CENTRAL COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT 1399 Rollins Road Burlingame, CA 94010 1600 Floribunda Avenue Hillsborough, CA 94010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES Special Meeting, Wednesday 4:00 p.m., Hillsborough Town Hall Meeting called to order by Chairman Deal at 4:10pm Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Deal Board Members present: Jerry Deal Marie Chuang Jess E. Benton Michael Brownrigg Approval of Minutes: April 24 th, 2012 Board Member Benton motions to approve, Board Member Chuang seconds motion. Deputy Chief Ladas made a clarification on the minutes in reference to second bullet point under 9b on page 3. Deputy Chief Ladas stated that the $589,000 stated in the minutes is correct but would like the Board to understand that the actual amount funded in the budget is $450,000. After some discussion on this item Chairman Deal moved to table the minutes until further clarification is noted. Board Member Benton inquired about item 10c on the minutes that stated staff would bring a draft copy of amended JPA to next Board meeting. Deputy Chief Ladas stated that Chief Dornell informed him the amended agreement is not ready at this time and this remains an open item.
Page 2 of 6 Consent Calendar All items from the consent calendar were pulled for discussion. a. Approve contract to share Fire Chief with City of Millbrae and City of San Bruno. Board Member Benton inquired what the commencement date for the contract would be. Mr. Nantell stated the commencement date would be effective immediately, as soon as the contract is approved. It was clarified that the contract will be retroactive to May 26 th since the Fire Chief position has been shared since that date. Board Member Benton inquired if the numbers will be filled in, in the blank spaces in paragraph 5a and asked for clarification on paragraph 7. Ms. Savaree clarified that if there is a dispute the parties involved, whether it is two or three, will attempt to resolve it and if it is not able to be resolved then the parties will move into the dispute resolution mechanism. Board Member Benton pointed out that the same language is repeated in paragraph 7b. Ms. Savaree stated that she would rewrite the aforementioned paragraphs to better articulate the intent of the paragraph. Board Member Benton also inquired about the fees stated in paragraph 10. Ms. Savaree stated that the same language was in a previous contract approved by the Board and therefore was left in this contract too. Mr. Nantell gave an update on the most recent dialogue between City Managers regarding the sharing of the Fire Chief. The City Managers of San Bruno and Millbrae are now proposing they will pay 25% of the Fire Chief s costs. Mr. Nantell informed the Board that he responded to the City Managers saying such a proposal would not be feasible. Mr. Nantell stated that he informed the City Managers the Fire Chief would not be receiving a differential. Mr. Nantell proposed that the Fire Board approve the contract at the 50% cost sharing. Mr. Nantell said he does not recommend that the Fire Board consider a contract that says the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno would pay 25% of the Fire Chief s salary. Board Member Brownrigg addressed paragraph 5a, which states the invoice would be mailed. Board Member Brownrigg recommended that the form of mail be specified. Board Member Brownrigg inquired if it would be appropriate to include a late payment fee. Ms. Savaree said it could be proposed. A 10% penalty was proposed and is to be included in the contract language. Board Member Benton asked about the shared services between the agencies. Deputy Chief Ladas stated that mechanic services are being shared and the Chief Officers are meeting as a shared administration. Board Member Benton asked if any savings have been recognized as a result of the administrative consolidation. Deputy Chief Ladas stated that there was an opportunity when San Bruno promoted to fill the Fire Marshal position and the sharing of the Fire Chief position would be another opportunity. Board Member Benton motioned to table item 5a until the issues are resolved. Motion approved 4-0-0.
