Label
VOH Fire Agreement
TFRD
Chief Byrd (x-1126)
Title
Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a new agreement with the Village of Ottawa Hills for the continued provision of fire and emergency services; authorizing the acceptance of service payments; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
In an effort to promote regional cooperation and to improve efficiencies in the mutual provision of public service, the City of Toledo and the Village of Ottawa Hills (VOH) entered into a Fire Services Agreement (“Agreement”) to combine firefighting services under the control of the City of Toledo. Pursuant to the 20 year agreement, authorized by Ord. 17-2011, the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department (“TFRD”) absorbed the facilities, equipment and full-time personnel of the VOH Fire Department. The agreement required TFRD to occupy and man the fire station in VOH and for the VOH to pay the City an annual service fee.
TFRD determined the VOH territory could be covered from stations located within the City of Toledo without any negative effect on the quality of service to the VOH. Moreover, providing service through city stations provides more effective deployment and resources and related cost savings. As authorized by Ordinances 364-18 and 118-19, VOH and the City of Toledo entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) temporarily modifying the original Agreement by creating an eleven month trial period to determine what if any impact the new coverage will have on the VOH. The trial period under the MOU as amended will expire on September 31, 2019.
After reviewing TFRD responses into Ottawa Hills, the Village of Ottawa Hills and the City administration and TFRD agreed that the to execute a new Fire Services Agreement adopting the service arrangement under the MOU, terminating the City’s lease of the fire station portion of the building at 2125 Richards Road, and adopting a fair and equitable revised service fee reflecting the difference in costs of service.
This ordinance authorizes the Mayor and TFRD to execute a new service agreement to supersede the existing agreement that includes the termination of the lease under agreement, sets an annual fee of $300,000 with provision for adjustment based on changes in the Consumer Price Index and increasing the term of the current agreement by 5 years.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to execute and deliver an agreement with the Village of Ottawa Hills for the provision of fire services to the Village of Ottawa Hills, which agreement shall supersede and replace the existing agreement and terminate the lease by the City of a portion of the property at 2125 Richards Rd. The agreement shall contain the terms and conditions as substantially set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, and as are approved by the Mayor, the Department of Fire and Rescue and the Director of Law.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor and Director of Finance are authorized to accept payments from the Village of Ottawa Hills as payment services for necessary proper purposes as set forth in the agreement authorized in Section 1.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that it is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property, and for the purpose of timely entering into a new agreement to allow for the continuing provision fire services by TFRD to the Village of Ottawa Hills.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Passed: September 17, 2019, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: September 17, 2019
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor