TOWN OF LELAND SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 20, 2016 2:00 PM ASSEMBLY The Town of Leland Council held their special meeting on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Council Chambers. PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT: Brenda Bozeman, Pat Batleman, Michael Callahan, Bob Campbell, Bob Corriston David Hollis, Town Manager; Niel Brooks, Director, Operation Services; Christa Dees, Director, Human Resources; Mike James, Chief of Police; Sabrena Reinhardt, Town Clerk/Administrative Manager; Missy Rhodes, Finance Officer/Internal Support Lead; Jimmy Strickland, Director, Public Services and Gary Vidmar, Director, Economic and Community Development. 1. 2:00 P.M. - Call to Order Mayor Bozeman called the meeting to order at 2:00 P.M. Mayor Bozeman stated that a quorum was present. There were fifty-three people in attendance. 2. Invocation Mayor Bozeman provided an invocation. 3. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 4. Introduce Guests/Speakers 4.1 Mayor Bozeman acknowledged Brunswick County Commissioners Pat Sykes and Randy Thompson as well as Greg Grayson, Office of State Fire Marshal Assistant Director at State of North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI). 5. Approval of the Agenda 5.1 ACTION: Motion to approve the agenda as presented. Brenda Bozeman Bob Campbell Bob Corriston (Moved By)
Michael Callahan Pat Batleman (Seconded By) Vote: Carried. 6. Fire Services 6.1 This was an informational meeting, no public comment taken. 6.2 Leland Fire and Rescue Presentation John Grimes, Chief, Leland Fire and Rescue provided the Town Council with a presentation regarding the fire services in Northern Brunswick County and an overview of the State regulations. Councilmember Callahan asked Chief Grimes to confirm that there is only one fire truck being dispatched based upon staffing for each fire call. Chief Grimes replied that is correct and Leland Fire and Rescue are like other fire departments in the area. All of the fire departments would receive assistance from other fire departments with their trucks during a dispatch call. Chief Grimes stated that if the Leland Fire and Rescue Department does not receive grant assistance, funding will be needed from the local municipalities as well as Brunswick County. Councilmember Batleman stated that the dispatch response times would be minimized if additional road connections were in place. Chief Grimes replied that Councilmember Batleman was correct in her statement. Councilmember Callahan asked Chief Grimes to explain what the satellite fire station is. Chief Grimes replied it assists with the rating due to the location of the satellite fire station and the fire hydrants. The Winnabow Satellite Fire Station has tankers because they do not have fire hydrants. Leland has lots of fire hydrants. Chief Grimes stated that Westport is a substation which picked up the service areas of Mallory Creek, Westport, parts of Belville and other surrounding areas. Councilmember Campbell asked if the number of staff dispatched to a call is State regulated. Chief Grimes replied yes the State requires there be a certain number of staff. Councilmember Campbell asked if the volunteers were on a schedule. Chief Grimes replied yes. Mayor Bozeman asked if the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were in the Leland Fire and Rescue budget. Chief Grimes replied yes. Mayor Bozeman asked what percentage of the Leland Fire and Rescue is part of EMS. Chief Grimes replied it is approximately 20-25%. Mayor Bozeman stated if the Leland Fire and Rescue gets revenue from EMS services and Fire Fees and the trucks and stations were financed from the Town of Leland, where else are they obtaining revenue? Chief Grimes replied that the financial information will be given within his presentation today. Councilmember Campbell asked, as we grow is there the need for a hands-on training facility? Chief Grimes replied that Cape Fear Community College has a facility and that the Leland Fire and Rescue has a Memorandum Of Understanding with Cape Fear Community College for their training needs. Mayor Bozeman called a recess at 3:06 p.m. Mayor Bozeman called the meeting back in order at 3:14 p.m. Chief Grimes stated that the Town of Leland s contract allows for a Town Liaison to attend the Leland Fire and Rescue Board meetings. Mr. Hollis asked if the Town of Belville or Brunswick
County have Leland Fire and Rescue liaisons attend the board meetings. Chief Grimes replied no. Chief Grimes stated that Leland Fire and Rescue sends its expenditures and income to Brunswick County. Councilmember Callahan asked for the history of providing Fire and EMS services. Chief Grimes replied that fire services were provided in 1958, the EMS services in 1968 and they merged into one service in 1998. Chief Grimes stated that EMS collection rate is approximately 65%. Councilmember Campbell asked if Leland Fire and Rescue does its own billing. Chief Grimes replied that billing collection is provided by an outside vendor and the EMS service loses revenue. Mr. Hollis asked, does Leland Fire and Rescue send an ambulance and/or a fire truck for EMS calls. Chief Grimes replied that an EMS ambulance always goes to the EMS call and it is then determined if a fire truck needs to be dispatched. Councilmember Corriston stated that a resident died of a heart attack last week, but a great response time was provided by Leland Fire and Rescue. Councilmember Callahan asked will the Leland Fire and Rescue purchase new ambulances. Chief Grimes replied that one will be purchased in September and the old ambulance will be sent to the junkyard because it has no life left. Councilmember Campbell stated that Brunswick County provides annual funding in the amount of $38,500.00 to Leland Fire and Rescue. He also asked, will Leland Fire and Rescue request additional funding from Brunswick County. Chief