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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1995-03-21 SCSC\1995-03-21-SPE SPECIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 21, 1995 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the Chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 7:05 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor John Smola, Councillor K. Redman, Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor T. Galloway, Mayor R. Christy, Councillor C. Weylie, Councillor M. Yantzi, Councillor M. Wagner, Councillor Jake Smola. Others Present: Mr. T. McKay, Fire Chief J. Hancock, Deputy Fire Chief N. Kuntz, Ms. D. George, Ms. T. Schmidt, Mr. T. Clancy and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. FIRE DEPARTMENT COMPLIMENT & OVERTIME Councillor G. Lorentz introduced this item advising of the Council Resolution of February 10, 1995, which requested that the Fire Department investigate and report on its staff complement and overtime payments from the present back to the opening of Fire Station No. 6 in 1993. Fire Chief J. Hancock thanked both members of his staff and others in the audience for attending the meeting this date. He advised that the report in front of the members of the Committee was on Fire Department staffing and overtime and that there was a considerable amount of material involved he thanked his staff for preparing the report. He advised that the report is responding using the phraseology of the motion as there was no specific question asked. Deputy Fire Chief N. Kuntz gave a verbal report highlighting some of the material provided in the written submission. He advised that the report deals with the staffing compliment of the suppression division only. Further, he referred to the two pages of statistics which were distributed to the members of the Committee just prior to the meeting. He reviewed in detail the statistics provided in the report for the Committee's benefit giving explanations as required. Councillor Jake Smola asked several questions about the staff compliment, comparing the figures in the report with a staff level he felt would be adequate; also questioning salary figures contained in the staff report. Department, requesting additional information, which he advised that he did not receive until this evening. He stated that as a new Councillor, learning how the Corporation operates, he expected as much information as he felt he needed in order to comprehend the operation of the City. He stated that he did not appreciate the responses he received from the Mayor and Councillor G. Lorentz in this regard. Councillor G. Lorentz advised while he had responded in this fashion. He felt that more than enough staff time and money had been spent preparing the report and that it should be the decision of the whole Committee as to whether more information was required. Mayor R. Christy stated that the Fire Department is not on trial, nor is the Union or the City Administration. Council sets the general policies and expects the administration to carry them out. He advised that the City has an efficient, effective Fire Department, based on the resent experience downtown. Mayor Christy continued that when requests such as this take staff away from their primary duty it is necessary to question the purpose. Council members are not fire fighters and staff have to be allowed to do their jobs as they see fit. He asked Councillor Jake Smola where he was going with his line of questioning. Councillor Jake Smola advised that he had no specific goal in mind. He was just concerned about fluctuations in staffing and overtime and that the tax payers have had the burden of paying for this. The Mayor questioned Councillor Jake Smola as to whether he felt the Fire Department was being run properly to which Councillor Jake Smola advised that he felt it was questionable. Councillor T. Galloway stated that Council has to operate as a team and that he does not want to MARCH 21, 1995 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES - 29 - CITY OF KITCHENER thwart a member of Council obtaining the information he/she needs. However, that he felt that an additional request for more information without a specific goal in mind is not warranted. Councillor T. Galloway advised that he was in agreement with Mayor Christy and that Council is not a micro- manager. Council expects the Fire Department to operate within the boundaries of budget, buildings and vehicles provided and it is up to the management to decide how to operate. Further, he noted that there is a difference between minimum staffing and preferred staffing. Councillor T. Galloway stated that there is no evidence of a problem and unless there is evidence of a problem he would not want to put staff to more work. Several member of Council then asked questions about different aspects of the report. Councillor Jake Smola then referred to staffing levels as affected by the Social Contract which commenced in 1993. Mr. Jack Egers President of the Firefighters Association came forward to advise of the effects of the Social Contract. Councillor Jake Smola then attempted to question the City of Waterloo Fire Chief, who was in the audience, but was ruled out of order by the Chair. Mayor R. Christy advised that this meeting was called to obtain an overview of the operation of the Fire Department and in no way was this intended to be a criticism of the Fire Department. He stated that the Department has a high standard and he hoped they would sense the support of this Council. It was his desire that they recognize that Council is proud of the Fire Department and they should be assured of that being the view of the head of Council and other members of Council. Further, he felt that Council and staff could work together as issues arise. Councillor Councillor Jake Smola thanked the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief for providing the information. He then thanked the firefighters in attendance and the members of Council for attending this meeting. Councillor G. Lorentz thanked the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and their staff for spending the time to put the requested information together. He stated that because this a 24 hour service it is necessary to have flexibility in staffing. He advised that he is proud of the Department and that the have a high profile in and out of uniform. He then thanked all for attending the meeting. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary