HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-15 City Council (6)C ty
City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT:FIRE ¯
DATE:February 15, 1996 CMR 149:96
SUBJECT:Draft Report from Ralph Andersen and Associates regarding
a North County Fire Services Consolidation Study
REQUEST
This is an informational report. No Council action is required. The purpose of this report
is to .update Council regarding the study of the feasibility of consolidating fire protection
services in the North Santa Clara County jurisdictions of Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los
Altos and Los Altos Hills.
Staff will agendize this subject in the near future. At that time staff recommendations will
be made.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The content of this study is consistent with existing City policies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On April 17, 1995, Council approved funding to conduct a joint fire services consolidation
study with the jurisdictions of Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos County Fire
Protection District (CMR 201:95).
On May 15, 1995, Council approved a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to conduct a North
County Fire Services Consolidation Study with the jurisdictions of Mountain View, Los
Altos, and Los Altos County Fire Protection District (CMR 246:95).
The firm of Ralph Andersen and Associates was selected to conduct the study. The study
provides background information regarding the origin of the study, as well as its objectives
and scope. In addition, comprehensive profiles of the organization, staffing, and services
currently provided by each agency are included in the report. The report outlines several
organizational alternatives and key issues associated with consolidation of services.
CMR 149:96 Page 1 of 2
Finally, the findings and recommendations are present as options and alternatives available
to the elected bodies of each jurisdiction. To be achievable, each jurisdiction must select
the same alternatives, as they are not mutually exclusive options and require the
cooperation and agreement of all parties involved.
In the findings and recommendations, the report presents both full and functional
consolidation options. Contracting of services was not analyzed by the consultant, because
that option had been addressed in June of 1994 when the Fire Department responded to a
Request for Information (RFI) from the City of Los Altos for fire protection services. The
Mountain View Fire Department and Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District
also responded to the Los Altos RFI. That still remains an .option available to the City of
Los Altos and the Los Altos County Fire Protection District.
The report indicates that the full consolidation option presents a potential savings for the
direct delivery of fire services. However, unresolved in the report is an equitable method
of allocating expenses and revenues in a manner that mutually benefits each jurisdiction.
In fact, options presented within the report would have a negative impact to the General
Fund of Palo Alto.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
This project is exempt from CEQA under section 1530 of the CEQA guidelines.
ATTACHMENT
Ralph Andersen & Associates Draft Final Report (A copy of this report can be reviewed
in the Fire Administration Office, 250 Hamilton Avenue, 6th Floor, Palo Alto)
PREPARED BY: Ruben Grijalva, Fire Chief
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW: /LJd-W~
RUBEN/~JALVA
Fire (~hgef
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:~./~ ~.~.,.._
//City Manager
CMR 149:96 Page 2 of 2