MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
FIRE COUNCIL OF THE CENTRAL MARIN FIRE AUTHORITY
HELD VIA ZOOM VIDEOCONFERENCE
ON
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023
AT 6:30 P.M.
Or upon conclusion of the CMPA Police Council meeting, whichever is later Pursuant to Government code section 54953(e) the February 9, 2023 Regular Fire Council meeting will be conducted telephonically through Zoom. Please be advised that pursuant to Government Code section 54953(e), the Authority will not provide a physical location from which the public may attend or comment.
I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL
The Regular Meeting of the Fire Council of the Central Marin Fire Authority was called to order at 6:03 p.m. via Zoom videoconference.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Eli Beckman, Council Chair, Town of Corte Madera
Charles Lee, Council Member, Town of Corte Madera
Catherine Way, Council Member, City of Larkspur
Kevin Haroff, Council Member, City of Larkspur
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Adam Wolff, Corte Madera Town Manager
Dan Schwarz, Larkspur City Manager
Ruben Martin, Fire Chief
Tom Bertrand, Authority Counsel
Lorena Barrera, Authority Clerk
II. URGENCY ACTION
A. Resolution No. 2023/01 – Authorizing remote teleconference meetings of the Central Marin Fire Authority Council pursuant to Brown Act provisions February 9 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
2 Authority Clerk Lorena Barrera introduced the item and presented the staff report. There were no questions from the Council members or public comment.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Way/Lee) to approve Resolution No. 2023/01 – Authorizing remote teleconference meetings of the Central Marin Fire Authority Council pursuant to Brown Act provisions, which carried by the following vote:
Roll call vote: 4-0 in favor of the motion. (Ayes: Beckman, Haroff, Lee, Way; Noes: None).
III. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Chair Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Chair Beckman closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
IV. PRESENTATIONS
A. Central Marin Fire Authority (CMFA) End of the 2022 Calendar Year Report Fire Chief Ruben Martin presented the End of 2022 Calendar Year Report. He began the discussion with CMFA’s Mission and philosophy and goals. He confirmed that the department responds to all emergencies and that the aim is to be recognized as a leader in the services provided to the community, which he discussed.
Chief Martin discussed revenue sources, most of which is provided by the two member agencies, and additional funding is provided by Measure C, permit fees and other miscellaneous fees. The largest expenditure is labor costs; Measure C funds are used for wildfire preparedness and fire prevention costs. Other expenditures include insurance, supplies, PPE, and vehicle maintenance.
Chief Martin discussed the CMFA’s organizational chart and noted that the Fire Council is the governing body. He also discussed the three shifts that work 2 days on/4 days off at 4 stations and the personnel on each shift; the four major divisions including Administration, Fire Prevention Bureau, Training and Operations. The Administration team oversees organizational planning, strategic planning, budget and recruitment; the Fire Prevention Bureau includes fire engines that play an important role in the inspection program and activities in the community. He noted that the Marin County Fire Prevention Officers meet monthly where discussions include code adoption to ensure continuity throughout the County.
February 9 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
3 Chief Martin discussed a wildfire risk reduction program that is funded by Measure C for the County, which was passed by the voters in 2020 and raises approximately $20 million annually. CMFA receives 40% of the taxes received by the two jurisdictions (approximately $800,000 annually), which funds defensible space home inspections and local mitigation projects. The remaining 60% of the tax measure is shared between agencies in central Marin, some of which is funding the 17-mile Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break. Additional funds include approximately $150,000 from Corte Madera’s Measure F, which can be used for fuel reduction abatement. Chief Martin discussed the number of home inspections and property abatements that occurred in the past year.
Chief Martin moved on to discuss the hours of training for new recruits; continuing education and training for all employees; calls for service during 2022, of which almost 61% were for EMS, and peak trends in calls from 2019 through 2022. He confirmed there were approximately 300 calls per month and that Station 16 in Greenbrae was the busiest station last year.
Chief Marin concluded his report with images of a recent fire in Corte Madera.
In response to Council Member Way, Chief Martin confirmed that the Greenbrae station responds to calls at San Quentin State Prison.
In response to Council Member Lee, Chief Martin stated that most reimbursement is from insurance companies or Medicare/Medicaid for ambulance transportation and that fire responses are funded from the General Fund and tax measures.
Chair Beckman opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Chair Beckman closed public comment and brought back the item for discussion.
There were no further questions from the Council Members and Chair Beckman thanked Chief Martin for his report.
V. REPORTS AND COMMENTS
A. COUNCIL MEMBERS
No report was provided.
B. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
City Manager Dan Schwarz clarified reports that discussions between the City of Larkspur, the Town of San Anselmo, CMFA and Ross Valley Fire Department relating to merging fire services were not substantiated.
February 9 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
4 Town Manager Wolff left the meeting.
In response to Council Member Way, Chief Martin stated that he understood Ross Valley Fire Department would not have an interim fire chief if the current fire chief retires or leaves the department.
C. CHIEF’S COMMENTS
Fire Chief Ruben Martin thanked the Fire Fighters’ Association and the Police Officers’ Association for the 2022 Holiday Drive, which raised $6,000 and benefited 90 kids .
Chief Ruben reported on the retirement of Battalion Chief Dan Reese and Fire Engineer Erik Van Renselaar, and four new staff promotions and three promotions that were made during the Pandemic.
Chief Martin also reported on a three-alarm fire in San Anselmo and he provided a slide presentation on a house fire on Palm Avenue in Corte Madera. Chief Martin discussed the challenges of fighting the fire, including a very narrow road, and he commended his officers for ensuring the fire was contained to one dwelling.
