and seniority. 11/17/15 2—Unless otherwise noted in the {`The RFA Plan, thc transfer of authority rh agreements, outstanding labor issucs, personal service contracts, ( 35 37 11/17/15 38 --cnts pertaining to work, duties, scrviccs or cmploymcntwill meet its obligations under RCW 52.26.100(6) with the City of Kcnt Firc Department and King County Fire Protection District 37, shall berespect to all transferred over with all personnel on thc day of formation. employees. Any consolidation of employees into one-ef-th-ean existing labor agreement must be mutually agreed upon by the labor unions and e- achthe RFA and City of the participating jurisdictionsTukwila prior to the July 1, 2010, implementation date of thc RFA.Annexation Operational Date.[BSi][ca21 h-: c. administrative and busincss functions, agreements, documents, • staff assigned to support scrviccs, logistics, supply, fleet maintenance mod. Effective July 1, 2010On the Annexation Operational Date, the following employee services and benefit administration functions of the RFA shall be provided by the RFA: Recruitment and Hiring, Payroll, Labor Relations and Negotiations, Employee Health Insurance, Risk Management including Labor and Industries time - loss, Liability and Property Insurance and all administrative functions related to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Family Care Act (FCA), and all other state and federal employment and labor laws.[BS3] t#e -RFA and thc City of Kcnt. ( 36 j 11/17/15 twccn thc RFA and thc City of Kcnt.. RFA. e. In 2010 and 2011, thc City of Kcnt On the Annexation Operational Date all civil service employees employed by the Kent Fire Department RFA, including former Tukwila employees will become part of the Kent Fire Department RFA Civil Service system governed by the Kent Fire Department Civil Service Commission and Examiner. f. On the Annexation Operational Date, former employees of the City of Tukwila transferred to the RFA shall be seamlessly integrated into the RFA's benefits plans and programs, and there shall be no interruption of insurance coverage for those employees. Q. On the Annexation Operational Date and thereafter, the administrative staff of the RFA shall be the current members of the Kent Fire Department RFA administrative staff and any Tukwila Fire Department administrative staff transferred to the Kent Fire Department RFA. h. After the Annexation Operational Date, the RFA shall provide the RFA withfor its own information technology (IT), phone services, and information management (IM) services. 3. Duties and Liabilities Fully or Partially Retained by the City of Kent and the City of Tukwila. tea. The City of Kent LEOFF Board will continue to oversee LEOFF 1 benefits for said personnel in accordance with the City of Kent LEOFF 1 Policies and Procedures. yob. Thc RFA shall contract for such scrviccs pursuant to an intcr The City of Tukwila LEOFF Board will continue to oversee LEOFF 1 benefits for former Tukwila personnel in accordance with the City of July 1, 2010, in ordcr to providc scamlcss, up to datc IT, phonre;Tukwila LEOFF 1 Policies and IM scrviccs for the RFAProcedures. Thc RFA shall contract for such scrviccs bcginning July 1, 2010, ( 37 J- 39 operations of thc RFA facilitics. shall be providcd by thc City of Kcnt pursuant to an intcr local thc option to contract for such scrviccs bcginning January 1, 2011. The RFA shall providc its own Icgal scrviccs cffcctivc July 1, 2010. RFA Plan Revision - Disposition: 11/17/15 40 --1. The administrative, management and personnel portion of the RFA Plan may be revised by a majority vote of the current sitting RFA CovcrnanccGoverninq Board. ( 38 ) 11/17/15 ( 39 ) 41 KENT WASHINGTON KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY (RFA) PLAN Section 9: Fire Prevention, Public Educatie Services, Emergency Management and Fire Investigation Unit Adopted: 11 -04 -09 Revised: 12 -08 -09 A. Reference: 1. The authority for the RFA to establish and provide Fire Prevention, Public Education, Emergency Management and Fire Investigation components is provided in RCW 52.26.040, RCW 52.26.090(2), RCW 52.12.031 (3),(6) and (7) and chapter 39.34 RCW. B. Activity /Operation: 1. Service Providers, as ofPre -- Annexation Operational Date: vor 11/17/15 42 1.1. The City of Kcnt, through the Kent Fire Department currcntlyRFA provides the following services within the boundaries of the City of Kent pursuant to an interlocal agreement: a. Fire Prevention Services pursuant to RCW 19.27.050; b. Fire Investigation Services pursuant to RCW 43.44.050 and chapter 51 -54 WAC; and c. Emergency Management Services pursuant to chapter 38.52 RCW; and_ 1.2. The Kent Fire Department RFA currently provides the following services within the City of Covington pursuant to an interlocal agreement: a. Fire Prevention Services; and b. Fire Investigation Services. 1.2. City of Covington pursuant to contract: ( 40 ) Firc Prevention Scrviccs; and[ Firc Investigation Scrviccs. 4-57 —King County Firc Protection District No. 37 currently provides the Public Education Scrviccs. 