06-14-11 Public Safety and Human Resources CommitteeMinutes
Public Safety and Human Resources Committee Meeting
June 14, 2011
Elected Officials Present: Council Member Diane Buckshnis
Council Member D. J. Wilson
Staff Present: Mayor Mike Cooper
Police Chief Al Compaan
ACOP Jim Lawless
Fire Marshal John Westfall
City Attorney Sharon Cates
The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m.
A. Discussion on Marine 16.
The meeting began with discussion regarding Marine 16. ACOP Lawless
provided historical background as to how the boat was acquired and some of the
grant requirements. He then provided a brief overview of how much money the
Police Department had spent for repair and maintenance for the boat since the
contract was signed with Fire District 1. The boat is utilized by FD 1 roughly 95%
of the time and by the PD 5%, with the PD being responsible for 100% of repair
and maintenance costs. This has cost the PD approximately $50,000 over the
past 2 '/2 years, none of which has been budgeted. ACOP Lawless then advised
that the two outboard motors will likely have to be replaced within the next 2-3
years, which is 3-4 years earlier than anticipated. That replacement cost will be
$40,000+.
ACOP Lawless and Mayor Cooper then explained that the Fire District had been
approached about renegotiating the contract to shift the repair and maintenance
to the Fire District and transfer the boat to their inventory. Mayor Cooper advised
that there had been some hesitancy on the part of several of the FD 1
commissioners, but he was confident that they now had a better understanding of
the situation. ACOP Lawless advised that if the negotiations weren't successful,
there may be a possibility to transfer the boat to the Snohomish County Sheriff's
Office as they were involved in the initial grant, and received a boat from the
grant. If that option didn't pan out, the other option would be to dry dock the
boat.
Fire Marshal Westfall then advised that the fuel bills showed that since the
beginning of 2011, the FD had fueled the boat 14 times and the PD had fueled
the boat 3 times so far.
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June 14, 2011
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Councilmember Wilson asked what provisions for the boat were outlined in the
contract between the City and FD 1. He was provided a copy of Exhibit H, which
addresses Marine 16. Councilmember Wilson advised that if an agreement
couldn't be reached with FD 1, he would be in favor of dry docking the boat.
Mayor Cooper advised that he would be drafting a letter to Fire District 1 with a
proposal for the transfer.
Action: None.
B. Revisions to open burning requirements.
Fire Marshal Westfall discussed current requirements that in City of Edmonds are
more restrictive for recreational burning. The City Code only allows cooking fires
as one of the exceptions to the Urban Growth Area burn ban. By code, a fire that
has cooked food must then be extinguished because it is no longer a cooking
fire. Recreational enjoyment of fires, allowed under favorable conditions of air
quality, is not allowed. The changes proposed will allow property owners to
recreate with a backyard fire and not alter the fire department response to smoke
concerns and nuisance air quality impairments. No recreational fire, nor currently
any cooking fire, is allowed during periods of air quality impairment. The Puget
Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) establishes allowable times when exception
can be made for recreational fires.
Councilmember Buckshnis asked who would respond to an indoor fire when
fumes are noxious and smoke from chimney is obviously burning rubbish in a
fireplace. Fire Marshal explained that 9-1-1 is the means that can be used to
investigate these concerns. With proper documentation of incident, PSCAA has
the authority to levy fines upon homeowner for this type of indoor activity and air
quality impairment.
Councilmember Wilson asked what restrictions are for recreational fires. Fire
Marshal explained that the law is a ban of all outdoor burning, however, when air
quality conditions are correct and air quality burn bans are not in effect, certain
outdoor fires are allowed. The fire code requires that these outdoor fire activities
must be located 25 foot from combustible structures, be provided a ready means
to extinguish, and in constant attendance until extinguished.
Action: Staff was directed to include fire code requirements in agenda item
narrative and forward ordinance with Code changes to consent agenda.
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June 14, 2011
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C. Review of Inter -jurisdictional police response activities.
Councilmember Wilson pulled the item from the agenda.
Action: None.
The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
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June 14, 2011
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