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1991-11-14 Special CC MinutesSPECIALCOUNCILMEETINGOFTHEALAMEDACITYCOUNCIL NOVEMBER14,1991 TheSpecialMeeting Withrowpresiding. CouncilmemberCamicia. was The convenedat7 :-30 p.m., PledgeofAllegiance with was President ledby ROLLCALL-Present: Absent: CouncilmembersArnerich,Camicia, RothandPresidentwithrow-5. None. Lucas, 91-786ReportfromViceMayorKarinLucasregardingreductionof salariesofappointedofficialsbyfivepercent. TheCityAttorneynoted,inordertocomplywiththeprov~s~onsof GovernmentCodeSection1090,theAssistantCityAttorneyandthe AssistantCityManagerwillrepresenttheCityManagerandCity Attorneyoffices,respectively,andadvisetheCityonanyaspects oftheircontracts;theCityAttorneyandCityManagerwillstep down,andaddressCouncilinanyquestionsorconcernsinan individualcapacityasemployee. BonnyMoore,Alameda,statedshesupportsCouncilmemberLucas's proposalofafivepercentcut;nooneshouldfeel.thisisa reflectiononthethreeofficials'work;theCityClerk'sOfficeis themostimportantdepartmentintheCitybecauseitisindependent, andisthecitizens'accesstoCityGovernment;theCityAttorney returnsphonecallsandexplainslegalinformationinunderstandable form;theCityManagercantakeanideaandputitintoeffect; Councilcouldamendit[theproposal]tosaythatwhentheCity budgetis"intheblack,"fullsalarieswouldbereinstituted. CouncilmemberRothsuggestedtheappointedofficials'evaluations couldbeannounced,towhichPresidentWithrowrespondedhe announcedthefact[November4,1991,CouncilMeeting]thatCouncil gaveevaluations,andhedoesnotbelievethedocumentispublic. JohnScottGraham,Alameda,agreedwithMs.Moore;statedtheCity Clerk'sOfficeistheofficehecangotoforinformation;theCity Manager'sandCityAttorney'sOfficesarecommendablebuttheCity Clerk'sOfficeismostimportant,asitprotectsconfidentiality, e.g.,biddingprocsss,andhewouldlikestaffmaintainedappropriately. CouncilmemberLucasstatedshedidnotplacetheitemontheagenda becauseofanydissatisfactionwiththetopstaff,astheyare excellentpeople,butbecauseoftherecession;thecutisnot majorbutwouldsetanexampleinthefutureforlowerlevelemployees. CouncilmanArnerichstatedtheCityClerk,CityManager Attorneyhavegonewithoutraisesforeighteenmonths; associationsturneddownatwo-hourperweekcut; andCity employee allthree November14,1991 officialsaretop-notch;the$13,000thatwouldbesavedbycutting thewagesofthet~reeofficialswillnotbeenoughtomakea differenceinthebudget;andhewillnetsupportthecut. CouncilmemberRothstatedwhenCouncilmanArnerichfirstproposed thefurlough,hevotedagainstitbecausethatwasthesameas takingapaycut;bargainingunitsturneddowntherequestto reducetheirincreaseandhedoesnotbelieveitisfairtopickout threeemployeessimplybecauseCouncilcanforcethecut;andhe willnotsupportthecut. CouncilmemberCamici~statedthenextbudgetyearwillprobablybe themostdifficultbudgetyear;agreesitisgoodtosendasYmbol thatcutscomefromthetop,theyareworkinghardonadifficult budgetsituation,butnextyeartheCitywillhaveabettersenseof whereitisfinancially;suggestedtablingthis[proposal], revisitingitatsomepoint;everyonemayneedtomakeastatement inthefuture,butheisnotsurethisisatimetodoit. Counci three when definite~ coming atall any timeis Arnerichstatedfirst,itmustberecognizedtheCityhas ightadml~istrators;theissue[cut]mustbevotedon; newbudgetcomesupnextyearandCouncilhasamore ookatwhattheeconomyis,andthemoniesthatwillbe stateandFederallevels,thenitwillbetimetolook shouldvoteonthethreepositions,and thematterbacktoCouncilwheneverthe