1.7.1.3. King County currentlyKing County provides the following services within the boundaries of King County Fire Protection District No. 37 (excluding Covington). a. Fire Prevention Services; b. Fire Investigation Services; and c. Emergency Management Services. 1.4. f [BS4] The City of Covington currently provides the following services within the boundaries of Covington. a. Emergency Management Services. 1.8.1.5.The City of Covington currcntlyTukwila provides the following services within the boundaries of Covington.the City of Tukwila: a. Fire Prevention Services pursuant to RCW 19.27.050; b. Fire Investigation Services pursuant to RCW 43.44.050 and chapter 51 -54 WAC; and arc. Emergency Management Services pursuant to chapter 38.52 RCW. 27— SERVICE PROVIDERS FOLLOWING RFA EFFECTIVE DATE: 2. Service Providers, Peost- Annexation Operational Date: 2.1. FIRE PREVENTION SERVICES a. On the - - .. - -. Annexation Operational Date, Fire Prevention Services within the boundaries of the RFA shall be provided as follows: (i). 11/17/15 Within the City Kent. The the RFA will provide Fire Prevention Services to the City of Kent pursuant to an inter Iocalinterlocal agreement to be negotiated prior to the effective date "Kent Inter Iocaflnterlocal." Within the City of Tukwila, the RFA intends tewill provide Fire Prevention Services to the City of ( 41 1 43 CovingtonTukwila pursuant to an intcr Iocalinterlocal agreement bctwccn thc RFA and Covington "Covington Intcr local. ". ii).(iii). Within the City of Covington, the RFA will provide Fire Prevention Services to the City of Covington pursuant to an interlocal agreement. thc City of Covington, pursuant to thc "Kcnt Intcr local" (iv). Within unincorporated King County -L King County shall provide Fire Prevention Services. 2.2. FIRE INVESTIGATION SERVICES: a. On the - - - :. - - - - • • Annexation Operational Date, Fire Investigation Services within the boundaries of the RFA shall be provided as follows: (i). Within the City of Kent. Thc, the RFA will provide Fire Investigation Services to the City of Kent pursuant to an intcr Iocalinterlocal agreement to be negotiated prior to the effective date "Kent Intcr Iocallnterlocal." (ii). Within the City of Covington. Thc Tukwila, the RFA intcnds towill provide Fire Investigation Services to the City of CovingtonTukwila pursuant to an intcr Iec- a-linterlocal agreement Covington "Covington Intcr local. "_ (iii). Within the City of Covington, the RFA will provide Fire Investigation Services to the City of Covington pursuant to an interlocal agreement. iii).(iv). Within unincorporated King County. King County shall provide Fire Investigation Services. 2.3. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES. a. On the Operational Date, Emergency Management Services within the boundaries of the RFA shall be provided as follows: Annexation (1). Within the City Kent. The RFA will provide Emergency Management Services to the City of Kent pursuant to an intcr Iocalinterlocal agreement to be negotiated prior to the effective date "Kent Inter - local." (ii). Within the City of Covington. Covington shall rcmainTukwila the provider of RFA will provide 11/17/15 ( 42 Emergency Management Services to the City of Tukwila pursuant to an interlocal agreement. (iii). Within the City of Covington. Covington shall remain the provider of Emergency Management Services. (iii).(iv). Within unincorporated King County. King County shall remain the provider of Emergency Management Services. 3.0.— PUBLIC EDUCATION SERVICES. On thc effective date of thc crevtion of the RFA, thc RFA shall - - -- - - -- - - -- - -- RFA. 57— TRANSITION OF SERVICES. 3. Transition of Services, as of Annexation Operational Date: 5.1.3.1. In order to effectuate the transition of services identified above, the following shall occur on the cffcctivc date of thc RFAAnnexation Operational Date: 11/17/15 a. TheUnless otherwise noted in the Plan or the interlocal agreement referenced herein, the City of KentTukwila Fire Department staff on July 1, 2010, assigned to the Fire Prevention and Emergency Management Divisions, shall may be transferred over to the RFA, at the employee's discretion. b. The RFA Fire Prevention and Emergency Management Divisions shall be organized as provided in Appendix C of this RFA Plan[Bss]. of Covington. €17c. Unless otherwise noted in the RFA Plan, or the inter Iecalinterlocal agreements referenced herein, the transfer of authority and the Fire Prevention and Emergency Management Divisions of the RFA shall be seamless and shall initially model thc current Firc Prevention and Emcrgcncy Management e cl. The City of Kent, the City of Tukwila and the City of Covington will retain code enforcement authority in accordance with Washington State Law within their respective jurisdictions_ an-617 Eexcept as provided in their respective interlocal agreements, the City of Kent, the City of Tukwila, and the City of Covington Inter locals shall provide the necessary legal and 43 ) 45 police support to the RFA for enforcement of code enforcement issues. f e. The City of Kent, the City of Tukwila, and