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Home My WebLink About07132005 01Y Of ~ HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 13,2005 -7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. The Mayor called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Council Member Coy led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. There was a moment of silence. 4. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Mayor Nathan McCollum Vice-Mayor Brian Burkeen Council Member Andrea Coy Council Member Lisanne Monier Council Member Sal Neglia Staff Present: City Manager, AI Minner City Attorney, Rich Stringer City Clerk, Sally Maio Deputy City Clerk, Jeanette Williams City Engineer, David Fisher Stormwater Engineer, Ken Jones Police Lieutenant, Bob Lockhart Zoning Technician, Dorri Bosworth Engineering Technician, Michael Driscoll Engineering Technician, Brian Green MIS Systems Analyst, Barbara Brooke Also Present: Eric Grotke, Michael Schmidt, and Douglas Moulton, Camp, Dresser and McKee Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Two 05.081 05.107 05.150 1-8 9-22 5. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS (ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS) Items not on the written agenda may be added only upon a unanimous vote of City Councif members (R-04- 26) On MOTION by Ms. Coy, and SECOND by Mr. Burkeen, at the request of Mayor McCollum, item 6C was moved before item 6A and a report from the Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting was added under Mayor's matters on a voice vote of 5-0. 6. PROCLAMATIONS. ANNOUNCEMENTS. PRESENTATIONS C. . Certificate of Completion Presented to Council Member Neqlia for 2005 Institute for Elected Municipal Officials Mayor McCollum presented Council Member Neglia with his certificate for completion of the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials from the Florida Institute of Government. A. State Representative Ralph Poppell 2005 Leqislative Update Representative Poppell reported on the 2005 state budget, the approved $2.5 million grant for the Indian River County Emergency Operations Center, limiting the ability to change the state constitution, growth management concurrency issues and criteria for available funding, funding for schools, formation of a committee to address the effect of the Supreme Court ruling on eminent domain within Florida, and future problems with Medicaid. Mayor McCollum thanked him for his report and his representation in Tallahassee. B. Presentation bv John Williams Re: Fire/EMS Consolidation Taxation John Williams, 1535 Smugglers Cove, on behalf of himself and Caroline Ginn, who was unable to attend, read from his submittal to Council (see attached) opposing the merger of the county's firefighter and paramedic services and urged Council to use its clout to speak out against the merger. Mayor McCollum said Council member Neglia is a member of the Emergency Services District Committee and can review the documents submitted and report to them for Council. 7. CONSENT AGENDA All items on the consent agenda are considered routine and wiff be enacted by one motion. There wiff be no separate discussion of consent agenda items unless a member of City Councif so requests; in which event, the item will be removed and acted upon separately. A. Approval of Minutes - Special Meeting 6/15/05 Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting 6/22105 B. 2 Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Three 05.147 23-28 C. Resolution No. R-05-26 - Council Meeting Procedures (City Clerk Transmittal 7/7/05, R-05-26) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. R-03-14; ESTABLISHING THE DATE AND TIME FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS AND QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS; ADOPTING ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER; PROVIDING FOR AGENDA PREPARATION; PROVIDING FOR AGENDA MODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES (OTHER THAN QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS); PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC INPUT PROCEDURES; ESTABLISHING DIRECTION RELATIVE TO VERBATIM TRANSCRIPTS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF RESOLUTIONS OR PARTS OF RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Ms. Monier removed item C. On MOTION by Mr. Burkeen, and SECOND by Ms. Coy, items A and B were approved on a voice vote of 5-0. ItemC Ms. Monier suggested extending the time limit to ten minutes rather than it being unlimited to keep consistency. Mr. Burkeen disagreed since the resolution does give Council the authority to terminate or limit input. Mr. Neglia agreed with Ms. Monier that ten minutes was appropriate. Mayor McCollum said it is not up to Council to discriminate, and if it decides to go with ten minutes, it should never extend the time for anyone. Mr. Neglia said by limiting to ten minutes, it gives everyone at a meeting a chance to speak. Ms. Coy said as a citizen she found it frustrating when speaking to the Council and will supporlthe resolution as written. Mayor McCollum suggested item 7A requiring sign-up sheets be eliminated as well to eliminate the need for a sign-up sheet. The City Clerk noted a change in the reference to the previous resolution should be R-04-26. On MOTION by Mr. Burkeen, and SECOND by Ms. Coy, Resolution No. R-05-26 with the amendment of 7A and as corrected and to change the reference from R-03-14to R-04-26 was adopted on a roll call vote of 4-1 (Monier - nay). 3 Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Four 8. COMMITTEE REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS 05.090 29-34 A. Parks & Recreation Advisorv Committee (City Clerk's Transmittal 6/24/05, code, application, ad, list) i. Interview, Unless Waived, and Submit Nominations to Fill: a. One At-Large Member Position Ms. Coy nominated Gary Barth and being no other applicants, Mr. Barth was appointed. 05.080 35-36 B. Community Redevelopment Advisorv Committee i. Confirm Council Member Coy's Appointee, Jim Weber There were no objections to Jim Weber's appointment as Council Member Coy's representative, thus his appointment was confirmed. 05.085 37-39 C. Citizen Budqet Review Advisorv Committee i. Confirm Council Member Neglia's Appointee, AI Paternoster There were no objections to AI Paternoster's appointment as Council Member Neglia's representative, thus his appointment was confirmed. 9. QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING 05.055 41-56 A. Resolution No. R-05-27 Approvinq a Preliminarv Plat for Turtle Grove Subdivision (GMD Transmittal 7/5/05. Pians. R-05-27. Map. Report. Application, Minutes. Ad) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS TURTLE GROVE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. Mayor McCollum opened the hearing at 7:53 p.m. and Councii members had no ex-parte communications to disclose. The City Clerk swore in all who intended to offer factual testimony. Joe Schulke, Schulke, Bittle and Stoddard, representing the property owner, addressed City Council on the preliminary plat. The Zoning Technician gave the staff report and provided Council with the Environmental Study dated June 14, 2004 (see attached - exhibit). Side II, Tape I, 8:01 pm In response to Mr. Burkeen, Mr. Schulke said he could not commit to the fact that this will not be a gated community, that he had conceptual approval from the Sebastian Water Control District, and Indian River County Utilities, is in review with St. Johns River 4 Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Five Water Management District, said he had received no objections from Friends of the Sebastian River and that there are no planned sidewalks. Mr. Burkeen said he had received numerous phone calls. Ms. Bosworth said she had not heard back from St. Johns but no permits will be issued until they respond. In response to Ms. Coy, Mr. Schulke demonstrated the tree plan and said Mr. Kozlowski wants to retain as many trees as he can and deal with each lot on an individual basis. He described his plan for clearing. He said they will clear the road and the retention area, and then clear those trees that can't be saved. Ms. Coy said it looked like a quarter of the trees might be able to be saved. In response to Ms. Coy, Mr. Schulke said the berm he proposes is not required by the City, so there is not a berm plan in place at this time. Ms. Bosworth noted that RS-10 to RS-10 does not require buffer or berm. Mr. Schulke said he could commit to a specific buffer as defined in the City code. Ms. Bosworth said she could require some of the smaller oaks coming out of the property to be lined along Laconia Street. In response to Ms. Coy, Ms. Bosworth explained flood zones in Sebastian and said houses in the flood zone in question will have to be at 11-foot elevation, and Mr. Schulke clarified 11.75 feet. Ms. Coy specified lots 25 and 26 and asked how close the fill will be to the south prong of the Sebastian River. Mr. Schulke said there will be fill within 35 feet of the river. Ms. Coy said if this property was in the county it would be 100 foot. Ms. Coy requested that gopher tortoises be relocated, expressed concern that the new tree ordinance is not in place which will require that clearing not take place on weekends and during City off hours. She expressed concern for the south prong of the St. Sebastian River and Mr. Schulke said if St. Johns has concerns they will have to be addressed and as far as the 100 feet, he is going by the City Code like everyone else does. He said he will take the lots out of the plan if St. Johns requires him to do so. Ms. Coy said she had a responsibility to this City and the preservation of the south prong of the river. The City Attorney said Laconia would still be a collector even if it doesn't go through and said staff encourages people not to back out onto Laconia, noting that corner properties are encouraged to use the adjoining streets. In response to Mr. Neglia, Mr. Schulke offered to omit lots 24-26, said there is no traffic study required, that the City will not maintain the streets and drainage, and there will be curbed roads. Ms. Monier asked if lots 25, 26 and possibly 24 could be held off until SI. Johns responds. and if SI. Johns approves them then the setbacks for these lots be adjusted. 5 Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Six Mr. Schulke proposed that lots 24 and 25 be deleted and that 26, 27 and 28 be pulled back to the adjacent lot lines to the east. Side I, Tape II, 9:00 pm Mr. Schulke said he believed there would be two story homes but the berm would not be high enough to hide two stories. Mayor McCollum asked what is the difference between a PUD and a subdivision. The City Attorney said the subdivision regulations are very specific, there is nothing that addresses the Sebastian River, and said there is not as much give and take on subdivisions as there is for a PUD. He said if it is privately owned property we don't have to require that they allow everyone in. He said if Council does not like the rules set out for subdivision approvals they can be changed. Mr. Schulke said there can be a provision in the dedication that when the City has to put traffic through the subdivision it can, said he was willing to relocate trees, eliminate lots 24 and 25 and make them conservation, and pull back the rear line for lots 26,27, and 28, if he can relocate turtles in this area he will and if not he'll move them off-site and if not, do a take permit. Mr. Schulke said there would be a widening of Laconia to Concha Drive and construction of a swale on Laconia. Tim Glover, 9660 Estuary Lane, Friends of the St. Sebastian River, reiterated he had submitted a letter to the Council last year asking that the buffer to the St. Sebastian River be the same as that set out by Indian River County. Adrina Davis, Sebastian, confirmed the number of lots after taking away lots 24 & 25. The City Attorney said by eliminating those lots, there may be more buffer there than the County requires. He defined mean high water mark to mean when fifty percent it is higher and fifty percent it is lower. The Zoning Technician suggested placing trees 1 every 20 feet in conformance with the Riverfront overlay and develop Laconia to the base core at the beginning and designating Laconia to CR512 as the designated construction vehicle route. Mr. Burkeen said he still had concerns about it being private, and about flooding. Ms. Coy said Mr. Schulke's modifications make it easier, but she will do nothing until she hears from St. Johns River Water Management District, wants to know more about the gopher tortoises, and would like this brought back after those answers are received. 6 Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Seven Mr. Neglia said he was concerned about the buildings facing the other way on Laconia and said he would like to wait until St. Johns responds. Ms. Monier said she understands the checks and balances of the other agencies and knows nothing will be perrnitted until the other agencies approve. Mayor McCollum expressed concern for this being a gated community and locking up access for later use. He said people are not rnoving to Sebastian for gated cornmunities and it is not representative of that area. He said he would love to see simple RS-10 zoning. He said if this was approved, he would recornmend two-Ianing Laconia Street. Ms. Monier said it takes some burden off the City if they maintain their own roads and drainage and it is up to people to become neighbors even if it is a gated community. Ms. Bosworth said there is an engineering poliCy that if anything goes wrong in a private subdivision relative to roads or drainage it would be up to the property owners to repair. Mr. Schulke said he has lived in Sebastian since 1989 and he lives in a gated community and is involved in and serves his community. He said he can request that the property owner go with no gates and would commit to that. MOTION by Ms. Monier, and SECOND by Mr. Burkeen, to adopt Resolution No. R-05- 27 with the conditions that Laconia be widened, take out two lots, cut back three lots, no gates, all permitting from other agencies in place, move trees into the berm, that tortoise issue be addressed as Ms. Coy noted, that there is in writing a letter from St. Johns and if any concerns they be addressed and brought back failed on a roll call vote of 2-3 (McCollum, Burkeen, and Coy - nay) The City Attorney requested that in the body of the resolution there be an amendment in the conflict section to cite Resolution No. R-03-54, which set out the one-way direction of Laconia. Ms. Coy suggested that this item be brought back to the next meeting with all the revised language and the resolution to change the two-waying of Laconia Street. On MOTION by Ms. Coy and SECOND by Mr. Burkeen staff was directed to bring back proper amended resolution language on August 24 and a resolution to amend the one- way traffic on a roll call vote of 5-0. Mayor McCollum called recess at 9:50 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:55 p.m. All members were present 7 Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Eight 10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC Item that has occurred or was discovered within the previous six months which is not otherwise on the agenda - sign-up required - limit of five minutes each speaker Wendy Cilli, asked for relief of $17,000 in liens on her mother's home. Mayor McCollum said Council has no authority over Code Enforcement cases and suggested they speak to the City Attorney tomorrow. Ms. Cilli said they are closing on this house on Friday and need an answer. Mayor McCollum said the City Attorney can give them options. The City Attorney said once appeal tirne is over, this becomes a debt of the City and Council can relieve debt. Mayor McCollurn said the Council does not have enough information here about what the $17,000 is for and could not make a decision. Mr. Burkeen said they can still close and the money can be held in escrow; and agreed Council cannot make a decision without backup. Ms. Cilli was advised to come back for the July 27th meeting and submit backup to the City Manager by next Wednesday prior to agenda preparation. Vera Render, Mulberry Street, Sebastian, shared information about firefighters in rebuttal to John Williams input during presentations and supported the merger of paramedics and firefighters. Mr. Burkeen responded to her input. The City Attorney requested that Ordinance No. 0-05-15 be read and passed on first reading for public hearing on July 27th at this time since it had already been advertised for the 27th and City Council concurred. 12. NEW BUSINESS 05.132 61-63 A. Ordinance No. 0-05-15 Hurricane Measures bv Contractors - Schedule Public Hearina for Julv 27. 2005 (City Attornev Transmittal 7/7/05. 0-05-15) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 26 TO REQUIRE THAT CONSTRUCTION SITES BE SECURED UPON ISSUANCE OF A HURRICANE WATCH OR WARNING; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. The City Attorney read Ordinance No. 0-05-15 by title only. On MOTION by Mr. Burkeen, and SECOND by Ms. Monier, Ordinance No. 0-05- 15 was passed on first reading and scheduled for public hearing on July 27, 2005 on a roll call vote of 5-0. 8 Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Nine 11. OLD BUSINESS 05.058 57-60 A. Response To Council Questions From Special Meetinq Held June 15. 