Roth Councilnotcutthe[threeofficials']pay Arnerichsecondedthemotion. CouncilmemberLucas herproposalisdefeated canitbebroughtupagainatthetimeofthenextbudget andPresidentWithrowstateditCOUld. tonight, meeting; Themotionwascarx:iedbythefollowingvoicevote:Ayes: CouncilmembersArnerich,Camicia,RothandPresidentWithrow-4. Noes:CouncilmemberLucas-1.Absent:None. 91-787ReportfromCityManagerconcerningthereorganizationof certaindepartmentsandcontractingforcityservices. CouncilmemberCamiciastatedhefeelsunderpressureregardingCity finances,triedtothinkofwaytheCitycouldsavemoney,cameup withbroadproposalofdownsizingstaffandrearrangingstructure; whatstaffhascombupwith,achangeinmanagement,canbe institutedinagoodorbadbudgetyear;havingfewermanagers reporttoCityManager.makessense;andrequestedoverviewfromtheCityManager. TheCityManagerstatedthirteendepartmentheadsreporttohim currently;inreviewingtheproposal by councilmember.Camicia,it appearedifadditionalpeoplearecut,streamliningtheorganization isnecessary;thelevelofservicetocitizenswouldbereducedbut fasterdecision-makingwouldbeallowed,whichmaynotalwaysbethe bestdecision;heproposessixagenciesbeinvolvedasagency November14..,..1991 directorsreportingtotheCityManager,inthoseagencies,Police andFirewouldbasicallyremainthesame;heexpl~inedother agencies,e.g.,dividingworkofPlanningDepartmentunderPublic WorksandCommunityDevelopment;proposedtheAssistantCity ManagersitonthePensionBoardinhis[CityManager's]place; proposedcreationofadministrativeagencytocoordinateFinance, Personnel,CityClerk'sOffice,citizens'ResponseCenter,and InsuranceandRiskManagement;regardingcontractingservicesout, Councilcanrequestfeasabilitystudies,ormoveintoRequestsfor Proposals,forotherservices. JohnScottGraham,Alameda,statedCityClerk'sOfficeshouldbea neutralarea;perhapsemergencyambulanceservicesatnightcouldbecontractedout. ChristopherBuckley,Alameda,statedtreeandlandscapemanagement issplitbetweenRecreationandParks,andPublicWorks;suggested lookingatconsolidatingtreemaintenancefunction;theproposalto combineadvanceplanningwithCommunityDevelopmentmakessomesense iftheagencyheadhasoutlookofaCityPlanner;combiningcurrent planningwithPublicWorkswouldbeabigmistake,andgavereasons. CouncilmemberCamiciastatedtheadvantage[totheproposals]isto allowforone-stop-shopping;thisissplittingfunctionsbutnot givinguptheplanningprocess. RobertDeCelle,Alameda,statedtheCityhasresponsibilitythrough PlanningDepartmentandHistoricalAdvisoryBoardtomaintainthe [U.S.DepartmentofInterior's]designationoftheCityasa certifiedlocalgovernment;Councilshouldthinkcarefullyhow consolidationofPlanningwithotherdepartmentswillaffectthe totalplanningpicture;notedBerkeleytrieditandwentbacktoPlanning. InresponsetoCouncilmemberLucas'srequest,theCityManager statedthereisnotechnicalreasonwhythePlanningDepartment cannotcontinuetoreceivegrants;andPublicWorksobtainsgrants. RalphAppezzato,President,PlanningBoard,statedtheletterhe submittedwasunanimouslyapprovedbythePlanningBoard;the currentInterimPlanningDirector,whohasexperienceasPlanning Directorinseveralcities,supportsthepositionalso;the proposalisnotoriginalbutwaspresentedbyCityManager~John Goss,severalyearsago;atnotimedidMr.Gossrecommendbreakup ordissolutionofanentiredepartment;reviewedMr.Goss's remarks,expressedneedforcaution;statedifPlanningDepartment isabolished,theBoardrecommendstheentiredepartmentbeplaced inonedepartment,nottwo;notedCityManagerreportscurrentCity