the City of Covington will retain fire investigation authority in accordance with Washington State Law within their respective jurisdictions_ Eand, except as provided in their respective interlocal agreements, the City of Kent, the City of Tukwila, and the City of Covington Inter locals shall provide the necessary legal and police support to the RFA for enforcement of fire investigation issues. f. The City of Kent, the City of Tukwila and the City of Covington will retain emergency management authority in accordance with Washington State Law,-ad Eexcept as provided in their respective interlocal agreements, the City of Kent, the City of Tukwila, and the City of Covington Inter locals, shall provide legal and police support to the RFA as needed to provide emergency management services_ 674. Other Service Providers. 6.14.1. All current Tukwila Fire Department automatic aid and mutual aid agreements and any othcr contractual services agreements, [Bs6]shall be transferred over on July 1, 201Othe Annexation Operational Date, to provide continuous, seamless readiness and emergency services coverage. C. RFA Plan Revision : 1. The fire prevention, emergency management, public education and fire investigation services portion of the RFA Plan may be revised by a majority vote of the current sitting RFA GovcrnanceGoverninq Board. 11/17/15 6 ( 44 ) ithamk 1 ■ I—I . ■ Y.- ■ Aka — - -- PI Pd.-0151E7w 11/17/15 KENT FIRE DEPARTMENT REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART with Tukwila 6fi =-ETI Appendix C DRAFT MEP I cl= • Twkalm115111.. Cf�Fsi 6 n ( 45 ) .st Fes. II NM =MT oZegmlp y — � :fir 111=1== ■ mlwsil 47 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Recommendation March 2015 - November 2015 To: Mayor Haggerton & Tukwila City Council From: Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Date: November 5, 2015 Subject: Potential annexation to the Kent regional fire authority Recommendation Issue We are an advisory committee directed by the Tukwila City Council in September 2014, and created and supported by the Mayor of Tukwila in February 2015, to further explore the feasibility of annexing to the Kent Regional Fire Authority. Process of Review We met monthly from March 2015 to November 2015 and studied the service levels, programs, operations, facilities, budgets of the Tukwila Fire Department and the Kent RFA. There were two sub - committees - Finance and Governance - that provided the full committee with their work and recommendations. We toured the fire stations and support facilities of both organizations. Deliberation The decision is difficult and the issue is complicated. Findings are listed below that summarize both the positives and negatives that we found when studying the issue. We found however that the positives outweighed the negatives ? Respectfully submitted: Verna Seal and Joe Duffle, Tukwila Councilmembers; David Cline, Tukwila City Administrator; Chris Flores, Tukwila Interim Fire Chief.; Jessica Jerwa, Kathleen Wilson and Jerry Thornton, Tukwila residents; Genevieve Christensen, Roxanne Knowle and Mark Segale, Tukwila business representatives; Merle Brooks, Alan Codenys, Tukwila Firefighters; and Dawn Judkins, President IAFF Local 2088. Attached to this recommendation is the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority Plan - Tukwila Amendment. 1This document is a "charter" for the RFA and outlines how the organization operates, governs, is funded and the intricacies of the annexation. The Tukwila Amendment contains the substance of and details associated with the potential annexation. 1 Sections 7, 8, and 9 are still under review and will be forwarded to you as soon as they are available. October 30, 2015 Page 1 of 4 49 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Recommendation March 2015 - November 2015 Findings YES Kent RFA as a partner agency 1. We believe that moving Tukwila from a local to a regional provider of fire and EM services is good for the community. Specifically, we believe that the Kent RFA is an organization that will provide excellent service and management of those services. 2. The Kent Fire Department RFA is a successful, highly competent, nationally accredited regional service provider. 3. A regional model can be more geographically efficient in distributing fire resources, and is more economical because of the dollar savings that come from purchasing in larger quantities and having a smaller overall number of administrators. 4. For decades, the City of Tukwila has been successfully collaborating with the Kent Fire Department, through such programs as the Zone 3 partnership and mutual aid agreements. 5. Since 2012, the City of Tukwila has enjoyed enhanced collaboration with the Kent Fire Department RFA through the South King County Fire Training Consortium, sharing training personnel, systems and methods. 