07/05/2005 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Special Council Minutes of 7/5/2005 ~ system and our personnel. 'This is not something that he came to very easily; however, he is not afraid to vote his conscience. We aze talking about putting. our residents at risk. When seconds or minutes count and we have dispatchers sitting side by side physically as they do now and they can work in a way in which to immediately respond to emergencies, he feels that it will take at least two years to have this new system to get to where we are now. In the meantime, he doesn't want to put our residents up to risk. We should not use them as guinea pigs for a program that will probably eventually work. But in the meantime, the cost in lives and health and piece of mind for the residents who need to have that system up and running is just too high a cost. Therefore, he votes no. Roll call continued: McKay, yes, with comment. He thinks that we need to look to the future, and central dispatch is where the future is going to be. The sooner you get into it and get your city acclimated, the better off you're going to be. Let's get in on the first floor and not play catch-up. Roll call continued: Talton, no, with comment. We now have an excellent service here. The other service is going to take a time to get up and running. When the time comes and the time is right, we can get in. Also, as faz as using our grant money in the future to equip us with the latest and up-to-date equipment, when the time comes, it will be an easy transition. It is in the best interest of the citizens and also economically it makes sense for the City of North Olmsted. Roll call continued: Barker, no; Gazeau, no, with comment. This is not an easy decision at which to arrive. It was very well presented by both sides. An important point that weighed in his mind was a cost and benefit. There is some benefit to be achieved. But it's important not to lose sight of the benefit when it comes to the cost. When you do these things, you must weigh the cost whether it be in dollars, whether it be in some other factor that is out there. But in terms of dollazs regarding the two-year window that was talked about for the grant, from his experience, once you are in, it's hazd to extricate yourself. Rarely in his experience of government, do we go back once we begin. Based on his experience as a small business owner and what he knows about the potential benefits to be achieved and the amount of money that will be spent to get there, he can only answer no to this question. He is open-minded and in the future, if the process is open and we can start to realize a greater savings in dollars versus the overall benefit to be achieved, great. But as of right now, he thinks it needs a little more seasoning, a little more time. It should come back at a later date once it has a little bit more of a track record. As of this point in time, his vote is no. Roll call continued: Nashar, no, with explanation. The North Olmsted Fire Department does have the best response time for fire and EMS in the western suburbs. In 2004, the Fire Department did receive a grant for approximately $346,000. It is his understanding that the city will be able to purchase approximately 30 new radios and 4 command radios plus other safety equipment. The former mayor had an opportunity over three years ago to make recommendations to Council but failed to do so. He doesn't feel at this time it is necessary for North Olmsted to join central dispatch. He would like to see the proposal commence without North Olmsted. After careful deliberation with the police and the fire fighters, his vote is no. Roll call continued: Ryan, no, for the following reasons: He would love to provide emergency vehicles in the driveways of all whom he represents. Unfortunately, we work under the constrains of money. This community has already passed money for a new library and a new fire station. We are now looking at a $30 million commitment for the sehoots. At this point, we have to ask ourselves how much money can we continue to spend? There has to 6