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Ochopee FCD Advisory Board Minutes 08/08/2011THE OCHOPE E FIRE CONTROL DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING SEP 3 o LOi V O HELD ON AUGUST 8, 2011 By : ....................... In attendance were the following: Alan McLaughlin, Fire Chief Caleb Morris, Captain Linda Swisher, Administrative Secretary Ron Gilbert, Chairman, Port of the Islands Advisory Board Member James Simmons, Port of the Islands Advisory Board Member Tony Davis, Port of the Islands Advisory Board Member The meeting came to order 4:10PM. APPROVAL OF JULY 11, 2011 MINUTES The minutes were approved as read. OLD BUSINESS: UP DATE ON WATER TENDER LEASE ,✓ Fiala Hiller l� _ Henning � — Coyle Coletta _ Chief McLaughlin —The Water Tender Leasing 2 Contract has been signed and approved. It was sent today to Leasing 2 and a copy has been sent to Hallmark. He will receive a signed copy back that he can take down to the Clerk's Office to be recorded. The Water Tender is being assembled and is moving forward. UP DATE ON PORT OF THE ISLAND LEASE Chief McLaughlin — The Port of the Islands Lease has been approved by the County Attorney's Office. He explained one of the snags encountered during this lease renewal. When the Lease was initially approved there was a resolution 131 passed as well by the BCC at the same time the Lease was approved and signed in May 26, 2009, Resolution 131 stated that a temporary waiver was in place until Ochopee Fire Control District applied for a Conditional Use. The Department applied for a conditional use paid the application fee attended the meeting regarding the conditional use on August 24, 2008 but after that meeting apparently the application was tabled by Joe Schmitt in the Planning and Zoning Department and as of today it was never pursued it still is on hold. Page 1 Misc. Corres: Date: 2-S \'7A- \ I ftM it Copies m: 161 2 A24' Chief McLaughlin — After looking into this matter it has been concluded that we do not fall into the category regarding the CU. We are not conducting business on the premises at Port of the Islands we are only housing our personnel and Engine nothing has been remodel to make the living quarters into a Fire Station. We should have never been required to obtain a CU this was a misunderstanding at zoning and planning the term interim Fire Station was being used that is not what has taken place. The Conditional Use permit would cost $10,000 which the District does not have; however, the zoning variance permit that we need to remain there is only $100. So the District is moving forward with the paper work and fees needed to obtain a zoning variance permit to continue leasing two rooms at Port of the Islands for our personnel and to house the Engine. Ron Gilbert — He heard there was some controversy with the individual condominium owners and the Hotel. Chief McLaughlin — The condominium owners are at war with the hotel over several things. They are -feuding over the shed that Suns Stream put up to house the fire engine is five feet in the common area so it will be moved up five feet and paint a white line behind it to make sure the truck is parked in the correct location. If the truck is parked on their property then they have to be part of the lease and our lease is not with them it is with Sun Stream. He feels the lease issue will be resolved. He went on to say that the conditional use should have never been in the resolution. BUDGET Chief McLaughlin — The final budget approval is set for September 2011 when the Board of County Commissioners reconvenes. We have met the criteria and they afforded us some reserve monies. We were given $434,000 out of the 1.2 million of Pilt funds received by the County. The County realizes that were covering the area in the Big Cypress. Ron Gilbert — Is the Ochopee Fire Control District the only one that qualified for the Pilt funds? Chief McLaughlin — We are the only ones. 80% of the Big Cypress buy out was in our District the only section that wasn't was District I which is north of 175. Everything else was in our District all the way down to the piece that is in Monroe County off Loop Road. Ron Gilbert — Do you know what portion of your District is non - revenue? Chief McLaughlin — 86% or 87% of our District is non - revenue. Ron Gilbert — That you have to respond to fires. Page 2 161 ,2 A24 Chief McLaughlin — Well we have District I which we get paid for. We have the Fakahatchee, Everglades National Park, the Panther Preserve, and now Picayune and really all we have is a strip along SR 29, Copeland /Lee Cypress Area, Chokoloskee, Plantation, Everglades City and Port of the Islands so 87% is non - revenue. So when you see comments in the paper about the millage being 4 mils it's because of all the non- revenue area. We have 1100 square miles and most of it is non - taxable we don't sit on a 40 billion dollar infrastructure like North Naples or 14 billion like the City of Naples where we can charge .3 mils and we still have to provide the service to people over an area that is 15 times the size of theirs so it is very challenging. Tony Davis — How much of your budget on average has been spent assisting with Fire calls assisting Big Cypress and the State. Chief McLaughlin — I can't put a number on that it would be hard to determine. Tony Davis — The hours or amount of calls? Chief McLaughlin — There is a federal rate on that but we look at our operational