HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole July 23 20131
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee of the Whole
July 23, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Kathy Kershner called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(1:05:58 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken
Mann, Carl Weimer and Pete Kremen.
Absent: None.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. EXECUTIVE LOUWS CONTINUES DISCUSSION REGARDING 2014 EMS
SERVICE (AB2013 -170)
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report reviewing all the options. He
submitted an updated proposal (on file) and stated the new update includes a new option
number two.
Crawford asked if Executive Louws is recommending option two. Louws stated he
wouldn't bring forward an option if he didn't believe it was workable. He's been assured
that it could work in terms of reduced staff levels through attrition and surge protection.
Brenner asked what is EMS 6 and if there wouldn't be a reduction in Local 106
personnel with Executive Louws' proposal. Louws stated EMS 6 is a supervisory unit.
Kelli Linville, Bellingham Mayor, stated her two issues were level of service and cost
effectiveness. There isn't enough money in the system now to sustain the existing system
without additional revenue. Her main issue with the first proposal was with unpredictable
surge capacity. Proposal two is a good compromise.
Kremen asked if the inclusion of EMS 6 will take care of Mayor Linville's concerns
about surge protection. Linville stated it will, in the short -term. To maintain the excellent
system, they will have to find a way to fund it.
Knutzen stated he thanks Mayor Linville for working with Executive Louws on a
solution. He asked when they would have to ask the voters for more money if they choose
option two. Linville stated she's not in favor of deficit spending. Prior to 2016, they need to
change how they fund the system. A unified system is very important for the county.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/23/2013, Page 1
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Louws stated the community and fire system leaders should spend 18 to 24 months
to look at options and plan for the future. Sometime mid -2015, decide about going to the
voters.
Linville stated it's possible to achieve some efficiency without compromising the level
of service.
Brenner asked if there are adequate reserves to go to the voters in two years.
Louws stated option two spends $527,000 per year from the reserve. This is the best
estimate. It's possible they would spend more.
Mann asked if paramedic positions lost by reducing one unit would be as a result of
attrition. Linville stated that is a question for Roger Christensen.
Al Saab, Fire District 7 Commissioner, stated Fire District 7 has worked hard to get
its unit in service. As a fire commissioner, this is not the best solution. They need a
dedicated funding source for EMS. Right now, they are running out of money. The proposal
will keep the system alive and moving forward. The system must manage and fund itself.
He prefers proposal two over proposal one. They are here to serve the public. In a couple
of years, they can put together a system for the future.
Kremen referenced letters received from the Commissioners and from the Fire
Chiefs. Both letters state that four and a half units is necessary to cover Whatcom County
adequately. The current proposal isn't a full four and a half units. He asked if the
Commissioners changed their opinion. Saab stated he can't answer for the other
commissioners. In his opinion, four units would put them in a delicate position. It's
possible to do with EMS 6 maintained. There will be times when it will be a problem, but
they can manage.
Kremen asked if four units adequately covers the service that citizens have come to
expect. Saab stated splitting up the two paramedics will double the system capacity.
Weimer asked if the timing of going to the voters is a factor in Mr. Saab's
consideration. Saab stated he hasn't studied it. They have estimates only. Option two is
the best option.
Roger Christensen, City of Bellingham Fire Chief, stated right- sizing is related to the
call volume. They must look at responses, which are currently at about 10,000 responses.
Another factor is the number of tickets issued, which should be about 2,500 tickets per unit.
If they want to handle only work that needs a paramedic level of care, they need four units.
To get to that, they will have to reduce the number of responses. Surge capacity is about
how many calls can be handled at one time. Today, they can handle six calls at one time.
Under option two, that will go down to five calls at one time. Weekly, they don't have
enough for responses. He described what EMS 6 does, which provides supervisor capacity
and surge capacity.
Mann stated he's reluctant to reduce service. One concern is with adding staff in a
couple of years if trends should change. He is concerned about losing staff with training and
knowledge, and asked if they will have to hire and retrain staff when the trends change.
