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2020-06-02 Ex 07 CITY OF OKEECHOBEE 55 SE THIRD AVENUE OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974 Phone: (863)763-3372 www.cityofokeechobee.com Okeechobee City Council Mayor Dowling R. Watford, Jr. Wes Abney Monica Clark Bob Jarriel Bobby Keefe ______________________________________________________________________ MEMORANDUM May 27, 2020 To: City Council From: Marcos Montes de Oca, P.E. City Administrator and John Fumero, City Attorney Subject: Proposed Fire Interlocal Agreement This item is presented for further Council discussion concerning the proposed agreement from the County to provide fire service. The draft document incorporates direction from Council provided at its last meeting, includes language from the contract between the City of Hallandale and Broward County, and includes input from the City Administrator. Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 1 of 13 INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN OKEECHOBEE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE FOR FIRE SERVICES THIS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Okeechobee Co unty, Florida, a political subdivision of the State of Florida, by and through its Board of County Commissioners (“COUNTY”) and the City of Okeechobee, Florida, a municipal corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Florida, by and through its City Council (“CITY”). WITNESSETH WHEREAS, the CITY has maintained a high level of professional fire services for the benefit of the citizenry thereof; and WHEREAS, the CITY is desirous of maintaining a high level of professional fire services in conjunction and harmony with its continuing strategies policies of on sound budgeting and fiscal management going forward; and WHEREAS, the CITY is therefore desirous of contracting with the COUNTY for the COUNTY to provide fire services for the benefit of the CITY’s residents; and, WHEREAS, the COUNTY has agreed to render to the CITY a reliable, high level of professional fire services upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and,. WHEREAS, the COUNTY and the CITY recognize the importance of maintaining a high level of professional fire services consistent with reasonable performance criteria, a long with establishing a strategic approach to development of an annual fire services budget. NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual terms, conditions, promises, covenants and payments hereinafter set forth, and for other good and value consideration the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows: Section 1. Recitals. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement. Section 2. Services. A. Primary Services. The COUNTY hereby agrees to provide fire services, which include fire suppression, rescue operations, mass casualty incident response, major disaster response, and dispatch and communication services, plus all support services required to provide such services including, but not limited to, supervision, training, equipment maintenance, supplies and procurement . Additionally, t he COUNTY hereby agrees to provide fire prevention services as it relates to pre-development planning, plan submittal review, Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 2 of 13 development and post occupancy fire inspections, and fire and building code administration, all of which is collectively referred to herein as “Fire Services” within the boundaries of the CITY as legally described in Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and made apart hereof by reference, and which area shall be automatically amended in the event of future annexation(s), subject to an equitable adjustment in expenses which are to be reflected in an amendment to this Agreement. B. Additional Services. The COUNTY and CITY will also provide the following additional services: i. The COUNTY shall conduct inspections pursuant to the Florida Fire Prevention Code (“Fire Code”) and all applicable Florida Statutes and Administrative Codes within 10 calendar days of the date of request of inspection. The COUNTY shall assume authority and responsib ility to enforce the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Such enforcement requires inspection of each new building subject to the Florida Fire Prevention Code and includes periodic inspections of each existing building subject to the Florida Fire Prevention Code. ii. Water providers. COUNTY shall coordinate with OUA and shall ensure water purveyors provide adequate fire flows and hydrants, as required, for fire protection and training purposes within the CITY. TheWithout cost to the COUNTY, and the CITY shall coordinate and work with OUA to ensure that the CITY’s water purveyors provide adequate fire flow and hydrants, as determined by the COUNTY, for fire protection and training purposes within the CITY. iii. Fire Hydrant Inspections. The CITY and COUNTY shall work with OUA to ensure that OUA annually inspect s all fire hydrants within the CITY ensuring proper clearance and that an appropriate hydrant street marker is installed. The CITY and COUNTY shall work with OUA to ensure that OUA installs replacement markers as needed. The CITY and COUNTY shall work with OUA to ensure that OUA flow tests and flushes fire hydrants within the CITY annually. iv.iii. Fee Schedule Adoption. The COUNTY adopts a published fee schedule setting forth the cost of various services provided by the C OUNTY. The CITY agrees that the current fee schedule and any additional fee schedules adopted by the COUNTY pursuant to enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code shall be effective for Fire Services provided within the CITY upon the Commencement Date of Services. The current COUNTY adopted fee schedule is attached hereto as Exhibit B. The CITYCOUNTY shall remit to the COUNTYCITY, no less than quarterly per each fiscal year, the amounts set forth in the attached Exhibit B for each applicable permit issued by the CITY. Said fee schedule may be updated from time to time by the COUNTY and shall be incorporated into this Agreement without further amendment to this Agreement upon written notification to the CITY. Section 3. Budget. COUNTY shall submit a proposed budget to the CITY on May 15 th. The budget shall have a summary of major classifications (Personnel Services, Operating Expenses, Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 3 of 13 Capital, Outlay, etc.). At the request of the CITY Manager, COUNTY shall provide supporting documentation for the budgeted line items to include, but not be limited to, the cost to outfit and equip Fire Employees (i.e. uniforms, fire safety gear, computer, etc.), and a breakdown of compensation and benefits budgeted by position. The CITY will not request supporting documentation more than twice a year. Section 3. Effective Date and Term. This Interlocal Agreement and any subsequent amendment hereto shall be effective upon signing by both of the part ies and recording with the Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court as provided by Section 163.01(11), Florida Statutes. The provision of Fire Services shall commence at 8:00 a.m. on January 1, 2021, (“Commencement Date of Services”) and end at 8:00 a.m. on January 1, 20242026, unless this Agreement is otherwise extended. Section 4. CITY’s Base Payments for Services and Adjustments. A. In exchange for the COUNTY’s provision of the services set forth herein, and together with all of the CITY’s other obligations set forth herein, t he CITY shall pay to COUNTY, no later than January 15th in the specified year, an amount not to exceed the assessed value of City properties as generated by the County’s existing fire rescue fee structure. the following amount s for each of the specified years of the term of this Agreement (“Base Payments for Services”): Year 1 (January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021) $ 697,599.74 Year 2 (January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022) $ 708,039.73 Year 3 (January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023) $ 686,261.82 B. The parties recognize that the COUNTY’s existing collective bargaining agreement with the COUNTY firefighters bargaining unit (hereinafter “CBA”) will expire on September 30, 2021, and that the terms of a new CBA will be subject to negotiations between the COUNTY and the bargaining unit that may result in an increase in costs to the COUNTY. The parties further recognize that the COUNTY is contemplating the potential renegotiation of certain terms of the CBA prior to the CBA’s expiration that may result in an increase in costs to the COUNTY. Accordingly, the parties agree that the Base Payments for Services shall be subject to upward adjustment by the COUNTY in the amount of the total increase in costs to the COUNTY resulting from the renegotiation of CBA terms and conditions as compared to the existing CBA terms and conditions, multiplied by seven (7) and divided by the total number of funded positions in the bargaining unit. The parties agree that such total increase in costs may be attributable to, without limitation, increases in salary, incentive pay, health insurance, life insurance, vacation leave, sick leave, holidays, uniform costs, or any other benefit to the members to the bargaining unit or cost to the COUNTY. The COUNTY shall provide notice to the CITY of any upward adjustment of the Base Payments for Services pursuant to this subsection no later than the later of 30 days after the effective date of the new CBA or amendment to CBA, or 30 days after the new CBA or amendment to CBA is approved by both the COUNTY and the bargaining unit . Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 4 of 13 C. The parties recognize that the COUNTY may also be subject to other circumstances relating to fire service provision and outside the COUNTY’s control that will increase the total cost to provide the services set forth herein. Accordingly, the parties agree that the Base Payments for Services shall be subject to upward adjustment by the COUNTY in t he amount of the total increase in costs to the COUNTY resulting from increases in costs of resulting from changes in entitlement to or cost of disability or death benefits, legislation mandating new benefits or protections for fire personnel, and revisions to minimum requirements or industry best practices relating to protective gear, equipment, or protocols for fire personnel, multiplied by s even (7) and divided by the total number of funded positions in the bargaining unit. The COUNTY shall notify the CITY of any upward adjustment of the Base Payments for Services pursuant to this subsection. D. The parties recognize that the COUNTY may also be subject to circumstances affecting the COUNTY as a whole and outside the COUNTY’s control that will increase the total cost to provide the services set forth herein. Accordingly, the parties agree that the Base Payments for Services shall be subject to upward adjustment by the COUNTY in the amount of the total increase in costs to the COUNTY resulting from increases in costs of general liability insurance, property insurance, vehicle insurance, workers compensation insurance, health insurance, life insurance, any other insurance maintained by the COUNTY, and the Florida Retirement Syst em, multiplied by seven (7) and divided by the total number of funded COUNTY employee positions. The COUNTY shall notify the CITY of any upward adjustment of the Base Payments for Services pursuant to this subsection. E. The parties recognize that the COUNTY may also be subject to adjustments in the costs of administration that will increase the total cost to provide the services set forth herein. Accordingly, the parties agree that the Base Payments for Services shall be subject to upward adjustment by the COUNTY in the amount of the total increase in costs to the COUNTY resulting from increases in salaries, benefits, and other costs attributable to the administration of the COUNTY fire department, multiplied by seven (7) and divided by the total number of funded positions in the bargaining unit . The COUNTY shall notify the CITY of any upward adjustment of the Base Payments for Services pursuant to this subsection. Section 5. Personnel. As of the Commencement Date of Services, the COUNTY shall hire all the specified CITY personnel at the rank and classification set forth in Exhibit ___ intends to hire six (6) firefighter/ paramedics and one (1) fire inspector as a result of additional work necessitated by the services contemplated in this