organizationisefficient,responsive,leanandproductive,andthe financialpositionhasimproved;statedimmediateconcern therefore,istonotpursueashort-termfix,politicallyexpedient butpossiblydisastrousinthelongrun~urgedCouncil.notbreak apartthePlanningDepartmentwhich,properlyutilized,isthe agencythatcanbestprotectthelanduseinterestofourcitizens; asystemofchecksandbalancesisinplacetoprotectthecommunity interestwithregardtoqualityoflifeasitrelatestolanduse November14,1991 issues;theprocesshasworkedwellandthePlanningDepartmentis thefirstlinkintheprocess,andurgedCouncilnottobreakapart thisimportantandnecessaryfunction. PresidentwithrowstatedheagreeswithPlanningBoardPresident withtheoneexceptionthathe[Appezzato]mentionedthepossibility ofputtingthePlanningDepartmentunderonedepartmenthead;he [Withrow]wouldchangethattohaveadepartmentputunderPlanning; ifCouncilisgoingtocombinethem[thedepartments],Community Development[shouldbe]underPlanning,orPublicWorksDepartment underthePlanningDirector. DavidBaker,Alameda,statedhesupportscommentsofPlanningBoard President;heseesbadplanningasprecedingmanyproblemsinthe City,andbelievestheonlycureforthatistostrengthenthe PlanningDepartment;andwhatheseeshappeningisadelusionof thePlanningprocessessentiallybydividingitsfunctionsand submergingPlanningintotwootherdepart:ments. BillieTrujillo,Chair,HousingCommission,submittedandreada lettertoCouncilfromtheCommissionregardingtheHousing Authority;theHousingAuthoritypaidtheCityatotalof$114,948 forservicesinthelastfiscalyear;bylaw,HousingAuthority fundsmayonlybeusedforAffordableHousingPrograms;priorto 1984,theHousingAuthoritywasin.badcondition;thathasbeen turnedaroundtoagoodoperation;theCommissionfeelstheHousing Authorityisbeingsplinteredandwouldhaveanegativeimpacton theAuthority'sservicedeliveryto1700householdsandlandlordsinthecommunity. BonnieMoore,Memberr HousingCommission,statedpeoplewhocannot findhousingaregenerallylow-incomeandmanyareseniors; managingthepropertytoensurestabilityisimportant;nationally, housingauthoritiesarehavingproblems,severalinCaliforniaare closetobankruptcybecauseofnewportabilitylawsattachedto Section 8;fortunately,AlamedaHousingAuthoritycaughtthe problemearlyandimplementedinstructions;theCitymusthave talentedstaffwhokeeptheHousingAuthorityafloat,andtobe responsibletothepeoplebeinghoused;anddisagreeswiththe proposalbecauseitwouldbecometoobureaucraticandapossibilityofHousingAuthorityfailure. DonRoberts,Alameda,statedhehopestheproposalisviewedas preliminaryandnodecisionmadetonight;informationislackingto makeappropriatedecision;thebestdetailofproposalisthatit reducescontrolfortheCityManager;informationisinSUfficient todetermineifasavingswillresult;infact,anewbureaucratic layerhasbeenaddedwithasimilarnumberofsupervisorsat departmentlevel;CityManagerindicatesnewagencypositionswould havegreaterrespon~ibility,andimplieshigherpayforthose positions;he[Roberts]opposesremovalofindependenceofcity Clerk'sOffice;ifanyCityCharterchangeismade,thenamefor Clerkshouldchangebecausesheisamanager;agreeswithmostof Mr.Appezzato's comn.ent.s andMayor'sideathatPlanningDepartment shouldperhapsbeoverCommunityDeve:,opment;prefersPlanning Departmentbeseparate,independent,~eportingdirectlytoCity November14,1991 Manager;opposescontractingoutFireEmergencyservices,or switchingresponseservicetotheCounty. DonPatterson,Alameda,statedheisastonishedwiththeproposal; believesfromhis23yearsingovernment,thataPlanningDepartment