Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04211987 - T.6 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on April 21 , 1987 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, Torlakson, McPeak NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None SUBJECT: Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment, Oakley Fire Protection District This being the time for public hearing on a Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment for the Oakley Fire Protection District, Phil Batchelor, County Administrator, advised that while continuing growth in all areas of the County has placed greater demands on the fire districts for service, there have been no resources to provide the necessary additional facilities, equipment and staffing. He stated that in response to the Board' s request, five-year plans had been developed for each fire district, which identified the additional facilities, equipment and staff required to provide adequate fire protection service in the County. Mr. Batchelor stated that developer fire facilities fees were in place in many areas of the County, and that many of the cities had expressed a willingness to assist with funding. With the need for fire services increasing, Mr. Batchelor advised that the benefit assessments procedure was a way to provide the funding. Robert Nyman, fire district consultant, advised that each five year financing plan was tailored for the individual districts. He noted that the benefit assessment was one of several funding mechanisms considered, together with developer fees and commitments from some of the cities to assist with financing. Mr. Nyman advised that legislation was passed in 1983 allowing the fire districts to utilize the benefit assessment as a financing tool. He noted that notification of property owners was mandated by the law, and that the Board could impose the assessment only if the protests received were less than 5%. He stated that the original legislation contained a sunset clause, to expire on January 1 , 1988 , and that SB 1536 passed in 1986 extended the expiration to January 1 , 1991 . Mr. Nyman advised that approximately 4 ,500 notices had been sent out to prop- erty owners in the Oakley Fire Protection District. Supervisor Nancy Fanden expressed her concerns with the procedure used to send out the notification to property owners and the content of the notices. Supervisor Robert Schroder, noting that he had received numerous telephone calls from constituents urging that they be given an opportunity to vote on the assessment, stated that he believed there was a need to provide more information to the public. He advised that he was reluctant to approve the assessment or to place it on the ballot without further information and input from the public. Supervisor Tom Torlakson commented on the issue of public safety, and noted that each district is different in terms of financing. He inquired as to when the benefit assessments must be adopted in order to receive revenue this year, and whether there was still time to place this issue on the ballot for the next election. Victor Westman, County Counsel, advised that to levy an assessment for the 1987-1988 fiscal year, the Board must take action by the end of April in order for it be be placed on the tax roll by July 1 , 1987. He noted that the deadline had already passed for 1 I placement on the June ballot and therefore, the earliest the issue could be placed on the ballot would be the November 1987 election. Fire Chief Joe Tovar, Oakley Fire Protection District, stated that the district covers 32 square miles, with one station located in Oakley and one station in Knightsen. Chief Tovar noted that the district is staffed by volunteer firefighters. He stated that the area was once primarily rural but in recent years has become more urbanized through construction of new housing develop- ments, and he expressed concern about the district's ability to provide adequate protection for this growth. He advised that 4,532 notices had been mailed to property owners, and 26 letters of protest had been received to date. Supervisor Torlakson stated that while the volunteer staff has done an outstanding job in providing fire protection ser- vices, the Oakley area has grown from 4,000 to 10 ,000 population in recent years, and he expressed his concerns about the need for addi- tional staff and equipment as the community continues to grow. Supervisor Sunne McPeak opened the public hearing. Russ Greenlaw, representing United Professional Firefighters Local 1230 , expressed his organization's support of the benefit assessment in the Oakley Fire Protection District. Don Christen, Executive Vice President, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, urged the Board to place the issue on the ballot. Roger M. Rybicki , 4194 Sequoia Drive, Oakley, submitted comments for the record supporting the benefit assessment. Supervisor Tom Powers moved to continue the hearing one week. Supervisor Robert Schroder seconded the motion. Supervisor Tom Torlakson recommended that the time to receive protests also be continued one week. Board memebers being in agreement, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the hearing on the Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment for the Oakley Fire Protection District is CONTINUED to April 28 , 1987 at 5 :00 P.M. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the period to submit protests is EXTENDED to April 28 , 1987. cc: County Administrator Oakley FPD 1 hereby certify that this Is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: Z&6AAZ al. 19f17 PHIL DAT&ELOR, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator By � , Deputy 2 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on April 21 , 1987 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, Torlakson, McPeak NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None SUBJECT: Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment, East Diablo Fire Protection District This being the time for public hearing on a Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment for the East Diablo Fire Protection District, Phil Batchelor, County Administrator, advised that while continuing growth in all areas of the County has placed greater demands on the fire districts for service, there have been no resources to provide the necessary additional facilities, equipment and staffing. He stated