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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-18 Special Called Workshop MeetingIF] 0 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED WORKSHOP MEETING OF LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 18, 2000 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Norman Malone at 6:00 p.m. Members of City Council Present: Councilpersons Guy Sutherland, Chuck Engelken, Howard Ebow, Peter Griffiths, Alton Porter, Charlie Young, Jerry Clarke, and Norman Malone. Members of Council Absent: Councilperson Gay. Councilperson Ebow left the meeting at 7:40 P.M. Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager Robert T. Herrera, Assistant City Manager John Joerns, City Secretary Martha Gillett, Finance Director Cynthia Alexander, Assistant Finance Director Mike Dolby, Assistant City Secretary Janis Goulder, Public Works Director Steve Gillett, Emergency Services Director Joe Sease, Police Chief Richard Reff, Fire Chief Mike Boaze, Assistant Fire Chief Champ Dunham, EMS Shift Coordinator Scott Griffin and Emergency Medical Services Chief Osten. Others Present: None. 2. Mayor Norman Malone delivered the invocation. 3. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL. There were no citizens wishing to address City Council. 4. The special called workshop meeting was called to order by Mayor Malone at 6:01 PM. The following items were discussed during the workshop session: A. EMS POLICIES/PROCEDURES • STATUS OF MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS AND RESPONSES • RENEWAL OF OUTSIDE CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES o MORGAN' S POINT o ASSOCIATION OF BAYPORT COMPANIES o PORT OF HOUSTON • PATIENT TRANSFERS (BY OTHER COMPANIES) • DISCUSS POTENTIAL FOR RELOCATION OF EMS FACILITY Council agreed with the concept of the relocation of Fire Station 2 and 3 depending upon their locations. Council was also in agreement with the concept of moving station 2 from its current location to an area near Underwood & Spencer Road. Council also concurred with the movement of the EMS Facility to Spencer site once vacated by the Fire Department. Staff will approach the La Porte Independent School District about a portion of their property located at Baker School. City Council Minutes 9-18-00 — Page 2 City Manager Robert T. Herrera stated that the Farrington Extension matter had been discussed at length on numerous occasions. He further indicated this matter would not be brought up by staff again until such time the Planning and Zoning Commission makes a recommendation. He stated City Council would eventually have to address this subject when the Planning and Zoning made a recommendation. If Council decides not to move forward with the extension, the matter can be removed from the Comprehensive Plan. Once that is done, it is aelloint and will no longer surface before the City Council or City staff. Until that point in time staff will not bring the subject up again. 5. Workshop adjourned and the regular meeting re -convened at 7:50 PM. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS City Manager Robert T. Herrera reminded Council of the following events: A. Annual Chamber of Commerce Steak Cookout — September 21, 2000. 7. COUNCIL ACTION Councilpersons Sutherland, Engelken, Griffiths, Porter, Young, Clarke, and Malone brought items to Council's attention. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION — PURSUANT TO PROVISION OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, CHAPTER 551.071 THROUGH 551.076, AND 551.084, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, - (CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY, DELIBERATION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE GIFT OR DONATION, PERSONNEL MATTERS, CONFERENCE WITH EMPLOYEES DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES, OR EXCLUDING A WITNESS DURING EXAMINATION OF ANOTHER WITNESS IN AN INVESTIGATION) 9. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ITEMS CONSIDERED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Due to no Executive Session there was no action taken. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before Council, the Regular Meeting was duly adjourned at 7:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Martha Gillett City Secretary Torm d and approved o this 25th day of September 2000. an Malone, Mayor NO BACK-UP PROVIDED DUE TO COMPUTER DIFFICULTIES. BACK-UP SHOULD BE READY ON FRIDAY. CALL FIRST r Back -Up to be included in September 18th Workshop Agenda ! 