2005 Reqardinq Stormwater Improvement Plan Includinq Canals (Report from City Enqineer) Side II, Tape 11,10:11 pm The City Engineer addressed City Council (see his presentation as attached to the agenda packet) and presented a power point program. He stated that staff is not recommending any particular method and will implement any option or method the Council should choose. On MOTION by Mr. Burkeen, and SECOND by Ms. Coy, at 10:30 p.m. the meeting was extended to 11 :00 p.m. on a voice vote of 5-0 Mike Schmidt, CDM, reported on the benefits and potential consequences of dredging. The City Manager continued the power point presentation with funding options. Dean Quick, asked who will have the liability if we go to rip rap. Kenny Lee, Wimbrow Drive, asked what soiution the Council has decided on and what dollar figure people will be billed for. He said most people don't want sod, and with seawalls people can continue to pump water out of the canal. Eugene Wolfe, said he appreciates the scenario presented by Mr. Fisher, and agreed that 512 to the Fleming Street bridge is the worst part of the canal. He said his only concern was that dredging of that area might cause other areas to fail. Bob Audette, Wimbrow, asked Council to consider the devaluation that sodded siopes would cause. Constance Kenney stated the maintenance and repair is the City's responsibility, inquired about maintenance of the water level, the present ecosystems, replenishing the ecosystems, the asbestos and where the money will go from the dredged silt. She stated the City should use the existing tax base for repair. On MOTION by Mr. Neglia, and SECOND by Mr. Burkeen, at 10:57 p.m., the meeting was extended to 11 :30 p.m. on a voice vote of 5-0. Mayor McCollum called recess from 10:58 p.m. to 11 :00 p.m. All members were present. 9 Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Ten Mickey Groeppler asked about water quality testing and dredging. Mike Schmidt explained that there needs to be a reduction in phosphorous to the Indian River Lagoon and the City Engineer said any plans for seawall repair wouid be to entomb and not tear down so that no asbestos would be released. Mr. Stalinger asked if there is a plan to trap future sediment in the clean out traps that are already in place once the canal is dredged. Kenny Lee asked, if the rock option is selected, how are the rocks put in. Earl Brown, 677 Wimbrow Drive, asked Council to put a lot of thought into this. Constance Kenney asked again about the asbestos and if it is currently considered airborne. Ms. Coy said she would like to do it in segments but questioned where the $ 4.2 million to finish the project would come from. The City Manager said stormwater fees would have to be increased in that case. Ms. Coy said she receives calls from people who don't live on canals who don't want to pay for the repair and said she was leaning toward rip rap because we can afford it and we don't have to assess the entire city. She said there are drainage problems throughout the City with flooding and if we obligate all of our funds to one piece we have nothing left for other areas. Mr. Neglia said we can't do this in segments because it won't get done and we would probably have to raise the stormwater fee. Ms. Monier said the rest of the citizens don't want stormwater fees to go up much, we need to take care of properties that have seawalls on city right-of-way and we can do rip rap which will require less maintenance in the long run and is the fairest thing to do. Mayor McCollum discussed long-term maintenance issues and said that sodded slope will cost more in maintenance. The City Attorney said he had not seen a seawall south of 512 where the seawall doesn't line up with the property line. Mr. Burkeen said we have to ask ourselves what we can afford as a community and if we choose expensive options we have to pay, and said he was not in favor of doing this in segments. On MOTION by Burkeen, and SECOND by Monier meeting was extended five minutes more on a voice vote of 5-0. On MOTION by Ms. Monier and SECOND by Mr. Burkeen the rip rap option was approved on a roll call vote of 5-0. 10 Regular City Council Meeting July 13, 2005 Page Eleven The City Manager said he would come back with cost reallocation to the next meeting. Mayor McCollum announced a Dodger salute to Sebastian for Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The City Manager received Council consensus to send a letter to FIT regarding City collaboration in a new hydrogen powered bus project. He stated there is no financial commitment. The remaining items were not addressed and Mayor McCollum adjourned the Regular Meeting at 11 :35 p.m. 05.151 CITY ATTORNEY MATTERS CITY MANAGER MATTERS CITY CLERK MATTERS CITY COUNCIL MATTERS A. Ms. Monier B. Mr. Nealia C. Mayor McCollum i. Appointment to Indian River County Parks & Recreation Committee (no backup) D. Mr. Burkeen E. Ms. Cov Approved at the J y 27th Regular City Council Meeting. '~ 13. 14. 15. 16. '-- 11 INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC SIGN-UP SHEET July 13, 2005 REGULAR MEETING "New Business" as used herein, is defined as an item that has occurred or was discovered within the previous six months USE THIS FORM ONL Y FOR INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS NOT OTHERWISE ON THE PREPARED AGENDA*- LIMIT OF 5 MINUTES PER SPEAKER If the item on which you wish to speak is on the printed agenda, do not sign this fonn. The Mayor will call for public input prior to Council deliberation on each agenda item. Please raise your hand when he calls for input. i.! " 'lYe.., Name: Connie Cieslak; Wendy Cilli; Marie Berg; Cindy Miller New Subject: Rei i e f for $ 1 7 , 000 11 en ~-~:~-----~7~-~=-----g;~~-~---------------------------- New Subject: Ef). ( S-O Name: New Subject: Name: New Subject: Name: New Subject: Name: New Subject: QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING SIGN UP SHEET July 13, 2005 Resolution No. R-05-27 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS TURTLE GROVE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. _.~ ./' / ;'il1/1 G! 2) 1/-tJV' NAME 7l/ i ~ ~~'h~ b60 Es u~t <'LV FOR/AGAINST_ ADDRESS (not m datoryj (circle one) NAME FOR/AGAINST _ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST _ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST _ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST_ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST _ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST _ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST _ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST _ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST _ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST_ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) FOR/AGAINST _ ADDRESS (not mandatory) (circle one) NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME JOHN T. WILLIAMS 1535 Smugglers Cave Vera Beach, Fla. 32963 772-231-5578 July 12, 2005 Honorable Members of the City Council : Thank you very much for this opportunity to address you. Although I'm not a resident of your city....I live in the unincorporated area.... the issue that Mrs. Ginn and I wish to discuss... .the proposed merger of the county's firefighter and paramedic services. . . .. affects all of us equally. It is our hope that with the facts and figures we present to you, along with an explanation of the adverse effects that the merger would have on the future political stability of the county, you will be convinced to send the County Commission a resolution opposing the merger. At the very least we have hope that you will demand that the county have a financial feasibility study done so all of us taxpayers will know the future costs involved. As you may know, they are paying a consultant $50,000 to guide them in the actual mechanics of the merger but refused Commissioner Sandra Bowden's request at the time that a financial feasibility study also be included. In our opinion that request was specifically ignored because the facts are already in from Martin County and other locales that merging fire and rescue services not only causes a lower level of efficiency but results in dramatically increased costs. . . .. and the commission majority could not afford to have those facts become public knowledge. After the election of November 2004, the firefighters' union was certain that it had "arranged" for the necessary additional votes for the merger, and their leader on the Commission, Tom Lowther, who has two brothers in the firefighters union, immediately made a motion for the merger and the runaway train left the station. In our view, it is vital that the train be stopped until the facts can be made known to the public at large. An objection from this city on behalf of its citizens would go far to sidetrack that train and put healthy sunshine on the issue. In recent weeks Mrs. Ginn and I have both made individual, lengthy, well- documented presentations to the County Commission pointing out the problems with the merger. Each of us also individually sat down at the Press Journal with Kenric Ward and presented him with our data. We obviously found a concerned and knowledgeable ear who shared our concerns, and as a result, the Press Journal recently published six excellent and accurate editorials by Ken Ward pointing out the fallacies of the merger.....and in each case doing a far better job than either of us could have done. It would take too much of your valuable time ifwe were to read all the material we have in the packets for each of you, but hopefully, you will allow an itemization of the individual exhibits and a quick reference to each. .. .. . ..and then, as soon as your time permits, will individually read all the attachments in full. If you will do so we have confidence you will agree that the merger should not go forward. (iJ ATTACHMENTS: Seven Press Journal editorials: I. "What's the Rush" Nov. 18,2004, pointing out Lowther's gleeful move for the merger immediately after the election. II. "Merger Mania" June IS, 2005, (1) criticizes the commission for failing to do a "thorough, exhaustive and dispassionate analysis". . . .. . (2) Speaks to the request by the firefighters union for "an unprecedented $7.8 million boost in pay and perks for its members (a 54.7 % increase) in the coming year." And (3) asks the question "Will commissioners serve Indian River County residents or favor union bosses?" ill. "Red Alert" June 19,2005, (1) points out again the firefighters' union request for the 54.7 % increase in pay and perks that would ''work out to a staggering $51,963 increase per employee". . .. .and notes that the "contract will bump the millage rate from the current 1.9 mills to about 3 mills.... .not counting outlays for new fire stations, dual certification or pay upgrades for becoming paramedics". (2) speaks to the fact that "the International Ass'n. of Firefighters Local #2201 calls the merger a done deal and refuses to publicly debate or discuss the issue". (3) makes reference to the 1999 attempt by the firefighters for consolidation and that "the County Commission ran the numbers and backed away because of the costs." (4) it closes with ''whatever promises may have been made, commissioners have an obligation to be square with taxpayers.....not to hose them for the pecuniary benefit ofa union angling to consolidate its power". IV. "Playing Politics" June 23, 2005, the title and sub-title, "Local Firefighters' Union Figures It's Time To Cash In", tells it all. (1) It points out that though "the firefighters' profession has been elevated to hero status since 9/11.. .. . . . . there's a dark side to this idol worship when the firefighters' union seeks greater control over public policy and plays partisan politics to do it". (2) The editorial quotes one local candidate who tan into the union buzz saw. He said, "They know how to put on a show, and how to put the knife in your back". Very aptly put. I could give you chapter and verse on public employee unions and their nefarious, manipulative... ..often illegal activities... .during elections in So. Florida from personal experience. My report to the Co. Commission also details what went on in Estero Fire District near Ft. Myers just a few years ago. In many cases our "heroes" turn out to be hooligans when an election is on the line. (3) the editorial continues, "If the lAFF is allowed to pull all emergency services under its collective bargaining umbrella, Local 2201 's position will be strengthened substantially. Once the balance of power shifts that far, it will be difficult, if not impossible to turn it back... ..and county taxpayers will be poorer for it." Has anyone thus fur been able to put Humpty-Dumpty back together again?? V. "Dare to Compare" June 26, 2005, (I) this editorial quotes at length from a national study of cities comparing benefits and costs of separate fire and rescue services from (j) consolidated ones and found that "loading up firetrucks with paramedic-trained firefighters can actually be counter-productive because firefighting and paramedic work are very different skills. . . .evoking the adage, 'Jack of all trades, master of none"'. (2) it quotes a USA Today study (we have provided the actual study in your back-up) showing, as an example, that in two comparably-sized cities, Tulsa and Oklahoma City, "resuscitation rates for cardiac arrest victims were statistically identical even though Oklahoma City has twice as many paramedics" as a result of consolidation. And (3) it closes, "Ignoring the national trend away from consolidation could prove a most costly mistake." VI. ~A Third Way" June 30, 2005, (1) points out that "Consolidation is bleeding tax dollars in Martin Co., the venue local advocates cite as their model. Since 1996 the combined emergency-services budget there has more than doubled to $26 million, far outstripping population gains, which rose at about one-third that pace." Continuing.. ." Aggressive bargaining by the IAFF has sent salaries skyrocketing in Martin Co. where the average fire-medic will make $96,085 this year, not including health benefits. " And (2) "Compared with Martin-style consolidation, the two-union setup in Indian River Co. is a veritahle bargain." "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure what will happen ifboth units are brought under one big IAFF umbrella, as envisioned". VIl. "Holding the Line" , July 3, 2005, (1) again urges the commission not to proceed without a feasibility study and urges the firefighter union to extend its current contract... . and set aside their request for a 54.7"10 increase... until the consolidation issue is resolved. It points out that (2) "national studies show more communities moving aw~ from consolidation because of the higher costs and union influence that result from such arrangements. Furthermore, research reported in this series shows NO correlation between consolidation and quality of care." It states that (3) taxpayers "must be confident that their elected representatives have explored every option and will make decisions based on fiscal reality, not political favors from we//-organized special-interest groups. " VIlI. This is an assemblage of nine letters-to-the-editor that have appeared in the Press Journal critical of the firefighters union and their tactics as well as the proposed merger. Three of the letters were mine.....and I would ask you to pay particular attention to the one I wrote in September, 2002...three years ago. It appears to have been quite prophetic. The remainder of the package consists of the entire presentation I made to the Co. Commission on June 'fl': My six page letter to the Commission outlines my objections to the demands of the firefighters' union; my concerns about their political influence and the dangers thereof, based on my experience as a 20-year city commissioner in Hollywood, Fla.; my reasons why I consider the merger to be absolutely wrong and fiscally irresponsible; and finally, a (:f) lot of information about privatized services throughout the nation. The Attachments thereto provided support : A. The Stuart News article of 10/15/2003 showing what the fire-rescue contract approved then would cost.. . . .. and points out both the $96,000 average salary for this current fiscal year for the average fire-rescue worker (again, not counting health benefits), and that "In a six-year time frame it amounts to a 72.6 % increase due to the compounding. " B. Press Journal article of April 23, 2005 in which the head of our firefighters' union, Bruce Anderson, defended their request for a 54% increase as a "good starting proposal". C. A copy ofa 1982 City of Hollywood resolution that sought to have candidates voluntarily reject union money and assistance in order to reduce the overwhelming influence the city unions had gained in controlling elections. .. . . and subsequent pay-backs with tax dollars from the political hacks that they had helped elect. D. A Miami Herald article from the 1980's reporting how a few conscientious candidates for the Hallandale City Commission had stood tall and rejected contributions from the firefighters' union. Needless to say, such honest candidates can no longer be found in all of South Florida. How long before that situation will exist here? E. This is the USA Today study which was referred to above. Please read it through when time permits. It shows that our present system of separate divisions is the best. Why in the world would the Co. Commission insist on changing it? I'm convinced that it is for political expediency only. F. This is information from one of the nation's largest providers of privatized fire and/or rescue services, Rural-Metro. They currently provide various services in several communities in Florida including paramedic service for the 140,000 residents of Santa Rosa County. I stressed to the Co. Commission that they had a fiduciary responsibility to check into the savings that would result from partial or full privatization. I'm not holding my breath waiting for their response.. . . .. .. but WHY SHOULDN'T THEY??? That concludes my summation of the material submitted for your review. I hope you will give it your fullest consideration. I thank you very much for giving us this opportunity. Respectfully submitted, 10hn 7[ I _ .Y".