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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-12-17 - Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes December 17, 1996 AGENDA VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1996, 7:30 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC HEARING: 1. CONTRACT WITH RURAL/METRO FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC., FOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES. RESOLUTIONS: 2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH RURAL/METRO FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC., FOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES. 3. CHECK REGISTER. NEXT MEETING DATES: REGULAR MEETING-- TUESDAY,DECEMBER 24, 1996 CANCELED FOR HOLIDAY AGENDA MEETING-- TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1996 REGULAR MEETING-- TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1996 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING 00629 I VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK BOARD OF TRUSTEES - VILLAGE OFFICES 90 SOUTH RIDGE STREET RYE BROOK, NEW YORK DECEMBER 17, 1996 7:30 P.M. CONVENE MEETING Mayor Cresenzi called the Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. The following members of the Board of Trustees were present: Mayor Salvatore M. Cresenzi Trustee Joseph Pellino Trustee Eugene R. Strum Trustee Nancy Stein Tunis Trustee Gary J. Zuckerman Village staff attending the meeting were: Village Administrator Christopher J. Russo Assistant to the Administrator Richard C. Slingerland Secretary to the Village Board Lisa B. Marinaccio Police Chief Robert J. Santoro Fire Chief William Dee McCluskey PUBLIC HEARING: 1. CONTRACT WITH RURAL/METRO FIRE DEPARTMENT,INC.. FOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES: Mayor Cresenzi commenced the public hearing. He stated that the Board of Trustees has been reviewing the issue of fire protection since last December. The Village Board sought an alternative fire service because of the Village of Port Chester's fire service cost increases over which the Village of Rye Brook had no control. There was unfair cost sharing and Rye Brook was not allowed any input or operational and financial oversight. Mayor Cresenzi stated that the Village of Rye Brook attempted to rectify these problems and was unsuccessful at working out an agreement with the Village of Port Chester. Rye Brook had also tried to negotiate an agreement with representatives of the Local Union of the Uniformed Firefighters of New York State, but their proposal was too expensive --they had projected the Village would need 40 paid firemen at an annual cost of$2 million. Mayor Cresenzi stated the following reasons that the Village of Rye Brook chose to go with Rural/Metro: 1. Rural/Metro was a very good financial deal for the Village of Rye Brook. 006298 December 17, 1996 2. The contract was tailored to the Village of Rye Brook's needs. 3. For the first time equipment and manpower have been stationed within the Village of Rye Brook. 4. The Village of Rye Brook received sufficient equipment and manpower for our everyday needs. 5. We have continuous training of our firefighters (training that goes on daily). 6. So far eight of the nine full time firemen are National Fire Protection Association(N.F.P.A) 1001 certified which is a national accreditation which exceeds the New York State requirements for full-time firefighters. 7. There will be flexibility for them to adapt to the Village's needs as the Village changes and grows. 8. There will be a very close working relationship between the schools, businesses and homeowners. 9. There is a strong commitment to prevention as a means of fire control. 10. The Village is working on a sprinkler ordinance which has not yet been completed, but is in the discussion stage and will soon better serve the residents. Mayor Cresenzi announced that Rye Brook has established control of its fire service costs for a period of at least five years. He reiterated that this is the best deal for the Village of Rye Brook. He stated, "The Village had an independent fire study done by Carroll Buracker and Associates, a nationally accredited and known firm that has recently done work for the L.A. Fire Department. The firm of Carroll Buracker and Associates knows the business and has worked on previous studies for Rye Brook; in 1992 they performed a study of the Port Chester Fire Department for Rye Brook." Mayor Cresenzi introduced Mr. Les Adams from Carroll Buracker&Associates to make his presentation. Mr. Adams thanked the Mayor and the Board, and explained that his firm's 160 page evaluation of the Rural/Metro Fire Department was issued on February 20, 1996. He mentioned his credentials as a retired fire chief who had studied over 150 fire departments and noted that he had never studied Rural/Metro or any other private fire department. He reported that the only private companies he had studied were private E.M.S. companies. Mr. Adams proceeded to the Executive Summary of the report. Mr. Adams said the services provided by four personnel responding on three engines and a quint, a combination ladder truck and a pumper, are all located within the Village. Rye Brook now has control over its fire department which was an issue of concern when the study of the Port Chester Fire Department was done in 1992. Rye Brook now has paid and reserve firefighters trained to provide at least first responder E.M.S. Many of the firefighters are E.M.T.s trained to national standards. Mr. Adams said that they are all well trained and his report provides a detailed analysis of the firefighters' and reservists' training. One of the things he found impressive was that even though the fire department was studied when it was approximately two weeks old, it was operating as if its safety procedures had been in place in Rye Brook for many years. Mr. Adams said that the service provided to Rye Brook by Rural/Metro was something that he believed the residents of Rye Brook should be proud of and feel comfortable with. He reported that a comparison with National Standards found that without exception the Department meets or exceeds nationally recognized standards. He concluded his report and offered to answer any questions. 