0 Workshop Meeting September 18, 2000 EMS Policies/Procedures Introduction This workshop will cover several items related to the City's EMS services. Several of the topics are informational in nature and are intended to update Council and answer questions that were brought up during Council's budget workshops. These items are: • Status of Mutual Aid agreements and responses • Renewal of outside contracts for services • Morgan's Point • Association of Bayport Companies • Port of Houston • Patient transfers (by other companies) The final item - potential for relocation of EMS facility - is a long range planning issue that is interrelated to the Council's decision on the site of Fire Station #3. The City has sold $1,500,000 in G.O. bonds for the construction of two fire stations (Stations 3 & 4). We are moving forward with the necessary architectural services to design Station #4 at Mc Cabe Road and South Broadway. A design with similar features will be used to build Station #3 once land size and location is determined. Station #3 is presently near the corner of Lomax School Road and No. P Street. The location of new Station #3 will affect the way future Emergency Services are deployed and responded to. Both the 1984 Comprehensive Plan and the Draft Comprehensive Plan Update recommend the City give consideration of a fire station in the western portion of the City to provide adequate response times. If this recommendation is followed, the City would have the opportunity to review primary response areas and possibly utilize Fire Station #2 on Spencer Highway, as an EMS facility. The present EMS facility could be reviewed for expansion/remodeling to serve as the proposed classroom facility supporting the fire training/firing range facility. The administration feels that an important aspect of our job is to provide Council with relevant information relating to long range planning for the most efficient delivery of emergency services. We will, of course, follow Council's ultimate decision on this matter and plan accordingly. 0 DRAFT • ........................................................................................Community Facilities & Services Chapter 8 Action 6: Consider the addition of a new or relocation of an existing fire station to serve the western area of the community with an adequate response time. Action 7: Continue to evaluate equipment needs on an annual basis and provide an appropriate operating budget to fund the procurement. OBJ 8.3.a Strive for the provision of adequate library services to support the needs and desires of the community. Policy 1: Continue the City's partnership with the Harris County Library System to ' address the needs and concerns for the Edith Wilson Public Library. Action 1: Consider identifying the new proposed library facility with "La Porte" in its name. Action 2: Continue to provide strong community library support for the proposed ' new library. OBJ. 83b: Improve the accessibility, awareness, and use of the public library. Policy 1: The City should support community outreach efforts for the library to reach more citizens and visitors. Action 1: Coordinate efforts with the Friends of the Library to attract new library patrons and visitors. Action 2: Seek funding sources to purchase additional computers with educational programs and Internet access. Action 3: Encourage public awareness and participation in adult literacy program activities and other community education opportunities. OBJ 8.4.a: ' Support the proposed expansion of City Hall. Policy 1: The City should complete the proposed expansion of City Hall for the improved delivery of quality public services. Action 1: Provide funding for the proposed total project costs in accordance with project documentation. Action 2: Create a more prominent information center located in City Hall for ease of use by the public. Action 3: Consolidate the Finance Department and Planning Department for future efficiencies and proper serving of public needs. Page 8-4 ....................................................................................... La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update DRAFT Community Facilities ........•................................. •..................................... Chapter 8 Action 2: Increase community involvement of the police force with civic organizations by providing speakers and education programs. Action 3: Increase the policing of known drug areas with additional officers and enforcement programs. Action 4: Explore the use of foot or bicycle patrol to increase the visibility and awareness of police to the community and its visitors. OBL 8.1d: Provide and maintain adequate police protection for all citizens of La Porte. Policy 1: The City should ensure the provision of police protection services is fair, expeditious, and professional.. : Action 1: Enforce traffic safety laws fairly and equally. Action 2: Minimize response times for police emergencies. Action 3: Continue to train all police personnel to meet all applicable state and national standards. Policy 2: The City should provide the Police Department with adequate resources to ' reduce and/or eliminate gangs and illicit drug problems in the City. Action 1: Continue the School Resource Officer Program