By: William Tellmoor

City Manager Judith Gilleland opened the latest City Council work session, which dealt with the Fire Department, by introducing the panel and summarizing their goal, which was to find “scenarios that would not reduce service, but would reduce costs” by stating that “consensus could not be reached on the most appropriate model to deliver services and achieve a substantial cost savings for the City.”  She immediately added that “while we are not necessarily here tonight to discuss additional revenue sources, we did include increasing revenue as an option to be considered.”  “One viable way of increasing revenues is to place another levy on the ballot,” Gilleland added.

Fire Chief Botts discussed “hard” billing versus “soft” billing.  Later in the discussion it was brought out that this would only bring in about another $100,000 per year.  Other revenue increasing options were estimated to be less than $15,000 per year.  He also discussed decreasing expenses.  The rest of the panel expanded on these points.

A “50-50 model” of combination full time and part time force was explained.  Many points against this option were brought up and discussed. The only point in favor of this model was discussed by Mark Hearst, who opined that a cost savings with this “50-50” model of between $462,000 and $935,000 on an annual basis was possible.

Next, the “first emergency first” model was explained. This model puts both three firefighters and a company officer in each station with a “medic unit” and an engine.  Then, when a run came in, they would take the unit which is most appropriate for the call.  This saves money since engine companies are not being sent on EMS runs.  An initial expense would be to add another pumper or aerial apparatus at a cost of about $400,000.  Vehicle operating costs would decrease by about $60,000 per year since there would no longer be two vehicles sent on each run.  Net would be about $44,000 additional cost per year due to added additional supervision.

The “peak hour staffing model” was then outlined.   Middletown Fire Department currently uses a “24/48 tour” model.  The “peak staffing model” uses a number of firefighters working the 24/48 schedule supplemented by a number of 40-hour employees working the “peak” hours.  The “busy hours are from 8 am until 12 midnight.”  There is more than one way to cover these hours, but under some options services would be reduced but with zero savings, so they would not be feasible.  However, under one option, lower paid EMS-trained only, re-classified employees could cover the medic units during the two shifts between 8am to 12 midnight at an annual wage and benefit savings of about $600,000 dollars.  However, there would be their costs that would substantially offset these savings, such as uniform and gear costs, training, turnover, and the like.  There would also be “multiple challenges both in the implementation, and the ability to provide effective services during non-peak hours” affecting the feasibility of this model. 

Other items were also briefly discussed by the Chief Botts, such as public education to reduce demand, the “Safer” grant, the formation of a joint fire district with neighboring communities, and the possibility of reducing other budgets to fund fire department.

Mayor Mulligan then asked the City Council if they had any questions or comments.

Councilwoman Mort asked for, and received clarification about the SAFER grant. She stated that she “would really like to see some of those federal dollars coming back home.”  She also questioned whether the latest technology could provide savings. She then questioned training.

Councilman Joe Mulligan clarified the earlier statement that “savings wouldn’t be used for reinvestment.”  He stated that “there are probably more optimal locations for our fire stations, and we need to build up funds to do that.”  He also questioned the possible mixes of part-time with full-time employees.  Chief Botts emphasized that he knew of no other city that has successfully reversed-transitioned from a 100% full-time force to a full-time/part-time force.

Councilman Smith questioned where committee members outside of the fire staff stood, since the fire staff felt the “first emergency first” model was the best.  Ms. Gilleland stated that there was no consensus, it depended upon the question.  She added that the “first emergency first” model does not save a lot of money.  She was looking to council for direction.  She added that these are very difficult and complex issues, and “we need to have more conversation on level of service expectations and what our target is for cost savings.”  She also explained to Smith that the “50-50” model was chosen as a starting point to study to provide figures—it could be 75/25 or any other number, and that it depends on our goals.  Gilleland also again brought up the possibility of a tax levy.

Councilman Laubach said that the “first emergency first” doesn’t address cost.  He added that his biggest concern is that, when costs are projected out a few years, and police costs are matched up with fire costs, “it consumes almost all of our General Fund—all of it!”  He is not okay with the “first emergency first” model.

Vice-Mayor Picard questioned the $100,000 increase projection for hard billing.  He then opined about part-time turnover rates and outfitting costs, positing that the projections were too conservative.  He then questioned the panel about the size of EMS crews.  He suggested sending additional men in another vehicle, other than an engine.  Chief Botts replied that there are many alternatives, and that may be a good one, but he doubts it.  Picard then suggested that we have part-timers on stand-by for use instead of paying full-time employees overtime.  Chief Botts patiently explained why that was not feasible.

Councilwoman Mort chimed in that she thought that fire departments were too “steeped in tradition.”

Councilman Smith stated “I would like to hear from my colleagues exactly what level of service we want to provide before we even think to put a number on it…”  Councilman Laubach replied that “we have to sit down through the budgeting process and we have to determine how much we have to spend, and what we’re willing to spend, and have a robust discussion about it…and we’re not gonna ask for any more money from the people…and we’re gonna ask these gentlemen over here, who are all highly qualified and highly trained and have a lot of knowledge, to do with it what they can—whatever that budget ends up being.”  “We have to be honest about how much money we’re gonna spend,” Laubach added.

