Council Shirks Its Responsibility -- Votes to Have State Legislature Change How Pensions Are Given

It would have been oh so easy to press the "Yes" button and to go along with the majority of the council members who lined up in support of an item that calls upon the state legislature to outlaw the granting of increasing pension benefits retroactively.

Sounds so politically correct, doesn't it?  So tough. Call upon that damn state legislature to stop allowing pension increases from being applied for past service.

The only problem, is that any increases allowed under the state pension system CALPERS were not mandated to be given. 

No one in the state held a gun to the past City Council's heads to make them retroactively increase city employee pensions.

Oh, no. The prior mayor and city council (not the state legislature) agreed to apply a pension increase retroactively to city employees because it allowed the city council to forgo increasing salaries in bad budget times by giving employees better retirement benefits in the future. (Let's examine: the city council agreed to give city employees an increase in the percentage of their salary they would receive at retirement from 2.0% to 2.7% for non public safety and 2.5% to 3.0% for public safety. The increase applied for every year the employee worked for the city -- before and after the increase. The City had the ability to limit when that increase would apply but it didn't.)

The dirty little secret is that this current council cannot take away the pensions that the prior city council gave because of a pesky little problem called the state constitution which clearly prohibits a governmental agency from taking away that which it has contracted to give.

Also there are all those cases in which the courts have held that the city can't take away that which it contracted to give and that it is perfectly legal when a city increases benefits and those benefits are given to everyone who is part of the employee group. 

I find it interesting that some of the very people asserting that pension increases are "gifts of public funds" are the very same people who voted to ram through real estate transactions which sold city assets at fire sale prices and to give back sales tax to businesses -- which should have been given to the city -- as an enticement for the business to be in Long Beach.

Do I believe we need pension reform in Long Beach? Absolutely. That's why I offered several permanent, real proposals to deal with the problem which were soundly rejected by the City Council. First, I proposed a charter amendment that would prohibit this and future city councils from spending pension funds when CALPERS is superfunded and the city doesn't have to make contributions. This happened several years ago and the City spent the money.

Secondly, I offered a charter amendment that would have permanently required the city council to "sunshine" all negotiations so that the public could find out what was being given before it was a done deal. The council would also have to verify that the city had the funds to meet the obligations of the contract for the duration of the contract.

And what was the response to these real, permanent changes in pension and benefit matters? Oh no. We can't bind future city councils. Oh no. We don't want to change the way we disclose our negotiations. Oh no.

Really.

So I guess it must have felt good to vote for something that looks like "pension reform" but really does nothing to impact the current or future situations. I just couldn't join in the charade.

Don't Get in a Jam on the 405 and 22

Don't get stuck in a jam, check out OCTA's new and easy-to-use West County Connectors project interactive maps at

Simply scroll over the selected closure or the highlighted detour routes for in-depth directions that will ease your commute during construction.

Major closures include:

Northbound I-405 to Westbound SR-22 / 7th Street Connector - 12 months

Eastbound SR-22 to Northbound I-405 Connector - 10 months

Southbound I-605 to Southbound I-405 Connector - 2 weeks

Eastbound SR-22 to Southbound I-405 Connector - 2 weeks

For additional information about the West County Connectors project, please visit http://www.octa.net/wc_closures.aspx.www.octa.net/westcounty.

Visit LB Libraries on October 7th

Be a part of the Long Beach Public Library!


The Long Beach Public Library is joining libraries across the state in participating in "Snapshot: One Day in the Life of California Libraries" on Thursday, October 7th, to show how important academic, public, school, and special libraries and library systems are to the state of California.
LB Pubic Libraries will compile statistics, customer comments, photographs, and other data chronicling a typical library day. Community members are invited to visit their Long Beach neighborhood library on this day and be part of the snapshot.

For more information call Susan Jones at 562-570-5365.

For Library Locations and a calendar of summer events, please check the website at http://www.lbpl.org/

Let's Bring More Campaign Finance Reform to Long Beach

Got to admit it. The City of Santa Ana has two very interesting pieces of legislation on the books concerning when electeds can take campaign money that I think we should take a look at.

Sec. 425. - Disqualification due to campaign contributions.

A councilmember shall not participate in, nor use his or her official position to influence, a decision of the City Council if it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision will have a material financial effect, apart from its effect on the public generally or a significant portion thereof, on a recent major campaign contributor. As used herein, "recent major campaign contributor" means a person who has made campaign contributions totaling two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) or more to the councilmember or to any campaign committee controlled by the councilmember in the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of the decision. The mayor is a councilmember for purposes of this section. 

Sec. 2-107. - Prohibited campaign contributions.

No councilmember or any campaign committee controlled by the councilmember shall solicit or accept any campaign contribution or loan of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) or more from any person for a period of three (3) months following the date a final decision is rendered in any proceeding before the council involving a license, permit, or other entitlement, if the councilmember knows or has reason to know that the person had a financial interest in the proceeding. Financial interest, for purposes of this section, shall have the meaning it is defined to have in Title 9 of the California Government Code (the Political Reform Act). The mayor is a councilmember for purposes of this section.

Some may ask how can an elected official be influenced by a mere $250? (In Long Beach the limits are higher -- $350 for council and $500 for the mayor.) Campaign contributions are an indicator of support and while the amount doesn't look high enough to really have an impact on a vote, the reality is that the contribution is what it is: support for the elected official.

I am going to move forward on proposing these reforms -- with more to come about limiting how and when former City employees and/or appointees to key City Commissions, Committees and Boards may lobby or represent clients after they leave employment or appointment.

No wonder they want to sell marijuana in Long Beach

Take a look at how much medical marijuana sells for in California and across the US. Especially check out how much it sells for in Long Beach. No wonder they want to do business here.

Click here to see website on prices.

4 Firefighters Injured While Responding to Call for Help

Four of the firefighters assigned to Station 5 were seriously injured two nights ago while responded to a call for help from a motorist who had been in an accident on the 605 Freeway.

Upon responding, the fire truck was hit by another vehicle, sending the four firefighters to the hospital.

Please send a get well soon card to these guys who put their lives on the line every day they respond to a call for help:

The injured FF's were all from E5. They are:

Captain Jim Currier
Engineer John O'Keefe
FF Fernando Vazquez
FF/PM Dwayne Preston

Send your good wishes in care of: Chief Alan Patalano, Fire Administration, 3205 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90808

Schipske to Ask Council to Dedicate Special Olympics Leased Building in Honor of Eunice Kenney Shriver

NEWS RELEASE

            CONTACT: Tiffany Andrews, 570-6932

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske Pursues Approval to Dedicate Building to 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Building on Carson St. currently houses Special Olympics Southern California Headquarters

Long Beach, Calif., Sept. 27, 2010 – Friday, September 24,  communities throughout the world celebrated the first annual Global Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day.  This worldwide day of remembrance is in memory of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics movement, long-time supporter of Best Buddies International, and leading international advocate for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities[1].  In 2008, awarding her the first “Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award,” Sports Illustrated called her “…one of those revolutionaries who saw opportunity where others saw barriers, someone who started a movement and changed a world.”

To celebrate Shriver’s legacy and underscore support for Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC), Long Beach City Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is requesting that the SOSC headquarters building at 6730 E. Carson St. be renamed the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Building. “For more than half a century, until her passing in 2009, Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an indomitable champion for those among us who have been neglected and ignored for too long. Her love for all people, her belief in justice and her relentlessly energetic pursuit of a better life for people with intellectual disabilities serves as an example for all of us. For that reason, I will ask that the City Council approve the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Building at its meeting in October.”

Schipske’s announcement coincides with the global initiative to commemorate Shriver’s achievements. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim supported EKS Day during a ceremony at its 6:05 p.m. game. SOSC Sports Ambassador and Pitcher Jered Weaver is among those presented a $75,000 check to Special Olympics, represented by SOSC President & CEO, Bill Shumard; Chairman of the Board, Patrick McClenahan; and Special Olympics athletes and coaches. For more information, about Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day visit www.eksday.org.

---

[1] Intellectual disability is the current terminology that replaced “mental retardation” and in some countries includes additional or other terminology – for example, developmental disabilities, learning disability.

Hundreds attend Good Neighbor Festival

Wow it was hot on the eastside today. But what a great Good Neighbor Festival and Picnic. Hundreds of people braved the hot sun to listen to Elm Street Band and to line up to eat hot dogs prepared by our Firefighters, hamburgers prepared by our Police, consume water and soda brought by our lifeguards.

The Port of Long Beach provided snowcones and sunscreen (not together) and dozen of community organizations came and set up informational booths.

The highlight was certainly Tim Patton, Assistant to Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, narrating our burrito and pie eating contests. Yes, Baja Sonora --- my favorite mexican restaurant in the 5th -- brought 2 lb burritos and that were consumed in 10 minutes. Later we had the pie eating contest with pumpkin and whipped cream provided by East Spring Street Business Association.

A big thank you to City Manager Pat West, Airport Director Mario Rodriguez, Police Chief Jim McDonnell, Fire Chief Alan Patalano and 4th District Councilmember Pat O'Donnell for attending. And much gratitude to my 5th District staff and Parks, Recreation and Marine staff who always do more than their fair share of work to make this event successful. Thank you!

Good Neighbor Festival Saturday, September 25th -- Food, Music, Fun

Calling All Rosie the Riveter's

If you worked in the aircraft plant or the shipyard or any where else that helped the United States win World War II -- then we are honoring you at the upcoming Long Beach Veteran's Parade on November 6th.

