pages: CityCouncil/2017-04-18.pdf, 18
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
CityCouncil | 2017-04-18 | 18 | Councilmember Matarrese stated there is a risk of losing lives when buildings are not inspected; he is not convinced that Fire Inspectors have to be sworn; the City of Fremont is doing a fine job with non-sworn inspectors; other factors led to the Ghostship situation which goes beyond not having a sworn Inspector; he supports non-sworn staff. Vice Mayor Vella stated that she thinks for less than a few hundred dollars, the City is getting double the bang for the buck; Alameda is already short-staffed; if the money is going to be spent, Alameda should have the extra bodies to backfill in emergencies; risks are greater when under-staffed; having a Firefighter out injured does not help staffing; funds generated by the Department counteract costs; she is concerned that the Department is not being brought back to full capacity and will be doing more with less; she does not want to outsource and would like to see sworn officers; she is ready to support the recommendation. Mayor Spencer stated that she does not support the recommendation; Firefighters have to go through comprehensive training to fight fires and she does not want Firefighters to do inspections; she supports hiring inspectors to do inspections; inquired what is the current dollar amount of unfunded liabilities, to which the Assistant City Manager responded $113 million. Mayor Spencer stated the City could hire more non-sworn to do inspections and make sure Firefighters can fight fires; she does not want to confuse the two; Alameda has over 3,000 overdue inspections; Council's number one priority is safety; the City not having a long term financial plan is a serious problem. Councilmember Oddie stated he would like to bifurcate the motion. Councilmember Oddie moved adoption of the resolution approving workforce changes to add three new positions to the Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau effective May 28, 2017: One Fire Captain and Two Fire Inspectors at the Firefighter or Apparatus Operator Rank for an annual cost of $799,206. Councilmember Vella seconded the motion, which carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Oddie and Vella - 3. Noes: Councilmember Matarrese and Mayor Spencer - 2. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft moved approval of authorizing the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute an agreement for the purchase of three staff vehicles and miscellaneous equipment in an amount not to exceed $188,684 to support the reinstatement of the Fire Prevention Bureau; inquired whether the funds would come from the current Fire Department budget. The City Manager responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion, which carried by the following voice Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 17 April 18, 2017 | CityCouncil/2017-04-18.pdf |