11/19/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 11/19/2002 great concern when the Mayor considers the library or Springvale the "gem" of the community. We need to build on this, and we need to get a program in place that's going to generate revenue and enhance what we do. Dave Boatman, 2093 Brown Road, president of the Fire Fighters Local 1267. For the past couple of years, the local has focused on how they may be able to do their jobs in a safe and efficient manner as possible all while providing citizens the best possible fire service they can. They were hired to do a job: protect life and property. They have become aware that they may be falling short in their ability to provide the best they can. After giving serious consideration to doing the best job they can, they concluded that to provide the best service to the public they need to increase fire fighter staffing. The Fire Dept. formed a committee to research staffing. The had numerous discussions with the Fire Chief on how they can provide the citizens the fire protection they deserve. Working with the Chief, they devised a plan to increase staffing. On September 27, 2000 Local 1267 along with the Chief met with the Safety Committee to discuss the need to update and change the ordinance regarding the department's organizational chart. In October 2000, Council introduced legislation to update the department organization and to allow for additional fire fighters to be hired. At that time, Councilman O'Grady sent a memo to the Finance Committee saying, in his opinion, it was time for Council to take action. He stated the need to increase staffing and recommended that manning for 2001 be increased by three fire fighters. Council appropriated money for three additional fire fighters. In July 2001, the local with assistance of the Chief, wrote a report on fire apparatus staffing and presented it to the Mayor, Safety Director and Council. The local and the Chief sent the Mayor a letter stating the need to increase staffing by twelve fire fighters over asix- year period. In October 2001, the local met with Council as a whole to outline staffing needs followed by a special Council meeting to discuss the same. They were told the first set of three fire fighters to be hired in 2002 was cut due to financial reasons. They have been told the second set of three to be hired in 2003 will not even be attempted to be funded. There have been two retirements recently and staffing levels are beginning to run dangerously low. This is a safety concern, and any more cuts in Fire Dept. staffing will further affect the lives of citizens. His question to the Mayor and Council is when will the Fire Dept. replace the two retired members and when will the money be appropriated to fund additional fire fighters we so desperately need? Finance Director Copfer said that in 2002, it was appropriated to go from 46 to 49 fire fighters. Because of two retirements, the department is only up one person. Mr. Boatman said the three hired in 2001 was an immediate measure to hold the status quo- those three were not included in the needed twelve additional fire fighters. Jim Calvitti, Dogwood Trail, a resident and police officer and president of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council. Thanked Council far extending benefits to those called up in the military--two police officers are on military duty. He believes North Olmsted has the finest Police and Fire Departments in the State of Ohio. Our Service Department employees are hard-working and very efficient at snow removal. He and other employees have been attending Council meetings, and they would like and honest answer to this question: Where did the money go? If there is a deficit in the city 13