MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
FIRE COUNCIL OF THE CENTRAL MARIN FIRE AUTHORITY
250 DOHERTY DRIVE, LARKSPUR, CA 94939
WITH A VIDEOCONFERENCE OPTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THURSDAY, MAY 11, 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 May 11, 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 (CMFA) was called to order at 7:25PM at 250 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA 94939.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Eli Beckman, Council Member, Town of Corte Madera
Charles Lee, Council Vice Chair, Town of Corte Madera
Scot Candell, Council Member, City of Larkspur (Alternate in place of Catherine Way)
Kevin Haroff, Council Chair, City of Larkspur
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Ruben Martin, Fire Chief
Adam Wolff, Corte Madera Town Manager
Dan Schwarz, Larkspur City Manager
Daria Carrillo, Director of Finance, Town of Corte Madera (Virtual) Hamid Khalili, Captain, CMPA
Tom Bertrand, Authority Counsel
Lorena Barrera, Authority Clerk
II. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Chair Haroff opened up the item for public comment.
May 11, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
2 No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Chair Haroff closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
III. PRESENTATIONS – None
IV. REPORTS AND COMMENTS
The item concerning the Chief’s comments was heard before members of the Management Committee presented reports.
A. CHIEF’S COMMENTS
Fire Chief Ruben Martin welcomed everyone to the Fire Council meeting and thanked the councilmembers for supporting the recommended increase in benefits for new recruits at the February 9th Council meeting. He reported that the department has hired four new recruits, two of whom are entry-level and will be completing the training course on June 9th.
In response to Commissioner Candell, Chief Martin noted that the enhanced benefits package and reimbursement of up to 50% of tuition costs for paramedics is attracting candidates to the agency.
Chief Martin provided an update on the 2020-21 Facilities Master Plan, which determined the condition of the department’s buildings under Phase I, and the next study under Phase II will examine the number of calls and response times from each building location, which will guide future infrastructure investments.
Chief Martin reported on the following activities of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA): The annual defensible space inspection program which began in mid-April with the participation of 25 to 30 experienced and new inspectors; FY2023-24 work plans have been submitted to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Chief Martin also reported that CMFA officers participated in the “Touch Trucks Family Event” on May 7th, and that a high level draft of the Ross Valley Fire Department (RVFD) Shared Services Agreement has been completed. City Manager Schwarz confirmed that the Fire Council would review the document if CMFA and RVFD moved forward with a Shared Services Agreement and Chair Haroff thanked staff for their work on the agreement.
Chief Martin’s concluded his report by announcing that Battalion Chief Matt Cobb is retiring after 35 years of service with the City of Larkspur and CMFA.
B. COUNCIL MEMBERS
May 11, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
3 Councilmember Lee reported on an art exhibition sponsored by Fire Safe Grid and Marin Central Cultural Services at the Marin Wildfire Prevention Festival on May
20. C. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
City Manager Schwarz commented on the support from RVFD to merge programs funded by Measure C. Chair Haroff discussed the benefits of merging programs and services in Marin County and he thanked City Manager Schwarz and Chief Ruben for their efforts.
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
Chair Haroff 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 Haroff then called for a vote on the Consent Calendar.
MOTION: It was M/S/C Lee/Candell to approve Consent Calendar items V A-F.
Roll call vote: 4-0 in favor of the motion. (Ayes: Beckman, Candell, Haroff, Lee; Noes: None).
The approved Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
A. Approve Minutes of February 9, 2023 Regular Fire Council Meeting B. Accept the April 2023 General Fund Revenue and Expenditure Report C. Acknowledge and File Accounts Payable Checks, January 27 through April 28, 2023 and Transfers to Payroll Account, January 27 through April 28, 2023.
D. Accept the Central Marin and West Marin County Defensible Space and Home Hardening Inspection Program 2022 Annual Report
E. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2023/04 Approving the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 Publicly Available Pay Schedule Per CalPERS Requirements.
F. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2023/05 Approving the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 Publicly Available Pay Schedule Per CalPERS Requirements.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS
May 11, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
4 A. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2023/06 Approving the Fiscal Year the 2023-2024 Budget
Finance Director Daria Carrillo presented the staff report. Ms. Carrillo stated that the Budget includes four funds, including the General Fund, which is the Agency’s primary fund. She stated that expenses have increased in comparison to the current year budget due to out-of-county response costs, which were not included in the upcoming budget, but that revenue has increased. Ms. Carrillo discussed the increase in member contributions that provides most of the agency’s funding.