isneeded;placingPlanningwhichisbasedonsocial,physicaland economicprincipalsintoengineeringwhich is anexactscience, destroystheconceptofPlanning;citedanexamplewhichoccurred inSanJose;whenmodifyinganorganizationwhichhasdemonstrated itselftobeefficient,responsive,leanandproductive,changecan disruptoperations,andresultscanbenegativeifnotcarefully planned;urgedCouncilnotmakehastydecisions;organization chartsareeasybutwhatare.theprocess,policy,procedures;to haveapace-setting,outstandingcommunityintheBayArea,there mustbeastrongPlanningDepartment. CouncilmemberLucasstatedshewould Department,doesnotbelievethecity consideringeconomicsituation,andfor DepartmentforAlameda,whatisaneednot likeastrong hashadit; atopquality metinthepast. Planning inquired: Planning Mr.PattersonrepliedPlanningDirectorsareinleadership positions;communitiesoradministrationorpoliticalprocess dictate,and[mustdecide]whatcommunitywantsinaDirector, someonewhomakesplanninglandusedecisions,standsupandis counted,orisapapershuffler;planning,byitsnature,willbe controversialandifthecityistohaveanoutstandingeffortinan outstandingcommunity,therewillbecontroversy;qualityofstaff andplannerswithdegreesarenecessary;councd i recentlydenied modificationproposaltodesignreview,andheseestheerosionofthequalityofthecor.~unity. DeannaJohe,Member,HousingCommission,statedsherecallsreports beforeHousingAuthorityDirectorwashiredregarding,e.g.,account systemadisaster,nolongrangeplansformaintenance;sincethe. Directortookover,thebudgethashadgoodreserves,property maintained,unitsund~rSection8doubled,IndependencePlazabuilt; eliminatingDirector'spositionwouldnotbringsavingsasthe positionisnotpaidfromGeneralFund;thereorganizationplan appearstobeawayofelevatingsomedepartmentheadsoverothers; inthesedifficultt:'mes,theCityneedsastrongAuthoritytohelp low-andmoderate-incomepeople;requestedCouncilconsider carefullyanyreorganizationplanthatwouldhindertheAuthority's abilitytohelpAlamenacitizenswhoneedhelpmost. TheCityManagerstat.edtheDirector'spositionwouldbeassumedby theCommunityDevelopmentDirectortowhosesalary$35,000willbe paid,andtheremainderwillbesavedintheAuthoritybudget. PresidentWithrowstatedthereorganizationwasinresponseto CouncilmemberCamicia'ssubmittalofideatoreorganize,revisitthe waytheCitydoesthings,toseeifmoneycanbesaved;thecity Managerhasdoneadmirablejob;butagreedwithanumberof speakersthatthereorganizationasstructuredwillcostmoremoney thanthecurrentorganization,willcreateanewlayerof government,andwillnotfunctionnorsurviveovertime;heis Nove~ber14,1991 5 opposedtodisestablishmentofthePlanningDepartmenttothe eliminationoftheroleofaPlanningDirector,whichwouldmake thisCityasecond-classcity,which,overtime,wouldnotfunction; ifCouncilcombinesPlanningwithCommunityDevelopmentorPublic Works,itshouldcomeundertheDirectorofPlanning;asstatedby manyspeakers,Planningmustbeindependent,abalancemustexist, theplanningfunctionshouldnotbeinfluencedbyanotherindividual department,e.g.,PublicWorks,CommunityDevelopment,whichwould befocusedonitsownobjectivesandstrategy;disagreeswithnot havingPersonnelDirectorreportdirectlytocityManager;an administrativedirectorcouldnottakethat[personnel]specialty withitslegalramificationsandbespokespersontoCityManager; doesnotbelieve[theproposal]willwork,itisawayoftryingto cutdownspanofinvolvementandcontrolforCityManager,butthe CityhasanAssistantCityManager;withafullserviceCitylike Alameda,therearekeyrolesthathebelievesmusthaveaccessto