Agreement . There is no guarantee that any particular firefighter/ paramedic or fire inspector will be hired to fill the positions in the COUNTY. Existing employees of the CITY will be given local preference, to the extent it is otherwise applicable to a given individual, given treatment consistent with existing County employees and shall be eligible to join the local firefighters union.in accordance with the COUNTY’s existing collective bargaining agreement (hereinafter “CBA”); provided, however, no other preference will be given to former City employees unless otherwise provided by Federal, State, or County law or under the CBA. Persons to be hired to fill t he positions with the COUNTY shall be hired in accordance with the COUNTY’s existing standards and procedures, and no exceptions shall be granted from the Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 5 of 13 COUNTY’s standards and requirements for newly hired personnel by virtue of this Agreement . CITY personnel who wish to apply for a position with the COUNTY’s fire department should apply to the COUNTY no later than October 1, 2020. Attached as Exhibit C hereto is a description of the personnel hiring requirements for the COUNTY’s fire department. All perquisites for newly hired personnel, including, but not limited to pay, benefits, retirement, and seniority, shall be as prescribed in the then existing collective bargaining agreement (hereinafter “CBA”) of the Okeechobee County Fire Department. [Once the rank is established, benefits for that rank would be as set forth in the CBA] It is understood that CITY Fire personnel in a promotional probationary status with the CITY shall be required to complete the remainder of such promotional probation under the terms and conditions of the existing COUNTY Collective Bargaining Agreement. It is understood that the CITY Fire personnel will carry over their respective sick and annual leave accrual balances up to the maximum of allowable hours per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Upon commencing their employment with the COUNTY, the CITY Fire personnel shall accrue and ut ilize leave pursuant to the CBA and COUNTY policies and procedures. Section 6. Standards and Responsibilities. COUNTY shall be responsible for setting employment standards (i.e., hiring, discipline, training) for Fire Employees consistent with the COUNTY agency standards. COUNTY is committed to providing the CITY with highly skilled emergency medical, fire protection and fire prevention personnel to provide Fire Rescue to the CITY. CITY Fire Employees shall be and remain COUNTY employees, and such employees shall not be considered employees of the CITY for purposes of pension benefits, insurance benefits, civil service benefits, compensation and/or any status or right. Accordingly, COUNTY, not the CITY, shall be responsible for direct payment of any salaries, wages, or other compensation, contributions to pension funds, insurance premiums, worker’s compensation, vacation or compensatory time, sick leave, benefits or any other amenities of employment to any Fire Employee whatsoever, arising out of COUNTY’s employment of such Persons or arising prior to COUNTY’s employment of the Employee if set forth herein. The CITY and COUNTY understand and acknowledge that all costs, including the employment related costs, are included in the consideration payable by the CITY to the COUNTY in accordance with this Agreement. Section 7. Staffing Continuity. The CITY and COUNTY recognize the importance of combining the efforts and resources of the COUNTY, the CITY and community members in order to have a positive impact on the CITY, including creating a public awareness to the public safety related issues thus enhancing the quality of life throughout the CITY. It is further recognized that such collaborative effort requires fire and emergency rescue personnel that have intimate knowledge of the community. In furtherance of such objective, COUNTY shall make every reasonable effort to maintain the continuity of COUNTY emergency medical fire protection and fire prevention personnel assigned. Section 6. Vehicles. On the Commencement Date of Services, the COUNTY shall purchase from the CityCITY shall lease to the COUNTY, and the COUNTY shall lease from the CITY, one (1) Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 6 of 13 ladder truck (VIN ________________), one (1) fire engine (VIN ______________), and one (1) staff truck (VIN ___________________), together with all firefighting equipment and apparatus used in connection with the leased vehicles. The purchase amount shall be $1.00. , and together with such vehicles replacements pursuant to this Agreement (hereinafter collectively “the Vehicles”) upon the following terms and conditions: i. The rental amount shall be $1.00 per year, payable in one lump sum of $3.00 on or before the Commencement Date of Services, the sufficiency and appropriateness of which is hereby acknowledged by both parties. The CITY shall retain title to the Vehicles during the term of this Agreement, and in the event of the termination or other end to this Agreement, such Vehicles (or such Vehicles’ replacements) shall be returned to the CITY. On or before the Commencement Date of Services, the CITY shall deliver to the COUNTY an Affidavit of No Liens and Encumbrances as to the Vehicles in such a form as is acceptable to the COUNTY. The CITY agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the COUNTY and pay any loss, claim, or demand for any liens or encumbrances on said Vehicles. ii. During the term of this Agreement, the COUNTY shall perform routine maintenance on such Vehicles according to COUNTY standards. The COUNTY shall invoice the CITY for the costs and expenses of routine maintenance of such Vehicles on a quarterly basis, and the CITY shall pay such invoice within 30 days after receipt thereof. ii. During the term of this Agreement, the COUNTY shall perform repairs and extraordinary maintenance on such Vehicles according to COUNTY standards. The COUNTY shall invoice the CITY for the costs and expenses of repairs and extraordinary maintenance of such Vehicles on a quarterly basis, and the CITY shall pay such invoice within 30 days after receipt thereof. ii. During the term of this Agreement, the COUNTY shall obtain and pay for insurance for such Vehicles according to COUNTY standards. The COUNTY shall invoice the CITY for the costs and expenses of insurance for such Vehicles, and the CITY shall pay such invoice within 30 days after receipt thereof. ii. During the term of this Agreement, the COUNTY shall replace the Vehicles in accordance with the COUNTY’s then existing standards and policies. The COUNTY shall invoice the CITY for the costs and expenses, including but not limited to purchase price, of such replacement of such Vehicles, and the CITY shall pay such invoice within 30 days after receipt thereof. Section 7. Equipment and supplies. Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 7 of 13 A. On the Commencement Date of Services, the CITY shall transfer, free and clear of all liens or encumbrances, all bunker gear (a/k/a turn-out gear) and air packs, and fire radio equipment owned by the CITY to the COUNTY. B. Radio equipment owned by the CITY and used by its fire department shall be leased to the CITY as of the Commencement Date of Services at a rental amount of $1.00 per year, payable in one lump sum of $3.00 on or before the Commencement Date of Services, the sufficiency and appropriateness of which is hereby acknowledged by both parties. The COUNTY shall bill the CITY for the cost of replacement of such radio equipment as necessitated by a system change, and the CITY shall pay such bill within 30 days after receipt thereof. Section 8. Replacement of Vehicles and Equipment. In the event new fire apparatus, vehicles or equipment need to be purchased or existing fir e apparatus, vehicles or equipment need to be repaired or replaced during the term of the Agreement , the COUNTY shall have the sole responsibility for and discretion regarding purchasing such fire apparatus, vehicles and equipment or making such repairs. Section 9. CITY Payments toward Building Construction Costs; Interim Use of CITY’s Apparatus Storage Bays. A. The parties acknowledge and agree that the COUNTY will need to construct a new building to house the Vehicles, equipment, and personnel necessary to prov ide the services contemplated by this Agreement (“Building”). Beginning on January 15, 2022, and each subsequent January 15 thereafter during the term of this Agreement, and any extensions thereof (through and including January 15, 2031, if so extended), the CITY shall pay to the COUNTY a sum equal to ten percent of the total cost of construction of the Building. The COUNTY shall provide notice to the CITY by July 15, 2021 of the estimated total cost of construction of the Building for calculation of the January 15, 2021 payment. Upon final completion of construction of the Building, the COUNTY shall provide notice to the CITY of the final total cost of construction of the Building, for calculation of the January 15, 2022 payment and subsequent payments. The calculation of the January 15, 2022 payment shall also include a true-up of the amount of the January 15, 2021 payment to conform to the final total cost of construction of the Building. B. From the Commencement Date of Services through January 1, 2022, the CITY agrees to allow COUNTY to exclusively utilize and occupy, with 24 hour access thereto, the CITY’s apparatus storage bays located at __________________________________ to house the Vehicles and equipment necessary to provide the services contemplated by this Agreement. No calls for service, must pay utilities, etc. Section 10. Retirement Plan Liability. The CITY will retain all liability for any unfunded retirement plan liability for all former CITY employees. The City will also retain all liability for any vested retirement benefits of all former CITY employees, such as, but not limited to, health insurance maintenance payments. The COUNTY will not be responsible for and will not accept Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 8 of 13 any liability regarding any former CITY employees that arises from their former employment with the CITY. Section 11. Service Performance Goal and Reports to CITY by COUNTY. A. The County shall adopt a performance standard for fire services and shall use its best efforts to maintain the same level of fire protection, ISO rating, areas of coverage, types of coverage, and response times. Service performance metrics are as follows. The COUNTY will provide calls as per the COUNTY’s operating procedure and shall maintain an annual averagegoal is… R responses timeo to calls for fire shall be at or under 4.23 minutes, as an annual average and a maximum of 6 minutes, not inclusive of cancellations. Cancellations will not be included in average times. Should the COUNTY’s average not be the 4.2 minutes or any call longer than 6 minutes, a portion of the contract shall be returned to the CITY in the amount of up to $50,000, based on averages up to 30 seconds above the 4.2 minutes and $100,000 for any additional times or any call taking more than 6 minutes. . [This paragraph needs revising - Does the City want a performance metric or a performance goal?] B. The COUNTY shall make a quarterly written reports to the CITY two times a year setting forth statistical information concerning the provision by the COUNTY of fire services in the CITY. Such reports shall include the number and type of incidents and service calls, number of plans reviewed, number of site plans reviewed, and number of inspections conducted. C. The COUNTY Fire Chief will monitor response time reports and provide copies to the City Administrator. For emergency medical and fire protection calls, COUNTY shall make every reasonable effort to respond within established Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) agency accreditation and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1221, and 1710 standards for responsible guidelines. D. Revisions to the response standards determined y CFAI and NFPA will be applied as they occur for COUNTY to remain current with established industry standards and accreditation requirements. The COUNTY Fire Chief will provide the City Manager with response time metrics annually or more often as needed or required as the nationally established guidelines, accreditation standards and metrics are modified or revised. Response time shall be calculated from the time of intake