~"","",~~...,.,...~--.,........-...,....- -..----~--- _L-~--~:~~==--==:~~~=~- ===--::c-c-~~~c-=--;c- ".f,'---'-'~ I, ~' I. . . i I' -~..-,.--:,..-",..-.., f' ,) ~. '\'J:A I,':!,:,.,' :I i" :i", I , .~ ..,. .. i,:, .~. '. .~:-r' ,ji /' .;. ,,;,,"':'::~:l'.'~-:l'-r:4i, -'THURSDAY,: ;..~."...,;t'. NOVEMBER 18.,:l~ . - i ." ... ;}... .-)D.........<l' .;ro:.,.....;n.,.... '.".. :,' ,':, -- ",'-, '::.:..~-: :.' ~<,:_". '. 1;' :,: ':, " "_' :.';' ,c,' .:,;:_ _.-: '::-. _;, , .~ '.' ."_J _ " .. , . . .- '_." ,.." . . , .......", <',:',' r\: '; ': ,I ~ ,,' ". ~, r" ~t 0'. ,,~ :f , 'j~~';\\llr"e~I~~~~~~' IEA~' S~JOUrnal' - T7.:' ....fl :, t" - :." :,' "., ," ,-j I '- rotlng ,..,Otms ' . r:~' ";"" . 'I -.-' are fJadly neede~ '}Vha~:",~I'tlle!~h?, o~a:~~e=n~:,: Mi.", 'n" It'_!' 1,;";'t-'I~T':l.1 !\!!',. ,'-oldergentlemanabout'there- 8' ,',)' , on: e,t HaS e ltilW\e. ~te' _, cent presidential electiOil' I I " witft'l':""e~medU:t,\i'<r 1 I' al -. h~ hiin tell another man -' : :, -. ,M+'_'"I/l "'. !,c,oP. '- , that.even though the election I - ",,.I.~I'I;tjr "~:, ',\: rrr);r1 f l:.,.~ 'I I 'lli.'QIDo'wasamess therer I . (Jounty ConubisSionl!I,.I'l'onta;QWth~, "~' waste 'any... sulf came out "in' o~,favor!' '1' ~ this'w~'~'hiSs'firelJi:l1i!diC imi~ on the table:' . How shocltingto hear an ' With three 'new ~ 011 t1ie- ~ thete ap~ , American, much less a fellow ..to.he tJiifvOteSto-apl:tj"'dti&-'"",;H"-";"~,- ..... "'.'.'_ "'commuiLity.ntenlber. make... 1 ff~~'-t' ..... ., ',,'-'1.-,., .......t..'.;;l"!.und.... '. ~"1':':..f+UC4.'" " ....0/8"... "'. '.... - ...' .... '.' 'sticha call1<l. uS.net1.- erencato ~~'lS"D.Q'Sllll~- '~.', "cnmml~lon~:,:.', ,_ _: ".).' "..-." . -". '''.'-'l.L; '.'Le ..'~ .'--~I'ili.' ."""'Uid.' ....~.'''.i't '.B.'?'''.' tho '1 ...uali.....,. .of.... '. -...... '. pur....rece. .. nteJectio. n.. Sthathe...' ~ '. ;~I~7'4I->,.ey. rn,J,}'t;<rr.1o/l _ _.-,~sm;v didilot care abOut how the. }~f~~~~~ii~~~~$~to..~~r~~:.~;~ita~is ' . cel1iifica.1;iOO'tounioi:1represenWi!QI'Il,1;he.'i,rlU:lsition.iSli"PO:-. 'gUy'WonT", .,'...._.1 ..... . ....... . tential. pblitiCl\l~ :'l'MIInt!lIllatlpll/ll~tfutlo(:"':.l\1yp~tsrais~d me with ~t!rall(VtheTeilfuSters, who'ni~tthe~,somevery 1mJ;l~)I:u~nt values, I ics . wilFjOsiliifijl',position"8$"!itl'Ple)Itvenr.'UveIih~de, '.. Am?ng them were. -NeveJ:'lie.i . 'l'ied;onihetitcbmehid"""~Y"'U6'" '-'7' "'. .' ".' never steal and.stand up and : pen;., 0,,_.' . ~'_ .1/ ,"'., .' . . . ,',,' do the right thing. TupholdI 'Iii a, pl!l,~~I~~~~.of un~~temetl~..1I ~bor atto~. calls '. these values. as sacrosanct, . 1 the two lJIllonslIlterest$di~~t;l ;IfoffiCialSlIlissteI-lat.:anqwould hope mYfeUo\V ' the start of,w~tqoUid beC6i11f:l-S9r!)E1l1ollS-negotiatfunsAle'commtinityl1iemOOI'$WOUld, . i . w~ t/Ja.tthe/CcWrtty'~w'OJ:t't!~;~a~,tofOrn1tiliiU!'ijl;'f'.1flo."<.' . '.." agreed.. -u. pontem.. pJa..tefor.. .consOUda:.W:lnl'l.'?,.li1"< '.' '. ,.1:. Whe..n... I hearth. ese. .km~.of.-,. Th 'ubli has' . stak '-";;11 ~tIi'iS CollA.;...." apP\l!lingcomments cOming ..~'~ . . C .. . a ~0J:' . .,,~~;,.....:. ,.". nso~q;. ft'omsenior c1tizena;IreallY , firljland:~ opffi'att,ons .has""""""toji~1I8 both effic~t,become cQnCerped. M9st~ ! andeconolIll~Ahdltn1ight turnout, that.way h~,Tliere' '. Pie like to target younger are,111O~~y~.~~I'al waySto~~fh1te hieJtarchY and d\j.- peoPIll as U11Carjng ari(i ll11~. '.1 ~~..i~~'~. ~ah.~~~. Jh~~.. rsoF.'.~.;.'.'...' '~~..."..'.. ,.~. :.......~. ~~.di\i~Ull!s:;butIbe.g....... sires of employees and-uni6n lPJlllp",",';C;,/'_ ...... . ....' The Yalues.ISSlle~ break all ,. . -FoduruitelYl'eooler, heads- Prevailetl ~tt' 'JiUesday'S meet- agebo\lIldar.lllS. ~~thap- ing.wryere~nlnliSsibneI'il'agreedJtQ give ~ ~\! tolay g.ea~::~~o~~v~~:~i out. a Ill~odical;. Step-by-step!JtqCeSs.' SnfliCJent time must, American. The citizei1softhe .~ :fr~q;tsl<>J:ing~;~~9PA,~r~~~~~l1t1iJ>~'~~~:0~~~~\~~6~~1W.,: This co~ty k:~~Ye~'(~:"~ffi'~~ point. So, by ~ss oftheplltC?m~: .... .....' all Jneans,.1et the Jairand.balanced ~,lJegin As any. . We need nationwide elec:, .J good n~"""'n"'n ....;".~"ter..kn.. '. _l"""n...'. rush" lion reform well beyond. . . ......<;U.~Ol':=~~:o":l's, f!I,:,!,.l,^"".. ..' m Bush'spitifu12OOlHelp' .' Wl~~~~properIlreparatioru ""; ! ............. . America vote Iegisi!itlOn. We ,J. .' ,i. "."" need an-.opensource code ll!!d . ".., . verit'iapIeindiVidlla!paper".. "'A'WOrk"i(jfciH :t~~t~~II~=?~~rPo~- i: . ... ',.' ..' . '.' .",":"-,, . . .' ,- tionalrepresentlition.auto- ~'~. _ ,r.,_ _ ~. . . _ _1___ _ J ~ Merg~~ mama , 15."/( Fire. .~e~c6Qnsolidation' t>" '. a bummg ISsue for county It.iS J,1ot aIarmist tn say thaUhe impending lIletger of In,diaU River Gounty's fire ami paramedic service .is the biggest. dec::ision confronting.. ~.... taxpIl.yeJ.i;", Argtia.b]y, tha==':r~l==~=c:re~a ~ cont:ro.ct negoti;ltion It iSahirl!'cStakI!$ political gambit that sets the staiJe for. a Fi('>iloverbaul of thiS county's ,emergetlCy services and, m~ broadly,;willde. 1l!rmine the influence of pubJic.empIoyee uniO~ here. If you see hardball coming,.yo1l'I'e right.The.~t- ~'uniOll..l)asp.'t~\l!hY abQut itsg!1I.Ile ~... .wmclJ, opens with, ~unpI1l!;e- dented $1,iiJ'.It'illjon:ooost in payandperits forits/l11ellii bElrs.(a 54:T~rij: in~) illthecorni!lg y~. ,~ck, on . . $2 millinn':more (a.2.'j,lJ per- cent ~) for eJ,11~- lll(1lji",l seI'ViceI> '. ilI1d. the ~... t:breateus .totht9w theentfre. county budget off kilter, One might think the County CommiSsion would exerciSe due diligence. Be- yond the dollars, a proposi- titJltof thiS magnitude - fraught with organiZational complilxityand conllicting claittJ$- cries out fOr a thor- ough;l!Xl1austive and diSpas- 'sjonl!tl-\ana1ysiS. . .~.'the connnission has yetWtake an ~bjective look at the beast, IIlUCh les$ ~tare it d~, ThiS is a potentially fil;Illl' mistake, If elected offi~ ~~~'bl:~)r:J ! to- eXert more influence else- whete and,. SOOflenough,-,PJ,ey'&,qave ~ry taxpayer by. the tJu:oat. ...... ". ,. i... . ,.' H,e., Such scenaIi~lIIigIlt S!lliIld. ~ted- They IlIJ;ly evellseem,d<l\Yllrightunpatriotj.c,' given the heroic aura that the fitefighting 'profession enjoY$ami generally' de- serves. But other counties have been led down the costly road of consolidation. and. (:Ontinue tn pay a heavy price for marginal or lIOIl-exi$ntreturus. Will connnissio~~e Ihdian .River County resi- dents or favor union~g.'.rhat's ultimately the ques- tion, ami thepub1icdeserves sttaightanswers. We will en- deavor to proVide those. anSw~, as well as some solutions, ill forthcoming editorials, As' always, we wel' come our readers' illput. ARID UP In the coming weeks; the P, ",->' Journal wlU present a pm- adic seriRs qf edttorials I!XJJ7TI- ining Indian RiViir~~ proJJOSI!djinHnedic lIlRJ'ier: ~ CO51$: Asse~ing the im- pact on the county's.fiScaI ' health. ~ POUTICli: How the Interna- tional Association Of Are Fight- ers willlds electoral clout, ~ SERVICE: Comparing per- formance of Consolidated and non-<:onsol!dated departments, ~ PRIVAllZA1ION: Better bang for the buck? ~. STRATEGIES; What should the County COmmission <;to? ,..'....... GET INVOlVED ~ Co_ntact Commissioners SandrBBoWden, WesleyD~i Tom LoWthllf'Arl Neu~rgj!t' and Gary W11eeter at 226-c1490 or via &mail at kmassung@ ircgov,com ~ Post your comments online.,. at tepa/in,com . ~ Red br(1' p5 alert \ Even before consolidation, ~ fire union pumps up contract Consolidating Indian River County's fire and para- medic services might seem to be an efficient use of ~ sources. But instead of a savings, this merger stands to cost taxpayers millions of dollars. The exact tab cannot be calculated because the consoli- dation agreement isn't yet fiJu.Jj7ed. But bargainers for the fIrefighters union have primed the P1lnlP with a contract proposal that boosts. the bu~ by $7.a million (54.7 per- cent). '. That's some bargain.... fortfrefighters; Looded with 00., 40-. and. 5().~ ~ increaseS, ad- . ditionar days- oIf and even p;Ii!l ~ f9r"cl\arity" work, the contract wipes out any economies that could come from consolidation. Indeed, it raises the bar for paramoo., ics and invitJ!s the 674 other/ county employees to try to cash in, too. ' International Association of Firefighters Local, 2201 calls the merger a ~deal, and refuses. to publf!;.fy de- bateo," discuss the.!llS1le' As for the Contract, ~tion President. Brucew Anderson says ~ union proppsai sim- ply seeks a "fair" shake for meIribers. But while Anderson says his lOClU ls"in tune with tax- payers," some of the pro- J;XJ8e!l. provisions strike a . sour note: .. Mor& 1lUlney for less work: Pay raJ5es. ranging UP to . $26,46.; ~'.'.. Raired with Pf.'9vis1.(l~ ihatreduce work- irIg. ~"" Accordin~, to . counq cOlnputations, a 2O-year '. veter;m currently working 5.3 shifts in a typical 2I-day period would only have to cover 4.3 shifts under the new contract .. More staff: To fill the scheduling holes created by sweetened time-off provisions, the county will need to hire 21 additional employees. FIRED UP. ..,i.......................... . .-, -. .-. A perWd/c seijes rf" editorials examining Ihdfan RWer County's prcJPosedftre.medic merger. ~ COSTS: "-"'Ing the Im- pact on the county'. flscal health. ~ POUTJCS: How the Interna- tional Association of Firefight- ers wields electoral clout. ~ SERVICE: Comparing per- fonnance of CI>/lSOlidated and non<:onsolidated departments. ~ PRIVATIZATION: Better bang for the buck? ~ STRATEGIES: What should the County CommissIon do? GEl' INVOLVED ~ Contact COmmissioners Sandra Bowder), Wesley DaVis, Tom Lowther, Art Neuberger and Gary Wheeler at 226'1490 or via e-mail at kmassung@ ircgov.com ~ Post your comments online at tcpalm.com, .. More to come: The contract does not include differ- ential pay for dnal f1re.medic certifIcation. If scales in Martin and St Lucie counties are any guide, tack on an. other $15,000 per employee per year, including benetlts - $2 million more for 134 firetlghters. .. Taxes, The county estimates that the contract will bump the millage rate from the current 1.9 mills to about 3.0 - not counting outlays for new fire stations, dual certi- fIcation or pay upgrades for paramedics (Teamsters Local 700 is seeking a mere 25.9 percent hike). Even with higher property valuations partially offsetting the increase, this plan pushes perilously close to the S.5-mill cap. If you're keeping score, the cost of fUnding the firetlght. ers' proposal, so far, wor~ out to a staggering $51,963 per employee. Liberalized step increases and cost-of.living adjustments would push the payron tab 10 percent higher every year.. . Anderson notes that not all of the costs are tied to salaries; some of the additional funds would go toward upgraded equipment, such as radios_ Still, pay and ben- efIts accounffor about 90 percent of the increase; . Perhaps sensing that they've overreached the union s~y& "everything is negotiable," includmg tim. mg and unplementation. The fiscal blow could be soft- ened if raises were spread out and COLAs were de- layed, for instance. "We're willing to do this over three years," Ander- son says. "We're just waiting for a counter-offer from the county." And the county must tread carefully. Back in 1999, long before this pie-in.the-sky contract was conceived, the County Commission ran the num- bers for fIre.medic consolidation and backed away be- cause of its cost. Though politics and politicians may have changed in the intervening years, fundamental questions remain. The concerns are only heightened by the fIrefIghters' aggressive tactics. Whatever promises may have been made in the past, commissioners have an obligation to be square with taxpayers - not to hose them for the pecuniary benefit of a union angling to consolidate its power. Letter guide We welaJme reruJ.ers' views on matters of public interest. Letters must be signed, includejidl names and a daytime teleplwTU! number and street address for verifimti.on. Letters may not ex- azed 300 wards, must be original UXJrk and wiil be edited. Seven letter$ per yror, per writer T1UJy be printed. MAlL: Letters to the edttor, Press Joumal, P.O. Box 1268, Vero Beach, Aa. 32961-1268. FAX: Editor, 772-97&:2364 E-MAI.: tet!ers@veropress.com ':':::Y<i'~m.~>>w~~:.' ~_ ~T~%N%{~'- '''CaT"l :'"~;m (I THURSDAY JUNE 23, 2005 I] EDITORIALS Viewpoints of the Press Journal Playing politics Local firefighters' union figures it's time to cash in Firefighters havEl alWliYS enjoyed a good reputation, and since 9/11 the prof~ion has been elevated to hero status. Firl:JfIghters have l:Jvei1 become sex symbols, with mUSCUlar, mustachiOed men posing for pin-up calendars. Yet there's a dark side to, tbis idol worship when the firefIghters' union seeks greater control over public policy, and play'S~ politics to do it In 2004, thl:J International Association of Firefighters was the first labor union to endorse John Kerry for presi- dent That was little surpriSe, given IAFF President Har. old Schaitberger's rozyreJationship with the Clinton-Gore administration and the fact that more than 80 percent of the union's political contributions went to Democrats in 2002. What is surprising - and aJ.anning - is how the iAFF is flexing its muscles in Indian RiVer County, one of the most Republican and fiscally COIlS!!rvative counties in Florida. Pushing a costly new con1rtil:t and consolidation scheme, Local 220l is bringiIlg a taste aI, South Florida pol- iticsup thl:J Treasure Coa!Jt.' While its aggressive call1paign for pay' hikes and a fire-medic merger is debatable on the merits, the union has succeeded in drumming up support through the deft use of sign-carrying firelighters, cotnmunity forums and endorsements. Local 2201 has bOOn careful not to parrot Schaitberger'S paftisan bashing of President BJJSh - that wouldn't be prudent here - but it does play politics. And that raises questions about public-em' ployee unions' role in deter- mining fueir own pay and beIlefIts. , The Hatch Act draws a llneon politieal invOlvement by federal employees (Schait- berger's red-hot partisanship :;~~~~:;~~gfi;{ne~=~~Fl= ~~%How..trfe.hite~, ,public employees usingthllir llonal Assll!;latl0Il of R'refIg1rto " position to "influence" votes. , erswtlll...~"cfou!'" But the statute's wordfug . S~COrl\parihg'~' .', lea;ves tl1e field oPen for 01'- formanreofconst)lidateil'iiiii/ gim1ied' union get-out-the- nOTK:!lnst)lidatl!ll~epartments. vote bjit:zes. . PRlIlATlZATlOll: Better 'As one local candidate bang for the buck? who ran into the union bU2Z . STR;4TEGIES: What should saw put it, "They ,knoW how the County CommIssion do? to put on a show, and how to put the knife in your back." Local 2201 builds commu- nity gOOd. will through fue ef- forts of individnal tlre!ight- ers, parade and school ap~ces, and, charity wor.k.such as the annual boot dii.ve (some done on the clOck). As a veteran furce, 10- caltlre!ighters have deep roots tJiroughout the colllll1unity. There's no doubt tl1llY have done lWUlY wonde1ful. 'tl1ing$ for this area. ' still, do thElS!! positiveattrib11tes warrant a $7 million- plus raise and untold additional cOsts associated wifu c0n- solidating fire and panunedic$llJ:'Vil::e? Ikl they prove the cost-benefIts of a merger? Just because tl1ing$ are dOne a certain way in.Miami-Dade, or even Martin County, does that mean Indian River County must fullow snit? As Kerry's campaign showed, the IAFF is not invinci- ble politically. Last year, the union, threw money and man- power into, cotnmission candidate Bob Solari's war chest, but callle up empty when he was defeated by Sandra Bow- den. Bowden received strong support from rival Team- sters Local 769, which represents the paramedics. Local 2201 can count on 'at least two commissioners, Gary Wheeler and rom Lowther (who has two brothers on the force). Commissioners Art Neuberger and Wesley Davis, recipients oftl1efirelighters' active or tacit support, appeilr to be ~ in their direction. The union seems to think it's a done deal, as local President Bruce Ander- son.says he will no longer debate the consolidation issue. 