HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 01.27.2014 MINUTES
EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE
JANUARY 27, 2014
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5:30 P.M.
Members Present: Doug Poehls Pat Kimmet
Bill Mountsier Clete Knaub
Bruce McGee
Others Present: Jan Faught Rick Musson
Brent Peters Rick Herr
Public Input: None
Ambulance Department Needs
Doug stated the committee is concerned with the needs that have been heard for the Ambulance
Department. The Police and Fire Departments also have concerns of keeping equipment and vehicles
maintained and current. Rick Musson said his department has decreased in manpower by one and
another one is looking to do some further training, which makes it difficult when trying to cover all the
shifts. It was discussed that for the size of Laurel and its growth, there is a need to have more
manpower out on the streets. Doug said the topic for needs of the City of Laurel's emergency services
can be discussed along with the next item on the agenda, Public Safety Levy.
Public Safety Levy
Doug handed out pie charts and financial reports for both revenue and budgeted appropriations. He
gave Brent, Rick and Jan an opportunity to discuss where revenue income is received in their
departments.
Brent explained the Fire District Revenue from the outlying districts. LUFSA is the largest contracted
district. Dist. 8 is along Hwy 212 then there are Dist. 5 and 7. The two contracts with the Laurel
Airport Authority and the Boys and Girls Ranch are both reviewed each year and usually increase by
four to six percent. Rural Fire District comes from Yellowstone County and the department has to
complete wild land training to receive these monies. Special fire billing charges are billed to anyone
receiving services not within a fire district.
Rick explained the department receives very little revenue, unless court revenue is considered. He said
the Highway Safety Grant monies come in and go out. DUI Task Force submitted by Yellowstone
County is limited. Federal Equitable Sharing fluctuates each year. The SRO Program receives 70% for
2 SRO officers, which is monies that also come in and go out. Minimal monies are received for
fingerprinting, vehicle impound, and animal impound.
Jan explained Ambulance revenue is received from billing for service calls and for standbys. Schedules
for fee charges are increased every two years. Medicare pays for a portion of bills, which is a small
amount. They look back approximately five years at the charges that the Laurel Ambulance charged
and use that as their basis for payment.
Discussion proceeded to the Expenditure Budget Report. The department heads budget for specific
operating supplies within the budgeted amount. A question was asked how they get a new vehicle.
Rick said they ask for a new vehicle within the budget, but then there isn't enough monies. There was
discussion for a Public Safety Mill Levy. Cleat asked if there could be a rotation basis for the
departments to receive a vehicle, equipment, and facility improvements every three years.
Brent, Rick and Jan were asked if they could put figures together for a five year period for vehicles,
equipment, firemen turnouts, facilities, and manpower, etc. The committee would then continue
discussion regarding a Public Mill Levy. The departments will start working on the 2014 -2015
budgets soon. At this time, they can consider the future growth of Laurel and project a budget for a
total of five years.
Further discussion on presenting city residents with more mill levies to vote on if there is a Public
Safety Mill Levy. It was mentioned that the Laurel schools may propose increases in mill levies to the
public. A question was asked, why couldn't the city get monies for emergency services through mill
levies? The concern is people are tired of being told just a few more dollars on taxes, based on the
amount their homes are worth.
Animal Cruelty
Doug added this item to the agenda because of a concern brought to his attention, whether the city
animal ordinance covered this topic and if the committee accepted it as being sufficient. The section
6.16.040, Cruelty of animals prohibited, was looked at by the committee members and agreed that the
wording was complete and accepted.
Quiet Ordinance
Quiet hours are usually addressed under disorderly conduct. There isn't an ordinance that applies to
just quiet hours, such as a specific period of hours for no disturbance. It is a consideration to not mow
lawns or start pounding nails to roof in the early morning hours within a residential area. However,
there are different circumstances with people working different shifts with their jobs, and roofing
businesses prefer to start early in the morning hours in order to quit early in the afternoon when the
temperatures get warmer. Rick stated there has not been a problem but there isn't anything in an
ordinance referring to this, but they will assess the situation.
Other Business
Rick Musson has completed a CD with the Police Policy on it. He will present copies to the committee
members and then to the council.
Respectfully Submitted,
Neva Hall
Secretary