Christensen stated they project an increase in calls by an average of five to seven percent.
It would cost a significant amount of money to train a paramedic. They talked about
attritioning instead of laying off paramedics. About a dozen people are eligible to retire in
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/23/2013, Page 2
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the next year. They've already reduced the number of positions by two due to attrition.
The City will decide how many certifications it wants to keep.
Brenner asked if they could have four Bellingham units and one Ferndale unit without
EMS 6 and without overloading the reserves. Louws stated that if they had four City units
and one Ferndale unit, and pay Ferndale for the service, option three still won't pay for
Ferndale in the system. With five full units, the deficit would go from $1.649 million to
$2.199 million per year, which happens to equal a sales tax increase of one -tenth of one
percent. They won't get any more revenue.
Mann asked if the decline in advanced live support (ALS) in 2009 and 2010 was due
to transferring calls to basic life support (BLS). Christensen stated it has to do with BLS.
The bigger impact was in 2009 regarding Medicare laws for triage.
Mann asked how to project rules and laws that may change in the future.
Christensen stated the overall number of EMS incidents will be fairly predictable. How they
handle response to those incidents may change. Four units is the right size for Whatcom
County, but it will impact the county citizens and the countywide fire service.
Gary Russell, Fire District 7 Chief, stated they've moved forward with providing EMS
service in measured steps since the 2005 plan. Four units can provide ALS service in
Whatcom County. The half unit can also manage the system and take up surge capacity.
There may be extra service also on certain days. Given the financial constraints of the
system, the big question is future funding. Capacity is being reduced slightly. Essentially,
they still have four and a half units. Prepositioned units throughout the county is the best
program possible in the future. Otherwise, they will run out of money. By its own design,
the system will have to be demobilized. Last year, the District 7 took 610 calls within Fire
District 7 jurisdiction. Now, the 610 will be spread out among the four other units. Their
call load will come up slightly, but will still not exceed the 2,500 calls per year in the
system.
Kershner asked if Fire District 7 responds only within the district. Russell stated they
respond within District 7 and District 17. They are available for extra surge capacity, but
they've not had to respond outside the district.
Louws stated he recommends the Council consider option two moving forward,
including establishing the Medic One Oversight Board and Technical Advisory Committee.
Also work on the medium -range goal of updating the 2005 plan, and engage the community
and fire districts to develop a plan for funding and moving forward.
Brenner stated her preference isn't on the list of options. Don't reduce the number
of paramedics. It's difficult to get them back. She asked if anyone is interested in four
Bellingham units, one unit in Ferndale, and a ballot scheduled for next year.
Knutzen stated they will still run a deficit for two years. Louws stated four units in
Bellingham, one unit in Ferndale, and a ballot initiative approved in 2014, the $3 million
surplus at the end of 2017 will be $87,622. A one percent sales tax increase does not
support five full units.
Crawford moved to support and give direction to move forward with option two, to
develop contracts with the City of Bellingham and Fire District 7, and to continue the
formation of the Medic 1 Oversight Board and Technical Advisory Committee.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/23/2013, Page 3
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Mann asked if the 2005 plan considered the sales tax covering the entire cost of the
service. Louws stated the 2005 plan identified that they would run out of money at this
time. The challenge is that it is escalating at a rate greater than anticipated due to lost
reimbursements.
Mann stated it sounds like the plan all along was to augment the system with general
funds.
Kershner stated they are deficit spending right now. All four options are still deficit
spending, just at different levels.
Kremen stated the 2005 plan was for six years before going out to voters for
additional revenue.
Kershner stated she wants people to understand that the County knows it's deficit
spending. There must be another answer to this.
Brenner asked if continuing for a year without EMS 6 would cost more than what the
one -tenth of one percent increase would cover. Louws stated it would cost more. With the
reduction in reimbursements, it doesn't work with five units.
Kershner asked if BLS is funded differently. Louws stated it is. It's important to
establish an appropriate long -term relationship with the BLS side of the program. Identify
where the new money will go and how the system will work. Give the administration the
time to work with the Mayor.
