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OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
COUNCIL MINUTES
September 21, 2009
The City Council of the City of Mesa met in a Study Session in the lower level meeting room of the Council Chambers, 57 East 1st Street, on September 21, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT |
COUNCIL ABSENT |
OFFICERS PRESENT |
Mayor Scott Smith |
None |
Christopher Brady |
Alex Finter |
Debbie Spinner | |
Dina Higgins |
Linda Crocker | |
Kyle Jones |
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Dennis Kavanaugh |
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Dave Richins Scott Somers |
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1. Review items on the agenda for the September 21, 2009 Regular Council Meeting.
All of the items on the agenda were reviewed among Council and staff and the following was noted:
Conflicts of interest declared: None
Items added to the consent agenda: None
Items removed from the consent agenda: None
2. Hear a presentation, discuss and provide direction on the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Grant.
Assistant Police Chief John Meza displayed a PowerPoint presentation (see Attachment 1) to provide an overview of the COPS hiring grant, which provides 100 percent funding of entry level salaries and benefits for three years for 25 newly-hired officers. He added that at the conclusion of Federal funding, Mesa must retain all sworn officer positions for twelve months. Chief Meza outlined the program assignments for the additional 25 officers:
• Three officers to the M.E.S.A. Program, which is a cooperative effort with Mesa Public Schools that provides prevention/intervention programs to at-risk youth.
• Three School Resource Officers (SROs) with school assignments to be determined based on the need at the time the officers are available in 2011.
In response to a question from Councilmember Kavanaugh, Chief Meza stated that a change by Mesa Public Schools to a four-year high school rather than three years would result in a reevaluation of the SRO Program to ensure compliance with the grant criteria and to assess the manner in which the best coverage can be provided.
• 16 officers to the Community Intervention Neighborhood Enforcement Team, with four officers assigned to each Police District that are able to respond to the needs that may be unique to that area.
• 4 Domestic Violence Detectives for the Center Against Family Violence, which provides the additional staffing required to address both the victim and the suspect without pulling a unit off the streets.
Responding to a question from Mayor Smith, Chief Meza confirmed that the information being presented is the same as the information in the original grant proposal.
Assistant Police Chief Mike Dvorak reviewed the total costs for the four-year period (see Page 4 of Attachment 1).
In response to a question from Councilmember Richins, Chief Dvorak advised that the Year One costs include vehicles that are fully outfitted and reflect the maximum costs to the City.
Chief Dvorak responded to a question from Councilmember Finter by advising that although recruits spend the first five months in the Academy, the costs related to the recruits begin immediately. Chief Dvorak displayed a chart that outlined the recruitment and training timeline (see Page 5 of Attachment 1).
Responding to a question from Councilmember Richins, Chief Meza explained that the new officers would be assigned to patrol units and more experienced officers would fill the positions outlined earlier in the presentation.
City Manager Christopher Brady stated that Mesa was one of the few cities to receive full grant funding for 25 new officers, and he commended the Police Department for their efforts in preparing the grant application.
Mayor Smith noted that Mesa was one of few cities in the country and the only city in Arizona to receive grant funding for 25 new officers.
Mr. Brady advised that staff recommends that the City move forward to hire the 25 officers, and he stated that the funding for the first year is included in the current budget. He added that staff plans to incorporate the costs for future years into the forecast as a future obligation. Mr. Brady recommended that funds be set aside each year in order to minimize the impact of the costs for Year Four. He added that if Council directs staff to move forward, a resolution would be presented for Council consideration at the first meeting in October.
Discussion ensued relative to the fact that by accepting the grant funding the City is obligated to maintain the 25 positions during the four-year period; that at the conclusion of the four-year period, the 25 officers could address positions lost to attrition; that the 25 new officers would be identified as “grant funded” positions; and that the costs include anticipated increases in salary, cost of living adjustments and benefits.
Councilmember Somers noted that although the City’s “Part 1” crimes (homicide, manslaughter, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny/theft, vehicle theft and arson) have been decreasing over the past three years, the number of domestic violence calls have been increasing.
Responding to a question from Councilmember Somers, Chief Dvorak explained that the 25 officers would be available to replace senior patrol officers who can then be transferred into the specialized positions, such as Domestic Violence Detectives.
Mayor Smith noted that the consensus of the Council was that staff is directed to move forward to recruit and hire 25 police officers. He thanked staff for the presentation.
3. Hear a presentation and discuss the Regional Ambulance Services Request for Proposal. (Related to Item 4d on the September 21st Regular Agenda).
Mayor Smith stated that the Council would be addressing this issue on the agenda for the Regular Council Meeting to be held later this evening.
Assistant Fire Chief Mary Cameli introduced Procurement Services Director Ed Quedens and Deputy City Attorney Alfred Smith, and she stated that they were present to provide an update on the proposal for Regional Ambulance Services and answer any questions. Chief Cameli displayed a PowerPoint presentation (see Attachment 2) and noted that the Council previously approved a process to implement a Regional transportation service involving Apache Junction, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Mesa. She advised that the most important benefits of the regional approach are improved customer service and enhanced patient care.