1f the IAFF is allowed to pull all emergency services under its collective bargaining umbrella, Local :ml's posi- tion will be strengthened, substantially. That may em- boldei1 Other public employees to organize and demand fat. tel' contracts of their own. Once the balance of power shifts that far, it will be dif- ficult; if not impossible, to turn it back - and county tax- payers will be poorer for it That's a legacy this coIlll11i& sian ought to think at least twice about. , FIRED UP A periodiC. series of editorials ' ' examintng l1Uliml Riw Coun!Jl,~ J1roposedjiye,.TTIi!dii: meger. GET INVOLVED ... . Contact COmrl\iss!poers Sandra BoWden; We~i!'YDavis, Tom Lowther, Art Neuberger aod Gary Wheeier at 226-1490 or via &maii at kmflssvng@ ircgov.com uare to compare Results may be surprising in fire-medic consolidation Comparing emergency medical services from city to city and county to county is a little like looking at snowflakes - no two are exactly alike. But one thing seems clear: There's no di- rect correlation between consolidated fire-medic crews and life-saving outcomes. Sometimes, the reverse is true. A recent survey of 12 of the nation's biggest cities found that loading up firetruCks with para- medic-trained firefighters can actually be counter-productive. Why? Because firefIght- ing and paramedic work are very different skills - evoking the adage, "Jack of all' trades, master ofnone." Since 1981, the percentage of large cities using fire departments for emergency med- ical services has dropped 10 percentage points to less than 40 percent, according to the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. Cities have discovered that larger, consolidated fIre-medic systems don't neces- sarily fare well on the cost-benefit test. Examining two compar- ably sized communities - Tulsa and Oklahoma City - a USA Today report Source: Indian River County Fi- found that re- nance Department suscitation rates for card- iac arrest vic- tims were sta- tistically identical (26 percent in Tulsa vs. 27 percent in Oklahoma City), even thOUgh Oklahoma City has nearly twice as many paramedics. Bottom line: Oklahoma City taxpayers shelled out almost four times more than Tulsans for virtually the same results. Indian River County, unfortunately, is veering toward the more costly Oklahoma City model, with little expectation of im- proved survival rates. . On paper, it may seem more etncient to have all emergency responders fully cross-tralned. But, in addition to added costs of certifIcation, observers note that fITefIgh ting and medical care are very dif- ferent skills. Top performance depends on repetition, aptitude and attitude - none of which is particularly well fostered in Get what you pay for? ClJunties' per-mpita budgeted oosts fbr fire and EMS: >- St. Lucie County: $284.45 >- Indian River (proposed): $262.33 >- Charlotte County: $220.41 >- Martin County: $209.94 >- Indian River (current): S1.81.55 >- Brevard County: $164.71 RRED UP A peria<lk series of editorials examining Indian River County's proposedjire-medic merger. >- COSTS: AsseSsing the impact on the county's fIScal hea.lth. . >- pouncs: How the Intemational Association of Fire Fighters wields eiectoral clout. >- SERVICE: Comparing perIonnance of consolI- dated and llOI>ConaoIldated departments. >- PRIVATIZATION: Better bang for the buck? >- STRATEGIES: What should the County Com- mission do? GET INVOLVED >- Contact Commissioners Sandra Bowden, Wes- ley Davis, TOm Lowther, Art Neuberger and Gary Wheeler at 226-1490 or via e-mail at kmas- sung@ircgov.com one-size-fIts-all departments. Thanks to tougher bUilding codes, fITe crews are making fewer calls. Nationally, that has spurred the International Associ- ation of FirefIghters to get into the para- medic business. But when the Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank I based in California, tried to assess effi- ciency and quality of emergency-medical services in 200 cities, the IAFF refused to provide any data. Likewise, the union has had nothing specifIc to say about quality of care here. In fact, the county's response times and resuscitation rates are comparable to, if not better than, those in similar-sized ju- risdictions with merged fITe-medic opera- tions. The only comparisons the union makes are to St. Lucie and Martin coun- ties, which, not coincidentally, have sharply higher pay scales. A better bench- mark would be Brevard County, where per-capita costs are actually lower than Indian River's. Regrettably, Indian River County com- missioners seem all too willing to adopt the IAFF agenda, and dispense with any independent analysis. The only study it has authorized is one laying out the steps to consolidation. Reorganizing emergency services without a comprehensive feaSibility study weighing expected costs and outcomes of a merger is foolish, if not dangerous. Ig- noring the national trend away from con- solidation could prove a most costly mis- take. I ) r h r r r o y. fu til an , 1b'tA~~t:ay( ~,__ , 4 through competition ' .. PRIVATIZATION: Better,,~ bang for the ~k?,. ..COMING SUNDAY: What shOuld the C<luntyCommission do? Merging Indian River County's fire-medic operations will be costly - even proponents admit it - and there's more to come. Much more. Consolidation is bleeding tax dollars in Martin County, the venue local advocates cite as their model Since 1996, the combined emergency-services budget there has more than doubled to $26 million, far outstripping population gains, which rose at about one-third that pace. Aggressive bargaining by the International Associa- tion of Firefighters has sent saiaries skyrocketing. in Mar- tin, where the average fire-medic will make $96,085 this year. (TIle average Indian River County frrefJghter earns $51,800, while paramedics average'$45,464. To all these fig- ures, which include overtime, tack on a generous 3O-plus percent for benefits.) "County fire-EMS costs continue to escalate faster than any other service;" says the Martin County Taxpayers As- . sociation. "The IAFF is about 12 steps ahead of the com- ! rnission." But current costs are just the tip of the fiscal iceberg. HIgher salaries yield bigger pensions, and that means the retirement system will strain under increasingly heavy obligations in future years. Generous coniracts and public-sector rules pern1it pub- lic emergency responders to retire with as much as 80 per- cent of their pay after just 25 years on the jOb - Le., as young as 45 years old (no col- lege degree required). Unlike retirement pians prevalent in the private sector, these packages are fully paid by the . employer (the pUblic) and generously indexed for inflation. In Martin County, a retired battalion chief can take home $100,000 a year and start a second career. Taxpayers are stuck with the bills - forever. FIRED UP A periodit: series of editorials exnmtning Indian River Cbunly's proposedjire-TIlRdif: TlW"ger. .. COSTS: Assessing the im- pact on the county's fiscal health. .. POUTlCS: How the Intema- tional Association of Are Aght- ers wields electoral clout. .. SERVICE: Comparing per- ", ....._._ _ _ _L _ ".,_"'_--' __-l ( a y elIiCfen~ JI1.odl1P Is it even responsi- ble? Small- and medium- sized communities not. aI- ready under the boot of or- ganized labor say no. In- creasingly, they are rejecting fire-medic consolidation and injecting private competi- tion. According to a 2002 sur- vey, more than half of U.S. cities use private EMS pro- viders, and that percentage is growing each year. "Public providers may have the advantage of better funding in good economic times, but budget crises across !he nation are incretlsingly resulting in dimJnished fund- Ing and greater attention to maximizing the value of tax- payer dollars, so even this advantage is removed," states the Jo,urnal of Emergency Medical Services. Compared with Martin-style consoIidation,the two- union setup in Indian River County is a veritable bargain. On a per-worker basis, the pending Teamsters-EMS con- iract proposal is roughly half what the IAFF is seeking. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure what will happen if both units are brought under one big IAFF um- brella. as envisioned. . If the presence of two unions serves to moderate per' so~el costs (albeit slightly), consider what a third, non- uruon player could do. By introducing a private EMS serv- l~, j;he County .~~on inunediately has more op- tions,. more fleXIbility and more negotiating room. The unioll5 no longer hold all the cards. By coniracting for service, the county can act, rather than be acted upon. Public officials retain control over service standards and accountability. They maintain a colllIl?-UItications network that ensures seamless coverage and coordination of first responders. illtimately, performance becomes the basis for coniract renew~ taxpayers are freed from a continuous spiral of esca1il.ting costs and the private provider shoulders the benefit-and-retirement package. Private competition restores a much-needed, mar- ke~-based model for emergency-services staffing. When a uruon monopoly is busted up, workers vie for a fair day's pay, and the public isn't held hostage. Tbe only "loser" in this equation is the union brass, whose flow of political contributions and dues get pinched. For taxpayers, that's no loss at all GET INVOLVED >- Contact Commissioners Sandra Bowden, Wesley Davis, Tom Lowther, Art Neuberger and Gary Wheeler at 221H490 or via ~mail at kmassung@ ircgov.c011l.. ' ~ Post your comments online at tcpalm.com , 1b,~~2t:ay(~~:;.;~~. '4 through competition . ~ PRIVAnZATION: Better" bang for the buck? ~ COMING SUNPAY: What should the County Commission do? Merging Irulian River County's fire.medic operations will be costly - even proponents admit it - and there's more to come. Much.more. Consolidation is bleeding tax dollars in Martin County, the venue local advocates cite as their model. Since 1996, the combined emergency-services budget there bas more than doubled to $26 million, far outstripping population gains, which rose at about one-third that pace. Aggressive bargaining by the International Associa- tion of Firefighters bas sent salaries skyrocketing in Mar- tin, where the average fire.medic will make $J6,085 this year. (The average Indian River County ftrefighter earns $51,800, while paramedics average $45,464. To all these fig- ures, which include overtime, tack on a generous 3O-plus percent for benefits.) "CoU)lty fire.EMS costs continue to escalate faster than any other service/' says the Martin County Taxpayers As- sociatiOIl- "The IAFF is about 12 steps ahead of the com- mission." But current costs are just the tip of the fiscal iceberg. HIgher salaries yield bigger pensions, and that means the retirement system will strain under increasingly heavy obligations in future years. Generous contracts and public-sector rules pennit pub- lic emergency responders to retire with as much as 00 per- cent of their pay after just 25 years on the job - Le., as young as 45 years old (no col- lege degree required). Unlike retirement plans prevalent in the private sector, these packages are fully paid by the employer (the public) and generously indexed for inflation. In Martin County, a retired battalion chief can take home $100,000 a year and start a second career. Taxpayers are stuck with the bills ~ forever. ARED UP A periodit: series of editorials examining Indian RilX!1' CaWl/y'S proposed jire-mRfii.c l'/7Dger. ~ COSTS: Assessing the im- pact on the county's fiscal health. .. POUncs: How the Imema- tional Association of Fire Fight- ers wields electoral clout. . .. SERVICE: Comparing per- <:_m__.~~_ _~ ".._..._....__...l c: - is . this a fiscally emcrlin'r Il1OdlM? Is it even responsi- ble? Small- and medium- sized communities not al- ready.under the boot of or- ganized labor say no. In- creasingly, they are rejecting fire-medic consolidation and injecting private competi- tion. According to a 2002 sur- vey, more than half of U.S. cities use private EMS pr0- viders, and that percentage is growing each year. "Public providers may have the advantage of better funding in good economic times, but budget crises across the nation are increasingly resulting in diminished fund- ing and greater attention to maximizing the value of tax- payer dollars, so even this advantage is removed," states the Journal of Emergency Medical services. Compared with Martin-style consolidation, the two- Illlion setup in Indian River County is a veritable bargain. On a per-worker basis, the pending Teamsters-EMS con- tract proposal is roughly halfwhat the IAFF is seeking. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure what will happen if both Illlits are brought under one big IAFF um- brella, as envisioned. . If the presence of two Illlions serves to moderate per- so~el costs (albeit slightly), consider what a third, non- UnIon player could do. By introducing a private EMS serv- l~, the County Commission inunediately bas more op. tio';lS, , more flexibility and more negOtiating room. The UnIons no longer hold all the cards. By contracting for service, the county can act, rather than be acted upon. Public officials retain control over service standards and accountability. They maintain a comwtmications network that ensures seamless coverage and coordination of first responders. illtimately, performance becomes the basis for contract " ren~~ taxpayers are freed from a continuous spiral of escalating costs and the private provider shoulders the benefit-and-retirement package. Private competition restores a much-needed, mar- ket-based model for emergency-services staffing. When a Illlion monopoly is busted up, workers vie for a fair day's pay, and the public isn't held hostage. The only "loser" in this equation is the Illlion brass whose flow of political contributions and dues get Pinched For taxpayers, that's no loss at all. GET INVOLVED > Contact cOmmissioners Sandra Bowden. Wesley Davis, Tom Lowther, Art Neuberger and Gary Wheeler at 226-1490 or via e-ma<1 at kmassung@ ircgov.com ' ~ Post your comments online at tcpalm. com ~'----'-Ilolding the line ffr Take fire negotiations one step at a time Late last month, Indian River County ,offered a $834,239 r pay-and,benefitpackage for ~ters m .~. 200 - ,a I far cry from the union's $7,1 million proP<>Slll;- ~tting It charitably, that leaves plenty of room for bargaining, . But whether pay hikes of 10 percent or 50 percent are on the table, contract negotia~ons.aJ'!!P~tpre" ev,:n P<>Wt1ess' ,.llUtll jfuf.~ offite-lIl~ consoUd;1~on ,is ' lulIrifu.ered out. And, :'So far, the county has fulled to do Its due~~ AssOciation ot'Fil'ef~ters ~ 2201 thinks the metl$~\is a d(;m~ dllal, and it IIlaY be right. A maJprlty of county~OOmnnsslOners appears to be on 1xJarti Buton boani with what, exactly? Without a feasibility~y comparing costs and serv- ice the county is tlyIDg b~ Without an objective analy- , . SiS of competitive altema' tiVll/lfrom the private sector, no one. knows what sayings =~~~m:~::; 'I, good flre!'ighter knows, only fools ru$li' in. I So, ratl1er than. dickering with the>unlon over pay". scales and contract language that would be instantly obso- lete, the county must take a step back and detennlne, first, if a lIlerger is really the, i way,t()gli),..To~t that an. J swer, the 'county should so- 1lcitpub1lc comment, expert testimony' and input from participating cities, In a spirit of cooperation, Local 2201' ought to agree to extend the current contract past. its Sept. 30 expiration date so the process can go forward indellberate f;lSb- ion.Afld if not, why not? Might a lack of cooperation from firefighters at this junc- ture stilnaI bigger problems allead? RRE!) UP v A~ series of edit{117(lls examining Indian Ri[}fit' County's prO]JOi;RlJjin-n'lRdic merger, ,., COSTS: ASsessing the im- pact On the county's fiscal health. ,., POunCS: How the Interna- tional Association of Rre Rght- ers wields electoral clout. ,., SERVICE: COI11~ring per- formance of cons~ii9ated and nOn-cQfl59iidl;ltedi~epartmentS. ,., PRlvAnZATKliI: Better bang for the buciq , ,., STRATEGIES: What should tile COuIlty ~ do? GET INVOLVED ,., Contact Commissiqners Sandra Bowden, west"!' Davis, Tom Lowther. Art Neuberger and Gary Wheeler at 226-1490 or via ~ailat kmassung@ ircgov,cp<rl ."" ' . , ~ PoSf yOur comments online at tcpalm.com Which raises another question: What, . precisely, has changed since commissiOners decided six years ago that consolldation ~ too expensive? The obvious answer: the composition of the commission - which has nothing to do with empirical data or hard filets. Indeed, national studies show more communities mov- ing away from consolidation . lieca~ of the higher costs Taxpayers must have and unionlntluence that re- suIt from such. arrange- confidence that their ments. Furthermore, re- elected search rePOrted in this series shows. no, coneIation' representatives have belween. consolidatiOn and explored every qualityoft;ilre. Commissione~ Gary option and will make Wheeler can claim all he decisions based on wants that a fIre-medic " merger will save money, .but fiscal reality, not how? Wheeler, who didn't., political favors from exactly rtlIl a fisCally lean ell . d operation asshetiff. hasn't W,orgamze quantified' orvetiJied these special-interest assertions. groups Commissipn ,Cfu1im,1alJ., , .' Tom Lowther, the other ,vocal cheerleader. for consOlida- tion, also has fulled to gObey'ond vague scenarios. He maintains that having two brothers in the fire department has no bearing on his position. . Aside from CommissiOner Sandra Bowden, no one is even bothering to ask any questions - maki)1g this whOle exercise appear pro fQrm.a, or right out of the twilight zone. Taxpayers deserve better. They must be confident that their elected representatives have explored every option and will make decisions based on fiscal reality, not political favors from well-organized special-interest groups. The future of this county's emergency services sys- temis too important and too complex to be railroaded. In the end, some form of consolidation might make sense, If a merger will improve effiCiency, economy and care, then we're on board, But, in the absence of seri- ous study, that case has yet to be made. From: To: Sent: Subject: MaIy and John Williams <molly1@d1gital.net> <leIIenIOveroprlll com> Monday, September 18, 2002 2:19 PM FI~ Union Wina .'":!''' 