that in response to the Board' s request, five-year plans had been developed for each fire district, which identified the additional facilities, equipment and staff required to provide adequate fire protection service in the County. Mr. Batchelor stated that developer fire facilities fees were in place in many areas of the County, and that many of the cities had expressed a willingness to assist with funding. With the need for fire services increasing, Mr. Batchelor advised that the benefit assessments procedure was a way to provide the funding. Robert Nyman, fire district consultant, advised that each five-year financing plan was tailored for the individual districts. He noted that the benefit assessment was one of several funding mechanisms considered, together with developer fees and commitments from some of the cities to assist with financing. Mr. Nyman advised that legislation was passed in 1983 allowing the fire districts to utilize the benefit assessment as a financing tool. He noted that notification of property owners was mandated by the law, and that the Board could impose the assessment only if the protests received were less than 5%. He stated that the original legislation contained a sunset clause, to expire on January 1 , 1988, and that SB 1536 passed in 1986 extended the expiration to January 1 , 1991 . Mr. Nyman advised that approximately 4,300 notices had been sent out to prop- erty owners in the East Diablo Fire Protection District. Supervisor Nancy Fanden expressed her concerns with the procedure used to send out the notification to property owners and the content of the notices. Supervisor Robert Schroder, noting that he had received numerous telephone calls from constituents urging that they be given an opportunity to vote on the assessment, stated that he believed there was a need to provide more information to the public. He advised that he was reluctant to approve the assessment or to place it on the ballot without further information and input from the public. Supervisor Tom Torlakson commented on the issue of public safety, and noted that each district is different in terms of financing. He inquired as to when the benefit assessments must be adopted in order to receive revenue this year, and whether there was still time to place this issue on the ballot for the next election. Victor Westman, County Counsel, advised that to levy an assessment for the 1987-1988 fiscal year, the Board must take action by the end of April in order for it be be placed on the tax roll by July 1 , 1987. He noted that the deadline had already passed for 1 i placement on the June ballot and therefore, the earliest the issue could be placed on the ballot would be the November 1987 election. Fire Chief Paul Hein, East Diablo Fire Protection District, advised that the five-year plan developed for the East Diablo Fire District had identified the need for one new station and one full-time paid firefighter to augment the current volunteer staff. He noted that it was proposed that the new fire station would be financed jointly by the County and the City of Brentwood through the use of developer fire facilities fees, and the additional firefighter posi- tion would be funded by the benefit assessment. Chief Hein expressed the opinion that with the additional station and one firefighter position his department could provide adequate fire protection ser- vices to the District. He stated that 14380 notices had been mailed to property owners, and noted that 3 phone calls opposing the assessment and 22 written protests had been received to date. Supervisor Sunne McPeak opened the public hearing. Russ Greenlaw, representing United Professional Firefighters Local 1230, expressed his organization' s support of the benefit assessment in the East Diablo Fire Protection District. Don Christen, Executive Vice President, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, urged the Board to place the issue on the ballot. Tom Chatagnier, who owns property on Morgan Territory Road, advised that he did not oppose the benefit assessment, but urged that the fire station on Marsh Creek Road be relocated to provide increased protection for a larger area. Dorothy Riggs, Morgan Territory Road, urged that the issue be placed on the ballot. The following persons did not wish to speak, but left com- ments for the record opposing the benefit assessment: F. Earl Wetzel, P.O. Box 1814 , Byron; and Jack Hernandez, 691 Southwood Drive, Brentwood. Supervisor Tom Powers moved to continue the hearing one week. Supervisor Robert Schroder seconded the motion. Supervisor Tom Torlakson recommended that the time to receive protests also be continued one week. Board members being in agreement, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the hearing on the Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment for the East Diablo Fire Protection District is CONTINUED to April 28, 1987 at 5 :00 P.M. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the period to submit protests is EXTENDED to April 28 , 1987. 1 hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of Me Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: 4 a/• /987 cc: County Administrator PHIL BAT HELOR, Clerk of the Board East Diablo FPD of Supervisors and County Administrator By , Deputy 2 ow . �.6 & THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on April 21 , 1987 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, Torlakson, McPeak NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None SUBJECT: Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment, Riverview Fire Protection District This being the time for public hearing on a Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment for the Riverview Fire Protection District, Phil Batchelor, County Administrator, advised that while continuing growth in all areas of the County has placed greater demands on the fire districts for service, there have been no resources to provide the necessary additional facilities, equipment and staffing. He stated that in response to the Board's request, five-year plans had been developed for each fire district, which identified the additional facilities, equipment and staff required to provide adequate fire protection service in the County. Mr. Batchelor stated that developer fire facilities fees were in place in many areas of the County, and that many of the cities had expressed a willingness to assist with