Mort said to “Let them (the firefighters) figure it out.”

Picard said that he finds it “really unusual that we are having this discussion about reducing the amount of money being spent on the fire department less than a year after the citizens of this community overwhelmingly voted for a public safety levy.”  He added that he’s “not in favor of reducing the amount of money we’re spending on fire at all.”  Laubach replied: “Let’s be clear, here.  Fully acknowledging that the levy did pass, there were thirty-two hundred yea votes.  That’s hardly an overwhelming vote in a city of 50,000…let’s be honest, it was a very low turnout.”

Smith then stated he was in favor of moving ahead with the “first emergency first” model, as the panel had suggested.  He added that he was a firefighter qualified to work on a part-time department, but he would tell anyone in the City of Middletown the he was “the last one that you would want to show up at your home in a medical emergency or a fire.”  He favored maintaining or increasing the level of service currently being provided.

Mayor Mulligan wanted to digest all of this information and think through it.

It was decided to have one more discussion on this subject before the budget discussions, tentatively in one month.

After a brief recess, Mayor Lawrence P. Mulligan, Jr. began the business session by presenting the3RD Annual Armbruster Memorial Award to Ralph Connor.

Jeff Michel, from Keep Middletown Beautiful, outlined the plans for Middletown’s observance of Earth Day on April 20, 2013.  Michel expects hundreds of people to participate in the clean-up of city parks, while a host of others will participate in educational activities at Miami University Middletown.  Mayor Mulligan will lead a kick-off ceremony Saturday at Smith Park at 8:00 a.m.

Doug Adkins reviewed the Landlord Registration Committee’s final report.  A key issue is that the City will begin using the city water billing system to track local addresses/local contact information for absentee landlords.

City Law Director Les Landon and Steve Lewis reviewed the merger of the Park Board and the Tree Commission.

Matt Eisenbraun gave an overview of the Airport Commission’s recommendations for the transition of the operator/manager and how to move forward.  He said that the formal recommendation will include a set of Standard Operating Procedures and that the Airport Commission would attempt to mediate any disputes.

Council agreed to appoint Councilman Joe Mulligan as their representative to Downtown Middletown, Incorporated.

Councilman Joe Mulligan announced that on Monday, May 20 there will be a joint presentation on self-defense by Middletown Business Watch and Middletown Neighborhood Watch at the Chamber of Commerce offices on Central Avenue.

Mayor Mulligan expressed his excitement over the new restaurants that have opened in downtown Middletown and said that downtown is quickly becoming a dining destination.

 Resolution No. R2013-06, a resolution strongly opposing the passage of HB5 by the Ohio General Assembly which proposes uniformity measures for municipal income tax in the form of unfunded mandates and a substantial loss of revenue, was passed unanimously after the second reading.   

Resolution No. R2013-09, a resolution to make adjustments to appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Middletown, Counties of Butler and Warren, State of Ohio, for the period ending December 31, 2013 (Pool Fund), was passed unanimously after the second reading.  This resolution transfers $17,946 originally donated for the operation and maintenance of Sunset Pool, to support the rehabilitation of the tennis courts, sand volleyball court, picnic shelter, and incidental funds to support the donation of handicap playground equipment from the Berachah Church, all at Sunset Park.

Ordinance No. O2013-23, an ordinance appropriating the fee simple interest and a permanent drainage easement in and to certain real property owned by T. E. Products Pipeline, Co. located at the northeast and northwest corners of Yankee Road and Todhunter Road was passed unanimously as an emergency.  This is the right-of-way and easement necessary to complete the Yankee Road Project.

Ordinance No. O2013-24, an ordinance authorizing a contract with KM International for an asphalt hotbox/reclaimer, was passed unanimously as an emergency.

Ordinance No. O2013-25, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing a contract with Interstate Ford for the purchase of three automobiles, was passed unanimously as an emergency.  This authorized the purchase of three Ford Fusions to replace three mid-size vehicles in the City fleet – two in the Detective Section of the Division of Police, and one in Municipal Court.

Resolution No. R2013-10, a resolution objecting to the renewal of the D-5 liquor permit held by Annette Gregg DBA Miller’s Lounge, 124 Charles Street, Middletown, Ohio 45042, directing the City Clerk to request a hearing to determine whether such a renewal shall be denied, was passed unanimously as an emergency.  This resolution was requested by the Middletown Police Department, which has had well over 200 requests for service at this address during the last calendar year.  The Police Department has met with the owner to try to resolve the issues but there seems to be no interest on the owner’s part to improve the situation.  Near-by residents have also submitted a petition to the city regarding this business.

Council heard the first reading of OrdinanceNo. O2013-26, an ordinance amending Chapter 268 (Park Board) and repealing Chapter 269 (Tree Commission) of the codified ordinances.

Council heard the first reading ofOrdinance No. O2013-27, an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Local Project Authority (LPA) Agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the widening and reconstruction of a portion of Yankee Road.

Have a comment? Join our forum conversation entitled Fire Department Hot Topic At Council 4-16-13