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Health & Safety Committee Minutes
JANUARY 14, 2008
Municipal Council of the City of Vermilion
Municipal Complex, 685 Decatur Street, Vermilion, Ohio 44089
In Attendance: S. Holovacs, F. Ostrander, B. Brady, M. Rossini, H. Strickler, D. Roth, J. Gabriel, G. Fisher, Mayor Anderson, D. Squires, C. Schmidt, W. Hamilton, B. Kish.
Call to Order: M. Rossini, Chairperson, RESOLVED THAT this Health & Safety Committee comprised of Dan Roth, Vice, and Fred Ostrander, Member does come to order.
TOPIC ONE: SAFETY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
C. Schmidt reported that he received correspondence from a citizen suggesting that the city start using a new cell phone alert system called “ICE.” This stands for “In Case Of Emergency” and it alerts the safety forces who to call if a person is unconscious. He said that citizens can store “ICE” in their cell phones so that their emergency contact can be called right away. He said that North Central EMS may not take the time during an emergency situation because their first priority is to stabilize and transport the person. He said the hospital or police personnel would be able to contact someone right away if the person had a cell phone.
TOPIC TWO: POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT
Chief Kish distributed to the members of council his 2008 budget proposal list. He asked council to review it so that it can be discussed at a later date. He said this budget also takes into account for a 19th officer and they also would like to get back into the Lorain County Drug Task Force. It all includes the retirement severance package if four of them would retire this year. He also included the $140,000 for the vehicles that they anticipate purchasing this year. He said he has been researching the vehicles and the Dodge Charger is pricier. He said the Crown Vic’s at state bid are around $20,000 each. He is looking at a four-wheel drive Chevy Trailblazer for around $23,000 to $24,000. He said he believes they can go locally if they decide on this because the bid process is $25,000, so they could probably outright purchase it.
He reported that in February he will provide the 2008 annual report.
He touched on correspondence that council received from Remington Towing Company regarding motor vehicle lock out services. He said the City of Amherst does not do lock outs that Mr. Davis insisted that Vermilion not do. They also have a contract that regulates the towing. He said this contract was provided to Remington Towing, L&M, and Harbourtown which are the three companies that the city utilizes. He said the dollar amounts are subject to negotiating. He said this would give them a little better control of what the tow companies are charging the residents.
F. Ostrander felt that the police department shouldn’t’ be doing lock outs become the city could have possible liability issues if a car is damaged. He said he admits it is a courtesy but feels they should let somebody else handle this. B. Kish said traditionally for over 30 years they have done the lock outs, but he wants the citizens to understand if they don’t do the lock outs it isn’t because of them deciding this. B. Brady felt it was a nice service for the police to the residents, and if it isn’t a big hassle for the police then why change it. She said why should somebody have to pay to get their car unlocked when the city has been doing it as a public service for 30 years. She asked if they get the three contracts on the towing will they be rotating them. B. Kish said if the mayor or safety director tells him to quit unlocking cars then he would be bound to do it, but right now it is his call until he is told to stop. He said with the towing they don’t have a contract as of now, but they do have a list they rotate from. J. Gabriel agreed with B. Brady on the lock outs since it has been a 30-year service. M. Rossini noted that he unlocked cars when he was on the police force back in 1969.
Mayor Anderson thought it may be beneficial to put out to bid the towing services and develop a contract with one company so the police can have more say in the cost and level of service. She said right now they don’t have any say or supervision.
H. Strickler asked how many lock outs they get a year. Chief Kish said it is around a couple hundred.
S. Holovacs asked if council could get a copy of the contract. Chief Kish said he would make a copy and forward it to the clerk.
TOPIC THREE: Fire Chief’s Report
Chief Stempowski showed copies of the new pumper tanker to council. He said the truck is built and his crew went up last week for the post build inspection. He said they are tweaking a couple of things and are expecting to have delivery on the truck by Saturday. He said they are still receiving loose equipment and will put that truck in service as soon as possible, at least for the water.
He reported that the pickup trucks were in service as of yesterday. All of the light bars, sirens, and electronic components have been installed. He said the skid units are in but have not been installed as of yet.
He reported for the month of December the department responded to four fire calls and two CO calls, and they had two investigative responses. He said the total fire calls for 2007 was 106 and there were 32 CO calls.
He reported that the Fire Prevention Bureau has been very busy with a lot of inspections. They are acting mostly on complaints, especially in foster care facilities.
M. Rossini asked what the capacity of the tanker was and Chief Stempowski said it is 3,000 gallons. M. Rossini asked how long 3,000 gallons last. Chief Stempowski said what he is trying to get from the engineers now is how long it will take to dump the 3,000 gallons into the pond for them to use. He said he believes that truck has a 1,500 gallon per minute pump, so if they were to use it at full capacity they could pump 1,500 gallons per minute, so it would be about 2 minutes. M. Rossini asked if it would take them two minutes to unload the water. Chief Stempowski said not to unload it. He said he can’t answer this question yet but has requested it.
C. Stempowski reported that there is a problem with setting up the new phone numbers at the fire stations so he advised the public to call station #1 at 967-3977 and for #2 call 967-4136 until the new numbers are working. For emergencies, its 9-1-1.
No further discussion was heard, therefore, Chairman Rossini adjourned the meeting.
Next Meeting: February 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Note: Unofficial meeting minutes. Changes may be pending.
1/19/08
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