Kershner stated she supports the motion. She would like to see language in the
agreement that allows the County to reevaluate Medic 6 if the reserves are spent faster
than anticipated. Louws stated they will all have to discuss whether EMS 6 is permanent or
a half -time unit in the future.
Brenner stated someone told the councilmembers that five units would be best at
this point, and they could make it more efficient. The groups are working together. Do this
with five units for one more year, and allow them to come forward. Her big concern is that
this is an opportunity for everyone to work together. Don't mess that up. She's willing to
make a goodwill gesture and assume they will come back with ideas for cost cuts. Louws
stated that the City anticipates several retirements. If they continue the program for
another year, the City will have to decide whether or not to fill those positions. In terms of
timing, it's appropriate to make a move next year.
Weimer stated he needs more information from all the emergency responders before
voting on any option. The new option seems to shore up the system and gives them more
time to solidify the system before going to the voters. Make sure everyone is on board.
Mann stated he agrees with Councilmember Weimer.
Rich Kittinger, Local 106 Secretary /Treasurer, stated right now, some calls come in
and they don't know if ALS service or BLS service is required, so they always err on the side
of providing ALS. Changing to four units will require changes, including triaging more calls
to BLS and shifting to a more dense urban model. It will take a longer time for ALS. That is
a response time decision the Council will have to make.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/23/2013, Page 4
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Regarding retirements, not all will be paramedics. It won't reduce or change the
discussion as labor or management about reducing paramedic jobs. He is concerned about
incurring more costs in the long run by trying to save costs now. It costs $100,000 to train
a medic. They have folks with that training right now.
When the voters approved the tax increase for EMS, the structure required that one -
third of the tax collected would go to law and justice. Legislatively, they can go to the
public with a different structure, and have a 100 percent EMS proposal. That would allow a
plan that maintains the current effective group while working with Fire District 7.
Brenner asked what would happen if they kept the four units, and not replacing
retiring staff until they figure out the plan for the future. Louws stated transition costs must
be accounted for. They already included the costs for the transition.
Knutzen stated the chart indicates fewer ALS calls are coming in since 2009, not
more. Kittinger stated he hasn't compiled that data, and refers to comments from Chief
Christensen made about Medicare changes. Watch the overall demand for service. An ALS
unit may be dispatched, but the call may not be classified as an ALS call for the data.
Dave Ralston, South Whatcom Fire Authority Fire Chief, stated the system has been
carried on the back of the BLS component. The proposal still lists the dispatch fees. That
will directly affect the ability of the fire districts to provide service. Even though ALS
calls have been dropping, the call volumes are still going up for BLS calls. Louws stated the
districts have always paid for their BLS calls, in the amount of $293,000. Beyond that
amount, in the non - departmental budget, the County pays an additional $171,000 per year
for fire dispatch for the districts because they provide the BLS. In his proposal, he moved
the $293,000, and the County is paying the non - departmental amount in another portion of
the budget. It's a confusing issue.
Dave Forbes, Whatcom 7 Firefighters Political Action Committee (PAC) Chair, stated
he speaks for the Fire District 7 firefighters, not the administration. It's most important that
they are integrated into the system so they can be dispatched to any call in the county. He
understands the issue with cost. They've always tried to do what they're paid to do. Right
now, they are only dispatched to Fire District 7 and Fire District 17. They would like to be
integrated into the countywide system.
Mann stated he supports having Fire District 7 fully integrated into the system. He
would like to know how they achieve that. Forbes stated the language of how to do that is
up to the contract writers.
Weimer asked about level of care concerns. He asked if the new option two raises
concerns about level of care versus the current system. Forbes stated they want the best
service in the county.
Ron Anderson, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Fire Chief, stated the 2010 Council
resolution included the same things as a task force that he served on for developing a
model service. He has real concerns that things are developing now that don't address the
components of the system defined in the resolution. It's good to put deadlines and
parameters on people so they're forced to come to a resolution. This is another Band -Aid.
Without deadlines and parameters, the problems will continue for many more years.