budget over all on that for stand by's how many times. We did a projection on hourly rate for one year of total calls outside our revenue area and it came to $430,000 for man power and engine usage. That did not include fuel costs or wear and tear. Our budget amount for Personnel Expenses for this year is $1,342,100 and our Operating Expenses are $398,720. So the cost to respond in the non - revenue area is more than our operating budget in a year. Ron Gilbert — So would it be that 10% to 15% of the time you respond to brush fires in areas that do not produce revenue? Chief McLaughlin —We also respond to vehicle accidents on US 41 and 175 that runs through Big Cypress National Preserve. If we respond to a call and it is not on SR 29, Port of the Islands, Everglades City, Plantation Island or Chokoloskee Island it is in a non- revenue area and unfortunately that is probably 80% percent of our calls. Tony Davis — When there is a brush fire do you have to automatically go? Chief McLaughlin — We respond to any brush fires on a road way or near a structure. In the true wild land area we respond to all rescue calls but to brush fires only if requested. Brush Fires are the only exceptions to automatic response because Big Cypress National Preserve has wild land fire personnel they do not fight structure fires or handle rescue calls. James Simmons — How many miles on 1 -75 do you cover? Page 3 161 2 A24' Chief McLaughlin — We cover from the 51.5 to the 83 mile marker which is basically 32 miles and we cover about 45 miles on US 41. James Simmons — He asked if it was correct what was in the paper that for the 2012 budget we are to receive $434,600 total out of the Pilt fund. Chief McLaughlin —Yes, $384,000 went to balance our budget and the remainder was placed in our Reserves which we didn't have to make us solvent in our reserves. UP DATE PORT OF THE ISLANDS STATION CONSTRUCTION AND SPECIAL ASSESMENT PROPOSAL Chief McLaughlin — He was informed that there is no money in next year's budget for the Port of the Islands Station. He spoke to Commissioner Coletta and the County Manager for a solution. Commissioner Coletta made a suggestion to place a special assessment on the whole District. We have to solve this ourselves the politicians can't guarantee anything if there is no money. He came to a solution and he spoke to the County Manager about it. Initially it was a suggestion by Commissioner Coletta to present to you. He believes the solution is to have a special assessment in the District and not just to Port of the Island because the Station is for the District. The Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Board would have to write a letter supporting this assessment to raise $410,000 to remodel the station at Port of the Islands. There are 3927 tax payers in the District that comes to roughly $104 per taxpayer and a special assessment over four years is $26 per taxpayer per year. If you really look at it that is $2.17 per month for four years to build that station that is the break down. He feels this is a saleable to the District taxpayers. The question he had from the Budget Director was why don't you increase the millage because they can't write that off their taxes. He feels no one is going to worry about a $20 tax write off and once you raise the millage that is seen as a tax increase. We have STDs regarding the building of the high rises at Port of the Islands those impact fees will be approximately $70,000 to $80,000 that will go against this loan so there might not even be a second or third year or it may come down to $12 a year. If an assessment is placed on the District Taxpayers it would be in 2013. This is a viable way to sell the idea to the public along with getting the station up and running. Ron Gilbert — How did you come to four years? Chief McLaughlin — Some people will scream at $104 a year but no one would oppose $20 a year. Ron Gilbert — What will it take to approve the special assessment? Page 4 .. 161 2 A24 Chief McLaughlin — The board will have to write a letter to the Board of County Commissioners recommending that they provide a special assessment for the whole District to build this station. Ron Gilbert — Does it require a vote by the taxpayers. Chief McLaughlin — No it doesn't it just needs a board action. Ron Gilbert -- I see a potential political problem because all the current Board Members live at Port of the Islands and somebody could say this is a Port of the Islands Fire Station why are you assessing the whole District. Chief McLaughlin — The Station is an Ochopee Fire Control District Fire Station. The current Everglades City station is 30 years old and needs to be replaced it is the worst station in the County if he can get the property donated he will probably do an assessment to build a new station for 8 years because this will probably be a 2 million dollar project. He is trying to get the land donated. The assessment would be for $63 a year for 8 years to put up a two million dollar Everglades City Station. It would be a public service center we would have the sheriff's department also in the station their current contract runs out soon it will serve the whole District. Ron Gilbert — You are talking geographically in Everglades City. Chief McLaughlin — Yes, it would be somewhere in this area but it would service the whole District. Capt Morris — That would be after the Port of the Islands station is done. Chief McLaughlin — We are going to have to vacate we can't stay here forever This building can't take another flood it is in bad enough shape as it is. It would appear that if we had to build this station to the current standards. it would be $63 a year for 8 years to raise two million dollars. Isles of Capri did this several years ago they double the size of their station through a seven year assessment. They added two more bays and a whole other section to the station. The special assessment is a viable way to finance the stations without a lot of impact on the property owners. James Simmons —Are you saying taxpayers or taxable properties? Chief McLaughlin —All taxable properties even vacant land, all properties. Ron Gilbert — It's a tax bill. Page 5 161 2 A24*1 Chief McLaughlin — He pulled the tax bills we have 3927 taxable properties so they would pay the special assessment with no relationship to the total tax bill. Ron Gilbert — Making the marina into a Fire Station doesn't that help the viability of maintaining that fire truck at Port of the Islands. Chief McLaughlin — Yes, we can't continue to stay there renting is only temporary. For Port of the Islands it is a matter of paying $104 up front or pays higher property insurance. The only way to do it is a District wide assessment. Ron Gilbert — You would rather have a station at Port of the Islands for strategic purposes. Chief McLaughlin —Yes, we need a Port of the Islands Station for coverage and home insurance. The largest population he has are the toll payers on 1 -75 they are considered a transient population as highway travelers which we are servicing as a courtesy because they are not paying for the service. You build your stations to your population. James Simmons — $410,000 is needed to complete the present building. Chief McLaughlin — We were told it could cost anywhere from $360,000 to $410,000 that is turn key finished to have a permanent facility there. James Simmons — He made a motion that they formulate a letter calling for an assessment regarding the Port of the Islands Fire Station and send it to the County Commissioners. Ron Gilbert — He asked when they needed to do this. Chief McLaughlin — He said as soon as possible we will not be able to get the special assessment in for the 2012 budget but if it is sent in and voted on it could get it in the 2013 budget. If the assessment is made next year we could get it in the 2013 budget then we could start construction. We could hopefully be in there by Christmas or January because it is a 90 day project. Ron Gilbert — Are there two firemen housed at the hotel 24 hours a day? Chief McLaughlin —Yes, James Simmons — We have a motion on the floor. Page 6 161 2 A24 Ron Gilbert seconded the motion and it was passed as proposed earlier in the meeting by James Simmons that the Advisory Board formulate a letter calling for an assessment regarding the Port of the Islands Fire Station and send it to the County Commissioners and all of the Board members voted in favor of this motion. Ron Gilbert will compose the letter and wanted to know when it had to be done and he wants the Chief to e-mail him the pertinent figures so he can put them in the letter. Chief McLaughlin — He said he would. If the costs are less than the payment time will be less. Tony Davis — He asked what about raising the toils to fund the 175 Station? Chief McLaughlin — No one wants to touch the toll issue. FHP increased the tolls fifty cents all we need is twenty cents but no one wants to check into raising the toll. Now this surplus toll money has been found 1 -75 will not be funded by the taxpayers anymore. Broward County has the Sheriff's budget as well both entities will cross function. We will respond to Broward one way and up the other towards Golden Gate to provide service. NEW BOARD MEMBER Tony Davis — He though Bob Miller might be interested in being on the Advisory Board. He explained about the Everglades City appointment. Bob Miller wants to talk to Mayor Hamilton about being appointed to the Board representing Everglades City. At the last meeting you said the City appoints someone would that be a City employee or just someone from the City of Everglades? Captain Morris —At least in the past it has been someone from the City Council. Chief McLaughlin — In the past the Mayor has appointed someone from the City Council but it could be just somebody from Everglades City. The Mayor has been given that opportunity to appoint someone. We have two positions open. Tony Davis — Bob is interested but he doesn't know what will come out of the meeting with Mayor Hamilton. If Sammy appoints Bob then one of the positions will be filled_ Chief McLaughlin —We had one individual from Chokoloskee Island but we never heard back. Tony Davis — We still have Frank Hawkins. He will probably see Bob Miller one day this week. Page 7 161 12 A 24 - ""i Chief McLaughlin —The Mayor may appoint someone from the council which would be fine but we could also have Bob as well. We could have two people from Everglades City it would bring balance to the board. Ian Mitchell sent a letter to Mayor Hamilton on behalf of the BCC to appoint another board member from Everglades City and they still have not heard back from him. Tony Davis — Sam Hamilton has been snowed under since they took over Flamingo. He took over the Park operation over there as well. He has the City to operate and boat tours on both coasts. Bob Miller seems to be