2008-06-05 Special CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY- -JUNE 5, 2008- -6:00 P.M.
Vice Mayor Tam convened the Special Meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Councilmember Matarrese led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call - Present: Councilmembers deHaan, Gilmore,
Matarrese, Tam and Mayor Johnson - 5.
[Note: Mayor Johnson arrived at 6:47 p.m.]
Absent: None.
(08 -253) Workshop on the City's Two -year Financial Plan and
Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Years 2008 -10.
Former Councilmember Barbara Kerr, Alameda, submitted a letter;
stated Art in the Park was not meant to be a fundraiser; it was
created to allow Alameda artists to have an event to show art;
urged Council to keep the event.
Steve Jones, Alameda, suggested daily staff assigned to fire
prevention, training, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Deputy
Fire Chief be used to staff the fire apparatus; stated the savings
would not be as great as placing an apparatus out of service;
fooling with having less than 27 firefighters on duty would be
reckless.
The City Engineer gave a Power Point presentation on the Capital
Improvement Program.
Councilmember Matarrese inquired what is the current backlog for
the sidewalk repair program.
The City Engineer responded that she would provide information.
Vice Mayor Tam requested information on the magnitude of the
deferred maintenance for streets and sidewalks, including ponding
near the Posey Tube and Veterans' Building repairs.
Councilmember Matarrese stated the inventory of sidewalk repairs is
known; that he would like to know where the City is before
approving the CIP budget in order to prioritize.
Councilmember Gilmore requested staff to provide a list of streets
that are rated 30 to help Council prioritize.
Mayor Johnson stated staff should include how much it would cost to
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improve the street segments at high risk.
The Deputy City Manager gave a Power Point presentation on revenue
strategies.
Following Council discussion of assessment districts, Vice Mayor
Tam requested that the matter be added to the polling questions.
Mayor Johnson requested the amount of EMS bad debt be provided to
Council as well as how the City tries to collect.
The Fire Chief gave a Power Point presentation.
Vice Mayor Tam requested staff to review Mr. Jones's suggestion.
Mayor Johnson questioned whether fire inspections could be done by
the Planning and Building Department.
Councilmember Matarrese requested the impact of reducing a truck
company and the impact of interrupting office services be compared
side -by -side; stated addressing a fire or hazardous situation needs
to be weighed against a slow down in inspections; that he would
like an analysis of using office staff to fill response staff when
there is an overtime issue.
The Fire Chief continued the presentation.
Mayor Johnson requested information on how often the Fire
Department responds to hazardous material calls.
The Fire Chief continued the presentation.
Following discussion of Oakland's contract with American Medical
Response (AMR) for medical calls, Councilmember deHaan requested
background information and data on how often Alameda is called to
support AMR; further requested information on the amount of debt
from said calls.
Vice Mayor Tam questioned the amount of overtime needed when there
is full staffing.
Councilmember Matarrese requested staff to identify the amount of
overtime associated with said calls and the total value of the
calls; further requested the cost delta for the 6 -to -1 ratio of
AMR's to Alameda's calls for mutual aid.
Mayor Johnson requested information on the number and type of calls
for each station.
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The Fire Chief continued the presentation.
Following discussion regarding the Countywide paramedic service
assessment district, Councilmember Matarrese requested staff to
review implementing the voter - approved tax.
The Fire Chief continued the presentation.
Following discussion regarding training, Councilmember Gilmore
inquired what is the average number of hours for training a
firefighter.
The Fire Chief stated the matter could be placed on the issue bin;
continued the presentation.
Councilmember Matarrese requested the City Manager to provide an
analysis of whether or not the organization is large enough to
warrant the Administrative Management Analyst position; inquired
whether other cities of similar size have the position; stated
other departments have the position; staff should review
consolidating or outsourcing; requested the scenario slide be
published to share it with the public.
Councilmember Gilmore requested staff to review the possibility of
having a Citywide grant writer.
Mayor Johnson concurred with Councilmember Gilmore's suggestion;
stated it could be handled on a contract basis.
Domenick Weaver, Alameda Firefighters Local 689 President,
discussed brown outs in San Francisco and Oakland; stated that he
does not support the brown out proposal.
John McCahan, Alameda, urged the Council to look for alternatives
to pulling a truck company; suggested revenue enhancements, such as
increasing and ensuring collection of EMS fees; further suggested
EMS transport be considered; stated South San Francisco implemented
said service.
In response to Mayor Johnson's request for further explanation of
EMS transport, Mr. McCahan stated there are options which would
raise $800,000 to $1.4 million in revenue.
Councilmember Gilmore stated there could be huge start up costs.
Mr. McCahan encouraged review of the business model.
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The City Manager stated the presentation for the evening is
concluded.
Mayor Johnson requested that the 400 of EMS fees that are not
collected be addressed at the next workshop.
Councilmember Matarrese requested Council consensus that the public
safety questions in the issue bin are most pressing; public safety
is a front line responsibility and has the biggest impacts on
direct service; said issues in the issue bin should be elevated and
addressed first.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the
Special Meeting at 9:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
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