funding. With the need for fire services increasing,, Mr. Batchelor advised that the benefit assessments procedure was a way to provide the funding. Robert Nyman, fire district consultant, advised that each five year financing plan was tailored for the individual districts. He noted that the benefit assessment was one of several funding mechanisms considered, together with developer fees and commitments from some of the cities to assist with financing. Mr. Nyman advised that legislation was passed in 1983 allowing the fire districts to utilize the benefit assessment as a financing tool. He noted that notification of property owners was mandated by the law, and that the Board could impose the assessment only if the protests received were less than 5%. He stated that the original legislation contained a sunset clause, to expire on January 1 , 1988 , and that SB 1536 passed in 1986 extended the expiration to January 1 , 1991 . Mr. Nyman advised that approximately 34,600 notices had been sent out to prop- erty owners in the Riverview Fire Protection District. Supervisor Nancy Fanden expressed her concerns with the procedure used to send out the notification to property owners and the content of the notices. Supervisor Robert Schroder, noting that he had received numerous telephone calls from constituents urging that they be given an opportunity to vote on the assessment, stated that he believed there was a need to provide more information to the public. He advised that he was reluctant to approve the assessment or to place it on the ballot without further information and input from the public. Supervisor Tom Torlakson commented on the issue of public safety, and noted that each district is different in terms of financing. He inquired as to when the benefit assessments must be adopted in order to receive revenue this year, and whether there was still time to place this issue on the ballot for the next election. Victor Westman, County Counsel, advised that to levy an assessment for the 1987-1988 fiscal year, the Board must take action by the end of April in order for it be be placed on the tax roll by July 1 , 1987 . He noted that the deadline had already passed for 1 placement on the June ballot and therefore, the earliest the issue could be placed on the ballot would be the November 1987 election. Fire Chief Allen Little, Riverview Fire Protection District, stated that the district was formed in 1975 with six stations and has not added any additional stations, even though there has been a 54% increase in emergency calls in the district. He noted that shortages in fire district resources identified in the five-year plan called for the relocation of five of the existing stations and the addition of a seventh station. Chief Little advised that the Cities of Antioch and Pittsburg and the County have cooperated in setting district-wide developer fees, which will fund the needed buildings and equipment. He stated that the proposed benefit assessment would fund the additional personnel to staff the seventh station and future stations when constructed. Supervisor Sunne McPeak opened the public hearing. Don Christen, Executive Vice President, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, urged the Board to place the issue on the ballot. Mary Rocha, representing the City of Antioch, expressed the City' s support of the benefit assessment. Andy Jones, 247 California Avenue, Pittsburg, advised that he did not object to the benefit assessment concept, but questioned the method of assessment. The following persons spoke in opposition to the benefit assessment: Clyde Parkhurst, 1951 Calaveras Circle, Antioch; Richard Barton, 28 Terranoa Drive, Antioch; I . Entwistle, P.O. Box 1271 , Antioch; Wilhelmina Andrade, 1814 Geneva Lane, Antioch; George Petko, 1312 Putnam Street, Antioch; William McLean, 28 Seaview Drive, Pittsburg; and Alice Harris, 308 E. 13th Street, Antioch. The following persons did not wish to speak but left com- ments for the record opposing the benefit assessment: Albert & Flora Burt, 1303 D Street, Antioch; Nora J. Campbell, 2409 Kensington Ct. , Antioch; Herman Alvarado, 3225 Willow Pass Road, Pittsburg; C. L. Peters, 3963 Brookside, Pitssburg; and H. Kurlawalla, 2409 Kensington Ct. , Antioch. Russ Greenlaw, representing United Professional Firefighters Local 1230 , expressed his organization' s support of the five-year plan and the benefit assessment for the Riverview Fire Protection District. Supervisor Tom Powers moved to continue the hearing one week. Supervisor Robert Schroder seconded the motion. Supervisor Tom Torlakson recommended that the time to receive protests also be continued one week. Board members being in agreement, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the hearing on the Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment for the Riverview Fire Protection District is CONTINUED to April 28 , 1987 at 5 :00 P.M. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the period to submit protests is EXTENDED to April 28, 1987. I hereby certify that this Is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: �� g� r9,?7 PML BA hiELOR, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator cc: County Administrator Riverview FPD ByQa� �-'t-�-✓, Deputy 2 61 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on April 21 , 1987 , by the following vote: AYES: NOES: - See Below - ABSENT: ABSTAIN: -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT: Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District This being the time for public hearing on a Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Phil Batchelor, County Administrator, advised that while continuing growth in all areas of the County has placed greater demands on the fire districts for service, there have been no resources to provide the necessary additional facilities, equip- ment and staffing. He stated that in response to the Board' s request, five-year plans had been developed for each fire district, which identified the additional facilities, equipment and staff required to provide adequate fire protection service in the County. Mr. Batchelor stated that developer fire facilities fees were in place in many areas of the County, and that many of the cities had expressed a willingness to assist with funding. With the need for fire services increasing, Mr. Batchelor advised that the benefit assessments procedure was a way to provide the