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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1987/06/18 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Thursday, June 18, lg87 Council Conference Room 5:38 p.m. City Hall ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Cox; Councilmembers Nader, Moore and Malcolm MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember McCandliss STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Goss, Assistant City Manager Asmus, City Attorney Harron, Deputy City Manager Thomson, Principal Management Analyst Chase, Director of Public Safety Winters 1. Fire Protection in the Bonita-Sunnyside Area The City contracts with the Bonita~Sunnyside Fire Protection District to provide first-in responses to fire and medical calls to selected areas of Chula Vista. The contract was initiated in 1963, in conjunction with the annexation of pro erty along Bonita Road. At present, the areas protected under contract include: Connnercial areas along Bonita Road; Residential areas north of the Chula Vista Golf Course {Bermuda Dunes Area) and residential areas south of Bonita Road, between Camino Del Cerro Grande and Acacia Street {Fallbrook Court area). Principal Management Analyst Chase stated staff looked at a number of different locations for the current Bonita-Sunnyside fire station in terms of coming up with a site that would best serve both the Chula Vista and Bonita communities. At this time, staff is suggesting that a decision regarding a specific site be postponed along with postponing any subsequent discussions concerning the possible joint participation in constructing a station. This suggestion is being made for two reasons: {1) more definitive information will be available with the General Plan update; and (2) one of the sites that is under serious consideration is the current location which is leased by the County. The future availability of that site is uncertain pending completion of a study underway by the County. Mr. Chase further stated staff is recommending that the current contract be extended through the coming fiscal year at a cost of approximately $47,000. Additionally, staff suggested that the study be expanded in scope to take a look at not only an optimal site for the fire station but to take a look at the fire station needs for the eastern section of the City. Minutes -2- June 18, 1987 Deputy City Manager Thomson commented that one of the reasons staff is concerned about having more accurate information is the possibility of a need to add another fire station beyond what is currently planned. The ongoing cost of a fire station and the cost of building it is enormous. If reasonable fire protection can be provided without adding another station, this would be a major cost savings. Therefore, staff considers this a very important policy issue and desires more information. Responding to Councilman Malcolm's questions, Mr. Chase stated that during the County year 1986, under the contract, the District responded to 56 calls; under automatic aid, they responded to 21 calls to Chula Vista. Regarding the 21 automatic aid calls, Councilman Malcolm asked if it is necessary to have automatic aid. Mr. Winters responded that the concept of automatic aid is used throughout the County. The nearest fire company responds to the location regardless of political jurisdictions. The City has the same agreement with San Diego and National City. Councilman Malcolm stated he believes the City should not be charged at all for the services provided by the Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District. Responding to Councilman Moore's question, Mr. Chase noted the fee is increased by 6% each year. The fee charged goes into a capital fund. MS (Cox/Moore) to continue the existing contractual arrangement at the same dollar cost as this year, $44,188, for the next calendar year provided those funds are earmarked for capital costs; and to include this in the budget. Mr. Chase pointed out as part of the contractual agreement, the City does dispatching for the District. If the District does not accept this proposal, Council may want to consider extending that portion of the contract to allow the District to seek some other alternative. Mayor Cox noted that by next June, a decision needs to be made to either agree to jointly construct a facility at an agreed upon site; 12) go back to the contract; or 13) terminate the contract. The motion passed unanimously. 2. "WISH LIST" (Budget Items) City Manager Goss stated the Wish List was determined by pri oritizing the needs presented by the various departments. Eleven requests were listed on the Wish List with the number 1 request being a motorcycle officer and vehicle. Councilmember Malcolm referred to previous discussion regarding the need for an additional person in the Crime Suppression Unit. He asked if the Director of Public Safety felt that the motorcycle officer position had a higher priority than the police agent for the Crime Suppression Unit. Minutes -3- June 18, 1987 Mr. Winters responded that the motorcycle officer and vehicle is more important. Traffic is a significant problem in the City. Responding further to Councilman Malcolm's questions, Mr. Winters noted revenue generated by a motorcycle officer is approximately 30-40% of the officer's salary. Mr. Goss stated a Community Service Officer has been added to the Crime Suppression Unit in the 1987-88 budget which should help to improve the workload. He a9reed with Mr. Winters that the number 1 priority should be the addition of a motorcycle officer and vehicle. Councilman Malcolm remarked that he would support the additional motorcycle officer and vehicle. He stated he believes the Council has an obligation to increase traffic control. Councilman Moore stated he could support the number 1 request on the Wish List. He stated he has a concern regarding the overall cost for the entire Wish List. MS (Malcolm/Moore) approve item number 1 on the Wish List for the 1987-88 budget; and disapprove items 2 through ll. Councilman Nader stated he believes that request number 4 (Police Agent - Crime Suppression Unit) is also justified. In his opinion, drug suppression would be the number 1 priority for law enforcement. The motion passed 3:1 (Councilman Nader voting no). Councilman Nader stated he would like the record to reflect that if the motion had been severed, he would have voted for accepting number 1. He would have voted against rejecting 2 through ll solely because of request number 4, the Police Agent for the Crime Suppression Unit. He believes request number 4 is justified. 3. Oral Communications: None. 4. City Managers's Report: None. 5. Mayor's Report: None. 6. Council Comments: None. ADJOURNMENT at 6:30 p.m. to the City Tour scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 1987, at 8:00 a.m. and to the re9ular scheduled meetin9 of Tuesday, June 23, 1987, at 7:00 p.m. JENNIE M. FULASZ, CMC CITY CLERK Chase Recordi n9 Secretary WPC 3000H