City of Gonzales
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: May 19, 2025
FROM: Mike Howard, Finance Director
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2025-21 MOU with International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5388
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council of the City of Gonzales adopt Resolution No.2025-21, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Gonzales and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5388 Memorandum of Understanding, for the period covering January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
BACKGROUND
In September 2023 the City of Gonzales reached an agreement and City Council approved a new Memorandum of Understanding with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5388 for a period covering January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024.
About January 2025 the City was notified by the Association of their desire to enter into negotiations for a successor agreement. Negotiations then began in about February 2025.
The City was notified on May 12, 2025 that the Tentative Agreement reached on May 9th was considered ratified by the Local 5388, since the majority of the members were present at negotiations.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
As referenced in the background the City and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5388 began negotiations for a successor Memorandums of Understanding for the expiring Memorandum of Understanding.
AGENDA
ITEM
18 During the period of negotiations, the two parties came to a final Tentative Agreement on May 9, 2025.
Key items in the new MOU for the City of Gonzales Fire Fighters are listed below. All other provisions of the existing MOU remain the same.
• The term of the MOU will be 1 year, retroactive to January 1, 2025 • Effective the first full pay period in January 2025 an increase in base pay of 3% • Effective the first full pay period in January 2025 employee monthly contributions to Health Care will change as follows (which will be the first pay period of February):
Premium Classification Current Contribution New Contribution Employee Only $0.00 $125.00
Employee + Dependent $106.62 $175.00
Employee + Spouse $106.62 $175.00
Employee + Family $341.30 $475.00
Additionally, the association Members and the City shall share 50% / 50% in any premium increases imposed after the effective date of this Memorandum of Understanding. • The following Standing Orders will be added:
Standing Order #13
Out of Service Apparatus Procedures:
The Fire Chief will be immediately notified of any conditions that require or may require any piece of apparatus to be taken out of service. The Chief will make the determination as to whether repairs can be done by City personnel or outside contractors, and provide directions to the officer on duty.
In the event the Fire Chief cannot be immediately notified, the officer on Duty will notify the City Manager that conditions exist requiring apparatus to be placed out of service. The following notifications will then be made by the officer on Duty:
1. Firecom will be notified by phone or radio, approximate duration of time out of service will be given and substitute apparatus will be logged on.
2. Auto aid partners (Regional Chualar Station and CTF) will be notified by phone (Type 1 and Water Tender only)
3. City mechanic will be notified by phone if on duty.
If the City Mechanic is unavailable, minor repairs such as light replacement should be attempted by the on duty crew. For tire repair issues contact D&J Tire for 24/7 emergency service (831) 776-7520. In the event the apparatus needs to be towed, request a tow truck of appropriate size for the apparatus through fire communications.
Apparatus Substitutions:
In the event the primary type 1 engine needs to be taken out of service, the secondary type 1 engine will be immediately equipped and placed in service. In the event both type 1 engines are out of service Patrol 8151 will be equipped with EMS and extrication equipment and shall respond in place of the type one engine to all incident types not including fires. Water tender 8141 will respond in place of the type 1 engine to all types of fires. The officer in charge shall request mutual aid type one engines if the incident type is beyond the ability of the in service apparatus (ladder needs, or increased pump capacity requirements)
No substitutions need be made in the case of Patrol 8151 or Water tender 8141 being taken out of service.
Standing order #14
Incident reporting:
It is the responsibility of the on duty Captain, or firefighter acting as Captain to complete all incident reports for all incidents that occur during their time as shift supervisor. The subordinate may assist with reporting for training purposes.
The Captain has the responsibility to forward the details of any incident eligible for cost recovery to the Fire Chief.
Standing order #15
EMS equipment complement:
The complement of EMS equipment carried in each bag and on each apparatus shall adhere to the posted complement list. No substitutions of equipment or supplies shall be made without notifying the Fire Chief. In the event supplies or equipment are out of stock, the Chief shall be notified immediately so equipment can be ordered, and all shift supervisors will be notified. The Captain is responsible for assuring the EMS equipment is fully stocked and ready for use before being relieved.
Standing order #16
Apparatus and equipment fueling:
Apparatus shall be refueled when the fuel level reaches three quarters of a tank. Gasoline powered portable equipment shall be refueled after each use with fuel from the supply located at the fire station, the fuel carried on the apparatus is for use on incident scenes only.
Standing order #17
Apparatus parking:
Personnel shall not dismount the apparatus until the operator applies the parking brake. The operator shall not move the apparatus without communicating the move to personnel on the ground.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: The proposed MOU supports the vision by maintaining stability for the one year period in a critical public safety function that is necessary to maintain a safe family-friendly community.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ___No ___ NA
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. __X_ Yes ___No _ NA Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision
Strong fiscal reporting allows us to provide appropriate resources for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain: A stable organization is needed to ensure a high level of service necessary to promote public safety for the community and to maintain the City’s infrastructure.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council has the authority to not approve the MOU and direct staff to continue negotiations with further policy direction. While this action is not recommended, should this occur, the existing employment practices would continue until a MOU is approved.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the current fiscal year budget. The amount of the negotiated agreement is in line with the budget.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council of the City of Gonzales adopt Resolution No.2025-21, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Gonzales and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5388 Memorandum of Understanding, for the period covering January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
Attachments:
1. Resol 25-21 MOU with IAFF Local 5388