OPEN FORUM 6:45 P

The meeting of the CYFS - JCC was held on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 in the Council Chambers, Town of Aurora.

 

 

 

Members Present: 

Aurora:               Councillor Abel

                           Councillor Mrakas

                           Councillor Thompson

 

Newmarket        Councillor Twinney   

                          Councillor Hempen

                          Councillor Sponga  

 

 

 

 

Staff Present:

Aurora:               P. Moyle, Interim CAO        

                           D. Elliott, Director of Financial Services

 

Newmarket:       A. Moore, Commissioner of Corporate Services

                          L. Georgeff, Director of Human Resources

                          L. Lyons, Deputy Clerk

 

CYFS:                I. Laing, Fire Chief

                          R. Volpe, Deputy Fire Chief

                          R. Comeau, Deputy Fire Chief

                       

 

The meeting was called to order at 9:31 a.m.

 

Councillor Abel in the Chair.

 

Open Forum

 

None.

 

Additions & Corrections to the Agenda

 

Moved by: Councillor Thompson

Seconded by:  Councillor Mrakas

 

a)       THAT the addendum items being Central York Fire Services Report 2015-09 dated December 14, 2015 regarding Fire Master Plan Staffing Strategy and Central York Fire Services Report 2015-10 dated December 15, 2015 regarding 55’ Aerial/Quint Cost Increase be included.

 Carried

 

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

 

None.

 

Items

 

1.

Verbal Update from Fire Chief regarding proposed budget reductions and staffing requirements.

 

The Fire Chief advised that the Town of Newmarket Council has final budget approval entitlements for Central York Fire Services. He advised that Newmarket Council made a motion to reduce certain aspects of the Central York Fire Services budget and today’s meeting of CYFS-JCC was to review the proposed changes and present options. He advised that the growth amount reduction request pushes staff hires from April, 2016 to June, 2016, removal of the second growth portion is to be taken out of the fire reserve and placed into a Newmarket reserve account until a hiring strategy is developed.  The Fire Chief stated that operational risks are reduced if crews are in place sooner.

 

Moved by:  Councillor Twinney

Seconded by:  Councillor Sponga

 

THAT the verbal update by the Fire Chief regarding the proposed changes and options related to the CYFS-JCC budget be received. 

 

Carried

 

The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer, Newmarket explained to those present the impact of the motion made by Newmarket Council being a .25% would result in tax savings of $15,000.00.  This would reduce the Central York Fire Services budget by $240,000.00.  The Fire Chief advised that there would be impacts on the Training Division if the staff hires are deferred until a new fire hall is constructed and if all hires are being conducted at the same time.  He further advised that incremental training lessens the demand on the Training Division and additional staff also provide a cushion to cover vacation and sick time lessening the impact on the overall overtime budget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Central York Fire Services Report 2015-09 dated December 14, 2015 regarding Fire Master Plan Staffing Strategy. (Related to Item 1)

 

The Fire Chief reviewed the hiring options listed in the report and advised that spreading the costs of staff hires over a longer period of time make it easier for municipalities to distribute costs over time and lessen impacts including wage increases, overtime etc.  He advised that Aurora Council has based their budget statistics to fund certain equal increments between each of the years to meet overall costs.  

 

An alternate motion was presented and discussion ensued:

 

Moved by: Councillor Sponga

Seconded by: Councillor Mrakas

 

a)    THAT Fire Services Report 2015-09 dated December 14, 2015 regarding Fire Master Plan Staffing Strategy be deferred to the January 12, 2016 CYFS-JCC meeting to obtain additional cost information related to a deferred hiring schedule.

 

Carried  

 

3.

Central York Fire Services Report 2015-10 dated December 15, 2015 regarding 55' Aerial/Quint Cost Increase.

 

The Fire Chief advised that there has been a 30% increase in the U.S. dollar exchange rate and there are financial challenges that did not exist when this budgeted item was brought forward early in 2014.  Deputy Chief Volpe advised there are 30 days remaining in the proposal and approval is being sought.

 

Moved by:  Councillor Sponga

Seconded by:  Councillor Mrakas

 

a) THAT Central York Fire Services Report 2015-10 dated December 15, 2015 regarding 55' Aerial/Quint Cost Increase be received and the following recommendations be adopted: 

 

i) THAT the Joint Council Committee (JCC) approve additional funds from reserve to purchase a replacement Aerial / Quint device due to a shortfall in the budget;

 

ii) AND THAT JCC authorize the Director of Finance and the Manager of Procurement to fund from reserve the replacement apparatus by $366,000.00 CDN (excluding any applicable taxes).

Carried

 

The Committee requested a capital requirements report be provided.

 

New Business

 

None.

 

Adjournment

 

Moved by: Councillor Mrakas

Seconded by:  Councillor Thompson

 

THAT the meeting adjourn.

 

Carried

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:54 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

Councillor Abel, Chair