until the appropriate unit arrives on the scene of the incident as required in COUNTY’s system. E. COUNTY shall provide quarterly reports (on or about October 1 st, January 1st, April 1st and July 1st) to the City Manager that include the following information: a. Calls for service based on units responding b. Staffing and Transfers c. Response Time reports, trends and other relevant performance data d. CitizeCitizen complaints and their status/disposition Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 9 of 13 e. Encumbered times for units by day of week f. Fire prevention activities (past month and planned current month) g. Annual inspections and re-inspections including progress toward all required annual inspections. At any time during the term of this Agreement, the City Administrator shall have the right to make reasonable modifications to the reporting format(s), reporting content, and reporting period(s). Section 12. General Liability for Conduct of Former City Employees. The CITY shall remain solely responsible for any and all claims and litigation alleging negligence or wrongdoing by the CITY or any CITY Fire Rescue employee due to the conduct of any CITY Fire Rescue employee, or others within the CITY, occurring before the Commencement Date of Services. The CITY will defend, indemnify, and save harmless the COUNTY, including all of its boards, agencies, departments, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers against any and all claims, demands, lawsuits, liability, judgments, debts, loss, damages, and expenses (including, but not limited to, costs and legal fees) including, but not limited to those arising from injuries or death of persons, and for damages to property, arising directly or indirectly out of any CITY Fire Rescue employee’s actions or inaction occurring prior to the Commence Date of Services. Section 13. Worker’s Compensation. CITY agrees that it will remain fully responsible for any and all workers’ compensation injuries to CITY employees that occurred while the employees were employed by the CITY. This shall include, but is not limited to, any claims filed after the Commencement Date of Services if the injury in question occurred prior to the Commencement Date of Services. This obligation shall continue in perpetuity. CITY agrees to maintain any required insurance premiums, service fees, third party administrator fees, excess insurance coverage (if any) in order to be sure all dates of injury prior to the date the emplo yment with the CITY is terminated is fully funded and not the responsibility of the COUNTY. It is further agreed that the CITY shall defend, reimburse, indemnify, and hold harmless the COUNTY for any injuries occurring during all employees ’ employment wit h the CITY. Section 14. Records Retention. The CITY shall maintain all records pursuant to the CITY’s retention schedule, in accordance with state and federal laws, and any litigation holds in effect as of the Effective Date. CITY staff will maintain and provide the COUNTY access to the CITY’s fire prevention records for a minimum of two (2) years or for such other minimum retention period(s) as may otherwise be applicable to the public records involved. Such records include but are not limited to fire code permits, construction permits, special use permits, code enforcement complaints, and inspection records. All costs associated with maintaining the current database shall be the responsibility of the CITY. Section 15. Indemnification/Sovereign Immunity. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Agreement, neither party shall be liable for the negligent or wrongful acts of the other party in the performance of this Agreement. Nothing in this Section is intended to serve as a waiver of each of the Parties’ respective sovereign immunity. Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 10 of 13 Section 16. Default. A. Notice of Default; Cure Period. In the event a party to this Agreement fails to perform pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the party to which an obligation to perform is owed shall provide the non-performing party written notice of said non- performance, upon receipt of which notice the non-performing party will have thirty (30) days to cure such default or otherwise comply with any request for performance. If non- performance continues beyond such thirty (30)-day period, the complaining party may pursue any and all available legal remedies. B. Failure to Give Notice of Default. A party’s failure to give, or delay in giving, any notice of default shall not by itself constitute a waiver of the non-performing party’s obligations, requirements or covenants under this Agreement. Any failure or delay by one party to assert any rights and remedies as to the non-performance of the other party shall not operate as a waiver of any default by the other party nor any rights and remedies available to that party. Section 17. Notices. Any notice, demand, request, or other instrument which may be or is required to be given or delivered under this Agreement shall be deemed to be delivered (i) whether or not actually received, five (5) days after deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or (ii) when received (or when receipt is refused) if delivered personally or sent by a nationally-recognized overnight courier, all charges prepaid, at the addresses of COUNTY and CITY as set forth in this paragraph. Such address may be changed by written notice to the other party in accordance with this par agraph. County: City: Okeechobee County Attn: County Administrator 304 NW 2nd Street Okeechobee, Florida 34972 City of Okeechobee Attn: City Administrator 55 SE 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 Section 18. Public Records. A. Pursuant to section 119.0701, Florida Statutes, the COUNTY and the CITY shall: i. Retain all records in accordance with Chapter 119. ii. Keep and maintain public records required in order to perform the Agreement’s requirements. iii. Upon request from the CITY or COUNTY custodian of public records, provide the public agency with a copy of the requested records or allow the records to be inspected or copied within a reasonable time at a cost that does not exceed the cost provided in State Statute or as otherwise provided by law. iv. Ensure that public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt from public records disclosure requirements and are not disclosed except as authorized by law Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 11 of 13 for the duration of the Agreement term and following completion of the Agreement. v. If the COUNTY or CITY, in their respective sole discretion, requests a copy of all Public records in possession of the other party, the COUNTY or CITY shall duplicate and provide to the records, at no cost, all Public records in possession within a reasonable amount of time and in a format that is accessible. B. Pursuant to Section 119.0701(2)(a), Fla. Stat., IF THE COUNTY HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO THE COUNTY’S DUTY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RECORDS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, CONTACT THE CITY’S CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS AT: LANE GAMIOTEA, CMC, CITY CLERK, (863) 763-3372, EXT. 9814, LGAMIOTEA@CITYOFOKEECHOBEE.COM, 55 SE 3RD AVE., OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974. C. Pursuant to Section 119.0701(2)(a), Fla. Stat., IF THE CITY HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO THE CITY’S DUTY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RECORDS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, CONTACT THE COUNTY’S CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS AT: ROBBIE L. CHARTIER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AT 863-763-6441, EXT 1; publicrecords@co.okeechobee.fl.us; MAILING ADDRESS: 304 NW 2nd Street, ROOM 123, OKEECHOBEE, FL 34972. Section 19. Third Parties. The parties hereto do not intend, nor shall this Agreement be construed to grant any rights, privileges, or interest to any third party. Section 20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including attachments hereto, if any, constitutes the entire agreement between the CITY and the COUNTY. No change will be valid, unless made by supplemental written agreement, executed and approved by the parties. Section 21. Headings. The section headings are inserted herein for convenience and reference only, and in no way define, limit or otherwise describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof. Section 22. Severability. Should any section or any part of any section of this Agreement be rendered void, invalid, or unenforceable by any court of law, for any reason, such determination shall not render void, invalid, or unenforceable any other section or any part of any section in this Agreement. Section 23. No Construction against Preparer. This Agreement has been prepared jointly by the COUNTY and the CITY and their respective professional advisors. The County, City and their respective professional advisors believe that this Agreement expresses their agreement and that it Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 12 of 13 should not be interpreted in favor of either the County or City or against the County or City merely because of their respective efforts in preparing it. Section 24. Governing Law. The validity and interpret ation of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, and venue shall be in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit in Okeechobee County, Florida. Each party waives any defense of improper or inconvenient venue as to the stated court and consents to personal jurisdiction in the stated court. Section 25. Amendment. No amendment, modification or alteration of the terms hereof shall be binding unless the same be in writing, dated concurrent or subsequent to the date hereof and duly executed by the parties hereto. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized representat ives. Working Draft for Discussion Revised May 27, 2020 Page 13 of 13 APPROVED this ____ day of ______________ 2020, by the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners. Attest: Sharon Robertson, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Approved as to Form and Legality for Okeechobee County: Wade Vose, County Attorney OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State of Florida By: __________________________________ Terry W. Burroughs, Chairman Board of County Commissioners APPROVED this ____ day of ______________ 2020, by the Okeechobee City Council. Attest: Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk Approved as to Form and Legality for Okeechobee County: John J. Fumero , City Attorney CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, Florida, a municipal corporation of the State of Florida By: __________________________________ Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Okeechobee, Inc. Local 2918 P.O. Box 207, Okeechobee Florida, 34973-0207 To: Mayor Dowling R Watford, Jr. From: Josh Borgstrom, President Local 2918 May 7, 2020 Dear Mayor Dowling: E-A IbI� 7 D is -h tO d oe�jwt2 PAJ On behalf of the Executive Board and Members of IAFF Local 2918 — Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of Okeechobee, I write to advise you and the City Council members of our opposition to the proposed ILA between Okeechobee County and the City of Okeechobee for Fire Services. As you are aware, the agreement as drafted would cease the employment of ALL Firefighters who have honorably served the City of Okeechobee. IAFF Local 2918 asks the City Council to cease and desist any further negotiations with the County that causes the displacement of members that have unselfishly devoted their lives to this Council, the residents and visitors of this great City. Local 2918 represents the firefighters of both the City of Okeechobee and Okeechobee County. Although we realize the value of a consolidated or regional approach to fire services, we can not support any action that does so by laying off firefighters and reducing staffing to your City residents. There are models all across South Florida that have moved to regional fire service delivery without harming the firefighters who have served those areas. This Local is more than willing to work with the City, if that is your goal. This plan is NOT the answer. In these times of the COVID-19 pandemic, your first responders have done all they have been asked to do, risking life, health and potentially even the health of our families we go home to. We do not back down, have been here to protect this City, and we have become stronger together to get through these tough times. We are asking for you and this Council to have our backs; to protect our jobs; our future; and our families, as we serve yours. Respectfully., Josh Borgstrom President, Local 2918 Lane Gamiotea From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Fyi Marcos Montes De Oca, P.E. City Administrator City of Okeechobee Sent from my iPhone Marcos Montes De Oca Tuesday, June 2, 2020 11:34 AM Lane Gamiotea Robin Brock Fwd: Opposition to the proposed ILA from Local 2918 scan1404.pdf, ATT00001.htm Sent via mobile, Please disregard any typos. Thank you. Begin forwarded message: From: Local 2918 <okeechobeelocal2918@gmail.com> Date: June 1, 2020 at 10:03:33 PM EDT To: Dowling Watford <dwatford@cityofokeechobee.com> Cc: Wes Abney <wabney@cityofokeechobee.com>, Monica Clark <mclark@cityofokeechobee.com>, Bob Jarriel <bjarriel@cityofokeechobee.com>, Bobby Keefe <bkeefe@cityofokeechobee.com>, Marcos Montes De Oca <mmontesdeoca@cityofokeechobee.com> Subject: Opposition to the proposed ILA from Local 2918 Good Evening Mayor Watford, First off my apologies for not being able to attend the June 2nd City Council meeting. In My absents I have attached a letter from Local 2918 to yourself and The Council. I hope the letter finds it way to the record. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Josh Borgstrom President Local 2918 1 Okeechobee County, Florida Board of County Commissioners 304 NW Second Street - Room 123 •Okeechobee, Florida 34972 Telephone 863-763-6441 Ext. 1 • Facsimile 863-763-0118 June 2, 2020 Honorable Mayor Dowling Watford City of Okeechobee 55 SE 3rd Ave. Okeechobee, FL 34974 RE: Revised DRAFT Interlocal Agreement for Fire Services Dear Honorable Mayor Watford and Councilmembers: E►bt+l 013EE Dis ba" o -r ��OR►O� The Board of County Commissioners of Okeechobee County (County), at the request of the City of Okeechobee (City), prepared and provided an Interlocal Agreement (Agreement) for Fire Services, without specific guidance from the City, other than acceptance of the costs proposed. The County submitted an initial draft Agreement understanding that the City and the County would work together, collaborating on the Agreement to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement. To that end, the County, in a spirit of cooperation, remains willing to honor the initial draft proposal and negotiate on terms in the initial draft proposal, except Section 5 of the revised draft Agreement provided to you by the City Administrator. The revised draft Agreement before you from the City Administrator has various additional terms for your consideration. The terms in Section 11 service performance goals including penalties and reporting requirements are not mutually agreeable. We trust the City Council will diligently review these recommendations and changes, alongside the initial draft Agreement submitted; considering each change carefully in the continuous spirit of cooperation that has been mutually beneficial to both the City and the County. Finally, to clarify any potential past misunderstandings, please understand that the County has not made any decision one way or another as to a preference for holding a referendum concerning this matter. The initial draft interlocal agreement was prepared in such a way that a dual referendum would not be legally required, as the County would not be placing an assessment on the City properties; but that does not govern the ultimate decision of whether a referendum is held by the City. The County looks forward to continuing to work together in the best interest of all the citizens of Okeechobee County. Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners, �t"WBurr g s, Chairman David E. Hazellief Bryant H. Culpepper Bradley G. Goodbread Terry W. Burroughs Kelly Owens District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 Eco Economic Council of Okeechobee June 2°a, 2020 The Honorable Dowling R. Watford Jr. City of Okeechobee 55 SE 3 d Avenue Okeechobee Florida, 34974 RE: Contract for fire services with Okeechobee County Mayor Watford, IS -14 URd Economic Council of Okeechobee J 1679 NW 9�h Street MI-5Okeechobee, Florida 34972 (863)467-0200 The Economic Council of Okeechobee continues to support an interlocal agreement for fire rescue services in recognition of the long-term economic benefits and increased efficiency this will provide both the City and County. It is the recommendation of this organization that the City Council and Board of County Commissioners organize a committee tasked with finalizing this contract for fire services. Arguably one of, if not the most important aspect of an agreement of this nature is the subject of personnel. A committee working together to make an official recommendation for both the City and County would be more effective in finalizing a fair agreement which is mutually beneficial for all constituents and for City firefighters seeking assurance for their employment. tfully, J ifer M. Tewksbury xecutive Director Economic Council of Okeechobee County, Inc. CC: Wes Abney Monica Clark Bob Jarriel Bobby Keefe John Fumero Marcos Montes De Oca Herb Smith 0(E 7T S ILIF'hl T7� TF - 7T]DID The City Council and Board of County Commissioners hove discussed a contract for the County to provide fire rescue services for the City of Okeechobee. While considering the pros and cons of this action objectively, the public should be informed of the following: The streamlining of pub'Ilc safety departments and/or services hays b�orr consliJe ed In the nnajor[ty of aH 67 Florlda counties. seeking to find the most efficient & effective yzay to keep .ne pubHo safe vveth 9_o dted taarpgyer dql ?ag, is a responslbiflty of iocal elected leaders. The Count,,, RED I"N'D A_NW"Y i' l ,'._, ;fir JC J ni�G�� JUS P ._,[. ;C SCG t-7OO iJ rG Ji all]In C�tcL' LI'fi .-G, 'J ," 9s a- CC,�'`�r�;�O ait'on JCf'sa- ice and a sZrearrr, n a ] rent The Vit= taxed property, owners C aerate ffiyd(UU gu ? �nro@Gt1l�S 6G, . If, ,.keec!hobee .„_?Mntj, Fire i`„_ -i r procv'de ” `l_ ..,G' for ._, V hr i_.. _J Contract forF. L Wffl provide for the @[BG�uS�at�Bow of 46�� z fldhw BD redundant laical s•en81111 g within 10 years. City tax E�.yoirs have trusted Okeechobee County Fire Fres-cue to respond to [_!MS (emergency r tedocal service) calls since 1980. The County has never been notlfled of unsatisfactory EMs service Devei or response times by the City, of Okeechobee. PERSONNEL Members of both the City CouncH and BOCC [nave expressed, in dully advertised puColie meetings, intent to protect locai firefighters from being dllspiaced to the extent possiUe. The Coty CouncH unanimous0y voted to pay for educational expenses for each city firefighter to obtain paramedic certification so that they may he, for empp ,!rent with OkeechobeeCounty [fore Fescue. Of the 10,efllglbfe city firefighters, Yio ie . The ?,-Tj[fl � proposed contract vvhh Okeechobee i,Jr ]: p pi _ ✓ides for 2KAG�IiU UCS fJOo3V ODS aU7d I jM2&= ` keech .Ccse County T[ra Rescue gives caI drefe'rence [f !I liri 'i; l T_l t and cu, rei`Zfl�y n`rVss whlc i framed to be flHed. ENSU AINCIE No ev[dencc has been provided to show a contact for services 1!i0 cause a chance n ISO ratings or subsecuuent increase or decrease in insurance rates. TRANSPARENCY contract for fire services was first 6scussed at the 2uuy Q_2012 C� ty CC oi�Jlnck S)tG R 1[S Plan6`n[E F Workshop and has Sint n been an officW agend]2 herrn a'r �� Q✓�� atC �IuPM acdJ�e�ogcd i�ub0oc� r��4oG�g� of the CftyP CouncH and IsOCCC. Each of these rViepu tie=; have l r>> PithGi ,"iti 7 [ `G'1 from the pubflc. Paid for by the members oft mi n c CouncH ofO4ke c ,7bee County, a non-profit comprised of business and industry leaders in Okeechobee County. All ECO initiatives, projects, and involver ;ent in local policy are aimed to create an environment that promote orudent economic growth and improves the quality of life in Okeechodce County. I-lorido- Farr more lnformatlon and 0 references f®rr data presented, visit 2CdCo�fnlnfn'hl(IC�Cc,'Co�MWK;0�0{�0�3C�QC�rfllO�.O.ff�g `'�.'�`��7 Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 9'h Street Okeechobee, Florida 34972 (863) 467-0200 Works Cited Amaro, Kenneth. "Clay County School to Get Own Police Force, Sheriff Says It Was Not 'Thought through'." Firstcoastnews. com, 8 Feb. 2019, www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/clay county-school-to-get-its-own-police-force- sheriff-says-it-was-not-thought-through/77-554dec 14 -53c3 -40c8-8784-557771 a6ffec. Anderson, Jane. "Municipal Police Department Consolidations a Tough Call." Recordonline.com, Recordonline.com, 15 Feb. 2020, www.recordonline.com/news/20200215/municipal-police-department-consolidations- tough-call. "Arcadia Florida --Merger of EMS & Fire Systems Talks Collapse." Firehouse Forums - Firefighting Discussion, 14 Aug. 2002, www.forums.firehouse.com/forum/the-off-duty- forums/the-off-duty-forums-aa/24319-arcadia-florida-merger-of-ems-fire-systems-talks- collapse. "AlachuaCounty.us." Welcome to AlachuaCounty. us, Alachua County, www alachuacounty us/Deets/PublicSafgly/Pay,es/Alachua-County-Fire-Rescue- Department-History.aspx. Bauerlein, David. "Merger of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach Fire Services Moves Closer." The Florida Times -Union, The Florida Times -Union, 7 Sept. 2019, www Jacksonville com/news/20190906/merger-of-jacksonville-and Jacksonville -beach - fire -services -moves -closer. Behrendt, Barbara. "Beginning Tuesday, New Day for Fire -Rescue in Hernando County." Tampa Bay Times, 2013, www tampabay com/news/localgovemment/be ig'nning-tuesda� new-day-for-fire-rescue-in-hernando-county/2144316/. Benarroch, Daniela. "Financially Strapped Hallandale Merges Fire Department with Sheriff's Office." South Florida Media Network, 12 June 2019, www.sfinn.flu.edu/financially- strapped-hallandale-merges-fire-department-with-sheriffs-office/. Blazonis, Sarah. "Zephyrhills Council OKs Fire Department Consolidation Negotiations." Zephyrhills Council OKs Fire Department Consolidation Talks, Charter Communications, 5 July 2019, www b4ynews9 com/fl/tampa/news/2019/07/05/zel2hyrhills-council-oks-fire- department-consolidation-negotiations. EQ® Er_oncm',. � •cir.ci! D1 Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 9t" Street Okeechobee, Florida 34972 (863)467-0200 Carbone, Mariel. "City of Tallahassee, Leon County Consider Consolidation." WCTV, WCTV, 1 Mar. 2018, www wcty tv/content/news/City-of-Tallahassee-Leon-County-consolidation- 475543833.html. Citrus County Sheriffs Office. "Proposal to Inverness City Council to Combine the Inverness Police Department with the Citrus County Sheriffs Office." Proposal to Inverness City Council to Combine the Inverness Police Department with the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, City of Inverness, 2004, pp. 1-24, https://www.sheriffs.org/sites/default/files/uploads/IPQ.pdf. City of Bushnell, Administration. `Bushnell City Council Special Meeting Agenda." Bushnell City Council Special Meeting Agenda, City of Bushnell, 2018, pp. 1-17, https•//www cilyofbushnellfl.com/Documents/City%20Council%2OAgendas%20and%20 Minutes/2018/Packets/August%2027,%202018%20Special%20Meetina.pdf. City of Okeechobee, Administration. "City Council Regular Meeting January 21, 2020 Meeting Exhibits." Meeting Exhibits, City of Okeechobee, 2020, pp. 199-204, https•//www cilyofokeechobee.com/images/uploads/pages/agenda-exhibits- 200115073512.pdf. City of Okeechobee, Finance Department. "Adopted 2019/2020 Budget." Adopted 2019/2020 Budget, City of Okeechobee, 2019, pp. 18-19, Ips://wwwcityofokeechobee.com/images/uploads/pa esg /adopted-2019-2020-budget- workbook.pdf. Chambliss, John. "Sheriff s Office Will Take Eagle Lake Under Its Wing." The Ledger, The Ledger, 18 July 2007, www.theledger.com/article/LK/20070718/News/608146177/LL. "Collier Voters OK Fire Districts Merge." News Press, 4 Nov. 2014, 11:11 p.m., www.news- press com/storry/news/�olitics/2014/11/04/voters-approve-merging-collier-fire- districts/ 18509107/. "County and City Fire Departments Merge Procedures and Training in Hint of Consolidation." FlaglerLive, 14 Apr. 2011, www.flaglerlive.com/20772/firefi hg ters-pc-flagler/. DeWitt, Dan. "Is It Time for Brooksville to Lose Its Fire and Police Departments?" Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Times, 29 Aug. 2019, www.tampabgy.com/news/localaovermnent/is-it- time-for-brooksville-to-lose-its-fire-and-police-departments/2137409/. ECO Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 91' Street Okeechobee, Florida 34972 (863)467-0200 Entin, Brian, and Daniel Cohen. "Miami -Dade Police Department Will Become a Sheriffs Office, but Big Questions Remain." WSVN 7 News Miami, 29 Jan. 2019, www.wsvn.com/news/investigations/miami-dade-police-department-will-become-a- sheriffs-office-but-big-questions-remain/. "Fire Station Locations Workshop Minutes." Indian River County, Florida, 25 June 2015. Flanigan, Tom. "Tallahassee and Leon County Combine Fire and EMS Operations." WFSU News, WFSU Public Media, 30 Sept. 2009, www.news.wfsu.org/wfsu-local-news/2009- 09-30/tallahassee-and-leon-county-eombine-fire-and-ems-operations. Gluck, Frank. "Fire District Mergers Debated." Tribune, Sarasota Herald -Tribune, 29 May 2007, www.heraldtribune.com/news/20070529/fire-district-mergers-debated. Gonzalez, David. "Santa Rosa County Fire Districts Talk Possibility of Merging." WEAR, WEAR, 25 Feb. 2017, www.weartv.com/news/local/santa-rosa-county-fire-districts-talk- possibility-of-merging. Henning, Allyson. "Bradford County Sheriffs Office Takes over Fire Department." WJXT, WJXT News4JAX, 3 June 2019, www.news4iax.com/news/2019/06/03/bradford-county- sheriffs-office-takes-over-fire-department/. "Hernando County to Work out Details of Fire Merger." Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Times, 1 Dec. 2012, www tampabgy com/news/politics/local/hemando-county-to-work-out-details- of-fire-merger/ 1264177/. Judnich, Tony. "Some Balk at Proposed Fire Fee." Washington County News/Holmes County Times -Advertiser, Washington County News/Holmes County Times -Advertiser, 4 Sept. 2019, www.chiplapaper.com/article/20190904/NEWS/190909450. "Leon County Fire Service FAQs." Leon County, Florida, 30 July 2010, https://www.leoncognlLfl.gov/admin/FAQLp ff. Lungariello, Mark. "Putnam Scraps Police Consolidation Study." Lohud.com, The Journal News, 4 Feb. 2016, www.lohud.com/story/news/local/putnam/2016/02/03/putnam-police- consolidation/79707208/. McLaughlin, Tom. "Baker, Blackman Discuss Fire District Merger." Northwest Florida Daily News, Northwest Florida Daily News, 21 Oct. 2016, www nwfdailynews com/news/20161023/baker-blackman-discuss-fire-district-merger. Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 91' Street Okeechobee, Florida 34972 (863)467-0200 McLaughlin, Tom. "Walton Sheriff Takes over North County Fire Service." Northwest Florida Daily News, Northwest Florida Daily News, 25 Apr. 2017, www nwfdailynews.com/news/20170425/walton-sheriff-takes-over-north-county-fire- service. Medina, Carlos E. "Ocala to Pull out of 911 Consolidation." Ocala.com, Ocala Star Banner, 20 Feb. 2019, www.ocala.com/news/20190220/ocala-to-pull-out-of-911-consolidation. Meinhardt, Jane, et al. "Police Merger Debate Resumes." Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Times, 12 Sept. 2005, www.tampabgy.com/archive/1998/02/15/police-merger-debate-resumes/. Miami -Dade County Government, Administration. "Miami -Dade Police Department Services and the Feasibility of a Police Services District." Miami -Dade Police Department Services and the Feasibility of a Police Services District, Miami -Dade County Government, 1999, pp. 1-47, https://www.miamidade. gov/incorporationandannexation/library/reports/police- feasibility-police-services-district.pdf. Morley, Brandon, and Jeffrey Hadley. "Perspective: Public Safety Consolidation - Does It Make Sense?" Law Enforcement Bulletin, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin - United States Department of Justice, 9 Apr. 2013, www.leb.fbi.aov/articles/perspective/perspective- public-safety-consolidation-does-it-make-sense. Okeechobee County Government, Administration. "Meeting Agenda." Meeting Agenda, Okeechobee County, 2019, pp. 191-233, http://okeechobeecountyfl.ign 2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1 &ID=2708&Inline= True. Orange County Government, Fire Rescue Department. "Fire Station Location Study." Fire Station Location Study, Orange County, 2015, pp. 1-198, hns://www.oran eg countyfl.net/Portals/0/resource%201ibr /ark emer eg_ncy%20- %20safety/Fire%20Station%20Location%20Study FINAL%20REPORT Feb20l5.pdf. Orange County and City of Orlando, Administration. "Consolidation of Services Study Commission FINAL Report." Consolidation of Services Study Commission FINAL Report, Orange County/City of Orlando, 2006, pp. 1-239, hMs://www.pinellascog=.org/charter/pdf/Orange-CountyCily-of-Orlando- Consolidation-of-Services-Study-Commission-Final-Report.pdf. =I* Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 0 Street Okeechobee, Florida 34972 (863)467-0200 Parker, Kaylin. "Merger Approved for Niceville and Valparaiso Fire Departments." Northwest Florida Daily News, Northwest Florida Daily News, 3 Mar. 2019, www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20190303/merger-approved-for-niceville-and-valparaiso- fire-departments. "PSL to Consider Merging with St. Lucie Co. Sheriffs Dep.", Youtube, 22 Feb. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=95pmRsdVSUO. "Public Safety Department." Trenton, Florida, City of Trenton, www.trentonflorida.oriz/?SEC=BDO313DF- I BD6-428A-95E6-641 ACD5953E4. "Rockledge Police, Fire To Combine Forces, Will No Operate as Rockledge Department of Public Safety." Space Coast Daily, 26 Sept. 2017, www spacecoastdailX com/2017/09/rockledge police-fire-to-combine-forces-will-no- operate-as-rockledge-department-of-public-safety/. Schohier, Mark. "County Fire Runs the Bluff." ChieflandCitizen. com, 1 Aug. 2012, www.chieflandcitizen.com/content/couniy-fire-runs-bluff. "Seminole County Fire Department." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Mar. 2020, www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminole County Fire Department. Smith, Bill. "Referendum Considered on Merging Fire Districts in Lee County." Press, The News -Press, 3 Apr. 2018, www news press com/story/news/2018/04/03/referendum- sou h�, t-merging-fire-districts-lee-county/481793002/. Southard, Amber. "Gulf County Commissioners and Port St. Joe Commission Discuss Consolidating Law Enforcement." Panama City, FL I WJHG Newschannel 71 News, Weather, & Sports, 24 Feb. 2011, www.wiha.com/home/headlines/Gulf County Comissioners and Port St Joe commissio n discuss consolidating_ law enforcment 116877188.html. Stanford, Livi. "Fla. EMS Officials Raise Concerns over Merger with Fire Dept." EMSl, Lexipol, 8 Feb. 2017, www ems 1 com/ems-management/articles/fla-ems-officials-raise- concems-over-merger-with-fire-dept-V2RzagimRi6d9Gb 1 /. Stepzinski, Teresa. "Fla. Fire Department Merger Approved." FireRescuel, McClatchy -Tribune News Service, 23 May 2019, www.firerescuel.com/fire-department- management/articles/fla-fire-department-merger-approved-1 IJRXQO V g9z3 xx9R/. Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 9`" Street Okeechobee, Florida 34972 (863)467-0200 "TCOpinion Editorial: Will Courtship Result in Fire Rescue Merger?" TCPaIm, TCPalm, 2 May 2016, www tcpalm com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/05/02/tcopinion-editorial-will- courtship-result-in-fire-rescue-merger/893 8 3 090/. Thamm, Suanne. "Fernandina Beach Police Department (FBPD) Dispatch Function May Consolidate with Nassau County Sheriff s Department." Fernandina Observer, 22 Jan. 2015, www.femandinaobserver.com/general/fernandina-beach-police-department-tbpd- dispatch-function-may-consolidate-with-nassau-county-sheriffs-department/. Thigpen, Bryant. "Police Chief Position on Agenda Tuesday Night." Suwannee Democrat, 7 Mar. 2014, www.suwanneedemocrat.com/news/local news/police-chief-position-on- agenda-tuesday-night/article 70650f6f-bc76-54cc-8818-e507c56a7670.html. Wadlow, Kevin. "Last Alarm Looms for Layton Volunteer Fire Department." Flkeysnews, FL Keys News, 8 Apr. 2017, www.flkeysnews.com/news/local/articlel43507764.html. "Wakulla County Fire Rescue." Welcome to Wakulla Co, FL, Wakulla County Government, 2019, www.mywakulla.com/departments/public safety/fire rescue/index.php. Webber, Kristin. "Nesmith Retiring as Hillsborough County Fire Chief." Hillsborough County News, 30 Dec. 2010, www.hillsborou hg colMly.wtsp.com/news/news/45247-nesmith- retiring-hillsborough-county-fire-chief. Whigham, II, Julius. "Palm Beach Shores May Merge Police Department with PBSO." The Florida Times -Union, Gannet Co. Inc., 15 Aug. 2019, www jacksonville.com/news/20190815/palm-beach-shores-may-merge-police-department- with-pbso. White, Dale. "Merging Fire Districts Proposed." Herald Tribune, Sarasota Herald -Tribune, 3 July 2019, www.heraldtribune.com/news/20190702/merging-fire-districts-proposed. Wyatt, Dustin. "One Fire Department for All Volusia? Old Idea Still Faces Uphill Climb." Daytona Beach News -Journal Online, Daytona Beach News -Journal Online, 7 Apr. 2019, www.news-ioumalonline.com/news/20190406/1 -fire-department-for-all-volusia-old-idea- still-faces-uphill-climb. Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 96, Street Okeechobee, Florida 34972 (863)467-0200 The following lists the public meetings in which the discussion to contract for fire services was discussed in a duly advertised public meeting as an official agenda item. Each of these meetings allowed for public participation and comment. The Economic Council also advocated for a contract for fire services at both City Council Town Hall meetings on October 22, 2019 and March 11, 2020. • July 16, 2019 — City Council Regular Meeting hgps://www.cilyofokeechobee.com/images/uploads/pages/agenda-07-16-19.pdf • Oct 15, 2019 — City Council Regular Meeting https://www.cilyofokeechobee.com/ima es/uploads/pages/agenda-10-15-19.pdf • Nov 12,2019- Workshop with BOCC and City htips://www.ciiyofokeechobee.com/imag_es/uploads/pages/a eg_nda-joint-workshop.pdf • Nov 26, 2019 — Board of County Commissioners http://okeechobeecounlyfl.igm2.com/Citizens/FileOl2en.aspx?Type=1 &ID=2708&Inline= True • Dec 17, 2019 — City Council Regular Meeting https://www.cilyofokeechobee.com/images/uploads/pages/a2enda-12-17-19.pdf • Jan 7, 2020 — City Council Regular Meeting https://www.ciofokeechobee.com/images/uploads/pages/agenda-01-07-20.pdf • Jan 8, 2020 — Board of County Commissioners hU:HokeechobeecouMfl.igm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1 &ID=2718&Inline= True • Jan 21, 2020 — City Council Regular Meeting https://www.ciiyofokeechobee.com/images/uploads/pages/agenda-0I-21-20.pdf • Feb 4, 2020 — City Council Regular Meeting https•//www ciiyofokeechobee com/imaa-es/uploads/pages/agenda-02-04-20 pdf • Feb 13, 2020 — Board of County Commissioners http•//okeechobeecountyfl igm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=2723&Inline= True ECO Economic Council of Okeechobee 1679 NW 91' Street Economic Council of Okeechobee, Florida 34972 Okeechobee (863) 467-0200 • Feb 18, 2020 — City Council Regular Meeting https•//www cilyofokeechobee.com/images/uploads/pages/agenda-02-18-20.pdf May 19, 2020 — City Council Regular Meeting https•//www cityofokeechobee.com/images/uploads/pages/agenda-05-19-20.pdf Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners 304 NW 2nd Street Department: Fire Rescue Okeechobee, FL 34972 Category: General Business Prepared By: Ralph Franklin SCHEDULED Initiator: Ralph Franklin ACTION ITEM (ID # 5637) SUBJECT: 1:30 P.M. - DISCUSSION ON THE PROVIDING OF FIRE SERVICES TO THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE MEETING: Regular Session November 26, 2019 FINANCIAL IMPACT: Undetermined at this time REQUESTED ACTION: That the Board of County Commissioners have a discussion with the Public Safety Director/Fire Chief and the County Administrator concerning the providing Fire Services to the City of Okeechobee. BACKGROUND: On November 12, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners held a Joint Workshop with the `amity of Okeechobee City Council. The topic of the workshop was the providing of Fire Service to the City of Okeechobee. A product of that workshop was the development of several questions by the County Commissioners on some of the details of such an endeavor. The Public Safety Director/Fire Chief was requested to research these questions and return to the board on this agenda with that data. Questions generated from this workshop included: 1. Call Data 2. Current County response standards 3. Current County Staffing requirements 4. Country Dispatch Protocols 5. Impacts on the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating. 6. Requirements to maintain the current ISO 3 classification. 7. Current County employment standards 3. Information in City Fire Department Staffing. 