1 Oil , . , Ma and John Williams 0elIr EdItor : P.... print the following in your Letters-to-lhe-Edilol' column. Thank you. Watch out fellow taxpayersl If evenlll follow their historic path, the vlctoriea scored for Neuberger and Lowther by the IUppaIt of the Firefighters Union will soon manifest lhernselvea by paybacka to the union with your tax doIlara. Don't think it 'MII1't happen here, it will. The firefighters across the state have proven again and ag8in that their ~ I I live free lime and extensive organizational abillliea can further their political agend8 and Ihua gain them W1WIiImIIIled pay Increaaea at taxpayers' expense, Mill. Slanbridge, an excellent Commi88loner with the highest level,of integri~1ost her race on Sept. 10th strictly hecause she opposed the Firefighters Union', demands at the pay contoversy last Spring. The firefighters poured money, time and energy into their lUGe BUfuI effort to defeat her, The typically low-tumout for a primary election by the average voter .....isteel the union', effort 9rea11y. I even had the, unhappy experience of listening to several of the firefighters bnlgging about their victory In the barber shop on 17th Street the morning after the election. Thi' unhappy reut po/nl1I out yet again the total Idiotic fallacy of allowing public employee uniona to partlcipste collectively in the political prot.11 10 they can in effect control their own pay sealea. It is lantamount to giving the key to the henhouee to the fox. Ispeek from experience. 14a City CommlSlioner in Hollywood from 1971 to 19911 saw the public employ.. unlona time after time pretty much control the election of all the commissioners with the exception of myself. Florida desperately needs a Hatch Act type of restriction on public employee union.. And I need a new barber. / j ~ ~ Sincerely, flAg P,A 1 '/.,J f~.~ ~= ~~~:: Cove rr It. ^- l Vero Beach, Fla 32S83 ~yj' t~ 'f tj.J 772-23,,,,,, J y~ J~t /11 r te/~; ~ ./lJ"j ; t ,;f{1 tv 11 '" ~ r, ) 1/ ~,I' f i ~ fv~;V- j JA- { , Pv ~;t C p.;e/ P" FVV 0-1j~r IJ t- {, y( 1 t" tr Ii v1 ",Ar d ",..t /v~ vI,.v 01"" ()I f1'I I ,,M , / r I 16102 J /b ,/ wCommissioners stood firm during battle Hats off to the County COJ11mi,,,donJ It showed great courage and foresight by bucking the demands of the firefighters union and voting to Impose a contract that pro- tects the taxpayers from the unwarranted additional costs sought by the union. As a city commissioner in Hollywood for '20 years, 1971-1991, the one thing I learned above all others was that the biggest danger to the fiscal and political health of any community was the power and political per- suasion of the empioyee unions, particularly police and fire. Their ability to bring money and organization to local government eJection campaigns always bad the political hacks quaking in their boots. The game always was "we'll-support-your-eleo- tion-but-only-if-you'll-pay-us- back-with-taxpayers' -dollar- sat~llective-~in;ng- time." It is evident the In- dian River County commis- sioners do not play that game, and they are to be hon- ored for not doing so. It is obvious from all the caterwauling letters that have appeared condemning the commi"';on that the union is now heavily en- gaged in Phase Two. That . no consists of trying to play on the sensitivities of the naive public by ~lA;ming the citi- zens' health and welfare are being endangered. Hogwash. My 20 years of experience al- lows me to make two guar- antees: 1. The vast majority of the letters appearing are written either by members of the union, their friends and rela- tives, or political supporters of the union. 2. Firefighter jobs any- where in Florida are now so lucrative and well-protected that there is always a long list of trained, anxious appli- cants just waiting with baited breath for a vacancy to occur. Don't be foolell Our County Commission has stood tall and been counted. The public should do the same. John T. WIIIaIM VOIO Beach ~hters' attitudes distasttiful to writer This letter is in response to the recent letters from tireflghters and their fami- lies who wish harm on our county commissioners by hoping their houses burn down. Somehow, this seems hypocritical conSidering they are dedicated to helping people. They say they have had no pay raise. This is only be- ' cause they deem themselves worth more than every other county employee whore- ceives 3 percent My best friend is a tireflghter, so hopefully that will dispel the notion that I do not like them. I believe no one should place them upon a pedestal or above other servants of the community, such as law enforcement or emergency medical service personnel. One is almost afraid of the consequences of speaking their opinion due to the mys- terious tire s1ashings of some who have done so. But look at the facts and take the time to do your homework and ride along with EMS person- I'J "2-.24>-o;J.,, . nel and you will discover a very ugly side to what the tireflghters are doing to de- cent human beings who are solely dedicated to helping the community. Please do not take my '\[jJv' , word for this. Schedule a ride along with EMS and see for yourself the horrific treatment of their staff. I also forced myself to watch the county commis- sioners' meeting of Feb 1. It seems very apparent to me that the firefighters' snide re- marks work to their dlsad- vantage. There are no heroes that I know ofwho are not huinble and respectful. There is never a reason to treat the commissioners or other citizens with a differ. ent viewpoint with disres- pect or loathing and there is never a reason to wish harm on anyone. "-' Men:uII Vere Beach ,. ;' l'~ p-/r-~r Payback time for firefighters Pay atteution now or pay higher tl\lj:es later. Your choice. The majority of the CouptyCommission owes . the frrefIghters' union for eleCtillg them and are busy paying the union hack with our.'doTIars. Same old, same oJdi . i. ..~1!.,r;illr.'. ...oad. ......... .ing..... . .the mergllr otjJle p;mup.eqic ll.I1IJ.flre.. 1 fi!ihtetu.iu~i and li:llldlng up fife' truck!; with un- needed IJa1'aII;1edics, theY are creating a firtancial and p0- litical monster that Will pil- lage our pocketbooks. and, yes, even endanger our lives. They lUred a consultant to engineer the merger but re- fuSed a firtancial feasibility study. . . They don't \Vantyou to know what Martin County and otl)e~ have already proven, Le;,that mergers of fire and.~$cue are neither cost effective nor more efl'i- cilll;1t. In the upcoming fIscal year, the average fIre-rescue workllt in Martin County Will e;trr! $96,085, plUS health insurance (Stuart News, Oct. 15, 2(1)3). That's obscene. Three commissioners there paid back the unions, bigti1ne. Nowit) our turn, as r Wa1'ned in 2002 after the firefIghters engineered Tom Lowther's Yictory.t" Ruth Stanbridge's defeat. Lowther hall twobrm:lters in the fire. fIghters' union, but refuses t() abstam trqnparticipa- ti9n.Heappe;n-sto be in di- rect violation Of Florida Stat- utes 112.311,.112.313 and 447.605 (1). Why no challenge on f:!1ese Code of Ethics is- -- ~-------.._, LE111 I sues? 1 reCently presented ollt commission a nationwide study proving that the sys- tem saving the most lives ... at lesser cost ,..is' the sYstem we have now: an elite paramedic respol1se am- bulancewith EMTs on the fIre trucks. Why pay sub- stantially more for extra, un. needed paramediCS to sleep at the frre)lOuse? Equally important, why further endang'er the politi- cal stability of our county by creating one large union from two smaller ones that are now at odds with each othei-? It's utter madness, Jobn T. WIlliams Vera Beach (,;ti"'()~ FIRE-MEDIC MERGER: CAN COUNTY AFFORD IT? Questions/or commission Bravo, to the Press Journal, for ex- ]:losing the stupidity and the almost 45 percent increase in annual, operating costs that will result from consolidating the fIre/paramedic services in Indian River County. Any propOsed policy change in pub- lic services that causes a 45 percent in- crease in costs to the public must be subject to prior independent examina- tion of n~ and cost-justified benefits, and a vote, by the public, before such a policy change is inlplemented. Increasingly, we see an elitist atti- tude among so-called public servants, who no longer see their role as repre,.. senting the public. Onthe.contrary, mO,l'ecllI\d more"thllY s~ their mission as qne of dictating p1i<blic policy. They assume that taxpaYers are an apathetic, supine bunch, whom they can ignore. I recommend that the Press Journal immediately interview each county commissioner to ask them the following questions: 1. What is the need for and justifica- tion for consqlidation, in specific, mea. surable, and achievable objectives? 2. What specific and measurable tradeotfs in skills, services and costs will be inherent In consolidating dispa- rate services, skills and disciplines? 3. What irrefutable, specific evidence exists from operating performance to prove that consolidation will be cost-justified in service and value to the taxpayer? 4. How is a 44.49 percent increase in operating costs justified, when this is the result of a policy decision, not an in- crease in inflation? 5. What public good is realized by consolidation? What public good will be preserved by retaining separate services? Derek Hanley Vero Beach Bi{Jger is not better Most of us haVe friends or. might be related to a fIreman and/or paramedic in Indian River County and are sympa- thetic to their needs. However, I have grave concerns re- garding the propOsal to consolidate these two specialties that will provide them with a substantial increase in pay and benefIts, and shorter shifts, as the cost will be borne by the taxpayer. Obviously, as residents of this county, these professionals are subject to this increase in tax, too, so what are I ~r:DC they thinking? My comfort level is shaken by this blending. I have great respect for the expertise of both the fIrefIghter and the para- medic, and I believe each is committed to.his/her calling, and therefore, is bound to do the best possible job when called upOn. To force each to learn the other's craft, in my opinion, will water down the quality of service to the detri. ment of all. It behooves the residents of Indian River County to learn what this pro- posal is all about. The Press Journal has done an excellent job of research- ing the facts about this issue as re- vealed in recent editorials. I urge our county. commissioners to do the job they wm elected to do and, in the interest of all, reject this prfl-. . pOSal. . In this situation, bigger is not bet- ter, but pOses bigger headaches, includ- ing the possibility oHoss of control to manipulative and powerful unions. Stand fIrm, cOunty commissioners, and take control now! We are victims of runaway growth in this county, please don't let us down on this issue, too. Malle FerretU Vero Beach FIRE CONTRACT & CONSOLlDATI.ON . A special-interest group salary increases be limited to a cost-<if.. .'~ denly silent. He did state that . living adjnstmenF, .plus individual per- long-range savings would happen with Are special-interest groups noW in formance recogmti?n. '. .. .' "one benefit package, one retirement control of the Indian River County The wage ISSue IS now under consld- Plan and one .set ofuniforms_" Commission? eration, so let your commissioners'. '. Wel!li'ea,dy have the same retire- Firefighters, onepfspecial-interest know how you feel about this issue by mel1t plan and uniforms. The fire con. grqups, are openlY8.!1d.brazenlY claim- calling their office at 567-8000. tract has a blJj:ter and more expensive ing to have a mroorlfYcommission vote benefit pack;ige Wui the medic con- as payback for el~!>l1eeringsupportof DUlIn:.':=,,__ tract. Does Mr. An~~rson plan to cut some ()fQur .oonuhissioners. Can we or Indian River County Taxpayers Association the fire c()ntract to save that money? Should we, as taxpayers, allowour com. Vero Beach I think not. That translates to in. mission to be whipsa,.wed into,granting creasin:gth~medics' betlefits, which proposed wages ranging from $56,962 (a Runaway train on roll translates tomore mopey, notless. 29 percent increase)fo$116,046 (a 79 ,Your medics will m!!et with anybodY, percent increase) in a single year, fol- Bruce Anderson of the Irrefighters any tiIn~. to. talk about the issues. I . !owed b!.;~~arrasS;ng large increases union says he won't debateconsolida- chaIIengethe col11IOissionand the fire msucC~", years.. . . . tion. Of course not, for the same reaSmlunion to do the same. You have the '.. ~~~sl'!691dwe'allow 1',14 union . the County CoImnission won't allow a" right to kridW: ....., ,,',' "" . I ~ontractfireI~.anoverallb~1\>,"'feasibiI~study1~1lIiln.'t'wlU1t.any_<' . .>'!I... ' ~CJ'~Hf 0.~~itt,~r $7,:7,1>l~, 0a "lll1:et91n).~'\tt)'i~~th;. .... ". .} '........ ..' ..... Joseph ErIksen I S"'~~!~di~;.tdat ~~ghters iirtid~':"l:rlIrElc~~*~)til.~~th!t.pos~, .they'~;EtiCkSen is an r~,.Ri"" County param:;: ~, manding income com.pensatiIW inelt' .... ",ould be tpmanJ.1!l.TIul comnusslOn , .. ..'. . cess of $110,000 lJet~ear' AsJ#operty wants ~o tude t.p.e fa(Jts from you:1'heQ' zt azn't busted ... owners, shouldwendw a~J:.itan esti- fire UnIon won 1. even t:a!k. about itfor mated 50 percent in~se in\!ut Etner- fearsomeone!1'11ght~eoil~~.y~.. . AnY,thil1g that costl$ltJ.ore going in is . 'geney Service Distrjct milla~l'ate?. . The. only c.q$lnisS.l?ne'J"'past o;r ply going to cost more-in the future. .' This rate incr~will ~~ibe a small' pre!l!J~t, whogidb.e;rb.()m:~~rk wasW.VVehaveagreat sY$ieW now, and . property tax incre~. If granted by 0* '?~()line Ghiii..~etI! wetl!tge others? ~ is no lack of em~tgt)ncy protec. commiSsioners, there will not be a sin- ". The initial cost will be,i,rl.the mil- .' tIijjl coveta@'anYWhereto.the county.. g1e municipal operating depllJ.'tment . li()lts, but the ~Qing cost!> is what put ~t can ~ d~ent~. . that will not 00 dellllIDding (j(Jual com- ~ County11Jthered. .... .... ..' .... '.' ..~onsoli~ 1,8. a.J:1.1dElJl whose tIme pensa,.tiori treatmen~. .....'.... '. Mr, Anders!>liqsed to totl~ the be~,.L,~J1ot qoD1ll~~lJ,i&Ial1Ij.jver County, . The Taxpayers ~ociation of Indian tits ofconsolida.fion. With acommis':...: !,i . 0.1 ... ... . . Robert Novas RlVerCounty recoll!lllends that annual sion f'rrmIy in histlOCket, heiS sud"' .,. .;c" .' Vero Beach ~,. . ...','.<'. ~ JOHN T. WILLIAMS 1535 Smugglers Cove Vero Beach, Fla. 32963 772-231-5578 June 2, 200S Dear Members of the County Commission: I'd like to make it clear that my remarks today are not intended to apply to the Advanced Life Support paramedics of our EMS, but only to members of the International Association of Firefighters. I recognize that in a state with such a high percentage of elderly citizens, response teams of sophisticated paramedics are essential....and we taxpayers have traditionally supported their high costs. Of course if it were politically possible to do so, I also fully recognize that a privatized system contracted to Rural-Metro or another firm could provide the identical service at a fraction of the cost. More on that issue later. In the State of Florida today there is no salaried job in the public sector, or the private sector for that matter, as attractive as that of the unionized firefighter. Where else can a young guy work 2 Y. days out of a 7-day week, have additional Kelly days off, be paid an extraordinarily-generous salary, have equally generous fringe benefits, start a business on the side, retire after 2S years with full pension at age 4S or even younger, draw Social Security at 62 and make more in retirement than when he was working? Is it any wonder the job is attractive? They are so dramatically over-paid and under-worked that in every jurisdiction there is a long list of young men literally panting to come aboard the bonanza bus. These applicants in countless csses have even paid for their own training and certification in hopes that somewhere, sometime, a vacancy will arise. Most of the time they have to await the retirement of those aIready comfortably ensconced, but thanks to outraseously lucrative pension plans and early vesting unmatched anywhere in private industry, those vacancies do occur. And of course, because unbridled growth creates a demand for expanded services, their chances for employment on the gravy train here increase as the county gets bigger. Why else should we imagine that representatives of the local firefighters union would be so vocally opposed to any restraint on growth here in our own county? For them, like the Press Journal and the Chamber of Commerce, Bigger is Better. Bigger is also better for them in another way: it increases their already disproportionate ability to influence elections. Nationwide, they are the best example by far of gaining paybacks in taxpayers' dollars in exchange for political favors at election time. WHY and HOW have the firefighter unions around the state and nation been able to create for themselves such a comfortable bed? The answer is : because, with young legs, lots offree time, and expert national union organizers, they have developed a powerful, influential political machine nationwide that threatens the fiscaI sanity of us all. We all know unions were justified in private industry early on to ease oppressive working " C~ conditions. But in the last 60 years or so they have managed to kill the goose that laid the golden egg, and their demands have been largely responsible for the loss of manufacturing jobs to foreign lands. The shrunken rolls of the United Steel Workers and the United Auto Workers are perfect examples of how the marketplace factor eventually reaches through in private industry and brings reality to the situation. NO SUCH MARKETPLACE FACTOR HAS EVER AFFECTED THE IAFF or other unions in the public sector. The only "competition" they face is a self-created, phony-baloney one. Wherever the politicians are weakest and most under the control of the unions, that's where the highest wages and benefits are generated. Then that jurisdiction is used as a bargaining benchmark by other nearby IAFF chapters as they tout the false claim that failure to match those giveaways will result in the loss of current (j) employees to other jurisdictions. I know, and you know, that's pure hogwash. Witness their attempt currently to have IRC match Martin County's existing