Administrative
Report
N.2., File # 22-3978 Meeting Date: 4/19/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE COMPLETION OF A FEASIBILITY
STUDY FOR THE PROVISION OF FIRE SERVICES IN THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH BY THE
CONSOLIDATED FIRE PREVENTION DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the Strategic Plan, the City Council approved a six-month objective to “review the scope of contract fire services to be studied by Los Angeles County with the Redondo Beach Firefighters Association and provide a report to Council for consideration of requesting the completion of a County Fire Study.”
This effort builds on work initiated in 2018 that resulted in the preparation of an initial Feasibility Study by LA County for the provision of Fire Protection, Paramedic, Marine and Incidental Services in Redondo Beach that was presented to City Council on April 16, 2019. Per the Strategic Plan Objective, staff has consulted with the Redondo Beach Firefighters Association (RBFA), and the County’s area Assistant Fire Chief, to ensure subsequent study efforts include a comprehensive review of the services currently delivered by the Redondo Beach Fire Department and are responsive to the type and level of fire service ultimately desired by the City Council and community.
It is staff’s recommendation that the City Council provide direction on the scope of services to be requested from the County as part of the updated Feasibility Study.
BACKGROUND
The City Council initiated work with the Fire Authority in 2018 to complete a preliminary Feasibility Study, and the City moved through steps one through five of the ten-step evaluation process (see attached). These efforts resulted in the Feasibility Study (dated January 2019) that was presented to Council on April 16, 2019.
Working to satisfy the Strategic Plan Objective established by the City Council, the Fire Chief facilitated a meeting between City management staff and Executive Board members of the RBFA to discuss the Feasibility Study and any additional service items that should be included in the updated request to the County.
Several key items were identified that will improve the accuracy of the Feasibility Study and make it reflective of the current operations and best practices now in place to ensure the community receives the highest standard of fire service. In addition to the basic information that was provided to the County at the start of the January 2019 Study regarding the Fire Department’s general budget, level
N.2., File # 22-3978 Meeting Date: 4/19/2022
County at the start of the January 2019 Study regarding the Fire Department’s general budget, level of staffing, number of stations, amount and type of equipment etc., it is recommended that the City also ask the County to consider and provide costing for 1) Emergency Management training and administrative services 2) training and support of the City’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), 3) committing to community engagement activities, 4) providing special event support and evaluation, 5) continuing the Department’s equipment/apparatus replacement schedule, 6) implementing tiered dispatch and enhancing the flexibility and precision of paramedic response, and 7) continuing any other operational changes the City elects to pursue as a result of the recently completed Fire Department Assessment.
If the City Council elects to move forward with the Feasibility Study, staff will update the data provided for the initial Feasibility Study, in conjunction with the RBFA, document the additional items identified by Council in the requested scope of review and transmit the information to the County. The County will then analyze the new material and revise the Feasibility Study before submitting it to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for consideration of approval and transmittal to the City.
Upon receipt of the refreshed Feasibility Study, Council will then have the option to approve a Survey Reimbursement Agreement with the County, for an estimated cost of $30,000, to complete further evaluation of City fire facilities, equipment, and vehicles and begin service agreement negotiations that would determine the final scope of services, ongoing pricing, and County conversion costs. The negotiated draft service agreement would then provide the basis for the City Council to decide to accept or reject the option to transition fire services to the LA County Fire District.
Following direction from Council, staff will engage the County, and resume the evaluation process.
County Fire personnel have confirmed the County’s ability to continue the study and collaborate with the City to move the process forward. Staff anticipate that it will take 3-4 months to prepare the information submittal and receive the updated Study from the County.
COORDINATION
The City Manager’s Office coordinated the preparation of this report with the Redondo Beach Fire Department and LA County’s area Assistant Fire Chief.
FISCAL IMPACT
A one-time General Fund appropriation of $30,000 was approved as part of the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year Budget for the Survey Reimbursement Agreement (second phase of the feasibility review). The cost of the reimbursement agreement is expected to be within the budgeted amount.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Questionnaire for Preliminary Evaluation
2. Guidelines and Processes-Requests for Fire District Services
3. 2019 LA County Fire Feasibility Study