9. Minimum staffing needs the County would need to provide the service. 10. Projections of staffing cost including a Fire Inspector 11. Cost of training City employees to County Standards. 12. Affects on the County's current Collective Bargaining Agreement. 13. Equipment needed to provide this service. The Public Safety Director/Fire Chief and his staff have developed the answers requested by the Board. The answers provided are estimates and subject to change. Action Item (ID # 5637) Meeting of November 26, 2019 County Administrator recommends that the Board conduct a discussion on the subject of providing Fire Services to the City of Okeechobee. ATTACHMENTS © Joint Fire Service Workshop 11-26-19 PDFA adachkd (PDF) Wel Questions from Joint Workshop on Fire Service E ■fl Presentation Highlights Will be focusing on the operational needs to provide the service. Affect on the Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating Minimum Staffing requirements: Incident Response Providing of Fire Inspections and Plan review Additional Data needed for finalization of formal plan. Summary of needs and considerations. iFQ The information presented is preliminary and subject to change as some items still need to be determined, such as: Acquisition of Capital Items and equipment. Storage of reserve equipment 13 Operational Information 14 County: Internal software program analytics City: From the supplied NFIRS report summary and Data sheet presented at Workshop Pay Compensation: Current County Union Contract (CBA) County approved pay plan NIFIRS= National Fire Incident Reporting System 15 How many calls has the County Responded to within the City 2017 ZoiB County 11290 County 17220 City Responded 1,519 City Responded 1,518 Fire related Calls 46 Fire related Calls 38 The County response numbers are mostly EMS M. S I rgww.",ummary of Fire calls respondel to in the City by the County 17 2017 2o18 Structure Fires 12 4 Vehicle Fires o 4 Brush Fires 3 2 Silo Fire o i Fire Alarms 8 8 Traffic Crashes 5 i Propane Leak o i Storm Damage i o ALS Engine to medical 17 17 Totals 46 38 17 County Incident Response 18 Current Daily Staffing Maximum of 16 per shift Required minimum on duty is 14 Four ambulances staffed with two people. One of which must be a paramedic. Three engines staffed with two people. Since these engines are Paramedic Engines, at least one person must be a paramedic. 101 Dispatch Protocol Incident type Traffic Accident Car Fire Medical Call Non -Critical Example ground level fall, feeling ill, back pain Critical Example, chest pain, child birth, shortness of breath Units Dispatched One engine & one ambulance One engine & one ambulance One ambulance One ambulance &One engine 20 Dispatch Protocol, cont., Incident Type Residential Building Fire Commercial Building Fire Units Dispatched Two County Engines, One City engine, two ambulances, and at least one County command staff officer, water tanker if no hydrants Two County Engines, Two ambulances, One City aerial, and at least one County Staff officer 21 � How many calls has the City responded to in the County Data Supplied by the City for the period from October 31,2o18 until October 31, 2019. Aid Given to County 31 **Note** With merger the aid would go away, but the response staffing would stay the same. Pia Insurance Services Office (ISO) Impacts 23 Explanation of New Auto -Aid Without Auto -Aid, ISO does not give credit for responding staff or apparatus. Auto -Aid must be jurisdiction wide for credit. Cannot be limited areas Previous agreement was only for2-miles outside the city limits. Previous agreement did not benefit all citizens Statistically, the agencies responded to each other on about an equal basis for assistance. 24 Explanation of New'--Auto-Aid Agreement', cont. For structure fires within the City, the County sends a minimum of eight personnel and one command officer. For structure fires within the County, the City sends two firefighters. When this occurs, the County moves an Engine into the City to provide coverage during the incident. Every effort is made to release the City from County incidents ASAP. 25 ISO Evaluation Areas Category Emergency Communications Fire Department Water Supply Community Risk Reduction Activities. Treated as bonus points Maximum Points to points 50 points 40 points 5.50 points 26 Current Department ISO Ratings County City Rating 3 Rating 3 Points Earned 77.17 Points Earned 74.28 27 ISO Requirements to maintain current rating Reserve apparatus must be stored out of the weather Additional apparatus at Station One displaces some current reserve equipment. Must complete inspections or preplan on 50 % of all businesses at minimum. Training: (on a yearly basis per employee) Must have 192 hours of training, with 4 -hours of driving. Must have 18 -hours at a certified training facility Must have 6 -hours of Hazardous Material. 28 Maintain rating, cont. Response standards: Must have a minimum of 3 -engines in service for fire flow requirements. Must supply aoo gpm for zo minutes (4000 gallons) County engines carry 1500 gallons on average This created the need for the Auto Aid and tanker response policy. Must have a minimum of 14.25 people on duty after factoring in vacation, sick leave, and holidays. Current Auto -Aid policy would expire upon merger. 4*1 I� Maintain rating, cont. Keep current dispatch standards Keep hydrant inspection and flow testing Other items needed: Annual pump testing Annual ladder testing Annual hose testing ** County has a contractor that performs these. 30 Strong potential of ISO improvement due to: Additional prevention staffing to conduct inspections Additional numbers of firefighters available to respond to a fire scene. ISO has several places within their grading system that overall personnel, those on scene, training hours, and inspections can affect point totals. *** Note*** Although the ISO is likely to improve with the merger, the impact on insurance rates would be minimal, if any. 01 Staffing Related 32 Current Standards for employment by the County Certified Firefighter and EMT (Paramedic Preferred) Bonus points given for local resident Pass Fire Team written aptitude test Pass a physical abilities test from one of two vendors Background, reference, and Drivers License check Pass a NFPA compliant medical examination Approval of the County Administrator 33 Staffing Questions How many people does the city have in the fire unit? Thirteen Total One Fire Chief One Administrative Assistance Eleven field firefighters Ten are Firefighter/EMT One is a Firefighter/ Paramedic 34 Staffing Questions, cont. How many meet the current minimum County hiring requirements? All current employees met the standard of being State Certified as a Firefighter and EDIT or Paramedic. It is unknown at this time how many will meet the standards of: Passing of Written and physical ability testing Drivers License check, criminal background check, reference checks, and passing of NFPA compliant medical examinations standards. 35 Minimum Staffing Needs Six people to staff a second engine at Station i This will be a Paramedic Engine One additional Fire Prevention staff Performing inspections Conducting Public Education Programs Assisting with plan reviews These are the minimum staffing needs to provide the service inside the City and to keep the County response staffing at the appropriate level. 36 Staffing Questions What is the cost to bring a single City firefighter up to the standards to be a County Fire/EMS staff ? Will be answered in following slides ** Note** County Fire Rescue as the ALS provider, is at its maximum number of Firefighter/EMT's to provide our coverage standards. 37 Assumptions Concerning Personnel Cost Assumes no personal equipment transfers over Assumes 3 %increase in personnel cost per year Salary includes base pay, FLSA required OT, Holiday Pay. Based on current benefit calculation rates. Based on starting salary in current CBA Unknown as to what current CBA incentives City Employees would qualify for Degree, Inspector, and Technical Rescue Q-1 Three Year Project --d Personnel Cost of Six People ( 3 -EMT, 3 -paramedic) Item Year i Year Z Year 3 Salary $262,266 $270,134 $z7g,505 Benefits $168,896 $173,963 $179481 Equipment $38,220 $37,44® $1344® Total Cost $ 469'3$2 $481637 $470Y859 39 Assumptions of Paramedic School Cost Based on current posted tuition rates Salary cost based on the minimum Firefighter/EMT: Hourly rate of $ 12.1363 Overtime rate of $ 18.2044 Time off needed and overtime cost are projected at the potential maximum hours needed. **Note** Current County Tuition Reimbursement policy does not cover fees or books . 40 Now Projected Cost of Paramedic School IRSC (August Z®2®) Tuition $4,465 Fees $4,663 School Cost $9,128 Time Off (768 hrs) OT Coverage (768) $9,320 s13,98o Projected total Cost $32,428 HCI (January zozo) Tuition $6,125 Fees $1,800 School Cost $7,925 Time off (768 hrs) $9,320 OT Coverage (768) $13,98o Projected total cost $31,225 41 Assumptions Inspector Cost Position is civilian and not a firefighter Assume 3 %per year personnel cost increase Does not include a vehicle (one will be needed) Equipment cost are estimated 40 -hour week person, therefore no additional FLSA OT or Holiday pay. Time -off would not generate overtime normally. Used County Pay Grade # 15 for equivalency to Code Enforcement Officer III. Non -Exempt position. 42 � nf nn J Y t.`11 1 1 V %..VL%.%.A N.0V%J Inspector Item Year 1 Salary $38,10 o Benefits $19,461 Equipment $11,870 Total Cost $69,431 Year 2 $39,243 $20,044 $11870 $61,157 Year 3 $40,420 $20Y646 $1, 620 $62,686 **Note** Equipment is computer, portable radio, and tools needed to perform inspections 43 Summary 44 County is currently at the maximum amount of Firefighter/ENT's that we can have on staff. Consideration of all future new hires required to become paramedics within a defined time period is being researched at this time for cost and impacts. Merger would not create any impact on the County's current CBA as long as we do not alter established terms. Current CBA allows the administrator to authorize a starting salary at the maximum of pay step three. 45 Personnel Related, cont. Job description for inspector would need to be created and approved by the BOCC Average cost of $78,230 per person for the number hired as a result of the merger. Staffing planned as identified would create promotions of some of the current OCFR staff. Possible MOU with union might be needed to assure maximum participation in the promotional testing process Important to let the current city employees know the importance of attending paramedic school 46 Equipment Total cost will be affected based on what is decided on concerning how the purchase or transfer of equipment and vehicles will be handled. All equipment needs will need to be examined to assure that no unnecessary equipment is transferred. Any equipment obtained will affect the long-term County replacement program. Obtained vehicles should have minimum affect on Fleet Services. 47 ISO Related The minimum standards required to maintain the current rating must be completed by both agencies each year during these talks. The ISO will evaluate OUR soon after the merger takes place. Therefore it must be emphasized that the previous years items must be completed to obtain the maximum points rating. 48 emsthe City should consider to maximize the number of e.mpioyees to be considered One Paramedic program has said they would give priority admission to the City Employees for the January 2020class. Class is one year in length. Class is on a shift friendly schedule. Written and physical ability testing is done at regular intervals and can be competed at: IRSC National Testing Network Centers. 49 This presentation was designed to address some of the items that were discussed in the Workshop and other questions that the BOCC had. Fire Rescue Administration is prepared to address and to research any new questions. 