thedecision-makingprocessofthisCityandthatmeansintheday-to-dayoperation. CouncilmemberCamiciastatedhehasheardalotaboutwhatiswrong withthisparticularplanbuthasnotheardanythingabouthowto cutcosts;believesspeakersreadintothereportwhattheywanted tobelieve;hewasonthePlanningBoardeightyearsanditoccurs tohimtheCity is builtout. Counci1memberRothstatedjobcutshavebeenmentioned,complaints aboutslownessofgovernmentandtimetoprocessthingsarealready beingmade;thereason is becausestaffislean;ifapersonis takenaway,thereisnoonetofillthevoid;hecannotseethat reducingthenumberofdepartmentheadsandaddingthatburdento anotherdepartmentheadwillsavemoneyandmaintainservices;he believesserviceswillbecut. PresidentWithrowstatedexpendituresforcitygovernmentinAlameda Countyrangesfrom$9.83percapitaperyeardowntoabout$4.50; Alamedaspendsnexttolastamount,$4.91;[city]personnelper 1000inSanFranciscoBayregion,in9counties,is 7.9;Alamedais 5.7;ifacutistobemade,itshouldbethroughincreased efficiency,becauseotherwisethecutisintotheboneandpermanentdeclinewouldbegin. CouncilmemberCamiciastatedtheCitywillbeinworsetroublein thenextbudgetyearthaninthisone;ifawaytoaddressthat problemisnotfound,painfulcutswillbemade,includingwithin therankandfileaswellasdepartmentheads. PresidentWithrowstated,onacomparativebasis,theCity is probablyspendingtoelittleongovernmentnow;theproblemisone ofrevenue;cutscanbemadeuntilgovernmentdisappears;atsome pointtherewillnotteenoughfundsto~utpoliceonthestreets. Counci1memberCamiciastatedheistalkingaboutgoingfrom13 departmentheadstoaseniorstaffofsix. PresidentWithrowstatedCouncilmember increasingthecostofgovernment.Camicia is actually November14,1991 5 CouncilmemberLucasstatedshesupportsCouncilmemberCamicia's standbutCouncilisnotwillingtocutexpenditures;agrees,and Councilagrees,withaneedtoincreaserevenues;Councilwould liketoseebusinessprosperandtaxrevenuesincreasebutthathas nothappened;suggestedCouncillookateachitemtoseewherecuts canbemade;forexample,CouncilcouldstartwiththeBureauof Electricityandseeifapositioncanbecutthere. CouncilmanArnerichstatedcitizensandrepresentativesofBoards havemadeexcellentpresentations;agreeswithCouncilmember CamiciathatoperationalaspectsoftheCitymustbelookedat;the Citymustmovewiththetimes;he[Arnerich]wouldlikeaspecial WorkSessionandgothroughdetailsasCouncilmemberLucaswould liketodo;andtakeintoaccounteverythingthathasbeen suggestedtonight. PresidentWithrowstatedthatmakessense. CouncilmemberRothstatedhelikesonethingaboutthereport,the reducednumberofpeoplereportingtothecityManager;hewould likeareviewofsomedepartmentheadspossiblyreportingtothe AssistantCityManagerandotherstotheCityManager;regarding cuts,halfthepeopleintheCitycouldbelaidoffandmoneywould besaved,butnothingwouldgetdone:beforeheagreeswithany cut,hewantstoknowwhatservicesaretobecut. CouncilmanArnerichmovedtoaccepttheCityManager'sreport; commentsandcorrespondencereceivedfromthepublicbeconsidered ataWorkSession. PresidentWithrowrequestedthemotionincludethattheWorkSession focusonmethodsofincreasingefficiencywithintheCityGovernment asopposedtousingthisparticularchargeasthefocus. CouncilmanArnerichandCouncilmemberLucasagreedtoinclusionof therequestinthemotion. CouncilmemberCamiciastatedhewouldlikealookathowthe willhandlethelossofrevenuesthatmayoccuriftheCity vehiclelicensefees,beincludedintheWorkSession. City loses CouncilmanArnerichstatedtherevenuesandexpendituresandhowthe cityoperatesshouldbeincluded. councilmemberRothstated,sinceCouncilislookingatcostsavings, councilsalaryandbenefitsshouldbelookedat. CouncilmanArnerichstatedthathasnopartofthis[discussion]; thisisconcerningareorganizationalchart. Themotioncarriedbyunanimousvoicevote-5. 