CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, February 26, 2007 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: Julie Modrzejewski, Acting City Manager; Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director; Gail Marsh, Emergency Management Coordinator
GUESTS: Shoreline Fire Department: Jim Fisher, Commissioner; Scott Keeny, Commissioner; Jon Kennison, Commissioner; Marcus Kragness, Fire Chief, Dave Jones, Deputy Chief; Jim Batdorf, Deputy Chief
TOPICS: King County Medic 1 Levy
Emergency Response Planning and Coordination
Mayor Ransom called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m. There were introductions around the table. Mayor Ransom introduced Chief Kragness, who provided a summary of the 2008-2013 King County EMS Strategic Plan, which is a policy statement to direct the EMS in the next six years. The main objectives of the EMS system include maintaining and enhancing the existing regional response system for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS). Under the current funding mechanism, $.25 per $1,000 assessed valuation (AV) goes into the EMS system. The proposal is for a 6-year Medic One/EMS levy, which would increase the rate to $.30 per $1,000 AV. He noted that it costs approximately $1 million annually to provide BLS in Shoreline.
Continuing, Chief Kragness reviewed the EMS levy authorization process, noting that state law allows jurisdictions to impose an additional regular property tax up to $.50 per $1,000 AV for providing EMS. A countywide levy is allowed, and individual jurisdictions may seek approval for difference of countywide levy and $.50 per $1,000 AV but not in the same year. A countywide levy requires that the County Council and cities with populations over 50,000 must approve the levy prior to placement on the ballot. Therefore, the Shoreline City Council would have to act to approve placing the measure on the ballot.
Chief Kragness then gave a brief history of past EMS levies. He then responded to a question about how the dispatch process determines if a call needs BLS or ALS. He said the dispatchers use a set of criteria for this and request additional assistance if needed. He also described how different emergencies receive different levels of response (e.g. windstorm, Metro bus accident, earthquake).
He then reviewed the three phases of the Planning and Implementation Process, which include technical advisory groups, elected officials and stakeholder groups, and County/City approval. The Elected Officials Stakeholder Group will be headed up by King County Executive Ron Sims, Mayor Ransom representing the City of Shoreline, and Councilmember Hansen representing the Suburban Cities Association. The proposal is scheduled for Shoreline City Council approval in April, with a public hearing scheduled April 9. The City Council must vote up or down to place the measure on the ballot, and the City cannot change or modify the proposal.
Responding to Deputy Mayor Fimia, Chief Kragness confirmed that the Shoreline Fire Department is tracking calls for service to group homes. They are also considering the potential for adding a “Benefit Service Charge” to help defray the costs of their services for disproportionate users.
Councilmember Hansen said adding this type of change just for group homes may not be the answer, since the people making calls for service would still need the services. He noted that they’re just living in a group and not spread out throughout the City. Chief Kragness replied that that’s not necessarily the case. Some of these calls reflect that care facility staff is not very well-trained.
Deputy Mayor Fimia encouraged the Fire Department to coordinate with the Shoreline Police to collect the data so it can be accurate and interpreted based on fact.
The Shoreline Fire Department also has a list of all licensed group homes in Shoreline, with the number of beds in each. This information shows up for all R-4 zones. Staff said the number was about 80 as of a year ago.
Ms. Modrzejewski thanked the Fire Department for its help and coordination during the December windstorm. She then introduced Gail Marsh, Emergency Management Coordinator, to discuss emergency response planning and coordination.
Ms. Marsh discussed the City’s plans for sheltering people during an emergency. During the December windstorm, about 18 shelters were opened across King County, but not all were fully utilized. Also, people needed to know where they could go to get information. For Shoreline, Shelter Option A would be the Shoreline Conference Center, and Option B would be to designate a school building. For most emergencies, sheltering in place is the goal if it is safe and possible.
Councilmember Ryu asked if the medians on Aurora Avenue will impact the Fire Department’s dispatching and response times. Staff said they will be refining the dispatch patterns so they can make sure the appropriate dispatch occurs. They will do this after the construction is complete.
Commissioner Fisher noted that the Fire Department has finished its Strategic Plan and he has copies with him tonight.
Mayor Ransom declared the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
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Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director