50 Questions 51 .z d Questions 51 lCity of Okeechobee Fire Dept Okeecinobee. FL I This report was generated on 10/30/2019 3:39:13 PM Count of Incidents by Incident Status For Incident Status For Date Range Incident Status(s): All Incident Statuses I Sort By: IncidentType I Start Date: 01/01/2017 1 End Date: 12/31/2017 INCIDENT TYPE 100 - Fire, other 111 - Building fire 113 - Cooking fire, confined to container 118 - Trash or rubbish fire, contained 121 - Fire in mobile home used as fixed residence 130 - Mobile property (vehicle) fire, other 131 - Passenger vehicle fire 132 - Road freight or transport vehicle fire 138 - Off-road vehicle or heavy equipment fire 140 - Natural vegetation fire, other 141 - Forest, woods or wildland fire 142 - Brush or brush -and -grass mixture fire 143 - Grass fire 150 - Outside rubbish fire, other 151 - Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire 154 - Dumpster or other outside trash receptacle fire 160 - Special outside fire, other 221 - Overpressure rupture of air or gas pipe/pipeline 240 - Explosion (no fire), other 251 - Excessive heat, scorch burns with no ignition 300 - Rescue, EMS incident, other 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 320 - Emergency medical service, other 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury 322 - Motor vehicle accident with injuries 323 - Motor vehicle/pedestrian accident (MV Ped) 324 - Motor vehicle accident with no injuries. 381 - Rescue or EMS standby 400 - Hazardous condition, other 410 - Combustible/flammable gas/liquid condition, other 411 - Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill 412 - Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) 413 - Oil or other combustible liquid spill 440 - Electrical wiring/equipment problem, other 441 - Heat from short circuit (wiring), defective/worn 442 - Overheated motor 443 - Breakdown of light ballast 444 - Power line down This report shows the incidents by status(es) selected for the date range chosen. IWEMERGENCY EMERGENCY �!] REPORTING emergencyreporting.com Doc Id: 1673 Page # 1 of 2 52 445 - Arcing, shorted electrical equipment 460 - Accident, potential accident, other 461 - Building or structure weakened or collapsed 462 - Aircraft standby 463 - Vehicle accident, general cleanup - 500 - Service Call, other 510 - Person in distress, other 512 -Ring or jewelry removal 531 - Smoke or odor removal 550 - Public service assistance, other 551 - Assist police or other governmental agency 553 - Public service 554 - Assist invalid 555 - Defective elevator, no occupants 561 - Unauthorized burning 571 - Cover assignment, standby, moveup 600 - Good intent call, other _ - 611 - Dispatched & cancelled en route 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address 651 - Smoke scare, odor of smoke 652 - Steam, vapor, fog or dust thought to be smoke 661 - EMS call, party transported by non -fire agency 671 - HazMat release investigation w/no HazMat 700 - False alarm or false call, other — 711 - Municipal alarm system, malicious false alarm 714 - Central station, malicious false alarm 721 - Bomb scare - no bomb 730 - System malfunction, other 733 - Smoke detector activation due to malfunction' 735 - Alarm system sounded due to malfunction 740 - Unintentional transmission of alarm, other 743 - Smoke detector activation, no fire - unintentional 744 - Detector activation, no fire - unintentional - 745 - Alarm system activation, no fire - unintentional 900 - Special type of incident, other 911 - Citizen complaint Total Incidents This report shows the incidents by status(es) selected for the date range chosen. 1 3 1 5 17 4 18 4 1 ^3 5 2 95 3 1 1 2 2 15 1 2 2 1 6 1 1 (a EMERGENCY REPORTING emergencyreporting.com Doc Id: 1673 Page # 2 of 2 53 City of Okeechobee Fire Dept Okeechobee, FL T This report was generated on 10130/2019 3:40:06 PM Count of Incidents by Incident Status For Incident Status For Date Range Incident Status(s): All Incident Statuses I Sort By: IncidentType I Start Date: 01/01/2018 1 End Date: 12/31/2018 INCIDENT TYPE 111 - Building fire 112 - Fires in structure other than in a building 113 - Cooking fire, confined to container 118 - Trash or rubbish fire, contained 130 - Mobile property (vehicle) fire, other 131 - Passenger vehicle fire .132 - Road freight or transport vehicle fire 140 - Natural vegetation fire, other 142 - Brush or brush -and -grass mixture fire 143 - Grass fire 150 - Outside rubbish fire, other 154 - Dumpster or other outside trash receptacle fire 171 - Cultivated grain or crop fire 300 - Rescue, EMS incident, other 311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 320 - Emergency medical service, other 321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury 322 - Motor vehicle accident with injuries 323 - Motor vehicle/pedestrian accident (MV Ped) 324 - Motor vehicle accident with no injuries. 331 - Lock -in (if lock out, use 511 ) 381 - Rescue or EMS standby 400 - Hazardous condition, other 410 - Combustible/flammable gas/liquid condition, other 411 - Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill 413 - Oil or other combustible liquid spill 440 - Electrical wiring/equipment problem, other 443 - Breakdown of light ballast 444 - Power line down 445 - Arcing, shorted electrical equipment 462 - Aircraft standby 463 - Vehicle accident, general cleanup 500 - Service Call, other 510 - Person in distress, other 531 - Smoke or odor removal 542 - Animal rescue 550 - Public service assistance, other 551 - Assist police or other governmental agency i # INCIDENTS i 1 1. 3 2 This report shows the incidents by status(es) selected for the date range chosen. WEMERGENCY REPORTING emergencyreporting.com Doc Id: 1673 Page # 1 of 2 54 553 - Public service 554 -Assist invalid 561 - Unauthorized burning 571 -Cover assignment, standby, moveup 600 - Good intent call, other--j¢-------- 611 - Dispatched & cancelled en route 621 - Wrong location 622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address 631 - Authorized controlled burning — 651 -Smoke scare, odor of smoke 700 -False alarm or false call, other 710 - Malicious, mischievous false call, other 714 - Central station, malicious false alarm g1 26j 1 j 2j --------4I1 204j 1, y 3' 1 101 1518 715 - Local alarm system, malicious false alarm 721 - Bomb scare - no bomb �- _- 732 - Extinguishing system activation due to malfunction 733 - Smoke detector activation due to malfunction 735 - Alarm system sounded due to malfunction 741 - Sprinkler activation, no fire - unintentional 743 - Smoke detector activation, no fire - unintentional 744 - Detector activation, no fire - unintentional 745 - Alarm system activation, no fire - unintentional 900 - Special type of incident, other Total Incidents 1 21 -~ -- 31 1 - 6' 21 & 3i 101 1518 This report shows the incidents by status(es) selected for the date range chosen. /t EMERGENCY lfJ REPORTING emergencyreporting.com Doc Id: 1673 Page # 2 of 2 55 6/l/2020 Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook Lane Gamiotea 0 0 0 0 0 Fri 5/29/2020 4:29 PM To: Jennifer Tewksbury Cc: Bobbie Jenkins<bjenkins@cityofokeechobee.com>; Marcos Montes De Oca <mmontesde Jennifer, I've forwarded the request to verify the number for the fire department calls to Chief Smith, also see Administrators email response. I've forwarded the budget/tax question to Finance Director Riedel to verify, also see Administrator Montes De Oca email response. I can provide verification on the last one, I underlined the language I corrected: The City Council unanimously voted to pay 1p to $6,000.00 for educational expenses for each city firefighters to obtain paramedic certification so that they may be eligible for employment with Okeechobee County Fire Rescue. Of the 10 eligible city firefighters, 6 are currently enrolled, originally 7 enrolled, 1 has since resigned employment. At the 1-7-2020 meeting the City Council unanimously voted to instruct the Attorney to compose a new reimbursement agreement (a/k/a an education reimbursement contract) for paramedic certification (they provided various changes from the current one so that the new one relates to this specific course and circumstances). • The actual agreement reads: the City will pay up to $6,000.00 for employee to complete the IRSC Specialized for Okeechobee Paramedic Certification course beginning in February 2020. Of our 12 full-time firefighters, 10 were eligible. Seven returned signed agreements and began the course. At the end of the first semester, one resigned (he took an offer with Highlands County Fire), he is also continuing the course. Hope this will help. Mrs. Lane Earnest-Gamiotea, CMC City Clerk/Personnel Administrator City of Okeechobee 55 SE 3rd Avenue, Room 100, Okeechobee, FL 34974 Office: 863.763.3372 ext. 9814, Fax: 863.763.1686, Cell: 863.697-0345 Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electron mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing, Florida Statute 668.6076. CITY OF OKEECHOBEE ELECTRONIC DEVICE DISCLAIMER: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from local officials regarding city business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your correspondence via e-mail, text ail, etc., may therefore be subject to public disclosure. 56 https:lloutlook.office.com/mailldeeplink?version=2020052401.06&popoutv2= I &leanbootstrap=l III 6/1/2020 Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook RE: Records request India Riedel <iriedel@cityofokeechobee.com> Wed 5/13/2020 2:13 PM To: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Cc: Lane Gamiotea<Igamiotea@cityofokeechobee.com>; Bobbie Jenkins <bjenkins@cityofokeechobee.com>; Marcos Montes De Oca<mmontesdeoca@cityofokeechobee.com>; Robin Brock <rbrock@cityofokeechobee.com> 1 1 attachments (16 KB) Dispatcher info.xlsx; Jennifer, Please find attached spread sheet of current dispatcher cost. Conferring with Marcos these numbers are a little different as those were from prior budgets. India India Riedel Finance Director City of Okeechobee 55 SE 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 Phone: (863) 763-3372 Direct: (863) 763-9818 Fax: (863) 763-1686 NOTICE: Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by the City of Okeechobee officials and employees will be available to the public and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing. From: Bobbie Jenkins <bjenkins@cityofokeechobee.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 8:56 AM To: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org>; India Riedel <iriedel @cityofokeechobee.com> 57 https://outlook.office.com/mail/deeplink?version=2020052401.06&popoutv2=1 &leanbootstrap=l 1/2 6/l/2020 Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook Cc: Lane Gamiotea <Igamiotea@cityofokeechobee.com> Subject: RE: Records request As the Deputy to the City Records Custodian, this email is to provide official notice as required by F.S. that I am in receipt of your public records requests on May 13, 2020 and that we have begun processing it. Should any portion of the original request change or no longer be needed prior to our response, please contact me directly. Thanks! Bobbie J. Jenkins Deputy Clerk City of Okeechobee 55 SE 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 Phone: (863) 763-3372 ext. 9814 Direct: (863) 763-9814 Fax: (863) 763-1686 NOTICE: Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by the City of Okeechobee officials and employees will be available to the public and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing. From: Jennifer Tewksbury<jennifer@economiccounciiofokeechobee org> Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 8:51 AM To: India Riedel <iriedel@cit yofokeechobee.com> Cc: Lane Gamiotea <Igamiotea@cityofokeechobee.com>; Bobbie Jenkins <bjenkins@city ofokeechobee.com> Subject: Records request India, May I request the detailed budget that shows the $289,000 figure for dispatch related costs in the fire department? I've copied Lane as the City's custodian of records. Thank you, Jennifer M. Tewksbury EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 863.467.0200 jennifer@economiccou ncilofokeechobee. o rg 1679 NW 9th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972 www.economiccouncilofokeechobee org 58 https:Houtlook.ofrice-com/mail/deeplink?version=2020052401.06&popoutv2=1&icanbootstrap=l 2/2 City of Okeechobee Provided: 59 Current Dispatcher - cost— Salaries $173,970 Dispatch OT $6,500 FICA $13,800 _ Insurance Benefit $44,500 Pension $16,950 WC $8,690 Property & Casualty $5,960 $270,370 - — y y.. x 59 6/1/2020 RE: Costs Mail - .lennifcr "rewksbury - Outlook Marcos Montes De Oca <mmontesdeoca@cityofokeechobee.com> I ue 5/12,12020 4:02 Pi.! To: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Cc: India Riedel <iriedel@cityofokeechobee.com> The dispatchers are combined and handle all city and 911 calls as well as transfers Costs are not broken out into the 2 depts, just kept in the overall fire budget. However will be shifted 100% to PD next year regardless of fire, due to the supervision and scheduling being conducted by the PD. Marcos Marcos Montes ®e Oca, PE. City Administrator Okekhobee '. oatj FLORIDA 19t5 55 SE 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 Phone: (863) 763-3372 x 9812 Cell: (863) 801-0177 FAX: (863) 763-1686 Email: rnarcosCccityofokeechobee.com Website: www.cityofokeechobee.com NOTICE: Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by the City of Okeechobee officials and employees will be available to the public and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing. From: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer(Peconomiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 4:55 PM To: Marcos Montes De Oca <mmontesdeoca@ cityofokeechobee. com> Cc: India Riedel <iriedel@cityofokeechobee.com> Subject: Re: Costs Okay. Are these dispatch costs for police and fire combined? Or are these calls and relative dispatch expenses separated by department? I don't understand how it all works. Thank you; From: Marcos Montes De Oca<mmontesdeocaCcDcityofokeechobee.