006299 December 17, 1996 Mayor Cresenzi asked if there was anyone who wished to comment at this time. Trustee Strum asked for a comparison between the level of service that Rye Brook would receive from Rural/Metro and the level of service that Rye Brook had received before this arrangement. Mr. Adams replied that the service under the current contract is significantly better, particularly in the area of response times. Also, the fire department now provides E.M.S., building plan reviews and pre-fire planning. Mayor Cresenzi asked Administrator Russo to review some major highlights of the contract. They included the following: 1. Recitals were substantially expanded to reflect the events of the past I 1 months. One of the items added was Rural/Metro's policy requiring alcohol and drug free fire stations and service with periodic testing. 2. A section in the contract provides for the availability of Rural/Metro's national response team in the event of some catastrophe or emergency. 3. The agreement was clarified to include some specifics that had been totally added along the lines of the language in the contract that Rye Brook had been working under to date, including: A. Ownership of the equipment was clarified regarding which equipment is owned by Rye Brook and which equipment is owned by Rural/Metro Corporation; B. Equipment listings were updated to reflect the two defibrillators that will be used by the trained medical personnel of Rural/Metro; C. A paragraph was added to provide for Rye Brook's purchase of the fire pre-plans, water flow data base and other proprietary programs and information used by Rural/Metro. This will be advantageous to the Village if and when a change is ever made in the fire service. D. A section was also included in this contract to provide for a smooth transition in the event of an adverse court decision or change in New York State Law assuring that there would not be an abrupt halt in service; and E. Response standards have been added for reserves in Appendix E and the language has been adjusted to clarify that response times ultimately be based on where the fire station is ultimately located. Administrator Russo stated that in addition to having an inventory of Village owned assets, these items met performance standards in terms and conditions that have not changed from the Village's current contract with Rural/Metro. Mayor Cresenzi opened the floor for comments. Mr. Dom Cervi, a Rye Brook resident and Port Chester Firefighter, asked if someone could tell him the exact cost to use this fire department for 11 months. Administrator Russo explained that the contract term for 12 months is $755,600.00. Mr. Cervi asked if that figure includes the temporary firehouse that was built. Administrator Russo said that the figure did not include the cost of construction of the temporary firehouse. Mr. Cervi claimed that $755,600.00 was not an accurate figure if it did not include the temporary firehouse building. Administrator Russo said if that was the case, then the Village could deduct the cost of overhead operating costs such as gas, electric, fuel, etc. which are borne by Rural/Metro Corporation. Mr. Cervi was not satisfied with the answer he received regarding the cost for fire services. Mayor 006300 December 17, 1996 Cresenzi explained that the building being used as a temporary firehouse will eventually become a part of the Highway Department and that the Village paid for it. Mayor Cresenzi added that the Village would have built the building in the next two years regardless of whether there was a new fire department. Trustee Tunis reiterated that the contract with Rural/Metro is $755,600 for 12 months. Mr. Cervi asked about the reserves. Mayor Cresenzi answered that the contract provides for 25 reserves and 9 full time paid men. Mr. Cervi asked why someone needed to be hired to study the firehouse location when the Village already had a Facilities Committee set up to look for the best location. Mayor Cresenzi answered that the reason for a firehouse location study is necessary is residents know we need a firehouse, but no one wants it near their home. Mr. Cervi did not agree that there was a need to hire a consultant to prepare a study on the firehouse location. Mayor Cresenzi said that the Village hired a consultant because the Village wished to find the best possible location to place a new firehouse. Mr. Cervi questioned why the Facilities Committee could not make that determination on their own. Mr. Cervi asked what would happen in the event of a major fire and if the personnel ever had a tone-out test (for example, a call goes in to 9-1-1 and they dispatch.) Mayor Cresenzi replied that type of test was done on Hillcrest Avenue when a hot water heater ignited some debris in the utility rooms and the reserves were toned-out and 11 responded within five minutes at midnight. Mr. Cervi suggested that he and Fire Chief McCluskey meet somewhere to do a test run which would entail ringing in a 9-1-1 call so that he could see how long it would take for reserves to respond. Chief McCluskey did not think that could be done because it would put the firefighters and reserves in danger. Mr. Cervi said to Chief McCluskey that he just entered into a contract with the Village of Rye Brook and asked why he could not arrange to meet with him for the purpose stated above. Mr. Cervi wanted an answer to his question because he is a taxpayer. Mayor Cresenzi said that Chief McCluskey answered the question by saying that he could not arrange for such a meeting and put people at risk. Mayor Cresenzi said that these people would be in danger because they would respond to the call not knowing it is a non-emergency. Also, people on the streets would be in danger because they would not be aware that it was a drill. Mayor Cresenzi said that Mr. Cervi's questions were answered sufficiently and there was no satisfying him. Mayor Cresenzi asked for any other comments from the floor. Hearing no response, on the motion of the Board, he closed the hearing. RESOLUTIONS: 2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH RURAL/METRO FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC., FOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES: On the motion of Trustee Pellino, seconded by Trustee Strum, the following resolution was hereby adopted: RESOLUTION APPROVING FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACT WITH RURALIMETRO FIRE DEPARTMENT,INC. WHEREAS, on December 17, 1996 the Rye Brook Board of Trustees conducted a public hearing under Village Law § 4-412(3) (9), as amended in its application to the Village of Rye Brook by Local Law#2- 1996 after due notice; and U0630.1 December 17, 1996 WHEREAS, the Rye Brook Board of Trustees finds that it is in the public interest to enter into a new fire protection services contract which will supersede the prior agreement with Rural/Metro Fire Department Inc. NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED, that the accompanying negative environmental declaration is adopted; and it is FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Rye Brook is authorized to enter into an agreement with Rural/Metro Fire Department Inc., 8401 East Indian School Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 for fire protection and related services to commence on December 18, 1996 and end on May 31, 2001 at the following payment schedule: The first term through May 31, 1997 shall be at the annualized rate of $755,600, to be increased in the second Village fiscal year by 5.1%, by 5.7% in the third Village fiscal year and by 6% in each of the last two Village fiscal years of the contract; and it is FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor shall be authorized to execute and deliver all documents necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this Resolution. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS VOTING AYE TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE 3. CHECK REGISTER: On the motion of Trustee Zuckerman, seconded by Trustee Tunis, the following resolution was hereby adopted: RESOLUTION CHECK REGISTER WHEREAS,the following checks, representing payment for services rendered, have been submitted to the Treasurer's Office for payment and have been certified to by the Village Administrator: On-line Checks: 15278-15370 Medicare: 15373-15400 Pre Paid: 15371, 15274, 15275 & 15276 Payroll Checks: 20905-21406 Environmental: 163 Capital: 2632-2638 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves payment of the above-mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS VOTING AYE 006302 December 17, 1996 TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE Next the Mayor announced the coming meeting dates listed on the agenda: REGULAR MEETING-- TUESDAY,DECEMBER 24, 1996 CANCELED FOR HOLIDAY AGENDA MEETING-- TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1996 REGULAR MEETING-- TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1996 RESOLUTION NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA: On the motion of Trustee Zuckerman, seconded by Trustee Strum, the following resolution was hereby adopted: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE STATE GRANT-IN-AID FOR MUNICIPAL WASTE REDUCTION AND/OR RECYCLING PROJECT AND SIGNING OF THE ASSOCIATED STATE CONTRACT, UNDER THE APPROPRIATE LAWS OF NEW YORK STATE WHEREAS,the State of New York provides financial aid for municipal waste reduction and municipal recycling projects; and 1 of Rye Brook herein called the Municipality, has examined and duty considered WHEREAS, the Village e Y g Y the applicable laws of the State of New York and the Municipality deems it to be in the public interest and benefit to file an application under these laws; and WHEREAS, it is necessary that the contract by and between the People of the State of New York, herein called the State and the Municipality be executed for such State Aid. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,that the following shall take place: 1. That the filing of an application in the form required by the State of New York in conformity with the applicable laws of the State of New York including all understanding and assurances contained in said application is hereby authorized. 2. That Vincenzo Tamburro, Village of Rye Brook's Engineer/Building Inspector is directed and authorized as the official representative of the Municipality to act in connection with the application and to provide such additional information as may be required and to sign the resulting contract if said application is approved by the State. 3. That the Municipality agrees that it will fund its portion of the cost of said Municipal Waste Reduction and/or Recycling Project. 00630:.3 December 17, 1996 4. That the Municipality shall set forth their respective responsibilities by the attached joint resolution relative to a joint Municipal Waste Reduction and or Recycling Project. 5. That five (5) certified copies of this Resolution be prepared and sent to the New York State Department ofEnvironmentat Conservation, Albany, 12233-7253, together with a complete application. 6. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS VOTING AYE TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE There being no further business, the Mayor asked for a motion to close the meeting and the Board members unanimously agreed. The Meeting ended at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, fl,/'�v Christopher J. Russo Village Administrator/Clerk