That's right. We are calling all "Rosie the Riveters" to be honored this Veteran's Day in Long Beach. Rosie the Riveter has been named as Grand Marshall of the parade.

Please contact my office at: 562 570-6932 if you would like to ride in the parade.

PS. "Rosie the Riveter" is the affectionate and collective name given to women who worked in the aircraft plants, factories and shipyards during World War II. It was popularized by the 1942 song performed by the African American group, The Vagabonds, called "Rosie the Riveter."

Long Beach is developing the Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center at the corners of Clark and Conant just steps from where thousands of women assembled thousands of military aircraft at Douglas Aircraft plant.

Everything You Wanted to Know About the City of Long Beach's Finances

Overview of City of Long Beach's Finances

Scholarship Available from Port of Long Beach

Port Scholarships

How Much Do City Managers Earn in California?

City Manager Salaries in California

Friday Newsletter Final

Where Have Medical Marijuana Collectives Applied to Do Business in Long Beach?

The following is a document given to the Press Telegram today by the City concerning where medical marijuana collectives have applied to do business. Please note that because of the school buffer zone which I strongly pushed for adoption, the 5th Council District has only 3 commercial areas in which a collective can apply. I am also working with my colleagues to re-instate a buffer for parks which was removed by a majority of the council:

10-02380 Response w Business Addresses w CC Districts for Press Alert ONLY

LB Junior Concert Band To Do Free Concerts on Labor Day

Thanks to LBReport which is allowing me to copy the breaking story....

LB residents can hear the award winning all-volunteer Jr. Concert Band, comprised of talented musicians ages 13-21, in their neighborhood parks listed below.
Executive Board President Jim Mitchell says that after the LB Jr. Concert Band marches on Monday morning (Sept. 6) in the Wilmington Labor Day Parade, they'll make a bus tour with concert stops scheduled in all nine LB Council districts. "We have to do it within five hours; we've rented the bus from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and they'll charge us more if we go beyond that," he notes. 

Here's the Jr. Concert Band's Labor Day Monday blitz concert tour. Note: times approximate (suggest you arrive early). Each concert estimated to be roughly 20-30 mins (may be adjusted to reach all nine stops within time frame). All concerts are free.

• Houghton Park (starts approx 2.00 p.m.)
• Scherer Park at 46th Street
• Cherry Park 1901 E. 45th St.
• Vets Park 101 E. 28th St. (est. approx 3:30 p.m.)
• Drake Park, 951 Maine Ave.
• Bixby Park 130 Cherry Ave.
• Rec Park, 4900 E. 7th St. (est. approx. 5:00 p.m.)
• El Dorado Park West (by golf course entrance)
• Stearns Park

The LB Junior Concert Band -- a local institution with nearly sixty years of history -- is open to young people from 12-21 and has deep roots here. At a recent City Council Budget Oversight Committee hearing, multiple parents and former band members testified to the Band's demonstrated successes in taking children off the street and channeling their energies and talents into a constructive, disciplined endeabor.
The LB Jr. Concert Band drew cheers in the Hollywood Christmas Parade and Belmont Shore's Christmas Parade (as Band Director Marvin Marker marched alongside, Dec. 5, 2009, one day before his sudden death).
Organized by Mr. Marker in 1952, the LB Jr. Concert Band is the "Official Host Youth Band" for the City of Long Beach. The band's website states in pertinent part:

The City Manager's Recent Newsletter

Friday Newsletter Final

Come On A Free Cruise

You are cordially invited to join Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske for a free cruise of the

Port of Long Beach on:

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Boarding Location: Departs from Dock 2 at Rainbow Harbor, adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific

Guest Arrival: No later than 5:30 p.m. - Boat departs promptly at 6:00 p.m.

Food and beverages provided

Attire: Casual - rubber soled shoes - light jacket

Parking: Aquarium of the Pacific Parking Structure

{$8.00 for Parking}

Come join your friends and neighbors on a cruise of the Port of Long Beach and learn about how this major seaport provides a tremendous economic engine for Southern California. You will be amazed at what goes on right here in Long Beach. For our guests with disabilities, please inform us if you require a reasonable accommodation.

Please RSVP by calling 562-570-6932 or emailing district5@longbeach.gov.

Contact Us and Let Us Know Who Will Be Attending this Fun Event!

Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

phone: 562 570-6932 or email: district5@longbeach.gov

And a clarification from City Manager on City Salaries

After the first memo and LBBJ article appeared on City salaries, the City Manager sent a clarification on their prior memorandum:

Clarification on 100 Club

City Mangement Response to Article on Employee Salaries

Annually, the Long Beach Business Journal runs an article listing all the salaried employees in the City who make $100,000 or more and those who are approaching the $100,000 figure. Here's the link to that article. Below is an explanation by City Management:

City Salaries in Long Beach

Dog and Cat Licensing -- An Explanation

Many of you have asked why the City of Long Beach is now going door to door on the issue of dog and cat licensing. Below is a memo from the City Manager explaining:

Dog  and Cat Licensing

Good News --You Can Help Save the LB Municipal Band Now.

