Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF UNIVERSITY CITY COUNCIL <br />STUDY SESSION <br />April 7, 2008 <br />The Council Study Session, held in the Chambers of the City Hall, on Monday, April 7, <br />2008, was called to order by Mayor Adams at 5:30 p.m. In addition to Mayor Adams, the <br />following members of the Council were present: <br />Mr. Arthur Sharpe, Jr. <br />Ms. Stefany Brot <br />Mr. Michael Glickert <br /> Mr. RobertWagner <br />Ms. Lynn Ricci <br /> Mr. ByronPrice <br />Also present were City Manager Julie Feier, the Fire Chief Steve Olshwanger and the City <br />Attorney John Mulligan. <br />The Study Session agenda was for the purpose to discuss the future plans for the <br />University City’s Fire Department. Three points of consideration were covered: <br />1. Reduction of a Pumper. Current equipment includes one ladder truck, two <br />pumpers, a command vehicle and two ambulances. Minimum staffing level is <br />currently eleven. The second pumper can only be used when there is a staff of <br />fourteen. <br /> Capital savings of $500,000 every 10 years by eliminating one pumper <br /> One time capital savings of not replacing Fire House 1 floor by $140,000 <br /> One less piece of equipment may result in longer wait times for backup <br /> One less truck available during increased calls as in storms <br /> When mutual aid is provided, only one fire vehicle to cover the City <br /> Reduction of one pumper provides more staff for other vehicles <br /> Unknown impact on ISO <br />2. Impact of freezing three paramedic firefighter positions, one per shift, retaining <br />current minimum of eleven <br /> Operational savings of $266,726 <br /> Potential increase in overtime <br /> Freeze may affect management’s scheduling of comp time, vacation and <br />educational/training leave <br />3. Why Research Consolidation <br /> Fire and EMS budget is $4 million with revenues from fire sales tax of <br />$600,000 and $700,000 from ambulance billing revenue. The City’s <br />Operational cost is $2.7 million. <br /> Consolidation has shown increased efficiency <br /> Future will eventually lead to consolidation of all fire departments due to <br />budgets <br /> MidCounty, U.City Firefighters and Fire Union are supportive of consolidation <br /> <br />