contract. It's obvio s from the 2003 news clipping (attached) that three members of that Commission just folded their tent and gave away the store. Read the comments of the two dissenters. Over a six year time frame the firefighters there have had a 72.6 % increase...... .and in the \ < 5-2006 year of the current contract the averal!e Martin Co. fire-rescue worker will '1\ ~; $96,085, including wages and overtime, but NOT including health insurance!! That .ll,~'); only be described as obscene..... .....but that's what political control can accomplish. \,,\ d believe me, Indian River is next on their hit list. ~ ~~ \ X- The ONLY unions today that are GROWING in numbers and influence are public- '\'> \ ,~'f' employee unions. . . . .. .unions NOT subject to any kind of free marketplace control \J whatsoever. . . ..unions that should never have been permitted to form in the first place. :IJ And they would not have been except for liberal judges and politicians seeking favors. One thing I hope you'll consider: when you enter into this current round of negotiations with the local chapter and try to deal with their outrageous demands, please recognize that you're not just dealing with this local group of nice young guys, many of whom probably grew up here and may be neighbors, or even relatives, but in actuality you are dealing with a larger, far darker force. That force is the leadership of the union here, statewide and nationally. Their agenda is universal and well-documented, their game plan well-rehearsed. Maximum political control. Maximum snouts in the public troughs. How many good young men in the rank and file are going to look a gift horse in the mouth in order to question the tactics and morality of the IAFF leadership nationwide when they are benefiting... ....at the public's expense.. ...to the degree that they are? I had hoped by moving to a Republican-controlled county I would no longer have to witness union influence on the political process. I hope that was not just wishful thinking. And it appears that the political breakdown has now extended to the Governor's office and the Republican legislature. In recent years since 9/11 they've all begun to kneel at the political altar of the IAFF. How sad. What misplaced supplication. To some specific points and suggestions: 1. When the union opens negotiations by demanding a $7,00,000 increase in their (j) budget. . . . . .46.6% more than the current cost. . . . .. and are quoted in the paper as considering it a "good starting proposal" (press Journa14/23/05, attached) doesn't the County Commission, as representatives of the taxpayers, have the responsibility to teU County's negotiating team to go to the table and demand a $7,000,000 roU-back as a "good starting proposal"? Of course it does. And in a real world, free from political influence, that's exactly what would happen. It's called a reality check. 2. The world of public sector union coUective bargaining is upside down. And the taxpayer is punished by it. Because the county's fiscal year is identical to the union's contract year, contract negotiations drive the budget instead of the budget driving the union contract negotiations. Nothing is sadder or more hypocritical than the state-mandated farce of annual budgets being submitted to public scrutiny and public hearings, when... .nine times out of ten. .. . the unions have already won their demands and the new budget reflects the increases as a fait accompli. The public can stand up at budget hearings and moan and groan all they want, but sorry, Bud, you're too late. It's been cut and dried. Under State law, if the money is not there to give the unions what they demand, but a "reasonable" effort has been made to be "fair", the governmental jurisdiction is not considered to be negotiating in bad faith. Also, under State law, if negotiations break down and go to impasse, a one year's contract can be imposed by the governmental entity involved. It is reasonable to assume therefore that the County could... ...ifit had the will....go to impasse, and then impose a Dartial-vear contract on the union so that henceforward the contract year could be aligned with, as an example, the calendar year. That way the budget process could be {~~ completed... ... with "reasonable" amounts put aside for future negotiations... . and the .... u / 1'#:&1 playing field for the taxpayer would be leveled. Why not give that due consideration? J(, V' 3. Since working schedules of one day on, two days off, make it possible, most of II r;t the firefighters have additional jobs or businesses in the private sector. The County needs tlJf II- to know how, when, and where these other jobs are in order to insure no conflicts of CI ;B1 interest exist, and to assure the public that firefighters coming on duty after 48 hours off ~ are weU-rested and able to perform. The union will fight this provision tooth and nail. I /1:' f tq~ strongly suggest that as an alternative, the county should consider imposing a five-day >> week, 8-hour day structure. A little more costly initially, but probable major savings in the SAd long run. be.,. t 4. The best tool that you have as our Board of Directors is to GET THE PUBLIC J ~ t INFORMED and keep us informed throughout the process. They need to f~ know... ...NOW....that if the firefighters union's demands were met, the increase in .,..... millage for the firefighters alone would go from 1.9 mills to 2.8 mills... ...a 44% increase. One way the public was kept informed in the City of HoUywood. . . . . . until the liberals got in the majority.. ... was to publish annually as an insert in the local paper the total costs of each and every city employee... ..wages, plus overtime, plus vacation, plus holidays, plus sick time, plus pension, plus health insurance. . . . . . a column for each category and a total in the right-hand column. There were approximately 1200 employees at that time and each was listed... .but only by position... .no names were used. It was a good awareness tool for the public so they could judge for themselves whether or not union demands were justified. I suggest you do the same here. Good Government needs informed citizens. ~~ ~ tl, (,,1 g.ttfI (j) 5. Without doubt, the best tool good government could use to retain the respect and trust of the taxpayer is to guarantee to them . . . .. orior to election ... . . . that those candidates seeking elective office would simply refuse endorsements and election aid from those who have conflicts of interest through long-term contracts with the county. This of course would include employee unions. In 1982 in Hollywood...... ..before the liberals go in the majority. . . . . . .. we passed an anti-conflict-of-interest resolution which provided that when candidates filed for election an affidavit was furnished for them to voluntarily sign.. . .or not sign. It provided that those that signed were pledging to reject endorsement, and/or monetary assistance, and/or in-kind assistance from corporations, companies, organizations or individuals having contractual, or historic grant-in-aid relationships with the City of Hollywood. Obviously it included the employee unions, and its purpose was to let the public know. . . .. . .. beCore the election. . . . . .. who was going to owe their political backsides to the unions if elected. Naturally, after the liberals got in the majority, I ended up being the only candidate who would sign it at election time. With IRC obviously on the imminent hit list of the IAFF, it should be adopted here. What's wrong with declaring your total independence from the political influence of those dependent on the public trough?? Please read some of the pertinent clauses and ask if they don't represent the ideals that our forefathers intended? Hollywood's affidavit form is attached. Also attached is a 1989 news article abou(Q) Hallandale candidates refusing firefighter cash support in an attempt to maintain the high moral ground. Unfortunately, thanks to firefighter unions, such principled public servants D in So. Broward no longer can be found. AS TO THE MERGER : I absolutely believe you are making a horrendous mistake. I know several of you pledged to support the merger during your campaigns, and were endorsed by the firefighters union for taking that position. But I honestly feel the issue was not fully explored before you made those commitments. You're spending money on a consultant to tell you how best to merge the two EMS divisions into one. .. . . . but you have refused to expand that study to determine if the merger is the best FINANCIAL move for the county. That reeks a little of "don't bother me with the facts, my mind's made up". WHY in the world would you want us to pay high additional incentive pay to have un-needed excess paramedics sit around and/or sleep in the fire stations? Countless studies show that EMT's on fire trucks are all that are needed if the fire truck should arrive first, which in IRC is certainly not always the case. Please read the attached study that was done by USA TODAY, and pay particular attention to the comparisons between Tulsa and Oklahoma City... ... .only 100 miles apart. Three times as many paramedics are assigned to fire engines in Oklahoma City as in Tulsa, but they have identical cardiac arrest survival rates. Also study similar data from Seattle and Boston. Twelve of the nation's largest cities were studied, and it showed that "victims of cardiac arrest are MORE likely to be revived in cities that spend fewer taxpayer dollars on paramedics!" . . (j) To quote the study: "Cities with the highest survival rates, the data suggest, train firefighters and citizens to respond first with defibrillators and CPR, sending in a smaller, closely supervised corps of paramedics minutes later to give advanced care." For heaven's sake, that's what we have now. And if that' s true, why are we moving to a less efficient. . . . much more costly system... ..one that may save FEWER lives, not more?? For political reasons? God, I hope not. That would be very bad for maintaining the public's trust. If that reason to avoid the merger is not enough, then consider the fact that you are making two diverse unions......that don't exactly love each other...... ...into one, much stronger, union, whose political power will ensure bulging budgets and kowtowing politicians in future years. Why in the world would you want to enlarge an elite political machine of 144 young activists by adding the 82 members of the ALS union? Believe me, with the outside help the national and state unions already send in at election time. . . . .. .and the fact that low-turnout Primary Elections in August now decide local races, the political future of this county looks dim indeed.. . . . . ..unIess proper counter measures are taken now. I can promise you that if the merger goes forward, the eventual costs will skyrocket. Please, study the report. Please have a financial feasibility study done. ABOUTPWVATiUATION: I have talked at length with both Wackenhut and Rural-Metro. In a conversation with Mr. Chris Fraser at Wackenhut Corporate Headquarters (800-666-5788) I was disappointed to learn that they had washed their hands of trying to gain contracts with municipalities or counties due to the activities of firefighter unions and the frailities of weak politicians. I was particularly disappointed because one year in Hollywood... ..... . again, before the liberal majority arrived... ..we had been able to hear an excellent, informative proposal from Wackenhut for fire-rescue services that was helpful in bringing reality to the table. I was aware that they had had a fire-rescue contract a few years ago in Estero, a fire district in unincorporated Lee County just south of Ft. Myers, that had ended in major controversy. He gave me the details: the elected Fire Commissioners of the District had the courage to get rid of the union and contract with Wackenhut at great savings to the public. From that day forward the union took no prisoners. When an ambulance would roll on an emergency call, it seems one or two cars would mysteriously appear, get in front of the ambulance and deliberately block its path by going slowly in the lane. Who, I wonder, would do such a thing? It also seems that small fires would break out, simultaneously, at widespread points across the district. Who, I wonder, would do such a thing? At the end of one year, the firefighters were able to engineer an election to gain control of the Fire Commission, and Wackenhut was gone. It seems that though NASA and the U.S. Government have enjoyed Wackenhut's fire-rescue service for Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center for many years, they're just not good enough for Estero Fire District? And, while we're wondering, we should wonder who threw boxes of new screws in Fran Adams' driveway and keyed Mrs. Ginn's car when the firefighter negotiations ,- " w were not going the way they wanted the last time around? I wonder. I don't have the space to tell you the long litany of illegal activities that took place in Hollywood elections. The IAFF chapter there was finally fined by the Florida Election Commission. . . . . . . but it took me two years to get it done. As to Rural-Metro: I have had interesting conversations with Corporate Headquarters in Arizona. As the printouts from the web pages show (attached), they provide privatized services to 400 communities nationwide... .. .. .many of them fire and/or rescue. Fifteen of those communities are in Florida, but I have only contacted two. James Chalmers is operations manager for Rural-Metro in Milton and Santa Rosa County.. . . .. .140,000 population. ..1,027 sq. miles....and they have run a paramedic rescue service there since 1996. The City of Orlando uses Rural-Metro for rescue service... ...and they make approximately 100 runs per day. Their phone number is 407-298-6700. Rural-Metro indicated a willingness to come here and make a presentation for either... ..or both.....fire-fighting and paramedic rescue service. Before you consider the merger... ... :or the current proposals from the firefighters union... ..DON'T YOU HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSffiILITY TO FIND OUT IF EQUAL OR BETTER SERVICES COULD BE CONTRACTED FOR FROM A PRIVATE FIRM.......ATGREAT SAVINGS TO US TAXPAYERS.......AND THE FUTURE SECURITY OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY????? One final note: Commissioner Lowther: Please understand, I know you to be a principled person, and I certainly respect you, but Sir, in public life even the appearance of impropriety is something to be avoided...... . and it simply does not look right for you to be taking part in the firefighter negotiations...... or voting on their contract... ..or voting for their desired merger. ..... because you have two brothers that will be affected by your vote. I'm certain an opinion from the Attorney General's office would clarify that the conflict of interest is sufficient to allow you to abstain from participation in these activities, and I urge you to dose. f OJ tJ:;;r.. fd;::t Thank you very much. {I 1- d y j Respectfully submitted, 1/J f/ .e~f , [ /U fbV; q 7 of "",dQ . 1!'.~ ~€If^' ~;le <r All vr C/ r\lN" ~ fI'.. Y" ( r~ V- /lw~ ( .r ~ , t[1 f!~HIi III g> ~IEtiIH!d ~ ~~ il~*f~fit I II ~~ c r :r!rtli 'I if e; ~ lI,~ng~ ,~~: ~ ." [Jf,iftWUI il ~_., !~u liitl..r ~li ~ &E;(f in Rid ~ . !;'fh;tdi i 0 0 ~\~~ fin fM~m ~ .. . i~J.dJfllllliJJi!-b . fnlfl!.~W:t'i ! lfi!il'~I:r:~f 1111 =;- I I I..,~. "f.~!.~i:D ... ll. ![f.t.. ~ - .~... . I' ,.f. ~ . .. i.... ~ .g:~D.Il!;; i/S'" "''''-~~ 0;5 ..' q ~ J~. - . .,..' ,...,.. iiI .. :z ,; flilt .,.. ,.1 ~ ill ,I 1 f 'Jfdrg I - (""") Iii....~a/J"ih 'if" ll: ll: m~ ......- . "' ., '" ei .,. "~'I ~ - J j; ~ ~pJ h 5'~f n 1J t~..i I{I<, irm f ........ ~ & !l,Ii'~ j~'" "I!' i . . I .f< c-r -l i" ",." · -, · -< I =" ..,. [.1" · · . ..1 ~ .It[ (C) _8~ f~.~c -,~ Il'''' ...l=~~ < . oJ: g~t:: iii;!' ~f!~d!m[;itnf ~ ~ ~j ~h!~ [!E;; J~t '~[j:il~lllii~!!?~D. ... _ '" "< z ~ 11 ~ ~ 'g. iil" ~fi;;! ~ Ii , ""!i iPHi; In; o~ b-,nli' h,,~ f!;'~Ur~ll,[ 'go;;;!?;' = i li~!. tlJfi~ff ~ ~ f~~e~i[~lit~~ii~ tI1 ~ ~f~ti~I~'!li~i~~1 ~ ~D. Ii'''t "'1..~II,!l:lI,lr ~ ~ < ~ 'Ii~ \ eJ _ '!'~ !,~~jS~J un ~ I ,,' ~ .... .... ~ : II ~ f ! ' iili~~.i.Ui!~im.i - ~j-. <il '" ~g8 .....1Jj-~~5.~ In t-rl- . fif;\~C!~"U:tl;i ! ;is' ~ i ~ I ! ~~fi ~ ~~f' ~ " fl' · . ~'l' (ll .()'Q. !~\ ~ i.'!,~ ~~oi~~ 1 . =r' J .o:~IJ~~~ I ~. r . .~ · . ('t) ....".s .... j ~ll: ~'" i g~fi,e-ttl~ ' 4) t '.' ~.."".. 00 '" ~ ."'i'.$a.~l,," .~ f:.~. ~ 1.!lf!lj~iJ~ ~ ?f5 ~ ..... :~ i"'. ... · ~i~ ('t) ~!l.!~j.!I...'!;~i; i,: ~. =. ~ ~ ;l a..!. &.i!f&l a Sl ~. .... ",'" I;;~_~ .'. '" 5" . . '4) ~ ~ ~lit~!i.~ i-i..i!;~ . . ~ , .. ..Jf,~..~ -I ~-. ,~~~~~i ,~ra'e:si' 2 rn ~!.i2~~"'ia!1!~~ttl~ rD j'~ ~j~lii!:::.I~~~i.i.g.;. -00, ;._.i"fi_~.-!;'i~:~;~~-i-~._." ' ~~?i-e.!lii~' _:$tji.", ~I~-~. !:j' g~!:!$;' -:-'ffH~~i-'- .;;J. ~; ~.s,'-'~:"'U r'imj"~!~ <, ~ ~, ;15.. ;U.;;i!r..~.i!lf.::1 ~~=,S"~!";;S'Elif>f; ..1<'" ,86'':' alssJ8~... ::s~;.'.~.-;;';~ .... "''; ?S'-.a ltl'L$~!r~" (C ''''"!SOl=' "''''.....;;!'<[.lI!.s.'''e.....~'g~. to.S"::!. g.S"~:- m 9 'g.lt!!lsltl a::cl~::s;l! ':.d run ~!H~~; lid~iuiH l~~! ! ';;;'~;8~::.i.f!a:. ~ f~~d !ii~ui~ ~h,HW~"~' ~.:!i i !~.~~d~:;; ~d ("':) :[['" .~K~. .~. .~,~[~;.&~8 -!lI . f'~"!~.. ~".:'~ 0 :': :." .:' ~ ~ ~ H'h.i ~ .lli m~ ~ .. i .'~ft& ~;fll~il ~i, ~ · : "m if~l~h f~~,d m~l~ ~Flil i ~ft~nf!l,~'~flryt. ~ t~g-'o~ ~~.l;!~r~~!o: '~n",:~,~~a. ~ AI if~ml~f=~ : ' ,.. . 0 o. - ld. " ,--....... " " · .., ",. , : ,"H'!~ g;" ~..d '&..... ." .."~ .!",.' M- i HI !~fii[ i": ~~;~h:$;i ~ 0 -~\l5.p.'lf ~ ;,. @. ~8~8~a ;;i~~~'"l~~g-~ g~~~ ~ .. g,s;..,:....d g,o? ~ ~.