6. The City will be joining into a collaboration with other local communities - the cities of Kent, Covington, and unincorporated King County - in providing fire services to our communities and will share governance. Regional Fire Authority Funding model 7. To ensure that fire and emergency services continue to be delivered to the City of Tukwila community at existing or improved levels, there is a shared belief that proportionally allocating cost is more equitable for the community. To that end, the Kent Fire Department RFA utilizes a benefit charge funding system that may be used to fund up to 60% of the RFA's operating expenses. 8. The Kent RFA approaches capital funding through an annual dedication of money into a reserve fund to ensure there is a financial plan for the agency's capital needs. The funding package prepared for the potential annexation includes a 20 year capital improvement plan that includes the reconstruction and enlargement of three October 30, 2015 50 Page 2 of 4 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Recommendation March 2015 - November 2015 of the City's fire stations and significant remodel and maintenance of the fourth station as well as equipment and apparatus replacement and additions to meet growth. 9. Through annexation to the RFA for fire services, the City has greater financial flexibility and resources are available to address its on -going operational and long term financial needs. 10. The need to go out to voters every six years ensures accountability and agreement on fire service levels. 11. The City of Tukwila will not need to ask the community for approval of a Fire Station construction bond. Service Levels 12. Consolidation of the City of Tukwila and the Kent Fire Department RFA provides greater flexibility in designing and opportunity for deploying an effective response force and provides additional services to the Tukwila community, such as non - emergency medical services. 13. The RFA will be able to provide more staff resources to back -up vacation, sick and disability, thereby reducing overtime stress, cost and increasing service in Prevention and EM. Findings NO City fire department vs. regional 1. Tukwila can be better served by continuing to operate as a local provider of fire suppression and emergency management services. Although the Kent RFA is an excellent organization, the higher cost and lack of full community control outweighs the benefits. 2. Having a municipal fire department as one of the many overall functions within the City sets up appropriate checks and balances to costs and allows better coordination of services. 3. Although for the past five years, the City and Department have been searching for alternatives to service provision, refocusing and committing to the City as a provider is a viable solution. We think that the City can overcome challenges through adequate funds and direction. October 30, 2015 Page 3 of 4 51 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Recommendation March 2015 - November 2015 4. The governance of the Kent RFA includes a majority of people from outside the City of Tukwila. The need to involve City Councilmembers in one more function means they have less time and focus for City related issues. Loss of affordability, competitiveness, and control 5. The overall cost of the regional provider is more expensive. The fire benefit charge will make Tukwila less competitive and less attractive a business location than other areas outside of the Green River Valley. 6. The need to pay for a ballot measure to renew the fire benefit charge every six years is an additional expense and creates uncertainty within the agency. 7. The fire benefit charge will make affordable housing less so. 8. The overall cost of the Kent RFA versus Tukwila is five cents per $1,000 assessed value. Some of that community -wide savings could put towards the identified needs of the Department. 9. We believe that Tukwila's identity in the region and within the community will be diminished if the City no longer has its own fire department Service levels 10. The loss of the current routine business inspections, which is not a service of the RFA, will result in a less safe community. October 30, 2015 52 Page 4 of 4 City of Tukwila MINUTES Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee October 14, 2015 Call to Order Co -Chair Verna Seal called the meeting to order at 1730 hours. Committee Members David Cline, City Administrator; Moira Bradshaw, Senior Planner; Vicky Carlsen, Deputy Finance Director; Chris Flores, Tukwila Interim Fire Chief; Jim Schneider, Kent RFA Chief; Larry Rabel, Captain Kent RFA; Joe Duffle and Verna Seal, Tukwila Councilmembers; Jessica Jerwa, Jerry Thornton, and Kathleen Wilson, Tukwila citizen representatives; Merle Brooks and Alan Codenys, Tukwila firefighters; Dawn Judkins, Captain, IAFF Local 2088 President; Mike Denbo, Commissioner, board member of Kent RFA; Ray Shjerven, Captain Kent RFA, IAFF Local 1747 President; Brian Snure, Attorney for Kent RFA board; Mark Segale, Segale Business Park; Genevieve Christensen, Assistant General Manager for the Westfield Mall; Roxanne Knowle, Senior Real Estate Manager for CBRE. Also present: Dennis Robertson, Tukwila City Councilmember. Citizen Comments Eric Bernard, Kent resident, stated that since the Kent RFA started, residential property taxes have increased $500 -1,000 per year. In 2011 his FBC (fire benefit charge) was $500, in 2013 it was $700 and in 2014 it was $800. He is a 78 year -old Kent resident who is being taxed out of his home. He stated that there has been an increase to taxpayers than wouldn't have been there if the Kent RFA had not been created. He is concerned about the impact to SHAG (Senior Housing Authority.) Economic evictions are on the rise. He said Chief Schneider promised economy of scale and that the 60% maximum FBC would not be needed. There has not been any measurable benefit in services. Leroy Stevenson, Covington resident, opposed the Kent RFA when it was initially on the ballot. The only voter information available to him came from the Kent RFA. His house is 960 sq. ft. and at the beginning of the RFA he paid $235 for fire service, now he pays $325. That is a 35% increase in 5 years. If he was still serviced by Fire District #37 and paid $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value, his property tax would be $240. He said his insurance company told him that there were very few house fires now -a -days, water damage claims are more likely. He stated that literature from the Kent RFA said there would be a reduced cost to residents and that their insurance rates would go down, but that has not happened. Businesses ultimately pass their increased costs on to the citizens. The Kent 53 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Minutes Page 2 of 7 October 14, 2015 RFA said there would be economy of scale and efficiencies, but since labor and compensation are the primary costs, the only way to reduce costs is by job or benefit cuts which has not happened. Cities are giving up their sovereignty and the right to give direction to the fire department. He thinks that it would not be a good idea for Tukwila to join the Kent RFA, that interlocal agreements can accomplish economy of scale for equipment and apparatus purchases. Cost Comparison Update of City and RFA Budgets Vicky Carlsen, Tukwila Deputy Finance Director, presented an update to the Tukwila Fire Department costs with actual data from the first three quarters of the year so that there is a more accurate "apples to apples" comparison with the Kent RFA budget. She handed out the Cost Comparison Worksheet. Within the Fire Department's budget are additional costs that the City would retain, the LEOFF1 retirees' medical and the cost for the firemen's' pension. The City will also retain the indirect costs of $797,070 for the services provided to the Fire department from other City departments like Finance, IT, etc. Included on the cost comparison worksheet is an equivalent levy rate, because the source of funds to pay for the City fire department are mixed from a number of different sources. The City uses a "pay as you go" system to fund capital requirements by issuing debt and using money from the general fund. In order to create a comparison, the City and the RFA each estimated what the annualized cost would be for the Fire Department capital. The cost comparison for total operations and capital is $12.54 M with a levy equivalent of $2.50 for the City and $12.72 M with a levy equivalent of $2.53 for the RFA. The difference is a levy equivalent of $0.03. For example, using the equivalent levy rate to calculate the taxes and charges for a house with a $250,000 assessed value would result in a cost increase for the home owner of approximately $17. Potential Contractual Costs for Prevention, Investigation, EM The City would continue to be responsible for fire prevention, investigation, and emergency management services regardless of the annexation decision. Currently, the projected fire - related 2015 actual costs are $793 K for fire prevention and $321 K for emergency management for a total cost of $1.11 M and an equivalent levy rate of $0.22. If the City contracted with the RFA for these services, the proposed RFA budget would be $902 K for prevention and investigation and $339 K for emergency management for a total cost of $1.24 M and an equivalent levy rate of $0.25. The total difference for both services is $128 K and an equivalent levy rate difference of $0.03. The primary reason for the cost difference between the City and the RFA are the salary and benefit costs. The total City 2015 projected actual cost for operations, capital, prevention, investigation and emergency management is $13.65 M with an equivalent levy rate of $2.72. The total RFA proposed 54 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Minutes Page 3 of 7 October 14, 2015 budget cost is $13.96 M with an equivalent levy rate of $2.78. The difference is $307 K with a levy equivalent of $0.06. Capital Improvement Plan Capt. Larry Rabel, from the Kent RFA, gave a presentation on Tukwila's capital improvement needs and the RFA's proposed capital improvement plan of $39.9 M. The RFA's 20 -year capital plan provides funding for replacement and remodeling of the 4 fire stations, as well as capital funding for all apparatus and equipment and a capital