05-18-82 Safety Comm MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL
The Safety Committee,
Tx�accxetxx met at 3:30 P.M. In attendance were Fire Chief Doty,
Asst. Fire Chief Larson, Police Chief Martin Stefanic, Asst. Police Chief Don Hellman,
Mayor LeRoy E. McDowell, Councilmen Vidal, Saverud, Grainger, O'Boyle, and Palmer._
KALISPELL, MONTANA May 13 ' 19 82
TO THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Fire Chief Doty inquired about the requested one mil for'every Fire Dept. budget;
this has never been set aside, the balance should be around $13,000.A quick response
mini -pumper is needed. The cost of this is estimated to be $40,000. Price for a
regular pump is between 55,000-60,000. Annual certification is being done'every 3
years. This summer two Pershes and aerial are due for certification; estimated cost
is $1,000 total. Discussion followed of trading in old equipment (trucks) on pumper.
The Mayor will follow up on the mil reserve inquiry. We must certify equipment this year
Councilman Grainger suggested trading in the yellow pickup -after transferring the spout
to the grey pickup -on a used station wagon .
Councilman Grainger also brought up the question of transferring an employee from the
Water Department, who also works on ambulance billing, etc, (and half of her salary -is
paid by the Fire Department) to the Fire Department, It is felt that full time office
coverage is needed, too much of a burden is placed on the Police Dept. dispatchers when
ire ept. personnel are out of the office. mergency calls from the Sheriff's Mice
could be handled with less delay, and record keeping could be improved..The employee
could intermingle both Fire and,Water Dept. auties, but Her ottiCe.woUld be locatea in
the Fire Department.
Councilman O'Boyle pointed out that 7 people were located in the Fire Department office
and didnot ee t a this transfer was necessary. All council.members present felt
that this possibility should be discussed with the City Clerk prior to any more dis
cussion. ouncilman 5averud pointed out that this transrer had been discussed berore
and had never been acted upon. The Mayor will check with the City Clerk on this.
Respectfully submitted,
Howard Grainger
ms
Committee Chairman
Fire Chief Doty discussed purchase of an ambulance to replace #2F Estimated price
is $25,000 with possible $3,000 trade in, Chief Doty reports a $23,000 balance in
the Ambulance Fund which would cover purchase price of a new vehicle. The Department
is currently taking in $7,500 per month -expenses are currently around $6,000 per month.
It is hoped to call for bids on the new ambulance after July, delivery in that case
would not be until the following March, A raise in fees is not anticipated this
fiscal year.
Mayor McDowell asked for a break down on Fire Department personnel hours.
Fire Chief Doty stated that the former Mayor had verbally requested information on
an 8 hour day in November. He stressed that this request was not forgotten, only
postponed with the new administration. Currently the department works on an average
42 hour week with no compensatory time or over time.
Councilman Saverud was concerned that we are following what the law says.
Councilman O'Boyle stressed that we should check for the Attorney General ruling
on this; employees would have no problem but the Mayor and City Council would be
in jeopardy if we are not following those guidelines.
Councilman O'Boyle charged the City Attorney to check this out,
Councilman Grainger suggested that a revolving fund be established for picking up
prisoners. Under the present system, fares for both the officer and prisoner come
out of the officer's pocket, a claim is presented to the State and then the officer
is reimbursed for expenses,
Police Chief Stefanic stated that he would like a similar system for travel for
training sessions.
Councilman O'Boyle commented that it was doubtful that this suggestion would be
acceptable for audit.
Councilman Grainger discussed the STEP Program. Current changes in the program have
resulted in personnel being able to issue only parking tickets,
Chief Stefanic advised that the total budget was $45,000--50% of that is funded.
The Chief stated that STEP personnel could fill in on dispatch, rendered valuable
PR services such as unlocking cars (1,097 this year).
Councilman O'Boyle stated that the Attorney General's office was called for an
opinion: Step Personnel do not have the authority to serve summons, they are not
peace officers.
Discussion followed as to when the program is dropped, What will happen to vans,
cycles? A decision must be made by July, the contract expires on October 1,
Assistant Chief Hellman will check on status of program and contract and report
findings to Councilman Grainger,
Replacement for Sargent Gifford's position was discussed, Chief Stefanic reported
that of 35 applications, 30 were tested and 16 applicants passed the exams, The
Police Commission (consisting of Joan Jellison,:Dan Korn and Peter Waldum) are in-
volved in this process from the applications on,
Chief Stefanic stated that in selection, senority as one factor is alright, but he
has never felt --and this has been his theory since the first day as Chief -,that it
is the only factor. Currently, Officer Stotts is temporarily a detective and
Officer Dyer is acting sargent¢
-2-
Councilman Palmer recommended that Chief Stefanic set up selection criteria
to go through the City Attorney for Council review and approval. The Police
Commission may or may not be Involved with this procedure,
The safety aspect regarding streets being torn up was discussed, As were the
potential problems with Victorian Days, Chief Stefanic estimated using 40
scheduled personnel, 20 unscheduled and 20 dispatchers, amounting to about
$1,250 in overtime for the weekend, More foot patrol was recommended for Main
Street,
Councilman Saverud indicated the need for occupancy limits, This cannot be done
this year,
Another recommendation was for Fire Marshall Bowman to take night shift during
Victorian Days,
It was arranged that the Safety Committee and interested Council members attend
the Departmental Meeting with the Police Department on Tuesday, May 18.. The
promotional process will be discussed at that time, From this, the Committee
will make a recommendation to the Council,
Councilman Palmer scheduled an Annexation Committee meeting for Monday, May 17
at 6: 30 A, M,
Meeting adjourned at 5:25,