~ ~~~1~.~ ~~,.~ < .:Q) 6ii ~ ."'1:;; g' ,. . CITY of HOLL Y\NOOD. FLORIDA GEN. JOSEPH W. WATSON CIRCLE. p.o. BOX 229045 . ZIP 33022.9045 . PHONE (305) 921.3211 OFFICE OF Martha S. Lambos CITY CLERK December 21, 1987 Commissioner John T. Williams 2014 Jefferson Street Hollywood, FL 33020 Dear Mr. Williams: Attached is a copy of Resolution No. R-82-164, adopted by the Hollywood City Commission on July 28, 1982 entitled: RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO ESTABLISH A CITY OF HOLLYWOOD ANTI-CONFLICT OF INTEREST MANIFESTO You will note this Manifesto provides for voluntary agree- ment on your part. After you have had an opportunity to study this Resolution, will you please indicate on the lower half of this letter your' intent and return it to this office for our files. The attached copy of the letter is for your records. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. Very truly yours, Martha S. Lambos, City Clerk 1m Attachments ( ) I do hereby voluntarily comply. (. ) I do not wish to comply. Signature ~ Date , -- RESOLUTION NO. R-82-l64 RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO ESTABLISH A CITY OF HOLLYWOOD ANTI-CONFLICT OF INTEREST MANIFESTO WHEREAS, the Hollywood city Commission recognizes that the best government is that government owing allegiance to no special interest group or individual but only to the est interests of the commu . as a whole, and WHEREAS, the Hollywood City Commission corporations, companies, organizations and individuals who directly benefit monetarily through actions of the City commission in awards of contracts or grants may have in the past sought to influence such decisions by contributions, and election efforts on behalf od City Commission, and WHEREAS, the Hollywood City Commission recognizes that these influences, when successful, may have in the past and may in the future result in actions by the Hollywood City commission having serious consequences as to the long- term fiscal integrity of the City of Hollywood and, conse- quently, the subsequent capability of the citizens of Holly- wood to bear the added burden of increased taxes which may be imposed to accommodate such actions, and WHEREAS, the Hollywood city Commission recognizes that the public has a pre-election right to know the positions of Commission or Mayoral candidates as to their possible susceptability to such potential future influences if elected to the City commission. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Hollywood City Commission that an Anti-Conflict of Interest Manifesto incor- porating the reasons stated herein be established. Said Manifesto is to provide for voluntary signatures of agreement by commission and Mayoral candidates at time of filing for each municipal election. -( . Such signatures of agreement to provide that candidates signing would be voluntarily pledging to reject endorsement and/or monetary assistance and/or in-kind assistance from corporations, companies, organizations or individuals having contractual or historic grant-in- aid relationships with the city of Hollywood. Said Manifesto is to reside with the city Clerk as Election Officer and is to be made available for sign- ing by each candidate at the time of filing procedures. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of July, 1982. '. ""\ J ' . .J. - __ __. ,41 , . MAYO . o 4<<r '" OA~/I- r; t/fJ'o. t'~~/~~ ~ Ij i 'IJNar~h~~S' /lltAl7 r ~ (I'e" ~ ll,.d- Jf utJcr c;,u(!$ if' Jbw1 C, NfL. . I .3~3 -rr. ~a:ndidates refuse fireflgn 1) cash support Close-Up By Don VanNatta Jr. Herald Staff Writer Hallandale election / GBR HALLANDALE -' Two City Commission hopefuls snubbed an at- tempt by the firefighters union to support their candidacies this week saying they fear accepting th~ union's $1,000 contributions could be perceived as a conflict of inter- est. In addition, one candidate bas turned down a $250 cbeck from the Police Benevolent Association for the same reason and another may turn the PBA do,wn. Besides turning down the unions' cash offers, candidates Don Cum- mings and Gilbert Stein rejected the endorsement of the Hallandale Pro- fessional FirefiRbters Association. David Marmor, a passionate' sup- port~r of the firefighters, is the only candidate who accepted the union's $1,000 check and political backing. "They don't buy my vote," said Marmor, 37, a self-employed mort. gage banker. "If they are right, I vote for them. If I think they are wrong, I won't vote for them." Four cand!dates .- Cummings, Marmor, Stem and Incumbent Vice Mayor Art <;anon =- .are seeking three vacancies on the flve-seat City Commission in Hallanaale's March 14 municipal election. Of the four men, the union chose not to endorse the one incumbent, Canon, who has served on the com- mission since 1977. flCanon doesn't care about us" said Jon Gauthier, president of the Hallandale Professional Firefighters Association. Cummings had decided Tuesday to accept the union's cash and en- dorsement, but he changed his mind Turn to ENDORSE /4BR Cummings said -"no thanks" to the PBA, too. "I just questioned what the per- ception would be of my taking mon- ey from the firefighters when we may have to make a decision on their contract," said Cummings, a 41-year-old Hallandale postmaster. "To me, it's a lose-lose situation," "When you spend a lifetime ac- quiring a reputation, you don't want it to go out the window for $1,000," said Stein, 68, a semi-retired busi- ness consultant. ......., "I 11 . 2 city candidates turndown... firefighters union cash offer ENDORSE / from IBR Wednesday "after talking to some people" - including Mayor Arthur "Sonny" Rosenberg. Rosenberg, who is not running for re-election this month, advised Cummings behind the scenes to re- .t the union's overtures. The may- . is Cummings' most generous fi- nancial booster; Rosenberg has contributed $806 to his campaign. . "I gave them my opinions, and that was that," the mayor said. "They made the decisions them- selves." Rosenberg said the union en- dorsed three political newcomers "without even an interview" be- cause the incumbents "are not go- ing to give away City Hall to the fire- fighters." He sounded angry that the firefighters chose to ignore Vice Mayor Canon, the most experienced <:andidate on the baUot. "Why don't they contribute to Art Canon?" he said. "He's competent. He's done a lot for the frrefighters." The decision by Cummings and Stein to rebuff the firefighters union's help surprised its leader- lhip. "I'm not trying to buy a commis- sion," Gauthier said angrily. "All we are looking for is someone . to deal with us fairly," said Benny Sorp;p II". ,,..;on "ire \lI"e.i<l~nt. For the first time this winter, the union decided to offer its choices a $1,000 contribution - money pro- vided by the Broward CounLy Coun- cil of Professional Firefighters. The firefighters union is notori- ous for its heated clashes with the City Commission. Led by Gauthier and Sorgie, the union is a vocal and frequent opponent of many commis- sion labor relation policies. Last month, the union reiected the city's offer of an unprecedented mid-contract pay raise because members didn't like the offer. They . wanted the money up front, but the city wanted it spread over several years. ]n the coming election, the frre- fighters~ity relationship has shaped up to be one of the paramount is- sues. ]t is mostly Marmor'sdoing. "] think it is a disgrace. the way [the City Commission) is treating the firefighters and rescue people," Marmor said. "They deserve better treatment. . . and better pay." By rejecting Ihe union's helping hand, Cummings and Stein have chosen to distance themselves from Marmor's harsh criticism. "I just don't want to be endorsed with the folks the fire department is endorsing," Cummings said. Cummings went a step further. He chose to turn down a $250 cash contribution - and an endo(scment \ _ from the Police Benevolent As- sociation of Broward County. Stein is undecided. Marmor said he will accept both the financial and politi- cal support. "] Just wasn't comfortable with it," Cummings said. . . At a Feb. 23 meeting, Cummings said he would accept the PBA's en- dorsement if it was offered, its pres- ident said. But the candidate changed his mind this week. "I frrst thought, 'Let's endorse him anyway - to hell with him,' " said PBA president Dick Brickman. "But then I thought, '00 we want to endorse a man who goes back on his word like tbat? . . . Is he going to do this while he is a Ha\landale c0mmis- sioner?' " .. Cummings' decision marks the frrst time in five years a candidate has rejected the PBA's money or en- dorsement, Brickman said. Rosenberg, as usual, had the last word. "The fact remains that when you accept a strong financial sum from somebody who has a great financial interest in how you are going to vote . .. you are compromising your- self," he said. "There is not only a . perception of compromise. It's a fact:' ! i. Close-UP offers Herald readers all ill-depth look at iS$ues, people alld pltu:es throughout Broward eoullty, 1- ,~ .. .,. j),f Inverse lifesaving function? More paramedics does not equal more lives saved By Robe USA TODAY JENKS, Okla. - At first, the regulars in the Homestead Diner thought Bill Twilley was joking when he hit the floor after taking his seat. It was, after all, April Fools Day. And it was, after all, Bill. But when Curtis Conway looked under the table, he saw that his friend had scraped his forehead and his glasses had cut his face. .H~ got all stiff," Conway says, "and he started turning blue." Twilley, 71, was in cardiac arrest. He was lucky. He was one of an estimated 165 Americans who collapse each day in the most saveable form of sudden cardiac arrest - most saveable because it can be reversed by a shock from a defibrillator, and because it happens in public, where bystanders can summon emergency help. Twilley was saved, but not by paramedics. He was saved by Conway's cardiopulmonary resuscitation and by firefighters who arrived before the paramedics and shocked his heart back to normal. There was no paramedic on the fire engine. In fact, there are no paramedics in the Jenks Fire Department at all, and no plans to hire any. At a time when more cities are trying to put a paramedic on every fire engine - often the first vehicle to reach a medical emergency - Tulsa, which provides emergency medical services to Jenks, is limiting the number of its paramedics. Yet Tulsa's emergency medical system is considered one of the nation's best as measured by the EMS "gold standard," the survival rate of its saveable cardiac arrests. Tulsa's survival rate is 26%. The national average is an estimated 6% to 1 0%. ()JJ i ri; 1 ; f /"'; r~ ? c~f ~ f !!~j1- J--!J1r t 1~ ~ / Cf .: :; . I. " The city's EMS philosophy- and Twilley's story - illustrate the findings of a USA TODAY study of emergency medical data from 12 of the nation's biggest cities that suggest that victims of cardiac arrest are more likely to be revived in cities that spend fewer taxpayer ~ doll__rs on paramedics. Cities with the mshest survival rates, the data suggest, ttai.o..1iWi9hter:J a~ct9.tizens to resDond fi~with c:tmibJ:iIrators and~R. sendinQ in a smaUer. closely *' supervised corps of paramedics minutes later to give advanced~e. This is the great divide in emergency medicine. Should a paramedic be on every fire truck, even though most of-;li:. the calls are not matters of life or death? Or should paramedics be a smaller, more skilled corps that arrives to take over a few minutes after firefighters who just have basic emergency medical training? Most cities opt for more paramedics, despite the expense and evidence that the approach does not necessarily save more lives. Of the cities studied by USA TODAY, Seattle saves more cardiac arrest patients - 45% - with 1.48 paramedics per 10,000 residents. Boston has the second-highest survival rate - 40% - and the lowest paramedics ratio at 0.86. 5~--mn.E f BOsroiJ ~ce...S Many of the other cities have substantially lower survival rates and markedly higher numbers of paramedics per 10,000 population. Nashville, for example, has an 8% survival rate with a 3.33 paramedics ratio. Omaha has the highest ratio at 4.70 with a 16% survival rate. Seattle, Boston and Tulsa represent cities with fewer paramedics. Thev believe that a oaramedic who rides a "alU /tnjltJ~~ fire enaine to everv call doesn't aet enouah oractice v...... 7 p-rovidina skilled care because so few calls are real medical emergencies. IA 4 ,:'t ~~ I -. So firefighters in these cities are trained in rapid response and basic medical care. They save many victims of cardiac arrest with a shock from an automated external defibrillator (AED). Paramedics, rescuers with more training, experience and medical oversight, typically arrive in an ambulance minutes later. They provide advanced life support - administering drugs through IVs and inserting a breathing tube - to stabilize patients before transporting them to the hospital. These cities put a premium on havinp no more p-aramedics than their medical director can cl~ ~We have a small group of people who are highly experienced and trained, w,bQ worllglll~ io their ~,. says William Hepburn, assistant Seattle fire chief. Seattle also teaches its citizens CPR. "Most people equate EMS with paramedics," Hepburn says. "EMS should be an integrated system of trained citizens, first responders, paramedics and hospitals. Quick and effective CPR first saves lives." Twilley's case in Jenks is a perfect example: While a waitress at the diner dialed 911, Conway dropped to his knees and began CPR. The firefighters arrived, applied their AEDs and shocked Twilley once, five minutes after the 911 call was made. He was waking up when the paramedics arrived four minutes after that. He was asking for his cap before they wheeled him out. In Boston, the focus is on giving paramedics more opportunities to practice both their technical and clinical judgment skills. "We don't believe in sending our paramedics on every call,. says Boston EMS chief Rich Serino. .We want to have highly trained oaramedics whQ .. . i Ii' . . deterioration. . II. ", II' . " In Tulsa, Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) medical director John Sacra was instrumental in persuading Tulsa officials to keep a smaller, more skilled and more supervised corps of paramedics. "The more paramedics you put into the system, the more. medics that are doing fewer procedures," Sacra says. "It's a problem: Tulsa stands on the opposite side of this great theoretical divide from Oklahoma City, which is increasing its paramedics corps. The two cities, 100 miles apart, save about the same percentage of cardiac arrest victims - 26% in Tulsa and 27% in Oklahoma City. But their fire departments have different views on how many paramedics they need. In Tulsa, each resident spends $3.29 per year in taxes for 128 paramedics. In Oklahoma City, residents each pay $11.40 for 226 paramedics. In Tulsa, five of 30 fire engines have paramedics. In Oklahoma City, almost half of its fire engines have paramedics - 17 of 35. Omaha and Nashville represent cities with more paramedics. Their philosophy: Fire engines are almost always first on the scene of an emergency, and a. paramedic on the engine means the most trained rescuer arrives first. So they continue to hire, train and employ more paramedics to ride on fire engines. Nashville fire officials put paramedics on seven of the department's 39 fire engines, and reduced the time it takes for a paramedic to reach a victim by 21% to 25%. There have been no scientific studies showing that this approach saves more lives. But it consistentlv aDDears to f be what the DubUc and most Doliticians want. /1' IS /dIN tf6T5 ibTES . 'c. /1 ....... ' - ~ "In my experience, response times, response times, response times are of greatest concerns to those we serve," says Stephen Halford, Nashville's fire chief. Robert Dahlquist, Omaha's fire chief, says paramedics are the best way to provide emergency medical services to his community. "I'd like to have more paramedics," he says. James Love, Omaha's assistant fire chief, says 42% of the EMS calls require advanced life support. "This is the reason that we staff the paramedic coverage that we do. We continue to strive for 100% paramedic engine coverage," Love says. Los Angeles is an anomaly because it has both a low survival rate - 6% - and a low paramedic ratio per 10,000 population at 1.55. But in raw numbers it has the most paramedics of any city studied, boosting its paramedic force from 594 to 730 in the past year. "We have so many calls and so many sick patients," says Marc Eckstein, the city fire department's medical director. "I live in the city. I want a paramedic at my neighborhood fire station." But Eckstein acknowledges he can't keep track of all his paramedics and their skill levels. "If you have 500 paramedics spread out over 500 square miles going to 60-some-odd receiving hospitals, it is clearly impossible to get a handle on how well the medics are performing," he says. Corey Slovis, Nashville's EMS medical director, who oversees 196 paramedics, agrees. "If you have 50 or 60 paramedics, you are able to tell which ones are great, which ones are mediocre and which ones need to come in and get checked out," he says. "Between 80 and 100, you can't keep track of them all." /3 ..1, ~' r.