AgdaPkt 2012-05-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1.B. - Page 1 RE PO RT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the Cit Mana er May 7, 2012 SUBJECT Response to Civil Grand Jury Report: "The County, San Carlos, and Cal Fire, A Missed Opportunity?" RECOMMENDATION Approve by motion, the attached letter responding to the February 15, 2012 Grand Jury Report and authorize the Mayor to sign and send the letter in response to the report. BACKGROUND The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury filed a report regarding possible missed opportunities when consolidating fire services in San Mateo County. The issue in question was whether or not the taxpayers of San Mateo County were well served when the potential extension of CAL FIRE services to San Carlos was blocked by the Committee on Finance and Operations of the Board of Supervisors. The Grand Jury researched decisions made by CAL FIRE and San Mateo County regarding potential involvement in fire service delivery to the City of San Carlos. As part of their investigation, the Grand Jury also researched relevant information relating to the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department's dissolution and the creation of the new San Carlos Fire Department. Based on its findings, the Grand Jury recommends to cities and special fire districts in San Mateo County: 1. When assessing alternative approaches to local fire protection, CAL FIRE should be considered as one alternative. 2. Include local fire union representatives in community discussions concerning department consolidation, regionalization or replacement; make financial considerations and differing expense models known to all concerned parties and citizens. ANALYSIS Staff has considered the findings and recommendations and has prepared a letter for the Mayor's signature that responds to the Grand Jury's directives. Redwood City has a long history of exploring consolidation opportunities and including union representatives in those decisions. CAL FIRE along with other agencies and opportunities should be