HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire EMS 2022-02-01 MinutesCity of Tukwila
Future of Fire/EMS Services Community Advisory Committee
February 1, 2022
Virtual Meeting due to COVID-19 Emergency
4:00 p.m.
MINUTES (REVISED)
Present
Committee members: Jim Davis, Katrina Dohn, Peggy McCarthy, Andy Reiswig, Dennis Robertson, Verna Seal,
Sally Blake, Hien Kieu. Ramona Grove, Abdullahi Shakul, Ben Oliver
City staff& consultants: Allan Ekberg, Nora Gierloff, David Cline, Laurel Humphrey, Norm Golden, Jay
Wittwer, Vicky Carlsen, Niesha Fort -Brooks, James Booth, Karen Reed, Bill Cushman
1. Welcome, Introductions
Chair Seal called the meeting to order.
2. Review of Agenda
Ms. Reed reviewed the agenda.
3. Review and approval of January 4, 2022 Committee meeting minutes
Ms. McCarthy requested an amendment to the fifth buffeted point on page 3 as follows:
• 3.2% incrcasc perycarin rcvcnuc is rcasonablc for the City. 3% increase in fire department
expenditures is reasonable.
Ms. McCarthy moved approval of the minutes as amended and Mr. Robertson seconded. The motion
carried and the minutes were approved as amended.
4. Election of Vice -Chair
Ms. Reed requested nominations for the position ofVice-Chair. Ms. Blake nominated Ms. McConnell,
and Mr. Shakul nominated Ms. Kieu. Ms. McConnell was not present to accept the nomination and
Ms. Kieu wanted time to consider whether she was willing to be nominated. Ms. Reed will follow up
with both Ms. McConnell and Ms. Kieu before the next meeting and place this item on the next
Committee agenda.
5. Responses to questions asked at previous meetings
Ms. Reed reviewed a list of responses. Mr. Robertson asked for a more detailed response regarding
what the City has implemented from the CPSM study in terms of efficiency and cost reduction
recommendations.
1
6. Recap of Meeting 3 Presentation/Continued Discussion
Ms. Reed reviewed the presentations and discussion. New comments and questions from the
committee included:
• Its important to consider changing times, avoiding debt, thinking creatively,
improving service.
• I'm comfortable with prioritizing recommendations on enhanced services, but not
comfortable talking about cuts to other city programs.
• Cuts from other departments should only be implemented as a last resort. I
would be in favor of cutting from parks as it is hard for the City to maintain
existing parks and to enforce laws and regulations in these existing parks. I
would support no new development of parks to save money.
• Cuts from other departments should only be necessary; as a last restort, I would be
should not be developing new parks right now.
• Q: Is it not feasible to contract for inspection services? A: Its possible but must be
bargained.
• Q: Is it possible to look into the cost of contracting for inspection services? I assume
that contracting out would reduce costs quite a bit, is it possible to estimate one year? A:
We will look into this.
Committee members discussed Question 1: Assume no new funding is available and adding these
services will mean cuts in other city programs. Would you support adding any of these, and if so,
which options? Responses and questions included:
• Q: Inspection revenue seems low, and there is an opportunity to bring in more.
Would that revenue help address this question? A: Inspection fees would never be high
enough to offset the cost of FTEs.
Several committee members noted the difficulty of voting on this questions - not comfortable
advising the council here, need more information. Accepting these many caveats, the last round of
discussion led to the following input:
• I would support inspectors if offset by fees. The public education piece could be with
existing emergency management staff. I don't understand cost/equipment needs
associated with Cares unit.
• Yes to fire inspectors, even if it takes cuts; CARES, no. Public educators ok but not
with new staff.
• I support Option 4 (Cares unit + 1-2 Fire Inspectors)
• No to funding through cuts (6)
Committee members discussed Question 2: If new taxes would be required to fund these programs,
which, if any, of these options would you support.
• I support enhanced services with new taxes. (5 responses)
• Q: What is the annual cost for a $500K home? A: Approximately $65
• A new tax should be a last resort. We have to have inspections. (2 responses)
• I support enhanced services with new taxes, but also reducing costs wherever
possible.
• Abstain (2)
2
Committee members discussed a potential definition of financial sustainability. There were no
objections to the proposed definition. Comments included:
• The definition should also consider debt.
The next discussion focused on criteria the Committee members think are important in order to
make a recommendation to the Mayor and City Council on which option for future Fire/EMS service
they prefer. Suggested criteria included:
• Ensure diverse needs of community are met; leveraging other resources for this
purpose.
• Total costs, considering costs to residents and businesses.
• Labor considerations
• Operational and financial control over decisions.
• Weigh the cost and overall quality of service, not just response times. What does
quality mean for our community?
• Accountability and performance measurement.
• Public education means programs available to schools.
• Ability to keep up with changing demands
• Educating diverse community with language access.
7. Fire Labor Relations 101
Deputy Chief Golden provided an overview of Fire Labor Relations
• Q: Does a change to shift staffing require a new contract: A: The goal is to all be on same page
with any decision to change.
8. Comparing the Options: Blank Template
Ms. Reed presented a draft template for comparing options. Additional suggestions included:
• Add qualitative assessment regarding sustainability/scalability. Could the solution
accommodate future growth?
• Show costs to residents and businesses.
• Cross reference options with criteria.
9. Options 1 (Status Quo) and Option 2 (Status Quo plus Service Adds)
Ms. Reed presented an overview of potential options for future service delivery.
10. Union Comment
Captain Booth shared that this work is difficult and is common in the fire service industry due to the
recession and housing market. Tukwila is not alone.
11. Next Agenda/Adjourn
Ms. Reed reviewed the February 15, 2022, preliminary meeting agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:01 P.M. by unanimous consent.
Minutes by LH
3