The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners met jointly in recessed session Monday, April 11, 2005 at 5:00 pm., with the Washington City Council in their Chambers. The following were present: Chairman Earl Tetterton Vice-Chairman Jay McRoy Hood Richardson Robert Cayton Jerry Langley Ed Booth Stan Deatherage County Manager Paul Spruill County Attorney Billy Mayo Clerk to the Board Sharon Singleton Mayor Mickey Gahagan Mayor Pro tem Mark Hamblin Judy Jennette Ed Gibson Darwin Woolard Interim City Manager Stewart Rumley City Attorney Fred Holscher City Clerk Rita Thompson Chairman Tetterton called the County Commissioners meeting to order. PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY County Manager Paul Spruill stated the presentation today was specific to the K-Mart building and five acres of land located behind it for the use of a public safety facility for the City and County jointly. A presentation was made by Mr. Bill Gwinn, Architect, addressing the old K-Mart building and the City and County s safety needs. He stated that the sub-committee met with the former City Manager, Steven L. Harrell and himself and he was asked to do a square footage study of the building. Mr. Gwinn presented several sketches showing the existing building and what is proposed for the Sheriff Department, Police Department, 911 area, Fire-Rescue-EMS area. The building contains 85,120 square feet, plus or minus, 7575 square feet for the Dollar Tree, 280 square feet vacant and 8,220 square feet for NAPPA. The facility would house a magistrate as well. He stated that a needs assessment was done in 2003 and he talked with Chief Davis about the report. He has also talked with Chief Stringer and Sheriff Jordan. Mr. Gwinn stated that the cost analysis for the new facilities, taking the existing relocation of the facilities, construction and land is $19,605,420. Within the structure, consideration was give to items such as public access, departmental ingress and egress, interdepartmental circulation and vehicle access. It was noted that fire training could be done on the acreage behind the building. Mr. Gwinn noted that the current jail facility was not safe due to everyone, visitors, 1
vendors, employees and those arrested using the same entry/exit door. The distance between the cells for employees to walk is far too close to the cells. He offered a tour of the current jail facility to anyone interested. Councilwoman Jennette asked if the retail section of that building fits in with the other activities that would be going on in a safety facility Mr. Gwinn answered no, he didn t think so. Commissioner McRoy stated that the revenue from that section is about $145,000 a year which could be used to offset debt payments. It was also noted that one retail store remained (Trade mart) in front of the proposed facility. Commissioner Richardson expressed concern about the proximity of the building to the flood plain, the 911 services and to have whether it is smart to have the City and Beaufort County concentrated together in one building. If that building was taken out the City and County would be naked. If a catastrophe occurred, the City and County would be without any emergency protection. Mr. Gwinn replied that this was given a great deal of consideration and would be easy to protect. Commissioner Richardson stated that you cannot build a secure facility. Mr. Gwinn said the facility would be easy to protect on the ground, but air traffic would make it much harder. Mayor Gahagan asked that this information be taken back to each respective board and discuss it and get back together at a later date. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE (EMS) COVERAGE IN THE COUNTY Mr. Rumley stated that he and Paul Spruill, County Manager, have had conversations concerning EMS, and how he felt the City has gotten caught short. He called on Jimmy Davis, Fire Chief, to talk about EMS. Chief Davis stated that prior to 1984, EMS was handled by volunteers. In 1984 the City and County leaders go together and decided to go with a paid joint EMS. He stated we still have volunteers. The deal was to go with paid EMS. At that particular time they covered about half the County, all the way to Blounts Creek, to Craven County line, Pitt County line, Martin County line, and Pinetown area, basically Washington, Aurora, Belhaven, Pamlico Beach. They shared the costs based upon the number of calls outside the city limits. At that time, it was about 50/50. Now, what s happened is the response district has shrunk. There is only about 15% of the calls are outside the city limits. As a result of that the cost of EMS is going up, and the County contribution is going down. Currently, there are six staffed personnel, two are assigned to EMS. He stated when they get a fire call they are required by the state to respond with two fire engines and they take the six personnel, three on one fire engine and three on the other and respond to the fire which leaves them 2
no coverage for EMS during the time they are responding to those fires. Once they got caught short responding to a fire on Charlotte Street. There were two houses on fire. The Police Officer got those people out, but had they been injured, or somebody was in the other house, or a firefighter got injured, there would have been no engine to transport because the truck was at the station. He stated they would call in Broad Creek, EMS to provide EMS coverage, and visa versa. This has taken away from EMS coverage and visa versa. Chief Davis presented the following information: County EMS Contribution FY 04-05 to City $95,102 Reimbursement for EMS Collections FY 04-05 (20,226) Old Ford and Clark s Neck Rescue Tax (34,400) County Cost of EMS for Old Ford, Clark s Neck and Washington $ 40,478 FY 04-05 Budget Salaries for 10.5 people $345,642 Overtime 12,961 FICA Taxes 27,434 Group Insurance 48,200 Retirement Contributions 17,680 401K Contributions 8,505 Professional Services 2,690 Telephone 4,000 Printing & Publishing 1,350 Employee Development 9,980 M/R Equipment 2,000 M/R Radio 2,650 M/R Vehicles 9,000 M/R Boat 300 Employee Advertising 350 Departmental Supplies 3,000 Medical Supplies 25,000 Uniforms 6,000 Shoes 1,000 Safety Equipment 5,430 Dues and Subscriptions 455 Materials 1,000 Capital Outlay 16,636 Total $549,263 3
Annual Debt Service Payment on EMS Vehicle not included in above total $ 19,578 Washington park annual payment for EMS Service (5,490) Total $563,351 Mr. Rumley stated that we would like to ask the Commissioners to allow County Manager Spruill and himself to work to try to fix the inequity. Initial discussions have been very good and asked if there are any questions. Mr. Rumley stated that the inequity is that the City needs six more people so they can respond to fires and EMS at the same time. Those numbers reflect a 9 person shift. Chief Davis stated that they have three shifts that it takes two personnel per shift to operate the unit, then there are three people to allow for time off. The other one and on-half positions if half the salary of the Chief of the Department, half for operations chief and half for the person providing the training, that s where the ten and on-half personnel comes from. Mr. Rumley stated that is the number we need to staff a 24-7 response for the EMS. County Manager Paul Spruill stated that he understands the problem, but the County stated the County provides the primary funds for rescue services and they do that in the form of a rescue district tax. One of the problems with the funding is we have a contract and the City needs an improved 24-7 coverage. Our task is to understand what that need is and to make a wise decision for funding. Mayor Gahagan pointed out that wherever the engine goes, it goes in the County, because the City is part of the County. It was a consensus of the City Council and Commissioners to continue discussions on this matter. The Commissioners recessed their meeting as they will meet with the Beaufort County Community College Board of Trustees at their facility tomorrow morning at 8:00 am. ATTEST: Earl E. Tetterton, Chairman 4
Sharon C. Singleton, Clerk to the Board 5