Ms. Carrillo discussed an increase in budgeted expenditures, including overtime costs, salaries, and CalPERS, and she noted that a payment for unfunded liabilities is unnecessary due to strong investment returns. Ms. Carrillo also noted that employer contributions for health insurance costs would be lower and that payroll and miscellaneous expenses would be higher for reasons she discussed.
Ms. Carrillo stated that the main increase in costs is attributed to outside services, which include an increase in the dispatch contract; fees for the dispatch service; ambulance gurney repair and the quality improvement program. Other increased costs include retiree benefits; vehicle maintenance repairs; supplies; transfers to other funds, including a payment for a new truck; increased workers’ compensation and liability insurance costs.
Ms. Carrillo concluded her report with a discussion on a 3% increase in the Measure C parcel tax revenue for the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, which will fund the following items and services: Salary and benefits of a hazard mitigation specialist; outside contracts for vegetation management; claims, premium costs and maintenance of sufficient reserves; lease payments for a fire truck and the purchase of a pick-up truck.
In response to Councilmember Candell, Ms. Carrillo explained that CalPERS offered the previous Fire Chief a two-year service credit on his retirement because they had also performed the duties of a Fire Marshal. Chief Martin discussed the increase in costs for the dispatch contract, which is attributed to a new dispatch center, and he noted that benefits have included a technology upgrade.
Chief Martin and Councilmember Candell discussed emergency calls, which Chief Martin confirmed were answered by the Sheriff’s Department prior to distribution.
Chief Martin elaborated on the reasons for an exclusive dispatch center for CMFD and the need for coordination between the emergency services.
Councilmember Lee and City Manager Schwarz discussed the possibility of purchasing electric trucks and vehicles in the future. City Manager Schwarz stated that there are only two fire truck manufacturers, which do not offer electric fire trucks. He noted that there might be opportunities to purchase other types of electric vehicles for the department, and a general discussion on alternative fuel May 11, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
5 vehicles followed. Chief Martin stated that a manufacturer is beta testing a fire truck.
Chair Haroff opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Chair Haroff closed the public comment and brought back the item for discussion and a possible motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Lee/Candell) to adopt Resolution No. 2023/06 approving the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget. Roll call vote: 4-0 in favor of the motion. (Ayes: Beckman, Candell, Haroff, Lee; Noes: None).
B. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2023/07 Approving a Shared Services Agreement Between the CMFA and the Regional Marin County Fire Agencies (RMCFA) for the Provision of Shared Services of Battalion Chiefs and Authorizing the Fire Authority Executive Manager to Execute the agreement.
Chief Martin presented the staff report. He provided background on discussions between CMFA and RMCFA senior staff during the pandemic about a regional shared service agreement for the hiring of Battalion Chiefs and key personnel on a temporary basis should the need arise due to staff shortages. He discussed the financial benefits of the arrangement and confirmed he has received a positive response from the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) 775 officials.
In response to Council Member Beckman, Chief Martin confirmed that a fire officer would be able to return to their unit or take a break if they did not wish to continue a temporary assignment.
In response to Council Member Lee, Chief Martin discussed the need for a training program relating to the topographical needs of fire departments in the County. He stated that fire officers would require training in order to work for another department on a temporary basis.
Chair Haroff opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Chair Haroff closed the public comment and brought back the item for discussion and a possible motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Beckman/Lee) to adopt Resolution No. 2023/07 Approving a Shared Services Agreement Between the CMFA and the RCFA for the Provision of Shared Services of Battalion Chiefs and Authorizing the Fire May 11, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
6 Authority Executive Manager to Execute the Agreement. Roll call vote: 4-0 in favor of the motion. (Ayes: Beckman, Candell, Haroff, Lee; Noes: None).
C. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2023/08 Authorizing CMFA to Utilize Corte Madera’s Purchasing Ordinance No. 1004 for the Purchase and Procurement of all Materials, Supplies, Equipment, and Services.
Chief Martin presented the staff report. He discussed the lack of a purchasing policy, which was highlighted during the last audit. He recommended adoption of the Town of Corte Madera’s purchasing policy because of the Authority’s shared use of the Finance Department. Chief Martin confirmed they have been following the policy.
Chair Haroff opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received from attendees or via email on this item.
Chair Haroff closed the public comment and brought back the item for discussion and a possible motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Lee/Beckman) to adopt Resolution No. 2023/08 Authorizing CMFA to Utilize Corte Madera’s Purchasing Ordinance No. 1004 for the Purchase and Procurement of all Materials, Supplies, Equipment, and Services. Roll call vote: 4-0 in favor of the motion. (Ayes: Beckman, Candell, Haroff, Lee; Noes: None).
V. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Haroff adjourned the Council Meeting at 8:16 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled for August 10, 2023.