funding. Robert Nyman, fire district consultant, advised that each five year financing plan was tailored for the individual districts. He noted that the benefit assessment was one of several funding mechanisms considered, together with developer fees and commitments from some of the cities to assist with financing. Mr. Nyman advised that legislation was passed in 1983 allowing the fire districts to utilize the benefit assessment as a financing tool. He noted that notification of property owners was mandated by the law, and that the Board could impose the assessment only if the protests received were less than 5%. He stated that the original legislation contained a sunset clause, to expire on January 1 , 1988 , and that SB 1536 passed in 1986 extended the expiration to January 1 , 1991 . Mr. Nyman advised that approximately 105 , 300 notices had been sent out to prop- erty owners in the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. Supervisor Nancy Fanden expressed her concerns with the procedure used to send out the notification to property owners and the content of the notices. Supervisor Robert Schroder, noting that he had received numerous telephone calls from constituents urging that they be given an opportunity to vote on the assessment, stated that he believed there was a need to provide more information to the public. He advised that he was reluctant to approve the assessment or to place it on the ballot without further information and input from the public. Supervisor Tom Torlakson commented on the issue of public safety, and noted that each district is different in terms of financing. He inquired as to when the benefit assessments must be adopted in order to receive revenue this year, and whether there was still time to place this issue on the ballot for the next election. Victor Westman, County Counsel, advised that to levy an assessment for the 1987-1988 fiscal year, the Board must take action by the end of April in order for it be be placed on the tax roll by July 1 , 1987. He noted that the deadline had already passed for 1 placement on the June ballot and therefore, the earliest the issue could be placed on the ballot would be the November 1987 election. Fire Chief William Maxfield, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, advised that the district covers a 200 square mile area, including six cities, and has a population of 3259000. He stated that the Public Safety Element of the County General Plan specifies a three minute run time as an acceptable standard. He noted that approximately one-third of the population of the district is not within the three minute run time, and he expressed his concern that with the anticipated growth over the next five years, another 2 ,500 residents per year will be outside the acceptable run time. Chief Maxfield stated that there are eighteen fire stations in the district, sixteen of which are fully staffed with 3 to 6 firefighters each. He advised that city contributions and new construction fees were proposed to finance new and relocated fire stations and some equipment, and the benefit assessment was proposed to fund additional staff and support personnel and equipment for the new stations as they are built. Supervisor Sunne McPeak opened the public hearing. Don MacIntosh, member of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection Board of Commissioners, commented on the needs identified by the five-year plan and urged the Board to adopt the benefit assessment. Don Christen, Executive Vice President, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, urged the Board to place the issue on the ballot. He recommended a public education program to inform the voters of the needs of the fire district. The following persons spoke in opposition to the benefit assessment: William E. Hoyle, 5262 Jomar Drive, Concord; Walter Davis, property owner in the district; John Osborne, property owner in the district; Martin DeVenuta, 3010 Pacheco Blvd, Martinez; Delos Mace , 302 Patterson, Pleasant Hill. Supervisor Robert Schroder moved to declare the Board's intention not to impose a Fire Suppression Assessment for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. Supervisor McPeak seconded the motion. The vote was as follows : AYES: Supervisors Powers , Fanden, Schroder, McPeak NOES: Supervisor Torlakson The Chair announced that the motion passed. Supervisor Tom Powers moved to continue the hearing one week in order to receive additional public input. Supervisor Robert Schroder seconded the motion. Supervisor Tom Torlakson recommended that the time to receive protests also be continued one week. Board members being in agreement, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the hearing on the Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is CONTINUED to April 28 , 1987 at 5 :00 P.M. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the period to submit protests is EXTENDED to April 28, 1987. Supervisor McPeak inquired as to whether there was anyone in the audience who would be unable to return on April 28 and wished to speak at this time. 2 The following persons spoke in support of the benefit assessment: Ervin P. Suess, representing 1st Walnut Creek Mutual ; and Julia L. Suess, representing Rossmoor Residents Association. The following persons spoke in opposition to the benefit assessment: Edith Cole, resident of Rossmoor; Bryant Fischback, 13214 E1 Curtola Blvd. , Walnut Creek; Charles Boyd, resident of the district; Dr. K. G. Holcombe, 140 Elmwood Court, Walnut Creek; and Dr. F. Jerry Mattka, 895 Moraga Road, Lafayette. Russ Greenlaw, representing United Professional Firefighters Local 1230, advised that while his organization does not object to the concept of a benefit assessment for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, they do have concerns relative to current methods of allocation of tax revenues to the district. He stated that Local 1230 does not endorse the benefit assessment for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District because they believe there are other monies available to finance the required equipment and personnel. Mr. Greenlaw expressed his belief that the fire district should be governed by an independent Board of Directors. I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. cc: County Administrator ATTESTED: = dl, 191"7 CCC FPD PHIL BAT HELOR, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator By Deputy 3