Page 3 of 6 b. Resolution for the joint purchase and ownership of a single Fire Engine for the. Board Member Brownrigg stated that a correction is required in the Staff Report. Hillsborough would pay $240,000 and Burlingame would pay $360,000 therefore the savings would be $360,000 and $240,000 respectively. (Staff Report to be amended with these corrections). Mr. Nantell stated that this is a change in the way apparatus has been purchased in the past. Moving forward Burlingame will pay 60% of a new apparatus purchase and Hillsborough will pay 40%. Ms. Savaree stated that the resolution would be amended to include the name of the vendor, the word engine, and purchase price of $600,000. Board Member Brownrigg motions to approve the resolution as amended. Board Member Chuang seconds the motion. Motion approved 4-0-0. c. Approve Cost Sharing Agreement Board Member Brownrigg inquired if there would be penalties for late payment. It was clarified that this agreement is for the temporary fire station. Chairman Deal indicated that the staff report reads $800,000 that was revised to $600,000 but the agreement cites $800,000. Chairman Deal asked if the agreement should read $600,000. Board Member Benton clarified that the agreement is to pay 50% of the total cost not $300,000. Board Member Benton also inquired about what provisions would be included should the other party be unable to fulfill their obligations as stated in the agreement. Ms. Savaree stated that she spoke to Joan Cassman; the attorney for the City of Millbrae, to discuss what language should be added to address this. Ms. Savaree and Ms. Cassman agreed to build in language into the agreement to state that if the City Of Millbrae received a bill from Central County Fire that they did not agree with they would have ten days to dispute the invoice, which would trigger a conversation between the City Managers. In addition, during that time period they would continue to pay under protest and a dispute mechanism would be put in place. To be consistent with the other agreements in place a 10% penalty fee would be added to the language for late payment. Board Member Chuang asked if consideration has been given to moving forward by ourselves to build the temporary station. Mr. Nantell stated that moving forward without the partners has not been considered at this time. Board Member Brownrigg motions to approve the agreement with the revisions to be made by the Ms. Savaree, as discussed. Board Member Chuang seconds motion. Motion approved 4-0-0. d. Resolution to Clarify Resolution 12-01 Regarding Tax Implications of Cost Sharing of Retirement Contributions. Kristin Armbruster, Human Resources Specialist for Central County Fire Department explained that this is consistent with what the department is currently doing and additional language was added to the MOU as clarification upon the advice of the tax attorney.
Page 4 of 6 Board Member Benton motions to approve the resolution. Board Member Brownrigg seconds motion. Motion approved 4-0-0. Staff Reports Shared Services Update Deputy Chief Ladas gave an update on the shared services: The Fire Chief and Deputy Chief have attended many meetings in an effort to educate the partners on details of contracts, etc. They have met with the Millbrae Fire Commission The Shared Administration is working well; the Chief Officers are all working together New Business a. Approval of Fire Administrators Contract Kristin Armbruster stated that she and Deputy Chief Mark Ladas met with the Fire Administrators negotiators. Where possible, the concessions made by the firefighters were presented to the negotiators and they were very receptive to the options. Board Member Benton inquired about the effective date and Ms. Armbruster responded that traditionally the two contracts have been staggered. Board Member Benton asked about the language in paragraph 3.1 referencing surveys. Ms. Armbruster stated the same language is used in the firefighters contract. Board Member Benton inquired about paragraph 7.3 referencing vacation accrual. Ms. Armbruster stated that this is a carryover error from the last contract. The wrong vacation accrual schedule was used in the last contract; the vacation accrual schedule in paragraph 7.3 is the correct schedule. It is not an increase in vacation accruals. Board Member Benton motions to approve the Fire Administrators Contract. Board Member Chuang seconds. Motion approved 4-0-0. b. Determination of date and time of next meeting The next meeting will be Wednesday December 5 th, 4pm at the City of Burlingame. Public Hearing a. Approval of resolution establishing fees for Fire Services charged by Central County Fire Department Fire Marshal Rocque Yballa presented the new Fee Schedule: The fees presented are the same fees used in the past under the City of Burlingame and Town of Hillsborough fee schedules At the direction of General Counsel we have established our own fee schedule
Page 5 of 6 The fees were established based on the increase put in place by the City of Burlingame that takes into consideration fee increases, salary increases, etc. There are two new fees o Sprinkler fee for a repair or remodel permit o General Fire and Life Safety services fee this captures fees that were not captured in the past. This is 12% of the building permit fee Board Member Benton inquired if there is supporting documentation for the increases. Fire Marshal Yballa stated that a study has been done but only includes two large buildings. The fee increases are supported by a study done by the City of Burlingame in 2007/2008. Board Member Brownrigg inquired how this fee schedule compares to Millbrae and San Bruno. Fire Marshal Yballa responded that the fees are close. Board Member Benton inquired if this fee would apply to the private schools or clubs in Hillsborough. Fire Marshal Yballa responded that the 12% would apply in such a case. Public schools are exempt from municipal fees. Board Member Benton motions to approve fee schedule for Central County Fire Department. Board Member Brownrigg seconds motion. Motion approved 4-0-0. Public Comments No Public comments Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:48pm