within the La Porte School District. Action 2: Partner with local organizations, clubs, schools, and other governmental entities (i.e. the County) to promote educational programs that enhance awareness by all citizens of drug abuse and gang activities. Action 3: Continue cooperative relationships with established taskforces. Action 4: Actively pursue grants such as the Governor's Criminal Justice Policy grants available for crime and drug programs. GOAL 8.2 Maintain an excellent level of fire safety services provisions and continue to fulfill the mission of the Fire Department. OBJ 8.2.a: Policy 1: Action 1: Action 2: Action 3: Action 4: Action 5: La Porte Comprehensive Plan Continue to meet the expanding needs of the Fire Department by providing adequate resources and facilities. The City should continue to provide adequate resources to allow the Fire Department to maintain quick response. Require personnel to attend educational activities, training seminars, and conferences to maintain an awareness of new ideas, equipment, and trends t in the profession. Regularly review and update fire and building codes, as necessary. Adhere to fire and building codes to lower the number of fire incidents. Regularly review service areas and build additional substations as necessary to maintain a 1.5 mile service area radius from each substation. Continue to evaluate EMS calls to determine when additional personnel are needed on shift for a third ambulance. Page 8-3 Update............................................................................... DRAIT9 ........................................................................................ Community Facilities & Services Chapter 8 TABLE 8.3 PROJECTED FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFFING La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update La Porte, Texas Year Population Career Fire Fighters Nceded Volunteer Fire Fighters Needed Rate / 1,000 Career Inhabitants Volunteer Additional Career Staffing Volunteer s Projected population Source: Wilbur Smith Associates, 1999 The Fire Department has four stations located at the following addresses: • Station One: 124 South 2"a Street • Station Two: 10428 Spencer Highway • Station Three: 1516 Lomax School Road • Station Four: 617 Shoreacres Blvd The stations are located to provide rapid response times. There are some areas of the City that are outside of these optimal service areas. Response times for fires from each of the stations are normally less than four minutes, which is well within the accepted standards. The length of runs has a direct relationship to the amount of time it takes to respond. Therefore, a future consideration of the City as it continues to develop is proper placement and appropriate location for each fire station. Placement of a fire station in the far western portion of the City is a recommended future consideration to meet adequate response times. In addition, dependent upon the status of Farrington Road as to whether it is extended to bridge the current gap, stations 2 and 3 may need to be reconsidered with respect to the proximity to one another and the ultimate location of each station. Another key consideration for the Fire Department is the development and ultimate build -out of the Bayport Terminal and the arrangement with the Port of Houston to provide secondary fire protection services and ambulance service to this proposed new port development. Each station is equipped with a minimum of two engines and one paid fire fighter that is on duty at all times. Volunteers are assigned to each station according to their residence location. In addition to the minimum requirements, Station One has an aerial tower (a ladder truck) and a small rescue unit; Station Two has a heavy rescue unit, and Station Three is assigned a foam unit. Housed at the EMS station in the center of the City are three ambulances, two of which are staffed and one as a reserve unit, and one Page 8-10 ........................................................................................ La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update E City of La Porte Emergency Services Presentation to City Council • on September 18, 2000 LPEMS 0 0 EMS Update • Status of Transport Policies • Call Volume and Staffing Levels • Houston Medical Center Calls • EMS Contract Status 0 a EMS Update Status of Transport Policies Call Volume and Staffing Levels Houston Medical Center Cal -Is EMS Contract Status 0 Transport Hospitals Baytown - — San Jacinto Methodist 40 — Baycoast Medical Center • Pasadena- Bayshore Medical Center — Southmore Hospital • Clear Lake - � — Clear Lake Regional Medical Center — Christus St. John Hospital Transport Hospitals • Baytown - — San Jacinto Methodist � — Baycoast Medical Center • Pasadena- - Bayshore Medical Center • Clear Lake - • — Clear Lake Regional Medical Center — Christus St. John Hospital — Memorial Herman