reserve of $4.9 M in 2035. The RFA cannot absorb the total cost so there will be a cash flow issue the first 10 plus years, consequently there will be a debt expense of approximately $2.5 M for a $10 M bond. The RFA's proposed capital plan is to replace Tukwila Fire Station 51 by 2021 and Station 52 by 2023. Station 51 would be a concentration station housing a lot of resources to not only support the other Tukwila stations, but also provide support for area within Kent. Stations 52, 53 and 54 would be staffed to meet distribution need. Since Station 53 is located at the north end of the service area, and it would be more difficult for other station crews to reach the area in a short time period, it may need more staffing. The timeline for completing the remodeling of Station 53 and Station 54 would be by 2030 -2033. Station 53 will need maintenance and possible expansion. Station 54 will be difficult to remodel because of its existing construction type, so one possible solution would be to combine Station 54 and the north SeaTac Station 47 since it also needs to be replaced. The timing for this is more complicated and difficult because it involves coordination with the City of SeaTac. City Administrator Cline noted that a study commissioned by the City showed that Stations 51, 52 and 54 were seismically deficient and need improvements. The significant cost difference on the capital costs appears in apparatus, which is explained by the different replacement schedule for heavy -duty apparatus between the two agencies. If the annexation occurs, the RFA anticipates that an additional aid car will be needed around 2022 and an additional engine around 2025. All of the costs for the anticipated future needs are embedded in the 20 year RFA plan. Fire Benefit Charge Overview Capt. Larry Rabel presented an overview of the fire benefit charge (FBC.) The primary funding for the Kent RFA is $1.00 property tax levy plus a FBC as specified by RCW 52.26.240. Tukwila is a unique service area because its geography of hills and river. The built environment of freeways, high service retail areas with high traffic and employee and shopper volumes, creates limits on the reach from fire station service areas. Because of these factors, Tukwila needs more fire stations than other areas; therefore, the cost of operations is higher. The FBC formula will be the same throughout the RFA; however, the factors in the formula have been adjusted specifically for Tukwila. FBC formula: Square Root of Area x 18 x Category x Response x Risk x Discount x Fire -flow factor. 1. Square root of area = Size of structure 55 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Minutes Page 4 of 7 October 14, 2015 2. 18 This is a number that comes from the insurance services office and when multiplied by the square root of the area determines the amount of water (fire -flow) needed to put out a fire. 3. Category There are four categories of structure: • one and two unit residential dwellings, • mobile homes, • apartments; or • commercial /industrial 4. Response This factor is based upon what resources, i.e. firefighters, fire engines, special haz -mat rigs, ladder trucks, etc., would be needed to put out a fire. 5. Risk This factor includes 2 hazard factors that increase fees to structures that contain highly combustible or flammable uses or storage and 4 "Regional" retail factors to help offset the cost to Tukwila residents of providing services to shoppers and employees of regional retail and services that are located in Tukwila. Business that will see this "Regional" factor applied include: high traffic retail, restaurants, fast food, and heavy industrial uses. These factors are used to offset costs for the different types of commercial businesses. The Kent RFA used response data to compare call volumes in Tukwila to call volumes in the Kent RFA. This data was used to determine risk factors for some of the regional commercial differences like the Westfield Mall. 6. Discount Is given for low income qualifying seniors and disabled persons owning their own homes, and for structures with sprinkler and alarm systems. 7. Fire -flow factor This number is unique to the Tukwila service area. The fire -flow factor allows the revenues to match operational and capital needs. The three factors that will vary from the RFA's factors outside of Tukwila are the category types, which shifts greater cost to the commercial and multi - family structures; risk (because of Tukwila's regional influx of population), and the fire -flow factor. Hazard factors are already built into the original formula. Mark Segale asked for an explanation of the fire -flow factor. Capt. Rabel explained that the factors used to determine fire -flow are how many gallons of water would be needed to handle the problem, how many personnel and resources would be needed to deliver that water, and what would be needed to maintain those resources. As an example, for a house fire, a fire hose delivering 50 gallons per minute would require two firefighters on the attack line, one firefighter manning the pump, one at the hydrant, two on the outside of the structure, one on situation assessment and one in command. A small commercial structure with front windows would have low rates because a fire there would be easy to put out and use fewer personnel. A larger commercial structure would use a 2 1/2 hose line instead of a 1 1/2 line, which would automatically increase the gallons per minute water flow. Fighting that fire would also require more personnel. Roxanne Knowle asked if one tenant in a multi- tenant building had several risk factors, how that would affect the FBC calculation. Capt. Rabel explained that the entire square footage of the parcel would be assessed the higher risk factor because of that one tenant. 