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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06111991 - H.5 F H. 5 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on June 11 , 1991 by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Schroder, Torlakson and Powers NOES: None ABSENT: Supervisors Fanden and McPeak ABSTAIN: None --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT: Hearing On Proposed Benefit Assessment Increase For The Riverview Fire Protection District This is the time heretofore noticed for a public hearing for consideration of the report submitted by the Fire Chief of Riverview Fire Protection District proposing that fire suppression assessments be levied on real property or properties located in the District. Terry McGraw, County Administrator' s Office, presented the staff report on the proposed assessment, commenting on the purpose of the hearing to consider the benefit assessment increase designed to continue funding staffing for a new station opened four years ago, and to fund staffing for a new station to be opened in early 1992 . Chief Allen Little, Riverview Fire Protection District, presented background on the proposed assessment. Supervisor Torlakson requested clarification on issues including the automatic escalator proposal, a termination date for reexamination of the program, and whether all capital equipment and the building is being paid for by the developer fee and not the homeowner assessments. Chief Little responded to Supervisor Torlakson' s request commenting that assessment fees were spent on operating costs, salaries and benefits of personnel, and that developer fees were used to fund the temporary facility in Antioch as well to purchase two new fire engines. Supervisor Torlakson questioned whether the second new station would be paid for by new development tax revenues, and why the amount has not been enough. Chief Little responded to Supervisor Torlakson' s question commenting on the loss of tax revenue resulting from formation of redevelopment agencies in the area. Supervisor Schroder requested clarification on what the assessment would be if the money were received from the natural growth and whether the cities should be requested to participate in the funding of the fire service out of some of the funds they receive through redevelopment, and he also commented, on the amount of funds that the Riverview Fire Protection District has received from the Special District Augmentation Fund. The public hearing was opened and the following persons appeared to give testimony: Joe Rubini, 11500 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, representing East Bay Regional Parks, spoke in opposition. Phil Kamerer, 597 Center Avenue, Suite 150, Martinez, representing Citation Northern, spoke in opposition. P.A. Cresson, #6 Nautilus Place, Pittsburg, spoke in opposition. Bill Hardesty, 712 E. Santa Fe, Pittsburg, spoke in opposition. Joan Boykins, 97 E. Trident Drive, Pittsburg, requested an exemption from the proposed assessment.. Supervisor Torlakson requested clarification from County Counsel on a categorical exemption in the system and commented that he would be able to answer the issue within the next couple of weeks. George P. Girard, 3021 Longview Road, Antioch, spoke in opposition. Mary Brunell, 3301 Buchanan road #8, Antioch, spoke in opposition. Ralph A. Hernandez , 2718 Barcelona Circle, Antioch, representing Citizens for Democracy, spoke in opposition. Donald E. Peckham, Antioch, requested a postponement of this matter and a detailed accounting of the use of the funds. John Whalen, 1000 Ridge Park Drive, Concord, spoke in opposition. Martin Semien, 2728 Almondridge Drive, Antioch, spoke in opposition. Joe Beckham, 2313 Clinton Court, Antioch, spoke in opposition. Mike Price, 112 Blueridge Drive, Martinez, President of United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, representing the firefighters that work in the Riverview Fire Protection District, commented on the lack of education for the citizens in the District as to what services are provided by the District, monies raised in the District, and the impact of Proposition 13 , and he offered the services of his group to any citizen or group who wishes information. Joe Cranmer, 3682 Hastings Court, Lafayette, representing Cranmer Garcia #II Partnership, spoke in opposition. Tom Cranmer, 1776 Ygnacio Valley Road 206, Walnut Creek, representing Cranmer Associates Inc. , spoke on the light industrial assessment. Henry Alker, 155 Montgomery Street, Suite 504, San Francisco, representing the Southport Land Commercial Company, spoke in opposition. Supervisor Torlakson requested clarification from staff on issues including assessment of a porch in a mobile home park, and he requested a map be provided showing the location of the stations and the response times. He advised of his intention that all capital costs to set up a new station would be paid for out of the developer fee or the City' s contribution and the assessments on homes and business would be for operations. He requested a comparative budget between 1987 and the proposed budget for next year to review the specific cost increases. Supervisor Torlakson commented on the noticing process for this hearing. Supervisor Torlakson moved that the Board consider a 6 p.m. hearing on this matter. The motion died for lack of a second. Supervisor Torlakson commented that he would hold an evening meeting in his district and advised that June 24, 1991 would be the only date available to do so. Supervisor Torlakson requested exploration of what the cities could provide to address the fire needs and suggested a letter to the cities on this request. He also requested staff to explore a termination clause for this ordinance and removal of the escalation clause. He also requested staff to explore the possibility of two zones. a. Supervisor Powers requested clarification of the difference in assessing types of buildings, and clarification of the exemption process. He expressed support for a meeting in the community to inform people of the issues. Chief Little spoke in rebuttal. IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the hearing on the above matter is CONTINUED to June 25, 1991 at 2: 00 p.m. ; and concerns raised today are REFERRED to staff for review and response. I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Sup isors on the date shown. ATTESTED: PHIL OTCHELOR.Clerk of the Board f Super ors and Cou Administrator 8y Deputy Orig. Dept. : Clerk of the Board cc : County Administrator County Counsel