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 4:25 PM To: Jennifer Tewksbury Cc: India Riedel Subject: RE: Costs Jennifer https:lloutlook.office.com/maillsearch/id!AAMkADVkMzczYjlh[_WQOiNTctNDEIOC ] hYmi:yl_WVhOWU4N Wt)l YjMwMgBGAAAAAAAT18IS19bDTb'i�-2FKR6... I l 6/1/2020 Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook The best way to take the dispatcher cost is to look at the overall fire budget For example last year the $1.6 M included an actual dispatcher cost of $283,954 Obviously we round for simplicity. The dispatch costs are included in the salaries and personnel portions of the budget. Which is basically the $1.3M as noted. The dispatchers will remain in the upcoming budget. Note next fiscal year we are shifting the dispatch costs over to PD regardless of the future of fire. Thank you for your inquiry to clarify this. Marcos Marcos Montes De Oca, P.E. City Administrator �?kee hoWe IDA • F•.,rc..915 55 SE 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 Phone: (863) 763-3372 x 9812 Cell: (863) 801-0177 FAX: (863) 763-1686 Email: marcos@cityofokeechobee.com Website: www.cityofokeechobee.com NOTICE: Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by the City of Okeechobee officials and employees will be available to the public and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing. From: India Riedel <iriedel@cityofokeechobee.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 9:01 AM To: Marcos Montes De Oca<mmontesdeoca@cityofokeechobee.com> Cc: Robin Brock <rbrock@cityofokeechobee.com>; India Riedel <iriedel@cit yofokeechobee.com> Subject: FW: Costs Do you want me to reply, "dispatchers'? India From: Jennifer Tewksbury <Jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Sent: Monday, May 11, 2020 6:11 PM To: India Riedel <iriedel@city ofokeechobee.com> Subject: Costs Hi India, I hope this finds you doing well. I have a question: I know the advertised budget of the fire department is $1.6 million, but I've heard so many times that the "true costs" of the department are only $1.3 million. What does this mean? Do you know what the, I guess untrue costs relate to? Thought you'd be the best to ask 61 https://outlook.office.com/mail/search/id/AAMkADVkM7czYjlhLWQONTctNDE] OC1 hYmEyLWVhOWU4NWUlYjMwMaBGAAAAAAAT181S19bDTb%2FKR6... 23 6/1/2020 Thank you, Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook Jennifer M. Tewksbury EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 863.467.0200 ennif r@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org 1679 NW 9th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972 www.economiccouncilofokeechobee.org in - 62 hups://outlook.office.com/mail/searcblid/AAMkADVkMzczY jlhLWQON'1 ctNDE1 OC 1 hYmEyLWVhOWU4NWU 1 YjMwMgBGAAAAAAAPl8I519bDTb%2FKR6... 3/3 6/1/2020 Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook RE: Record confirmation... Herb Smith <hsmith@cityofokeechobee.com> Fri 5/29/2020 7:27 PM To: Jennifer Tewksbury <Jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> The following three years were confirmed by copy and paste from our records software. I copied the last incident for that particular year. The date and time is confirmed to the right of the numbers. Small variations in numbers can occur by running different software reports that include or exclude certain reports. For example, reports that are not reviewed can sometime not be included in the total calls based on what the software does. That is one reason why numbers can be different. The numbers I have given you below included "all" reports whether reviewed or not. I noticed you ask city hall to confirm so if you need the clerks office to come over and check reports we can do that or you are welcome to drop by and I can show you. Hope this clears this up. thanks This was the last incident number for 2019 from our re 2019-1495 12/31/2019 15:06:00 Station: OFD 2018-(1518) 2018-1518 12/31/2018 23:46:00 Station: OFD 2017-(1691) 2017-1691 12/31/2017 11:21:00 Station: OFD Note: 2017 total number is higher than the number Jennifer had Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Jennifer Tewksbury Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 4:56 PM To: Marcos Montes De Oca Cc: Herb Smith Subject: Re: Record confirmation... I requested those figures from Herb once and should've copied him. Just looking for confirmation. Thank you, From: Marcos Montes De Oca<mmontesdeoca@cityofokeechobee.com> Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 4:07 PM To: Jennifer Tewksbury Cc: Robin Brock; Lane Gamiotea; India Riedel; Herb Smith Subject: RE: Record confirmation... Jennifer, I will get the official numbers for a calls from fire dept for the previous years, I have already requested that of them. We can get that to you asap. I do however think 2019 numbers were 1244 calls. Budget is approx. $1.3M yes with the dispatchers associated items pulled out. Lane can address if City was a unanimous on the vote for schooling, I do not recall. 63 hnps://otittook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AQMkADVkMzczYjlhLWQONI ctNDEI OCl hYmEyLWVhOWU4N WU 1 YjMwMgBGAAADE9fCEpf Ww02%2FykeiXW... 13 6/1/2020 Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook Yes, 6 are in training, we have 1 current paramedic. Marcos Marcos Montes De Oca, P.E. City Administrator u 07keechobee FLORIDA • 1915 55 SE 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 Phone: (863) 763-3372 x 9812 Cell: (863) 801-0177 FAX: (863) 763-1686 Email: marcosC cityofokeechobee.com Website: www.cilyofokeechobee.com NOTICE: Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by the City of Okeechobee officials and employees will be available to the public and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing. From: Jennifer Tewksbury<jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 2:30 PM To: Lane Gamiotea<Igamiotea@cityofokeechobee.com> Cc: Bobbie Jenkins<bjenkins(?Pcityofokeechobee.com>; Marcos Montes De Oca <m montesdeoca 9 cityofokeecho bee. com> Subject: Record confirmation... Lane, One more request for today... Can you confirm the following highlighted text is true and correct? There is unfortunately so much misinformation circulating and before I share anything further with my members, I want to make sure my information is accurate and true according to city hall. If these statements aren't phrased correctly or if I need to correct something, please advise. Or if these are correct as is, please advise. Thank you! Total emergency calls ran by the city fire department- 2017:1519 epartment:2017:1519 2018: 1518 2019: 1495 The City of Okeechobee taxed property owners to generate $1.37 million for the City Fire Department for 2019-2020. (This is the $1,642,577 budget figure minus disbatch costs of $270,370 as shared by Ms. Riedel) 64 https:/!outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/idlAQ,M"DVkMzczYjlhLWQONTctNDEIOC1hYmEyLWVhOWU4NWU1YjMwM-BGAAADE9fCEpfWw02%2FykeiXW... 2/3 6/112020 Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook The City Council unanimously voted to pay for all educational expenses for city firefighters to obtain paramedic certification so that they may be eligible for employment with Okeechobee County Fire Rescue. Of the 11 eligible city firefighters, 6 are enrolled. Jennifer M. Tewksbury EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 863.467.0200 len nifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org +679 NW 9th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972 www.economiccouncilofokeechobee.org 65 https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AQMkADVkMzczYjlhLWQON1ctNDE] OC1hYmFy1.W V hOW U4NWU 1 Y.iMwMgBGAAADF'9fCEPf Ww02%2FYkeiXW... 3/3 611 i202O Re: Response stats Mail - Jennirer Tewksbury - Outlook Ralph Franklin <rfranklin@co.okeechobee.fl.us> Sat 5/16/2020 5:14 PM To: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer n economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Cc: Robbie Chartier <rchartier@co.okeechobee.fl.us> Jennifer, in Calendar year 2019 we ran 1228 calls into the city. As best as I can tell, provision of EMS by the County began in/around 1977. Ralph Franklin, EFO Public Safety Director/Fire Chief 707 NW 6th Street Okeechobee, FL 34972 863-763-5544 Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter From: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 2:02:30 PM To: Ralph Franklin Cc: Robbie Chartier Subject: Response stats Chief Franklin. In reviewing your presentation to the BOCC in November of 2019 (linked below), I'm assuming it's fair to say that OCFR responded to 84% and 80% of all emergency calls in the city in 2017 and 2018 respectively? Do you have these same figures for 2019 available? Also, do you know how long the county has been providing EMS to the city? Thank you, See page 198: htt 1/okeechobeecountyfl_igm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=2708&Inline=True V Jennifer M. Tewksbury CO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EC 863.467.0200 jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee. org 66 https://outlook.office.com/maii/search/id/AQMkADVkMzczYjlhLW'QONTctNDEJOCIIiYmEyLV"hOWU4NW]YjMwM-BGAAADE9fCEpfWwO2%2FvkeiX,.- lit ()"P2020 Fw: Fact checking... Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> IVlon 6l112020 8:29 P To: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> From: Robbie Chartier <rchartier@co.okeechobee.fi.us> Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 12:27 PM To: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Subject: Re: Fact checking... From Ralph: Based on the information we have in our strategic plan the fire department was formed in 1977 and in 1980 commissioners elected to merge the county fire department and county hospital ambulance and with service to create Okeechobee County fire rescue Sent from my Phone, Robbie Chartier Okeechobee County County Administrator 304 NW 2nd Street Okeechobee, FL 34972 (863)763-6441 ext.1 67 litips://outlook.of lice.com/mail/inboelid/AQMkADVI,mzczY.i]hLWQONTetNDEJ OC I hYmEyLW VhOW t 14N WIJ I Y.iMtvM,-BGAAA DE9rCEpAVwO2%2FykeiX R'... 1 / 1 6/2/2020 RE: Info verification Mail - Jennifer Tewksbury - Outlook Robbie Chartier <rchartier@co.okeechobee.fl.us> Tue 6/2/2020 10:23 AM To: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Hi Jennifer. Yes to the best of my knowledge, those are true statements. Robbie From: Jennifer Tewksbury <jennifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org> Sent: Monday, June 1, 2020 9:37 PM To: Robbie Chartier <rchartier@co.okeechobee.fl.us> Subject: Info verification Hi Robbie, Can you confirm the following is true and correct to the best of your knowledge? I know we briefly discussed this in person but I'm just looking for official confirmation before sharing the information. City taxpayers have trusted Okeechobee County Fire Rescue to respond to EMS (emergency medical service) calls since 1980. The County has never been officially notified of unsatisfactory EMS service level or response times. The initial proposed contract with Okeechobee County provides for 6 new paramedic positions and 1 inspector. Okeechobee County Fire Rescue gives a local preference in hiring staff and currently has vacancies which need to be filled. No evidence has been provided to show a contract for services will cause a change in ISO ratings or subsequent increase or decrease in insurance rates. Thank you, Jennifer M. Tewksbury ECO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 863.467.0200 jgnnifer@economiccouncilofokeechobee.org 1679 NW 9th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972 www.economiccouncilofokeechobee.org 68 https:Boutttook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AQMkADVkMzczYjlhLWQONTctNDEI OC 1hYmEyLWVhOWU4NWU I YjMwMgBGAAADE9fCEpf WwO2`/o2FykciXW... 1./ 1