2014-10-13 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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8. The October 2 memo from Mr. Walker stated the beginning firefighter salary ranges from sixty-three to sixty-nine thousand dollars. If seniority is used to implement layoffs then it would only affect employees at the lower end of the scale, reducing the estimated cost- savings of $70,000. City Manager Lehman Walker stated that he would provide all of the requested information to Council. Dr. Carr posed the following questions: 1. Will the service provided by outsourcing be better or worse than the service that the City currently provides to its residents? 2. Will outsourcing maintain the same quality of service that currently exists? 3. Who was involved in preparing the analysis and projected expenditures in the email? Mr. Walker stated that it was prepared by various members of staff and Mr. Gregory Pace. 4. Were Chief Long and Ms. Charumilind involved in the preparation of these expenditures? Mr. Walker stated that they had been. Dr. Carr stated that Mr. Crow had asked Mr. Walker to make Chief Long and Ms. Charumilind available at this council meeting to answer questions that may be proposed. Mr. Crow reminded Mr. Walker of Council’s right of inquiry granted by Section 12-1 of the Charter. Mr. Walker’s response stated that it is his responsibility to direct staff to attend meetings and that the language contained within the Charter does not delegate that authority to Council. Dr. Carr then asked Mr. Walker the following questions: 1. If the City Manager vouched for the accuracy of the analysis presented to Council? Mr. Walker stated that he was. 2. What is the entry level base salary for a firefighter/paramedic? Mr. Walker stated that he would have to provide the specifics at a later time, but would note that with respect to this discussion regarding salaries that if the City were to proceed there is a possibility that it may impact captains who top off at $76,000, as well as privates at the top of their salary range at $62,900. So the average is based on the top of the range, down to privates, which gives you the $70,000, plus the benefits assisted therewith. 3. How often are captains assigned to operate ambulances used to provide EMS services? Mr. Walker stated that he would have to provide this information at a later date. 4. Is it correct that your projected savings on personnel is based on the removal of twelve full-time firefighter/paramedics assigned only to providing EMS services? Mr. Walker stated that what he had provided were preliminary numbers, but based upon the current analysis potentially twelve firefighters could be impacted, although the final determination will be based on the model that is chosen and at this time no such determination has been made. He stated that should the staff decide that none of the models serve the interest of the City then they will repeat the actions taken when examining the notion of outsourcing solid waste collections and not proceed any further. 5. With respect to staffing per shift, she asked if it was correct that six firefighter/paramedics are assigned to operate two pumpers and four firefighter/paramedics are assigned to two ambulances for medical services. Mr. Walker stated that he would have to discuss staffing details with the Fire Chief and provide the answer at a later date. 6. What percentage of a firefighter/paramedics’ workload is assigned to fighting fires versus EMS services? Mr. Walker stated that the percentage would be based on the selected model. 7. When the City has a structural fire two ambulances and pumpers are dispatched. Two employees that are assigned to the ambulances assist the team of firefighters utilizing turnout gear while the other two employees assist with medical emergencies associated 6