Council Member Way and Chief Martin discussed the need to reassess parking on narrow roads.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
Chair Beckman asked if there were public comments or requests from Council or the public for removal of items from the Consent Calendar. There were no comments received from online attendees and no comments received by email, and no requests were received from the Council or the public to remove items from the Consent Calendar.
Chair Beckman then called for a vote on the Consent Calendar.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Lee/Way) to approve Consent Calendar items VI A-D.
Roll call vote: 4-0 in favor of the motion. (Ayes: Beckman, Haroff, Lee, Way; Noes: None).
The approved Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
A. Approve Minutes of November 10, 2022 Regular Fire Council Meeting B. Accept General Fund Revenue and Expenditure Report for January, 2023 February 9 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
5 C. Acknowledge and File Accounts Payable Checks, November 1, 2022 through January 26, 2023 and Transfers to Payroll Account, November 2022 through January 26, 2023
D. Accept the Central Marin Fire Authority Annual Independent Audit Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2022
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2023/02 Approving Revisions to the General Fund and Equipment Fund Budgets for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year
Daria Carillo, Director of Finance, Town of Corte Madera, introduced the item.
Ms. Carillo stated that the items included in the proposed budget revision relate to the General Fund and Equipment Fund for the current year, and she confirmed that there would be no impacts to the ending balance of both funds as a result of the budget revisions.
Ms. Carillo discussed the proposed revisions that would increase General Fund revenue, which were not included in the adopted budge, and included interest earnings, donations and state reimbursements for out-of-county responses. She noted that expenditures equaled increased revenue and included overtime pay, increased health benefits due to recent retirees who were entitled to health benefits, and new computer equipment and IT support, and increased contributions to the Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA).
Ms. Carillo noted the proposed revisions to the Equipment Fund Budget and she confirmed the additional contributions that will be made by member agencies for last year’s deficit were not included in the current budget.
Chair Beckman asked for questions from the Council. No questions were given.
Chair Beckman opened up the item for public comment. No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Chair Beckman closed public comment and brought back the item for discussion and a possible motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Lee/Way) to approve Resolution No. 2023/02 Approving Revisions to the General Fund and Equipment Fund Budgets for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year. Roll call vote: 4-0 in favor of the motion. (Ayes: Beckman, Haroff, Lee, Way; Noes: None)
February 9 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
6 B. Consideration and Possible Action to Authorize the New Lease Agreement for the Purchase of a New Hi-Tech Type III Wildland Fire Engine from Community Leasing Partners
Fire Chief Ruben Martin provided background information on the previous authorization to purchase a new Hi-Tech Type III Wildland Fire Engine. He discussed the significant cost increase following authorization, and the current request for authorization from the Executive Management Committee to execute the lease agreement for the engine from a different agency than the original request.
In response to Council Member Lee, Chief Martin discussed the advantages of the Type III engine, which he stated is more effective for fighting wildland fires than traditional engines, such as the Type 1 engine.
Chair Beckman opened up the item for public comment. No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Chair Beckman closed public comment and brought back the item for discussion and a possible motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Way/Lee) to approve a New Lease Agreement for the Purchase of a New Hi-Tech Type III Wildland Fire Engine from Community Leasing Partners. Roll call vote: 4-0 in favor of the motion. (Ayes: Beckman, Haroff, Lee, Way; Noes: None)
C. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2023/03 Authorizing the Executive Management Committee the Ability to Offer an Enhanced Benefits Package and Paramedic School Tuition Reimbursement for New Employees Fire Chief Ruben Martin discussed recruitment challenges, which included a lack of qualified applicants and competition with other hiring fire department agencies.
Chief Martin discussed solutions other agencies are employing, and he suggested that CMFA should consider providing paramedic training cost reimbursement to new hires and enhanced benefits to current employees who are considering moving to another agency.
In response to Council Member Way, Counselor Bertrand stated that it would not be unlawful to require a new employee to remain with the agency for a certain length of time before considering other employment, in exchange for reimbursement of training costs.
February 9 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
7 City Manager Schwarz noted that CFMA would be competing with other agencies that fund training for paramedics, regardless of whether they pass.
Council Member Lee recommended a vesting structure that would reimburse training costs on a sliding scale based on the amount of time an employee remained with the agency, to which there was general agreement by the remaining councilmembers.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Way) to approve Adoption of Resolution No. 2023/03 Authorizing the Executive Management Committee the Ability to Offer an Enhanced Benefits Package and Paramedic School Tuition Reimbursement for New Employees and Consider a Sliding Scale Vesting Structure of Reimbursement. Roll call vote: 4-0 in favor of the motion. (Ayes: Beckman, Haroff, Lee, Way; Noes: None)
B. Discussion of Changes to the Authorization of Teleconference/Remote Meetings of the Central Marin Fire Authority Council and Announcement of the Facilitation Format of Future Fire Council Meetings
Fire Marshal Ruben led a discussion on the return to in person public meetings.
City Manager Schwarz summarized the discussions by Central Marin Police Council to upgrade the audiovisual system in CMPA’s conference room to allow in person/teleconference public meetings. In the near term, City/Town Council Chambers could be used to hold hybrid meetings to allow the public to attend via teleconference.
Chair Beckman confirmed he would support the decision made by the CMPC on which the remaining Council Members serve.
E Appointment of the Central Marin Fire Council Officers Chair Beckman nominated Vice-Chair Haroff, Larkspur, to serve as Chair of the Fire Council of the Central Marin Fire Authority for 2023-24, which was seconded by Council Member Way.
Vice Chair Way nominated Council Member Lee, Larkspur, to serve as Vice Chair of the Fire Council of the Central Marin Fire Authority for 2023-24.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Beckman adjourned the Council Meeting at 7:53 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for May 11, 2023.
February 9 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
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