Southeast Hospital EMS Update • Status of Transport Policies • • Call Volume and Staffing Levels • Houston. Medical Center Calls • EMS Contract Status • Call Volume • Call Volume up I I % over last year • Estimate an additional 200+ calls this year • • Staffing - — Adequate at this time — Added the Supervisor Position in 1997 — Key indicator is the number of requests for � Mutual Aid — Request an Average of 4 Calls for M/A per month EMS Update • Status of Transport Policies • • Call. Volume and Staffing Levels • Houston Medical Center Calls • CMS Contract Status • Med Center Calls • Average of 12 Requests per Month to go • Downtown • Our Average on Scene Time is 52 Minutes • Difficult to Obtain Private Ambulances • EMS Update • Status of Transport Poes • Cal- 1. Volume and Staffing Levels • Houston Medical Center Calls • EMS Contract Status I 0 EMS Contract Status We want to bring all Contracts into a Common Renewal Period • Port of Houston - 0 — Agreement in Principle — One Year Contract • Association of Bayport Companies — Will bring to Council next meeting for approval — Will be a one year contract • • Morgan's Point - 1 year left on Contract LPFD We need to discuss location of Fire Stations within the City in order to discuss potential relocation of EMS 0 • Insurance Service Office • What is ISO and How does it effect our City * - John C. Dunham • LPFD Operating Procedures • Types of Response Who Responds where and when - Chief Mike Boaze • • ,. 146 r (A Dwtoj212.i1 # vPpnd Gully an T4(i1f, Ba?,tie�c+ wd,;tau � (.11 paw: x. --• 01 _ �`�a"_' r � �- tt Sutton Gully w Goat Islands St Pairrtkar o` I{egy t r r t }`ames Island 1,amrislarld, -�,: _� ,�_ f 55 11 .4exand ela�dP 55 : AB lid, U p ` _ ine Gully ,� Five D' tTict m rinson Pointe 146+sEvergreen Point 4s a. °° ` �Spilmans Island ,�- _ _ Hogg Island Dew'Zs.FA w Pak}r*Iater-- Clavves Lomaax x3aers a! {nt Di-stT-1i=t ns pti hell Point a Pore „z �' .�a�st�sx Jiti� �."�tzrated tkinson Island sgwt* Kr011 f Houston Point IRMONT + a by Oaks I 146 LJictn t 4 t D�yside Terrace _ 9 Irutl�+r Shoreacres Fivemile Pass • City 0 Fire Department Response • Station Alarm • First out pumper with paid firefighter • District volunteer firefighters in P.O.V.'s • General Alarm • First out pumper with paid firefighter • Four supply pumpers with up to seven volunteer firefighters on each. • Two rescue trucks with 12 volunteer firefighters • Rescue Alarm • First out pumper with paid firefighter • Two rescue trucks with 12 volunteer firefighters Fire Department Staffing Levels Station 1 /■ E . ��r�l n • • 1�7�1 13 Volunteers Station 3 /M E . M0 4 fir- E41 13 Volunteers Station 4 /ME �•I� 4�.n•.e 4 11 Volunteers Station 2 /O E — E�r�i n • • IMi1s1 34 Volunteers LPFD Stations and Coverage • Location of Stations � • Areas of Poor Coverage • Cost of Adding a New Station • Option of Relocating a Station • Cost of Adding a Fifth Fire Station • Land - $125MOO.00 • Station - $850M00.00 • Equipment - 11 — Two Engines - $550,000.00 — Hose, Nozzles, Adapters, Etc.-$42,000.00 — Air Paks w/Spare Cylinders - $42,000.00 � — Protective Clothing - $40,000.00 — Training Costs - $30,000.00 • Total - $156795000.00 Annual Cost to Operate a Fire Station • Operating Budget - $375,000.00 0 — This includes: — Salaries — Supplies — Maintenance which includes vehicle maintenance and replacement • — Operating Capital Cost to Relocate Fire Station Two • Land - $125MOO.00 • Station - $1,000,000.00 • Total Cost - $1J25M00.00 • Discuss with LPISD possibility of piece of Baker School Land • • Savings From Relocating, Not Adding a Station • Immediate Savings - $554,000.00 0 — Will not need to purchase additional Engines and associated equipment • Annual Savings - — Operating Budget - $375,000.00 • IJ l .I/F ., i . _.. 'x -into lot :. IE STORE NO` Ip - . - ... Relocating Station Three • Recommend placing the station in the area 0 of North L St. and Valleyview or North H St. and the area where Valleyview would intersect • Recommend extending Valleyview south to North H St. even if we place Station on • North L St. / ' .: .' V/ — _ eau �:�c:c�:;•.;:_�:_. , • :. •r:+' f � ? ' :- . .. ...., • • — _ — _",�:: ;:ter•. :•� T" �•` — — 7. _ 6666 JAL ...._..-.. ......_....., ��� .. mow.,. Alternate Station Three Site 9 Use for Existing Station Two • Relocate EMS Personnel to this location • Existing EMS Facility is small and in an isolated location on a back road. • • The Station Two site is on the major East/West artery in the City • With some modifications to the Station it will make an excellent EMS facility • Farrington Blvd. should be opened to allow access � to the Lomax area Use for Existing EMS Station • We have planned to build a classroom 9 facility at the FTF for some time. • This location with some expansion should make a very functional training building. • In addition we can house our reserve engine and our mobile command trailer in the � vehicle bays.