Responding to a request from Mayor Smith, Chief Cameli explained that the ambulance service provider would be awarded the right to provide service in the four communities. She stated that the ambulance company bills the patient for services and that there is no cost to the City.
Mr. Quedens advised that the Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on June 2nd and that two protests and appeals were received from PMT Ambulance, both of which were denied. He reported that Southwest Ambulance was the only response received and that the Evaluation Team (five representatives from the four agencies, one representative from the Phoenix Fire Department, and one former Mesa City Councilmember) determined that Southwest Ambulance would provide the needed services. He added that the final contract requires the approval of the Arizona Department of Health Services.
In response to a question from Mayor Smith, Mr. Quedens stated that PMT protested the requirement that the companies responding to the RFP hold a Certificate of Necessity.
Deputy City Attorney Alfred Smith explained that a Certificate of Necessity is a document issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services that authorizes an ambulance company to provide service in a particular community. He said that companies responding to the RFP were required to have the Certificate of Necessity by August 3rd.
Mr. Brady stated that companies were provided with sufficient notice regarding the requirement for a Certificate of Necessity, and he also noted that PMT failed to initiate an application for a certificate prior to August 3rd.
Responding to a question from Councilmember Kavanaugh, Mr. Smith advised that the Council’s affirmative vote on agenda item 4d at the Regular Council meeting would authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contract, in conjunction with the other municipalities, which must be submitted to the Department of Health Services (DHS) for final approval. He added that DHS also establishes the rates that Southwest Ambulance may charge.
Mr. Brady stated that all four communities would be able to enjoy the same level of service, and he asked Chief Cameli to list some of the requirements in the RFP.
Chief Cameli reported that key items agreed to by Southwest Ambulance in their response to the RFP were as follows: uniformity of equipment on the ambulances serving the Region, specific response times, and the utilization of newer technology.
Mayor Smith noted that currently each community has different standards for ambulance equipment, and he stated that the Regional approach will ensure the same high standard for all four communities.
Mr. Brady stated that because the four cities already share the same dispatch and radio systems and participate in automatic aid response, the move to a Regional ambulance service is a logical approach.
Councilmember Somers noted that another difference between communities in the Valley is the staffing requirements on the ambulances. He explained that City of Mesa fire trucks include paramedics and when certain treatments are required, the City’s paramedics must accompany the patient to the hospital because ambulances staffed by Emergency Medical Technicians are not qualified to accompany the patient.
Mayor Smith stated the opinion that although the City does not pay for the service, it is important to establish a high standard of service for all four communities.
Chief Cameli noted that DHS has the authority to change items in the contract that impact the rates charged to customers. She advised that staff is requesting that the Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Southwest Ambulance.
Councilmember Somers expressed support for the Regional approach, and he suggested that other items be addressed such as requiring that ambulances respond to non-critical calls from nursing homes rather than dispatching fire trucks.
Mr. Brady recommended that the subject be an item for future Council discussion. He noted that the contract negotiations for Regional Transportation Services are limited to the requirements listed in the RFP.
Councilmember Somers explained that nursing homes often call 911 for non-critical service when an ambulance company provides an estimated time of arrival that they believe is unsatisfactory. He stated that ambulances that are contracted for with the City could respond to these types of calls.
Mayor Smith advised that the Council would consider providing authorization to the City Manager to negotiate and enter into an agreement under item 4d on the Regular Council agenda this evening. He thanked staff for the presentation.
4. Appointments to Boards and Committees.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
Jeff Pitcher Expiration of Term: June 30, 2012
LIGHT RAIL STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mayor Smith reported that many individuals expressed an interest in serving on the Light Rail Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which will be chaired by Vice Mayor Jones. He recommended that all citizens who expressed an interest (see Attachment 3) be appointed to serve on the Committee in order to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in the process.
It was moved by Councilmember Somers, seconded by Vice Mayor Jones, that the Council concur with the Mayor’s recommendations and the appointments be confirmed.
Carried unanimously.
5. Hear reports on meetings and/or conferences attended.
Councilmember Somers: District 6 Building Strong Neighborhoods Event.
6. Scheduling of meetings and general information.
City Manager Christopher Brady stated that the meeting schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 6:00 p.m. – Mayor’s Conversation with the Community
Thursday, September 24, 2009, 7:30 a.m. – Study Session (Cancelled)
Thursday, September 24, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – Audit & Finance Committee Meeting
Friday, September 25, 2009, 2:30 p.m. – City of Mesa Day of Play
Saturday, September 26, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – National Emergency Preparedness 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2008, 5:10 p.m. – A.T. Still University Fundraiser at the
Diamondbacks’ game at Chase Field
7. Adjournment.
Without objection, the Study Session adjourned at 5:31 p.m.
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SCOTT SMITH, MAYOR
ATTEST:
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LINDA CROCKER, CITY CLERK
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Study Session of the City Council of Mesa, Arizona, held on the 21st day of September, 2009. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
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LINDA CROCKER, CITY CLERK
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Attachments (3)