CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, June 12, 2006 Shoreline Conference Center
6:00 p.m. Highlander Room
PRESENT: Mayor Ransom, Deputy Mayor Fimia, and Councilmembers Gustafson, Hansen, McGlashan, Ryu, and Way
ABSENT: none
STAFF: Bob Olander, City Manager; Julie Modrzejewski, Assistant City Manager; Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director
GUESTS: Jim Fisher, Fire Commissioner; Scott Keeny, Fire Commissioner; Jon Kennison, Fire Commissioner; Marcus Kragness, Fire Chief; Dave Jones, Deputy Fire Chief; Jim Batdorf, Deputy Fire Chief; Tony Burtt, Police Chief; Gail Marsh, Emergency Management Coordinator
TOPICS: Disaster Preparedness; King County Medic 1 Levy
Bob Olander, City Manager, convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. by explaining the purpose of dinner meetings – to build relationships with members of other agencies; to get to know each other; and to discuss issues that affect us in the community.
Mayor Ransom introduced Gail Marsh, who explained her role as Emergency Management Coordinator. She described the “Neighborhood Ready” program, the community education program she administers with Melanie Granfors of the Shoreline Fire Department. Ms. Marsh is responsible for updating the City’s Emergency Operations Plan as well as the Hazard Mitigation Plan. She also works to get grants for the Emergency Operations Center and other programs, such as acquiring more emergency generators.
Councilmember Way asked if the City had coordinated communications among the different agencies, pointing out the poor coordination during the 9/11 attacks.
Ms. Marsh described efforts among police, fire, and other agencies to ensure communication redundancies and inter-operability of systems.
Councilmember Hansen asked what the City has done to ensure it doesn’t repeat the situation when the 800mHz radios failed during the Nisqually earthquake.
Ms. Marsh described communication efforts like our communications van with ham radio capacity and other redundancies.
Councilmember Ryu asked how the City is dealing with home health care calls, and whether the City is receiving more calls from group homes now than in the past.
Deputy Jones said the large number of group homes in Shoreline does have an impact on calls for 911 service. He said the department is trying to get another aid car to meet the need.
Chief Kragness said a key objective of the Department’s education program is to work with the caregivers to ensure they are prepared to handle emergencies. He noted that some group homes are understaffed, and some staff members are not trained to respond to needs 24-hours a day.
Councilmember Ryu said some elderly people have expressed the concern that if they call 911, they may not get a quick response because the Fire Department is responding to so many service calls from group homes.
Mr. Olander asked what the Fire Department sees as major challenges in the next few years.
Commissioner Keeny identified the rising age of our population, which equates to more need for services, and infill development (more density) as two challenges that will continue to put a strain on resources.
Councilmember Way asked about the process the Fire Department uses to communicate with the public in an emergency.
Chief Kragness noted that an entire section of the plan is devoted to communication with the public.
Ms. Nichols and Ms. Marsh described the communication efforts used to help people become more prepared and more self-sufficient, including the City newsletter Currents, Channel 21, and the Web site.
Mr. Olander said the City will be working with established groups, including the PTA, in an effort to reach more people.
Councilmember McGlashan asked about the City Council’s role in an emergency.
Mr. Olander said the Council is responsible for declaring an emergency, as well as any emergency legislative action that might be necessary in a given circumstance.
Commissioner Fisher noted that the agencies are always battling complacency.
Deputy Mayor Fimia pointed out that the primary role of government is public safety, and the Council needs to keep this a high goal and priority. She stressed the need for having the necessary shelters and facilities as well as making sure people are informed and prepared. She said the City needs to make emergency kits available and easy to get.
The Council then turned to the topic of the Medic 1 Levy.
Chief Kragness explained that the Medic 1 Levy, which funds Emergency Medical Services, is in the fifth year of a six-year levy. The levy will expire at the end of 2007, and the Department is now discussing the next potential levy. The City has a role in getting the measure on the ballot because Shoreline’s population exceeds 50,000. The current recommendation is an increase from 29 cents to 30 cents per $1,000 valuation, and possibly a 10-year levy or perhaps a permanent levy. He noted the levy has always been on the general election ballot, but they might recommend it for the 2007 Primary ballot in August because they would still have time to submit it for the November election if it fails. He noted that King County will be setting up stakeholder meetings so people can be informed.
Mayor Ransom asked what lessons were learned from the failure of the 1998 levy.
Chief Kragness emphasized the importance of good communication and always including EMS in the levy. It is also important that people know if they vote against the levy, there will be no EMS services.
Deputy Mayor Fimia raised the issue of group home alarms and wondered if the Department should be charging for their service calls.
Chief Kragness concurred that alarms from group homes are a problem.
Deputy Mayor Fimia suggested that the Council be provided with emergency information cards, similar to those given to the King County Council.
Councilmember Gustafson suggested working more cooperatively with the School District on emergency management issues.
Mr. Olander commented on the good relationship and communication between the City, the Shoreline Fire Department, and Shoreline School District.
At 7:25 p.m., Mayor Ransom declared the meeting adjourned.
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Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director