56 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Minutes Page 5 of 7 October 14, 2015 Genevieve Christensen asked if the fire -flow needed was how much water was needed for the fire? Capt. Rabel explained that the fire -flow factor was the cost to deliver water to the fire. That cost included the cost of personnel and equipment. In the Kent RFA the factor was .32; in Tukwila the factor was .49. Alan Codenys pointed out that Tukwila has high water pressure, 160 #'s at Tukwila's hydrants. In Tukwila one sprinkler head would flow 95 gallons per minute. Mark Segale asked if a building with ESFR sprinklers would have a lower rate. Capt. Rabel said it would receive a sprinkler discount, although they were still working to elaborate how much to reduce the risk factors since ESFR was not currently separate from the sprinkler discount factor. Mark Segale asked if there are automatic increases in the FBC. Chief Schneider replied that the RFA evaluates the budget on a yearly basis to see how much they will be getting from the $1.00 levy. That tells them how much the FBC needs to be to reach the correct budget amount. In the future, the RFA will be receiving impact fees, which will reduce the taxpayers' fees. Mark Segale asked if it is possible to do a snapshot of the FBC valuation if it varies yearly. Chief Schneider replied that when assessed property values decreased, the RFA had to raise the FBC since they were limited by the 1`)/0 tax levy. He said that when assessed property values decreased, the cities had banked money that they could use to continue services. However, the RFA didn't have bank capacity to rely on when property values decreased. Councilmember Robertson said the RFA has fewer revenue sources than cities to pay for services. The RFA's revenue sources are primarily assessed value and the FBC. Just recently, the City of Kent adopted impact fees. The RFA recalculates the FBC every year to account for revenue disparities. When the voters vote on the FBC, they are voting on the idea of larger structures and those requiring higher cost resources paying more and not the actual FBC amount. The FBC is based on square footage of improvements and the cost of maintaining resources to protect those improvements which can change from year to year. The FBC measures the cost to deliver fire service to a location and the overall risk if there are a lot of building occupants or higher risk storage or uses. Figuring the FBC is a very complicated process. Chief Flores said the dollars have to make sense. Voters need to look at the big picture which is sustaining and stabilizing fire service in the region. Roxanne Knowle asked what would happen if the voters voted no on the FBC in six years, and if the RFA could continue to run the FBC election? Chief Schneider replied that funding would go back to the $1.50/1,000 of assessed value and services would have to be cut. Brian Snure said that they could continue to run the FBC election, but if the FBC was not approved in the year cycle, services would have to cut. Eric Bernard said that the Kent RFA raised the FBC 15% this year, which is more than CPI. General Discussion Councilmember Seal asked what process the committee would like to follow to reach a decision and recommendation for the City Council? Moira Bradshaw explained that the Steering Committee needed to make a "yes" or "no" recommendation on whether or not the City should proceed with the RFA annexation. 57 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Minutes Page 6 of 7 October 14, 2015 Mark Segale said he would like to see examples of the FBC formula calculated for particular types of properties. City Administrator Cline summarized that the Committee wants to see cost - comparisons for a cross - section of properties. Capt. Judkins asked what other issues, such as contracting for fire prevention and emergency management, might affect the cost comparison. Moira Bradshaw explained that contracted costs for prevention and emergency management would not affect the FBC since the contracted costs would always be paid for by the City. Roxanne Knowle asked what would happen to the dollars in the City's budget that currently to go to the fire department. Moira Bradshaw explained that the City Council is currently discussing that issue. They discussed the revenue implications of a number of options including the RFA