HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-031 Declaring intent to move forward establishing operational consolidation of fire districts No.1 and No.6
RESOLUTION NO. 05-031
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, DECLARING ITS INTENT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH
ESTABLISHING AN OPERATIONAL CONSOLIDATION OF FIRE DISTRICTS NO.1
AND NO.6 AND THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND FIRE DEPARTMENT, WITH THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A JOINT OPERATING FUND AND JOINT BUDGET
OVERSIGHT BOARD
WHEREAS, by Interlocal Agreement effective January 1,2005 ("January 1,2005
Interlocal Agreement"), the City of Port Townsend and Fire District No.6 entered into an
Interlocal Agreement for Joint Operation and Management of Fire Services; and
WHEREAS, the January 1,2005 Interlocal Agreement between the City and Fire District
No.6 was expanded to include Fire District No. 1 by Interlocal Agreement effective June 1, 2005
(June 1, 2005 Interlocal Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, on July 26,2005, the Joint Oversight Board established by the June 1,2005
Interlocal, which Board is responsible for policy oversight, and reviewing operations and level of
service issues, and whose members include the City Council General Government Committee,
recommends that the City and Fire Districts No.1 and No.6 establish a joint budget that in effect
brings the three departments together as one department subject to certain assumptions set forth
below; and
WHEREAS, at the August 1,2005 Council meeting, Chief Mingee presented
information about a joint budget to the Council and recommended that the Council move forward
with an amended interlocal agreement that would establish a joint budget for the joint fire service
operation; and
WHEREAS, on August 1,2005, the City Council approved the following motion:
Mr. Masci moved to direct administrative staff to draft a resolution of intent to move forward
with interlocal agreements which would establish an operational consolidation of Fire Districts
1 and 6 and the City of Port Townsend, with the establishment of ajoint operatingfund andjoint
budget oversight board. Mr. Kolff seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice
vote.
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that joint operations in the fire services, which
joint operations are conducted under the name "East Jefferson Fire Rescue," have provided
benefits for the City and the citizens of the City with increased response capability and
operational efficiencies, and declares its intent by this Resolution that moving forward with
amending the June 1, 2005 Interlocal Agreement to provide for an operational consolidation of
Fire Districts No.1 and No.6 and the City of Port Townsend, with the establishment of a joint
operating fund and joint budget oversight board, is appropriate.
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Resolution 05-031
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend resolves as
follows:
The City Council declares its intent to move forward with interlocal agreements which would
establish an operational consolidation of Fire Districts No.1 and No.6 and the City of Port
Townsend Fire Department, with the establishment of a joint operating fund and joint budget
oversight board, based on the following assumptions recommended by Chief Mingee:
1. The Joint Oversight Board established under the June 1,2005 Interlocal Agreement, and
the legislative authorities, approve an amended Interlocal Agreement where the City of
Port Townsend and Jefferson County Fire District No.6 contract for essential Fire
Suppression, Fire Prevention and Emergency Medical Services from Jefferson County
Fire District No.1.
2. The amended agreement would not change the Legislative or Administrative structure of
the current consolidated Fire Department.
3. The agreement would establish a fund to withdraw a majority of operational expenditures.
4. The agreement would require that revenues be held by the City of Port Townsend and
Jefferson County Fire District No.6 to fund essential positions such as Commissioners,
Career Chiefs and Board Secretaries.
5. All three agencies retain ownership of facilities, apparatus and equipment, as well as, any
debt service on these facilities, apparatus and equipment. The specifics of participation in
the Joint Operating Fund are further defined in this document.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular meeting
thereof, held this fifteenth day of August 2005.
~~'::2L 'l--L
Catharine Robinson, Mayor
Attest:
Approved as to form:
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John Watts, City Attorney
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Resolution 05-031