91-788ReportfromFireChiefregardingPolicyOptionsforEmergency AmbulanceTransportSystem. November14,1991 TheFireChiefexplainedthebackgroundofthesubject. CouncilmemberCamiciastatedthereisanarticleintheChronicle newspapertodayrepcrtingthatastudyhasbeendoneshowing resuscitationandwhateveraidmethodsaredoneinthehospitalare virtuallyineffectivebecauseallofthatworkneedstobedonebya paramedicatthescene. TheFireChiefstatedhehasseenstudieswhichshowthat,and studiesthatshowdefinitivecarebytheparamedic,e.g.,trauma, heartdefibrillation,istooslow;butthereisnodatatoshow thatforthedifferenttypesofmedicalillnessesthatpresent themselves,actualoutcomeswereanydifferentbetweenthetwosystems. CouncilmemberCamiciadiscussedthepossibilityoftheCountybasing acoupleofambu Larioes.inAlameda. LeonLang,D.D.S.,Alameda,relatedanexperienceinwhichtheFire DepartmentEMSteamsavedhisneighbor'slifebecauseoftheirquick responseandprofessionalassistance. BenMathews,DirectoroftheCountyEmergencyMedicalService District,statedAlamedaistheonlyCityinamajormetropolitan areainCaliforniathatdoesnothavetheAdvancedLifeSupport (ALS)System;paramedicservicehascometobethestandardof pre-hospitalemergencycarewhichsUbstantiatesthefactthatithas benefits;notedsomehealthcareplanpatients,e.g.,KaiserHealth PlanMembers,whent2kentoAlamedaHospital,andlatertoKaiser, havedoublecharges,whiletheCountytransportsdirectlytothe patient'schoiceofhospital;theCountyprogramissensitiveto issuesoflocalco~~unities,explainedsomeoftheCountyprogram andactivity;suggestedCouncillookatthematterfurther,review theadvantages,andperhapstheCountycculdassiststaffinfurther exploringtheoptionsandbetterrefinethecosts. CouncilmemberCamici~inquirediftheCountycouldprovideacouple ambulancesinAlame~a,anduseAlamedaHospitalwhenappropriate, andMr.Mathewsrepliedaffirmatively. InresponsetoCouncilmemberRoth'squestion,Mr.Mathewsstated whenoneambulancetckesapatientfromAlameda,anambulancewould comeintoAlamedato t.ake itsplace. Councilman paramedics possibility assessment, ArnerichdiscussedwithMr. beingundertheauthorityof ofwithdrawalfromthe assignmentofambulances. Mathewsthenecessityof theCountyEMSprogram,the program,theamountof InresponsetoCouncilmemberRoth,Mr.Mathewsconfirmed Alamedacanhaveitsownparamedics,butitmustoperate Countymedicalprotocolonhowmedicalskillsareapplied; programwouldneed~obeundertheapprovaloftheCountyand oftheCountysystem. CouncilmemberCamiciastatedtheCityshouldattempttonegotiate November14,1991 that under the part withtheCountytoseewhatcanbedone•. CouncilmanArnerichcommentedontheCounty'sfinancialproblems; heseescostsinvolved;hehasnotheardanythingdetrimentaltoAlameda'sprogram. CouncilmemberLucasthankedMr.MathewsforassistingCouncilin itsdecision;stated,untilsheseesbetterevidenceofsuperior treatmentundertheCountysystem,shecannotsupportit;notedthe FireChiefmentionedthatthesamefirefightersaretrainedfor fire,hazardousmaterials,andambulanceresponseswiththe flexibilitytoworkinanyofthosesituations;andmovedthat CouncilaccepttheFireChief'srecommendation. PresidentwithrowthankedMr.Mathewsforhiscandidpresentation. DonRoberts,Alameda,statedtheFireChief'sreportstatesthe Countyverifieditwouldnotallowalocalparamedicprogram;if