They keep talking about an EMS system. A system is made up of all the components
required in a pre - hospital setting, including dispatch, first responders, transport service,
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/23/2013, Page 5
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rescue service, and both the ALS and BLS component. However, all they're talking about
here is only an ALS component. They aren't addressing the EMS system. ALS calls are
declining because BLS calls are increasing. Implementing medical priority dispatch a few
years ago was a good idea. Before that, ALS was dispatched to every call. Understand the
components of the entire system. He read the criteria from the resolution that aren't being
met.
The City has said they've been providing this service for 39 years. That's admirable.
However, many businesses are bankrupt today because they've been doing business the
same way for 39 years. Sometimes things have to be redefined and reinvented to meet
changing times. They're still doing business the old fashioned way and not cost - effectively.
Having two paramedics on a paramedic unit is overkill. There's no reason not to have one
paramedic and one emergency medical technician (EMT). On top of having two paramedics
on one unit, they also send a Medic 6 supervisor to oversee the unit, so there are now three
paramedics. Those are not cost - effective models of doing business. Unless the experts get
in a room together and lock the doors, they'll still be talking about this years from now. He
urges the Council to get new people with fresh perspectives together and build a cost -
effective system that gives patients optimal care.
Brenner asked who are the objective experts that would work on a new system. It
seems there are only the different factions with their own turf issues. Anderson stated they
are only addressing the ALS component. District 7 and the City of Bellingham have had
tremendous turf wars. The only people who are involved are the City, the County, and
District 7. However, an EMS system includes many components, including BLS. Other
perspectives are out there. All they're doing is talking to the same people and hearing the
same thing over and over. They're not going to get new ideas that way.
Louws stated the proposal of option two gives them the opportunity to put together
the committees that Chief Anderson is talking about. He and the Mayor desire to have a
technical committee, representative of the BLS and ALS providers in the county, and a
Medic One Oversight Board, which will be the legislative body. To make a sales tax issue
viable for the public and create an integrated system for the future, all the providers must
work together to put a system together. He agrees with the comments from Chief
Anderson. This proposal is an attempt to get to that point. In the event the voters do not
approve a sales tax increase, they're in big trouble.
Brenner asked if they're also working toward having an integrated billing system.
Louws stated it's not viable at this time. There are too many challenges between Fire
District 7 and the City. In terms of the associated costs, each system will handle its own
billing. It's not a battle they want to fight at this time. In the future, the Technical Advisory
Committee and Medic One Oversight Board will be able to talk that through.
Kremen thanked Chief Anderson for his perspective. When he was the County
Executive, he put together a very diverse group that included every fire district, the City,
and Local 106. Assembling a similar group in the future could be beneficial for the people of
Whatcom County. Anderson stated all the cities and fire districts in Treasure Valley, Idaho
just signed an historic EMS document that does a lot of the same thing they identified in the
resolution. They don't have to reinvent the wheel.
Brenner moved to amend the motion to have the four units in Bellingham, and
have the full Ferndale unit, and not have EMS 6.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/23/2013, Page 6
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The motion to amend failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner (1)
Nays: Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen, Mann, Weimer and Kremen (6)
Weimer asked the details of the current motion to accept the new option two. Louws
stated his proposal, option two, is for him to put contracts together with the City of
Bellingham and Fire District 7 and continue the formation of the Medic One Oversight Board
and Technical Advisory Board. The duration of the contracts will probably be two years.
Weimer asked if the contracts can be amended at any time if both parties agree.
Louws stated they can.
Mann stated he supports keeping the current level of service. Keep four and a half
units without EMS 6. He supports option four. He does not support the motion.
Knutzen stated he supports the motion. A year ago, the system was ready to fall
apart. The Executive and Mayor have worked out a solution. He was not hopeful a year
ago. He commends the Executive and Mayor for putting this together. He will support their
efforts.
Crawford stated he heard that EMS 6 doesn't respond to any of the District 7
geographic area. It seems like if EMS 6 is going to be used for surge capacity, it must be
geographically available anywhere in the county. Christensen stated EMS 6 has not done
any supervision with the Ferndale unit. It can be used countywide for surge capacity.