interested. Ron Gilbert — So we are still pursuing the other board members. Chief McLaughlin — Yes, we are still pursuing it. Tony Davis — He asked about the old employee building at the old hotel at Port of the Islands to see if it could be donated. Chief McLaughlin — He is trying to get a hold of the guy. He talked to Jim Seabasty in code enforcement to obtain records regarding the property. The owner lives in Illinois. Jim Seabasty was out for a while so he hasn't heard back yet. He heard a rumor that at one time the owner offered the building to the District but Jim seemed to think that was true. Tony Davis — That's what I heard. Chief McLaughlin — The owner has been sited either he has to tear it down or fix it. The biggest part of our renovation money now is in the bay area of the Marina. The renovation of this building would be cheap it would be just replacing the roof, some steel framing, redoing the inside and enclosing the stairwell. We would probably spend the same amount of money we would spend renovating the Marina to park one truck whereas this building you could park more vehicles plus we would have more room and be out of the way. If the land and the building were donated then all we would have to do is renovate the building. Structure people would have to look over the building to see if it was sound before any renovations. The problem with the marina building is the bay it has to be reinforced. To build new is cheaper than to renovate. There is a lot we could do with that property. We could sell our share of the marina building and put it towards this other building. Tony Davis — No one is going to buy that little piece of property. If anything they would want the north hotel and fix the whole thing up and in this economy that is not going to happen. Chief McLaughlin — They could get a tax write off if they donated the property. He feels they could get at least the value of the property as a tax write off. Page 8 161 �2 A24 Tony Davis — Probably more. He heard they paid less than a million for the building and with the rest of the property the write off could be that or more. Chief McLaughlin — He heard they paid less than $200,000 for the property. It is still worth close to $273,000 that's why he thinks they paid around $200,000. Tony Davis — He heard they got it dirt cheap and nobody is going to be able to do anything with that property. Chief McLaughlin — There is a front and back access you could drive right through the station. The land use area would be an excellent place to put the fire station. Tony Davis — Is there anything we can do to pursue that. Chief McLaughlin — He is trying to get a hold of Jim Seabasty from code enforcement for the purpose of obtaining the owners contact information. If the owner doesn't want to donate the property he is requesting that the Department be able to use it for training if he has to tear the building down. He is paying taxes on a dilapidated building. He would rather renovate this building put on an addition then sell the marina back to Parks and Recreation or the person buying the boat slips for their use. Tony Davis — Since you have that investment you could put the ambulance there. Chief McLaughlin — The County wouldn't do that they would house them in with us. Jean Kungle stated that whoever purchase the boat slips should purchase our part of the marina. The people purchasing the boat slips do not have any amenities available to them. Our share of the marina could be sold to them for that purpose. All the problems we are having at this time with parking and everything else would end. We would also have more room at the other building for expansion if needed. Ron Gilbert — Where are the EMS vehicles located? Chief McLaughlin — They are mostly located in fire stations however, there are several located in other strategic areas. On Santa Barbara there is an ambulance located in front of Calusa School. Ron Gilbert — Is there one here. Chief McLaughlin — Yes. There are two in Immokalee and two in Marco one at Capri. The one in Corkscrew is by the Fairgrounds in their own station. In North Naples most of them are housed in the fire stations. Page 9 �A 161 -2 rA Ron Gilbert — So we could have an EMS vehicle as well at the Marina. Chief McLaughlin — We can't we're limited to one truck and that is a concern. We can't even put a brush truck in to respond to the Picayune State Park. The other building you could house two vehicles and there is even room to expand if needed. The marina will meet the immediate needs but 20 years from now it will be obsolete because of its size there is no room for expansion. Ron Gilbert — If the assessment were to go through we could use it on either building. Chief McLaughlin — If the owner donates the property and building on the north side the first thing we would have to do is find out if we can put a fire station there. If the answer is yes then we will have to find out what we can do to the building and if an addition can be added, Then engineering drawings and architectural drawings that would take a year. If it takes $450,000 to $500,000 then you adjust the assessment in years and payments to cover the expense. Tony Davis — Does the owner of the employee building owns any other property. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting it was seconded and passed the meeting ended at 5:08PM. Z6, Ronald Gilbert, Chairman Ochopee Fire Control District Advisory Board Page 10