STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of May 28, 2024
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBMITTED BY: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBJECT: Request for a Town Hall Meeting Regarding the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Long-term Sustainability Options RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff requests that the City Council discuss this item and provide direction.
BACKGROUND:
At the May 14, 2024, City Council meeting, Mayor Romero requested that a discussion item be placed on the City Council agenda to host a town hall meeting with the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District (RHFD) to discuss their analysis of the District’s long-term sustainability options.
DISCUSSION:
As the Council may recall, the RHFD has explored various options for achieving the long-term sustainability of the agency in the past. Most recently, in July 2023, the RHFD board approved a scope of work for a consultant to analyze the long-term sustainability needs of the agency. Since that time, the District and its consultant have evaluated the various programs, policies, and procedures to identify gaps in service, single points of failure, and efficient methods for achieving their strategic planning goals.
In December 2023, District staff and their consultant provided an update to the board on the findings of the analysis and the identified options for the long-term sustainability of the agency. The three options that were presented to the Board included:
Option A - Secure approximately $1.2 million per year in additional funding for the District to achieve a minimal level of self-sufficiency and limit risk and liability to the agency.
Option B - Contract services out to another fire agency.
Option C - Vote to have the District annexed into the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
According to District staff, in March 2024, an RFP for a contract for fire service was issued at the direction of the Board. The RFP did not yield any responsive bidders, which effectively removed the contract for service as a viable sustainability option. In April 2024, the Board directed staff to enter discussions with ConFire and explore the possibility of annexation.
At a special RHFD meeting on May 15, 2024, the RHFD Board voted to move forward with the following:
Direct staff to develop a Service Plan that meets LAFCo standards for RHFD board review.
Direct staff to host at least (2) Town Hall style meetings to provide the community with an overview of the proposal and answer any specific questions from stakeholders.
Coordinate another RHFD special meeting to review the findings and, with board support, vote on a resolution to annex.
The District has scheduled a Town Hall style meeting for Hercules, on June 18th at 6 pm at City Hall. There will also be one in Rodeo on June 29th at 9 am.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None because of this action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1 - RHFD Special Board Meeting Agenda-December 13, 2023 2 - RHFD Special Board Meeting Agenda-May 15, 2024
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