Brenner stated she would like to know the amount of money wasted the last few
years due to the time wasted in the past with not certifying the Ferndale unit.
Kershner stated she supports the motion. It keeps the system unified and slows
deficit spending. She is in favor of Chief Anderson's idea for getting people together. It's a
good compromise.
Kremen stated he supports the new option two. The original proposal was
inadequate. Key individuals assured them the new option is adequate for the community.
He will reluctantly support option two. It's imperative to continue a unified system. In the
meantime, assemble a working group to develop a new, improved system for the service in
the county.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen, Weimer and Kremen (6)
Nays: Mann (1)
Louws thanked everyone who participated. They will move forward with the
contracts and the two boards.
2. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CURRENT STATE
BUILDING CODE AND REPEALING THE EXISTING TITLE 15 OF THE
WHATCOM COUNTY CODE (AB2013 -271)
Knutzen moved to send to the Planning Commission, if appropriate.
Sam Ryan, Planning and Development Services Department Director, stated it is a
State code. It deals with life safety. Whether or not the County codifies it, it's the code the
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/23/2013, Page 7
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department will enforce. The only way to amend it is to go through the State Building Code
Council. Only the appendices chapters and administrative chapters can be changed. The
rest of the body of the code can only be changed by the State Building Code Council.
Kershner stated they are talking about having the Planning Commission review the
administrative chapters and appendices.
Knutzen referenced the section that allows local jurisdictions to modify the
administrative chapters to their own needs.
Ryan stated it's not a land use issue. It's a life safety issue. The Planning
Commission deals with land use and natural resources issues.
Knutzen stated he wants to propose changes to fire flow.
Wain Harrison, Planning and Development Services Department, stated there are
requirements for water storage of a certain amount, but there are options for how that
water is stored.
Kershner asked if there would be related zoning code changes. Harrison stated there
would not be any zoning code changes as a result of adopting this ordinance.
Brenner stated this isn't all State code. If there isn't a legal problem with sending it
to the Planning Commission, she would like to. Otherwise, send it to the Planning and
Development Committee.
Harrison stated he has a staff report, but it's not short. He wants to introduce the
sections of the code that have changed. Much of what they're seeing in the fire code
section has historically been administered through the Fire Marshal's office. It just hasn't
been codified. The Fire Marshal's office has worked very hard to address fire flow and make
it less conservative. It's less conservative than it has been traditionally. He needs
adequate time for the staff report. All councilmembers have questions and concerns. It
makes sense to address the Committee of the Whole.
Kershner stated they will listen to the staff report and write down questions for the
next meeting. Harrison stated he will also address concerns with the Building Industry
Association and the fire districts and fire chiefs. He submitted a handout (on file) and gave
a staff report regarding the flood requirements being in Whatcom County Code (WCC) Title
17, using standard English measurement versus metric measurements, appeals related to
critical area grading activity, International Fire Code amendments, requiring State licensing,
posting information about commercial kitchen cooking hoods, underground fuel tank
language, private roads and driveways, building fire flow requirements, the methodology for
measuring the fire flow area, keeping the same threshold for automatic sprinkler systems in
residences as has existed for many years, fire flow requirements in all buildings, fire access
roads, review by the Technical Advisory Committee, and clarification of department
authority regarding work done without a permit.
Kershner stated this item will be held in the Committee of the Whole. She asked if
there is a timeframe. Harrison stated they are already in effect and being administered.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/23/2013, Page 8
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The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner (1)
Nays: Kershner, Mann, Weimer and Kremen (4)
Absent: Crawford and Knutzen (2)
Brenner moved to send this to the Planning and Development Committee instead of
the Committee of the Whole. Make sure they have time to work on it.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Knutzen, Weimer and Kremen (4)
Nays: Kershner and Mann (2)
Absent: Crawford (1)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:34 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on September 10, 2013.
ATTEST:
Council Clerk
- Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kathy Kershner, Council Chair
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/23/2013, Page 9