thecitygoesintotheCountysystem,itmaynotbeabletocome out;Alameda'sserviceisveryfast;transportingundertheCounty tootherhospitalsmayimpactAlamedaHospital. H.DavidArchbold,Alameda,statedheisthirteenyearsold, requestedCouncilcontinueusingAlameda'sEMTs;statedheisalive duetothequickresponsebytheEMTs;ifheneededtowaitsixto eightminutes,hecouldhavebeendeadorbraindamaged;perhaps Alamedacouldhaveparamedics;questionedhowtheCountycould accessAlamedaif,duetomajordisaster,allbridgesandthetube wereclosed;andrequestedCouncilnotvotetobeincludedintheCountysystem. Dr.LangstatediftheCouncilchoosestogowiththeparamedic system,thereisnoreasonwhythecitycannotgotothelegislature andrequesttobetheexceptiontotherule. JohnScottGraham,Alameda,discussedtheuseofthedefibrillation unit;andsuggestedperhapstheFireDepartmentcouldbebroughtuptoparamedicstatus. Counci1memberCamiciastatedAlamedahasagoodprogrambutthereis avastdifferencebetweenthatandaparamedicprogram;andCouncil owestothecitizens,totakealookandfindoutifthereisawaytomake[theCountyprogram]work. Counci1memberLucasr..ctedthereareparamedicsintheDepartmentbut cannotpracticeasparamedicsbecausetheCitydoesnotbelongtotheCountysystem. Presidentwithrowquestionedifthatcanbeappealedtothestate. TheFireChiefstatedtheCitycanappeal,butitisveryunlikely thatthestatewouldgrantonecityexemptionsthatmightinjure,by precedent,manyCountyprogramsthroughoutthestate;thereare advantagestotheCountysystemandadvantagestotheCity'ssystem, andheintendstocuntinueadialoguewiththeCountytoexplorewaystocaptureadvarrt.aqesofboth. November14,1991 CouncilmemberRoths~~tedhewouldliketohaveAlamedabe offertheparamedicservice,andthe··Citycouldprobably bettersystemforlesscostthanusingtheCountysystem; shouldbepursuedwiththestate,withoutbeingpartofthe ableto offera andthat County. CouncilmemberLucasstatedshehasfaiththeFireChiefwillkeep currentonanypossibleimprovements,andhealsohasmadea commitmentto·evaluateadditionalupgradese.g.I advancedairway techniques,andifitdoesbecomefeasiblefortheCityto participateintheparamedicprogramhewillapproachCouncil,and movedtoaccepttheFireChief'srecommendation. CouncilmemberRothsecondedthemotionwiththeamendmentthat Councilgoonrecordtotrytogetstatelawchangedinorderto allowAlamedatooperateitsown[paramedic]system,ifitsodesires. PresidentWithrowstatedhewouldlikethatincludedinthemotion. CouncilmemberLucasstatedthatisagreeable. CouncilmemberCamiciasuggested,beforetakingthatstep,thatthe CountybeapproachedtohavealltherulesandregulationsCouncildoesnotlike,excised. CouncilmemberCamiciasuggestedaskingtheCountyandCitytocome backwithareportinamonth,detailinghowsomeoftheissuesinthereportcanberesolved. PresidentWithrowstatedhewouldhaveproblemswiththatasitmay misleadtheCounty,becausehedoesnotbelievetherearealotof thingstheCountycvuldsaythatwouldmaketheCitygointothe Countysystem;askingforanotherreportisbaitingtheissue. CouncilmemberLucasstatediftheCountywantsAlamedatojointhem, theycancometoCouncilwithanoffer. CouncilmanArnerichclarifiedthemotionisacceptingtheFire Chief'srecommendationandworkingwiththestatetochangethelaw inordertoallowAlareedatooperateitsown[paramedic]system. Themotionwascarriedbythefollowingvoicevote:Ayes: CouncilmembersArnerich,Lucas,RothandPresidentWithrow4. Noes:CouncilmemberCamicia-1.Absent:None. ADJOURNMENT ThemeetingwasadjouY'nedbyPresidentWithrowat10:43p.m.~;;Ull~~L D~~~B.FELSCH,CMC CityClerk TheagendawaspostecinadvanceinaccordancewiththeBrownAct. November14,1991