~ '"' After considering the USA TODAY findings, a number of fire and EMS officials say that a national, scientific study should be undertaken to determine how paramedics should be deployed in big cities. "Fire departments have been (adding more paramedics) because they think ifs going to make a positive difference: says John Sinclair, a fire chiefand former paramedic who heads the EMS section at tha, International Association of Fire Chiefs. "Maybe we do have a problem. It's not really counterintuitive if you look at it. The more medics, the fewer that are taking care of really sick people.' U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, a former paramedic and EMS medical director, says cities must look at their paramedic deployment and ask, 'What did a paramedic add to this call to reduce pain or morbidity?" "Irs not a matter of right or wrong, but how can we do this better?" he says. "Fire chiefs and police chiefs and EMS directors should always say, 'Show me the science. Show me how this will benefit my citizens.' ~ c!Q better with meaaer resources.' For 25 years, Slovis savs. he has believed that having a paramedic on everv fire enaine was the best way to save more lives. "~ow I reali7e that the best systems may be the nnes . with the limited number of paramedics who are elite - highly trained,' he says. "I have completely changed." ' ./F I # "Rural/Metro CorporatIon rage 1 or 1 Our History Mission Statement RIM Locations News Releases RIM Links Employment Sean:h the SIte I.. RurallMetro Corporation is a leading provider of emergency and non-emergency rneclcal transportation services, fire protection and other safety-related services to municipal, residential, convnercial and indusbial customers in more than 400 communities throughout the United states. 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Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 1-800-421-5718 Terms of Use & General Privacy Policy - Notice of Privacy Practices Regardino Protected HeaRh Information http://www.ruralmetro.com/about/locations/florida.htm 6/5/2005 Bio- Tech Consulting Inc. Environmental and Permitting Services Inlo@blo-techconsultlng.colII w_.blo-techcoosultlog.colII June 14,2004 Exhibit Submitted to City Council at 7/13/05 Regular Meeting Resolution No. R-05-27 Wayne Kozlowski 75 Merrill Court Bristol, CT 03010 C/O Joseph Schulke Schulke, Bittle & Stoddard, L.L.C. 1140 7th Court - Suite F Vero Beach, Florida 32960 ~ Proj: , Kozlowski Project Site - Indian River County, Flori\la' /')';:"~ Section 26, Township 31 South, Range 38 East . /~.;' ,....ir C') BTC File #130-17: ~.:', Environmental Assessment S'~- \ Co 'it} N \ \~~\ -~ \''-?''l;:. Re: Dear Mr. Kozlowski: During April of 2004, Bio-Tech Consulting, Inc. conducted an environmental assessment of the approximately 18-acre Kozlowski project site located in Sebastian, southeast of the intersection ofC.R. 510 and C.R. 512, within Section 26, Township 31 South, Range 38 East, Indian River County, Florida (Figures 1, 2, & 3). The environmental assessment conducted included the following elements: . review of soil types mapped within the site boundaries; . evaluation ofland use types/vegetative communities present; and, . field review for occurrence of protected species of flora and fauna. . 315 North Ferncreek Avenne Orlnndo FI 37R03 nh 401 RII4 !iIlRII Iv 401 RIM !iQlO SOILS According to the Soil Survey of Indian River County, Florida, prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), two (2) soil types occur within the subject property boundaries (Figure 4). These soil types include the following: . EauGallie fine sand (#3) . Riviera fine sand, depressional (#51) The following presents a brief description of each of the soil types mapped for the subject property: EauGaIlie fme sand (#3) is a deep, nearly level, poorly drained soil found on broad flatwoods. Typically, the surface layer of this soil type is black grading to dark gray fine sand about 15 inches thick. During most years, the water table for this soil type is at a depth of less than 10 inches of the surface for 2 to 4 months during the wet season and within a depth of 40 inches for more than 6 months. The permeability of this soil type is rapid in the surface and subsurface layers, moderate to moderately rapid in the subsoil and substratum. Riviera fine sand, depressional (#51) is a nearly level, poorly drained soil found on low hammocks and in poorly defined drainageways and broad, low sloughs. Typically, the surface layer of this soil type is very dark grayish brown fine sand about 3 inches thick. The water table for this soil type is within a depth of 10 inches of the surface for 1 to 6 months and between a depth of 10 to 40 inches for more than 6 months. The permeability of this soil type is rapid in the surface and subsurface layers, slow to very slow in the subsoil, and moderately rapid in the substratum. The Florida Association of Environmental Soil Scientists considers Riviera fine sand, depressional as a hydric soil type. Also, this association considers inclusions present in EauGallie [me sand as hydric. Kozlowski Project Site - Indion River County, Florida (BTC File #] 30-] 7) Environmental Assessment 2 LAND USE TYPESNEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES The Kozlowski Project Site currently supports three (3) land use types/vegetative communities within its boundaries. The uplands which exist on the subject property consist of Fallow Crop Land (261). The wetlands/surface waters include Streams and Waterways (510) and Stream and Lake Swamp (615). These land use types/vegetative communities were identified utilizing the Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System, Level III (FLUCFCS, FDOT, January 1999) (Figure 5). The following provides a brief description of the land use type/vegetative communities identified on the site: Unlands: 261 Fallow Crop Land The uplands existing on the site consisted of areas formerly utilized in citrus crop production this is considered Fallow Crop Land per the FLUCFCS. Vegetative species identified within this cover type include citrus (Citrus sinensis), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), hairy indigo (lndigoftra hirsuta), dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), caesar-weed (Urena lobata) and shrub verbena (Lantana camarea). Wetlands: 510 Streams and Waterways The northern boundary of the subject property is a ditch classified as Streams and Waterways per the FLUCFCS. Water was present within the ditch, however the ditch was devoid of vegetation. 615 Stream and Lake Swamp The wetland area is associated with the Sebastian River and is classified as Stream and Lake Swamp per the FLUCFCS. Vegetation observed within this area includes, water hickory (Carya aquatica), Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), saltbush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax mytle (Myrica cerifera), swamp fern (Blechnum Kozlowski Project Site - Indian River County, Florida (ETC File #130-17) Environmental Assessment 3 serrulatum), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), sedges (Carex spp. and Cyperus spp.), blackberry (Rubus cuneifolius), sabal palm (Sabal palmetto) and laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia). PROTECTED SPECIES Utilizing methodologies outlined in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FFWCC's) Wildlife Methodology Guidelines, an assessment for "listed" floral and faunal species occurring within the subject property boundaries was conducted. This survey covered 100% of the subject property. Particular attention was given to those listed species that have the potential to occur in Indian River County (See Table I). The review included direct observations, as well as evidence of a particular species' presence such as tracks, burrows, tree markings and birdcalls. The listed plant and wildlife assessment conducted as part of this qualitative review was conducted during April of 2004. No plant species listed by either The Florida Department of Agriculture (FDA) or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) were identified on the site during the assessment conducted. The following is a list of those wildlife species identified during the evaluation of the site: Reptiles and Amphibians Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) Six-lined Racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus sexlineatus) Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris) Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Birds Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Rufous-Sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Common Flicker (Colaptes aruratus) Kozlowski Project Site - Indian River County, Florida (ETC File #130-17) Environmental Assessment 4 Mammals Pocket Gopher (Geomys pineatus) Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) Raccoon (Procyon lotor) One (1) of the above mentioned species is listed in the FFWCC's Official Lists - Florida's Endangered Species. Threatened Species and Species of Special Concern. This species is the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). The following provides a brief description of this species as it relates to development of the property. Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Currently the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is classified as a "Species of Special Concern" by FFWCC. The basis of the "Species of Special Concern" classification by the FFWCC for the gopher tortoise is due to habitat loss and destruction of burrows. Gopher tortoises are commonly found in areas with well-drained soils associated with xeric pine-oak hammock, scrub, pine flatwoods, pastures and abandoned orange groves. All tortoise burrows observed were recorded as active, inactive or abandoned. Approximately 50% of the habitat present on site was surveyed. Twenty-four (24) active/inactive tortoise burrows were found during the survey. Using the Auffenburg-Franz conversion factor (0.614), we estimate 15 (14.73) gopher tortoises are currently using the habitat. Several other protected species known to occur in Indian River County have a possibility of occurring in this area, as they are gopher tortoise commensal species. These species include the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), Florida mouse (Podornys floridanus) and the gopher frog (Rana capito). However, none of these species were observed during the survey conducted. The FFWCC provides four options for developers who have gopher tortoises on a property that is being developed. These options include avoidance, preservation of habitat, contribution to a wildlife trust fund (i.e. contribution of money for purchase of land that is part of a gopher tortoise mitigation bank) and relocation. However, new gopher tortoise relocation guidelines became effective March 1,2001. These new guidelines were put in place in order to address the Upper Respiratory Tract Disease (URTD) common in gopher tortoises. The following new guidelines now apply: I) No symptomatic tortoises will be relocated off-site, 2) Blood testing of tortoises being relocated off-site is required [If 10 or fewer tortoises are to be relocated off-site, at least five individuals from the population shall be selected at random and tested. If more than 10 Kozlowski Project Site-Indian River County, Florida (BTC File #130-17) 5 Environmental Assessment tortoises are to be relocated, 25% of the population (up to a maximum of 25 tortoises) or five tortoises, whichever is greater, shall be tested.] 3) If tortoises are found to have the URID they may either be relocated to an on-site preserve or dealt with utilizing an incidental take permit. In addition to the on-site review for "listed" species, BIC conducted a review for any FFWCC recorded Bald Eagle nest sites on or in the vicinity of the subject property. This review revealed no active nest sites through the 2002 nesting season on or within one mile of the subject property boundaries. Should you have any questions or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (407) 894-5969. Thank you. Regards, :uj) ~ Daniel Gough Field Biologist fl;;!::: President attachments Kozlowski Project Site - Indian River County. Florida (ETe File #130-17) Environmental Assessment 6 ... "" -' -, ( 9 ".. b .. .... "D 0:: ... o ~ ( , " ... ~ - ... " / Ii ~L l" :---r-_.~ OJ ~ Jl:, .... '" '" OJ ~ .I: ;:; ID h t h . N W*E S 315N.Fcmacc:kAn. .w7.894.5969 Orlando, PI. 32803 eanal1: lnfu@blo-~ Kozlowski Property Site Indian River County Location Map Figure 1 Drawn By: DBG BiD-Tech Consulting Inc. Environmental and Permitting Services Date: June 10, 2004 Scale: NTS N W*E S ~ 31SN.FemcockAoe. ~.894.S969 01IaIId0, PI. 32803 cmalI: lnW@I>I<>-leC:hc:oDInltlngOOlll ~~!:!!~~a1 ~~~!~!~~e~~: Kozlowski Property Site InrJill" River County Aerial Photograph Figure 2 Drawn By: DBG Date: June 10, 2004 Scale: NTS N W*E S 315N.P<:rnc=khe. 407.894.5969 Orlando, FL 32803 emaII: lDfu@bio-~com Kozlowski Property Site IDr1i"n River County USDA-NRCS Soils Map Figure 4 Drawn By: DBG Bio- Tech Consulting Inc. Environmental and Permitting Services Date: June 10, 2004 Scale: NTS N W*E S 315 N. Pemc=kA.... 407.894.5969 OdIado,FL 32803 emaiI:~~J./'1gc:olD Kozlowski Property Site Tnrli"n River County FLUCFCS Map Figure 5 Dmwn By: DBG Date: June 10, 2004 Scale: NI'S BiD-Tech Consulling Inc. Environmental and Permitting Services Table 1: Kozlowski Project Site - Indian River County, Florida Potentially Occuring Listed Wildlife and Plant Species in Indian River County Status Status Status Aqonostomus monticola mountain mullet N N C Awaous taiasica river aobv N N C Bairdiel/a sanctae/uciae striped croaker N N C Gobiomorus dormitor biamouth sleecer N N C Gobionel/us pseudofasciatus slashcheek aobv N N C Microphis brachyurus opossum pipefish N N C ~ Rana ca ita 0 her fro N LS P Alliaator mississippiensis American alliaator iTS/A) LS C Caretta caretta IOQQerhead LT LT C . Chelonia mvdas Qreen turtle LE LE C Crotalus adamanteus eastern diamondback rattlesnake N N C Oermoche/vs coriacea leatherback LE LE C Orvmarchon corais couperi eastern indiao snake LT LT C Gopherus polvphemus Qocher tortoise N LS C Pituophis melano/eucus muqitus Florida pine snake N LS C Accipiter cooperii Coocer's hawk N N P Aimophila aestivalis Bachman's sparrow N N P Ajaia aiaia roseate scoonbill N LS P Ammodramus savannarum Florida grasshopper sparrow LE LE P f10ridanus Aphe/ocoma coeru/escens Florida scrub-Iav LT LT C Aramus guarauna limpkin N LS P Ardea alba Qreat eQret N N C Ardea herodias occidentalis Qreat white heron N N P Buteo brachvurus short-tailed hawk N N P Caracara p/ancus crested caracara LT LT C Charadrius me/odus cicino clover LT LT P Oendroica disc%r pa/udico/a Florida prairie warbler N N P Eqretta caeru/ea little blue heron N LS C Earetta rufescens reddish egret N LS C Egretta thula snowy eQret N LS C Earetta tricolor tricolored heron N LS C Elanoides forficatus swallow-tailed kite N N P Eudocimus a/bus white ibis N LS C Fa/co co/umbarius merlin N N P Falco perearinus cerearine falcon LE LE P Falco sparverius paulus southeastem American kestrel N LT P Freaata maanificens maanificent frioatebird N N P Grus canadensis pratensis Florida sandhill crane N LT P Haematopus palliatus American ovstercatcher N LS P Ha/iaeetus leucoceDha/us bald eaQle LT LT C /xobrvchus exilis least bittern N N P Lateral/us jamaicensis black rail N N P Myaeria' americana wood stork LE LE C Nvctanassa violacea vellow-crowned niaht-heron N N C Nycticorax nycticorax black-crowned niqht-heron N N C Pandion haliaetus osorev N LS" C Pelecanus occidentalis brown oelican N LS C Picoides borealis red-cockaded woodoecker LE LT C Picoides villosus hairy WOOdpecker N N P Pieaadis falcinel/us alossv ibis N N P Ral/us lonairostris scottii Florida clapper rail N N P Rostrhamus sociabilis alumbeus snail kite LE LE C Rynchops niaer black skimmer N LS C Saeotvto cunicularia floridana Florida burrowina owl N LS P Sterna antil/arum least tern N LT C Sterna caspia Caspian tern N N P Sterna maxima roval tern N N C Sterna sandvicensis sandwich tern N N C Corvnorhinus rafinesauii Rafinesaue's big-eared bat N N P Euba/aena alacialis black riqht whale LE LE C Mustela frenata peninsulas Florida lana-tailed weasel N N P Neofiber al/eni round-tailed muskrat N N P Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris southeastern beach mouse LT LT C Podomvs floridanus Florida mouse N LS P Sciurus niaer shermani Sherman's fox squirrel N LS P Trichechus manatus manatee LE LE C Ascleaias curtissii Curtiss' milkweed N LE C Cheiroalossa palmata hand fern N LE C Conradina arandiflora larae-flowered rosemary N LE C Dicerandra immaculata Lakela's mint , LE LE C Euaenia rhombea red stooper N LE R Glandularia maritima coastal vervain N LE C Glandularia tamoensis Tamoa vervain N LE C Halophila iohnsonii Johnson's seaqrass PT N C Harrisia simpsonii Simpson's pricklv apple N LE C Lechea cemua noddinq oinweed N LT C Peaeromia obtusifolia blunt-leaved peperomia N LE C Stillinqia sylvatica ssp tenuis !queen's deliqht N N C Tephrosia angustissima var curtissii coastal hoary-pea N LE C Vernonia blodaettii Blodgett's ironweed N N C Beach Dune N N C Coastal Strand N N C Floodplain Marsh N N C Maritime Hammock N N C Scrub N N C Shell Mound N N C I Manatee aqqreqation site I IN IN C I ** Sde Rank and Status Explanations and Definitions, Special Animal Listings - Federal and State Status County Occurrence Status Vertebrates and Invertebrates: C = (Confirmed) Occurrence status derived from a documented record in the FNAI data base. P = (Potential) Occurrence status derived from a reported occurrence for the county or the occurrence lies within the published range of the taxon. N = (Nesting) For sea turtles only; occurrence status derived from documented nesting occurrences. Plants, Natural Communities. and Other: C = (Confirmed) Occurrence status derived from a documented record in the FNAI data base or from a herbarium specimen. R = (Reported) Occurrence status derived from published reports.