annexation at a special work session on September 15 and are having a follow up discussion on November 10. The Steering Committee could provide a qualifier in their recommendation if they think that is an important issue in their decision. Councilmember Seal said it would take time for the City Council to discuss all of the issues involved in an annexation and the Council would welcome qualifiers or committee suggestions. The Council needs to apply due diligence and not rush their decision. The voters will be the ultimate decision makers. Councilmember Robertson said there are a variety of ways to reassign the budget money that currently goes to the fire department. Individuals will have the opportunity to give input to the Council. After the Steering Committee makes a recommendation, the City Council will need to discuss the proposal and decide whether to put it out for a vote. The Kent RFA Board also has to decide on the proposal. Moira Bradshaw asked about the level of cost/revenue detail the committee would like available for the October 28th meeting? Genevieve Christensen would like to have definitions of structures, categories, risk factors and the discount categories. Roxanne Knowle would like to know which properties would fall into which hazard categories. Jerry Thornton needs more concrete information in order to answer voter questions. Kathleen Wilson wants to know what would happen to the Tukwila Fire Department if Tukwila keeps the status quo. Mark Segale wants to know the apparatus costs for the Tukwila Fire Department for the past few years. Mark Segale wants to know if it would be better for the City to contract for fire prevention and emergency management or hold on to those services. City Administrator Cline said Tukwila prides itself on its services to commercial customers. Questions to consider are the long term costs and the type and quality of services between the two options. The City exists for public safety and it needs to make sure the City is being served. If the City contracts for these services and it is not working, the City can take those services back. The RFA would be more accountable, because the City can take the contract away. Roxanne Knowle asked if there are other groups that need to be contacted for input about whether or not to contract for these services? Genevieve Christensen asked about adding more staff versus using overtime. She noted that there is over $100,000 in cost increase to contract. City Administrator Cline explained that fire prevention 58 Regional Fire Authority Annexation Steering Committee Minutes Page 7 of 7 October 14, 2015 currently has five staff members, so if one person is out, staffing is down 20 %. There currently is no backup. The benefit with a larger organization is that there would be backup personnel. He said the Kent RFA and the Tukwila Fire Department have different philosophies about staffing and what activities they do. The same holds true for suppression. There have been staffing issues because there is less backup. Is it better to have more staff or use overtime? Capt. Judkins pointed out that one of the factors impacting fire prevention's workload is a lot of growth in the City. After the buildings are built, suppression is impacted. Kathleen Wilson said that overtime can have a major negative effect on staff performance due to fatigue. City Administrator Cline summarized that the Committee needs to make recommendations on whether to contract for fire prevention and emergency management, and if they agree with the governance plan that has been proposed. He asked if it would helpful for the committee to have City staff summarize some of the decisions and answers. Councilmember Seal summarized that it was her understanding that for the next meeting the committee would like to see more detailed cost comparisons between the City and the RFA, and if the City contracts for fire prevention and emergency management, or if the City does nothing. Moira Bradshaw said there are three Sections of the Plan that the committee still needs to review: Finance, Administration and Contract services. Councilmember Duffie stressed that the committee needs to make a decision that will benefit the citizens and the businesses. Capt. Judkins asked if the Committee would have enough time to work thru the last three sections of the Plan. Moira Bradshaw said there would be another meeting on October 28th and then on November 5th. If the committee needed more time, November 18 is reserved as an additional meeting, if needed. Councilmember Seal said the Council wants to vote on the annexation before the end of the year. City Administrator Cline thanked the finance committee for their hard work. He offered to organize a sub - committee meeting so that the commercial representatives on the Committee could see FBC cost comparisons for a cross - section of various commercial properties. Adjournment At 1931 hours Co -chair Kathleen Wilson declared the Regional Fire Authority Steering Committee meeting adjourned. Minutes taken and prepared by Norita Deckard, Admin. Support Tech. 59