Grimes replied yes. Councilmember Callahan asked when the contracts were executed between Brunswick County and the Town of Leland with Leland Fire and Rescue. Chief Grimes replied the Brunswick County contract was established in 2005 and the Town of Leland contract was executed around 2008. Mr. Hollis asked Chief Grimes what revenue is budgeted each year for the engines. Chief Grimes stated that the budgeting revenue over the past nine years may pay for one truck and that Leland Fire and Rescue will have a hard time in the next two or three years if funding does not increase. Councilmember Batleman asked about the Fire Study being funded by Brunswick County for FY16/17. Chief Grimes stated that Brunswick County has the fire study line item in their FY16/17 proposed budget. Councilmember Batleman is concerned about Leland Fire and Rescue having a bulk of the input for the study due to the region s growth compared to the rest of the County. Councilmember Callahan stated that Leland needs to be a stake holder in the Fire Study. Mayor Bozeman stated that all of the municipalities need involvement. Mayor Bozeman stated her concern over the name Leland Fire and Rescue because everyone thinks it s a Town of Leland service. Chief Grimes replied that he agrees and hopes that folks view Leland Fire and Rescue in a positive way. Councilmember Callahan asked what the EMS County taxes provide for Leland because the Leland residents pay the fire fee and County taxes. The County also pays funding to Leland Fire and Rescue. The Leland residents are paying both fire fees and county taxes; two sets of taxes going toward the same service. Brian Watts, Director of Emergency Services for Brunswick County replied that s correct. Councilmember Callahan asked how the funding of fire and rescue is allotted. Chief Grimes stated that both funds are placed in one budget and that they are not broken out into separate funding accounts. He also stated that the $485,000.00 of funding from the County would not be provided to Leland Fire and Rescue if the EMS service was eliminated.
Councilmember Callahan stated that service districts are common in the State because they are managed locally. Brunswick County and Union County are the only fire services that have a flat fire fee. Mayor Bozeman asked Mr. Grayson if Leland Fire and Rescue is meeting compliance. Mr. Grayson replied that based upon the inspection a plan must be implemented and that Leland Fire and Rescue has created a plan. In one year, if the plan is in place, they will be removed from probation. With Leland becoming the fastest growing community, this is a caution light, address it and move on, this probation can be seen as a positive issue. Councilmember Batleman asked when state fire inspections are completed. Mr. Grayson replied that inspections are usually done within a five to seven year period. If there is a complaint or a death or fatality this will prompt a review. Mr. Watts stated this is a warning, the bottom line is the Leland Fire and Rescue has a sound plan and will continue to be proactive. Scott Garner, Deputy Director of Emergency Services/Fire Marshal at Brunswick County said Leland Fire and Rescue is a good department and that Northern Brunswick County area has the largest growth. Mayor Bozeman asked how much additional funding would Brunswick County need if Leland Fire and Rescue was not providing services. Mr. Watts replied it would cost the County $750,000.00 for one ambulance. Councilmember Callahan asked what the logistics would be if the Town of Leland had a Fire District. Mr. Grayson replied the Town could have it in their taxes or can rescind their authority to the County and that the State puts a cap of $1.50 for property tax. The State Statutes do not allow municipalities to setup fire district taxes, it must be requested by the County. Mr. Hollis asked if there any areas in the County that do not pay a Fire Fee. Mr. Garner replied there are a few areas that do not. The Compass Point development is not in the area of the fire services and the rates are a 9 or even 10. He also stated even though someone has a ten rating they get a response even though there is no Fire Fee because their insurance bill is very high and EMS would still be charged. Councilmember Corriston stated the State should look at the Fire Fee since it only applies to two counties in the State. Councilmember Callahan asked, when Leland Fire and Rescue will receive notice about obtaining the grant. Chief Grimes replied in approximately six weeks. Councilmember Callahan asked if this is a volunteer grant only. Chief Grimes replied no, that is not the case. Councilmember Callahan asked if the Town should be planning to provide funding if the grant is not awarded. Chief Grimes replied yes. Mayor Bozeman asked if Council was going to have staff look into this. Mr. Hollis stated that the Town s staff will look into this matter. Mayor Bozeman asked if Leland Fire and Rescue ever considered merging with the Town of Leland. Chief Grimes stated years ago it was discussed. Mr. Hollis stated that the Town would not be obligated to charge the Fire Fee and it could be supplemented with ad valorem tax. Mayor Bozeman stated that the Town of Leland needs to have a conversation with the Town of Belville and Brunswick County. Councilmember Batleman stated we still have the issue with road connections. Council's CONSENSUS is for staff to provide a study on fire services that includes funding and road connections. Councilmember Campbell stated that Council did the right thing to bring in all associations involved
in this service and that we did not have a knee jerk reaction. Councilmember Callahan thanked Ms. Geuffier for bringing this matter to Council's attention. 7. Adjournment ACTION: To adjourn the meeting at 5:28 p.m. Brenda Bozeman Bob Campbell (Seconded By) Bob Corriston (Moved By) Michael Callahan Pat Batleman Vote: Carried.