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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12071993 - 1.182 I • l �S-2 . n�. •Y, PNTOCP CP 94509 CITY HALL THIRD AND H PO 130 November 22, 1993 RECEI VED 7i k' Contra Costa Board of. Supervisors Supervisor Tom Torlakson NOV 23 19W 300 East Leland Road Pittsburg, CA 94565-4961 CLERK BOARD OFSupERVISOR Q. CONTRA COSTA C!7. Subject: Commission Formation for a New Consolidated Fire District Dear Tom and Members of the Board of Supervisors: Now that consolidation appears imminent, the members of the Riverview Fire Commission have turned their thoughts to the formation of the new fire commission and fairness throughout the County. We were unable to take a vote on the formation of this commission at our last meeting and therefore I am writing as a member of a City Council and will follow this recommendation with the vote results and a letter from the Riverview Commission next month. We are concerned about any imbalance that could occur. and therefore believe the first four (4) seats on a new commission should go to cities currently parties to existing districts. Any city that contracts for services with the County as opposed to being a member city of a district would be counted within the County territories, i.e. , Pinole. Only incorporated cities within a given district would share the rotational seat. For example, the Riverview District is currently made up of Pittsburg, Antioch and the County area. The cities of Pittsburg and Antioch would rotate the one seat on the new commission. This system when applied to the five merit - system districts would produce four (4) commissioners. The Board of Supervisors would select one commissioner from each of the unincorporated regions of the County. One East County representative from the unincorporated areas of East County, one from Central County and one from West County. Once again, any city that has been contracting with the County for fire service would also qualify in this category. This produces three (3) commissioners. The Council on Industry shall recommend for appointment by the Board of Supervisors two (2) representatives of industry. One (1) representative shall be from the West County area and one (1) representative shall be from an East County industry. These two areas have the greatest impact from local industries. This would produce the last two (2) commissioners for a total of a nine (9) member commission. At any time in the future should non-merit system districts be added to the consolidation, their areas will be added to the County territory for selection of the three (3) County district commissioners. If any additional merit system department is added to the new district, the incorporated cities of that department will be added to the list of cities for rotation between cities within that region. The representatives of the cities and other commissioners shall always be non-fire personnel as they are to represent the citizenry of the distinct, not administration, and not labor of the fire districts. The choice of who shall represent the cities within the district shall belong to the cities themselves and only be officially ratified, but not selected, by the County Board of Supervisors. The industry representatives must have a physical plant located within East County and/or West County. The industries to share representation must be of a size that they have fire equipment and/or a fire department of their own on the plant site or in close proximity to their plant site. The industry representatives my be fire personnel and would be a great asset to .the commission due to their knowledge of impact on adjacent communities. - These are just a few of the suggestions I have at this time, and I believe we should all have the opportunity to add to this list for the formation of a strong board of commissioners that would have its eye to cost savings wherever possible, revenue sources, station locations, growth impacts, and organizational structuring of the department. I do not necessarily believe the cities' representatives need to be current sitting council members. I do believe they need to have the time and the will to produce a well functioning fire district and that they should be given a strong voice in the operation of that district with their relationship to administration and the Board of Supervisors. I hope you will give these suggestions strong consideration. Sincerely, Elizabeth A. Rimbault Antioch City Council Chair, Riverview Fire Commission EAR:ds cc: Mayor and City Council David D. Rowlands, Jr. , City Manager 2