Long Beach Municipal Band 1925

I have several pieces of good news concerning the future of the Long Beach Municipal Band.

As you know, many of you contacted me about saving the Long Beach Municipal Band from the financial cuts proposed in the budget presented to the City Council.

I immediately set out to try and find a corporate sponsor by sending out a number of letters to key business contacts. I also encouraged residents to do the same.

I was contacted by a member of the Harbor Commission about engaging the Port of Long Beach in helping to fund. It appears we may be able to secure $50,000.

The law firm of Keesal, Young and Logan have agreed to provide pro-bono legal work to form a non-profit "Friends of the LB Municipal Band" which will allow tax deductible contributions to be made that will go directly to maintaining the LB Municipal Band.

In the interim, I have asked city staff to arrange with Partners of Parks, which is a non profit organization that can accept tax deductible donations, to waive their 10% administrative fee and accept donations right now for the Long Beach Municipal Band.

You may now send your tax deductible donation to help save the Long Beach Municipal Band to:

Partners of Parks
2760 N Studebaker Road
Long Beach, CA 90815-1697

Mark your donation: Long Beach Municipal Band.

The fight is not over. We need to make certain the band receives a steady source of funding from the City of Long Beach. As we look at other programs funded from the same source of monies, we need to make certain the LB Municipal Band receives it fair share.

Community Budget Meeting for 5th Council District Saturday August 21st

The public is invited to attend a Community Budget Meeting on Saturday, August 21 at 10 am. The meeting will feature Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and key city management who will discuss the Mayor and City Manager's proposed budget for the coming Fiscal Year.

The meeting will be held at Emerson Parkside Academy at Josie and Willow.

Weekly City Manager Newsletter

The most recent City Manager's weekly newsletter:

Friday Newsletter 0813102

City Council Compensation

 The following was given to the LA Times regarding the compensation given to City Council members and the Mayor:    Council Compensation 8-13-10

Schipske Asks Press Telegram to Help Sponsor LB Municipal Band

Dear Press Telegram:

Hope you will join in my calling for a corporate sponsor to help fund the Long Beach Municipal Band. I have posted names and addresses of businesses in Long Beach who might want to step up and help. Unfortunately, I forgot to add the Press Telegram to that list. How much can we count on from you?

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske
5th District

P.S. Readers can send an email to the Press Telegram at: speakout@presstelegram.com

Update of Municipal Band -- Mayor Resolved to Find a Solution

Last night in City Council, Mayor Bob Foster stated that he is committed to finding a solution to the funding of the Long Beach Municipal Band.

In the meantime, here is a copy of the letter I am sending to Long Beach businesses in hopes they will step up and provide sponsorships:

Because your company operates in the City of Long Beach you understand how important it is to have programs which celebrate the history of this great city and which also enrich the quality of life for our residents.

That's why I am contacting you today. One of the last remaining historical icons in our city -- the Long Beach Municipal Band -- is facing economic problems which seriously threaten  its future.

This is no ordinary band. Every summer thousands of people gather on a weekly basis throughout parks in the City of Long Beach to listen to the finest Municipal Bands in the nation.  For the last 101 years, the Long Beach Municipal Band has brought enjoyment to community members of all ages. This wonderful ensemble include the best of the Southern California's symphony, studio recording and jazz performers. This diversity of talent provides Long Beach audiences with impressive concerts of jazz, movie, musical and light classical literature.

However, after 101 years of music, the future of the Long Beach Municipal Band is in jeopardy.  Historically the band has been funded at taxpayer expense.  Unfortunately, these difficult economic times have resulted in the City Manager recommending that the current level of funding for the Municipal Band not be sustained. 

We need a corporate partner or several corporate partners to help us maintain this rich tradition of music and culture.  Rescuing the Long Beach Municipal Band would bring a great deal of notoriety to your company and help continue the tradition of music, family and the great out doors.

Please contact my office to discuss how we can arrange your sponsorship. My Chief of Staff, Josh Butler, can be reached at: 562-570-6932.  I want to thank you in advance for your consideration of this special sponsorship opportunity.

  Regards,


  Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

P.S. To the people who are circulating comments that "Schipske's facts are not accurate" about the Municipal Band costs -- I would kindly remind you that they aren't my figures or facts. They come from the City Manager. So if anyone out there can provide different amounts that it costs to hold the band series each summer, please let me, the Mayor and the other members of the City Council know.

Help Find Sponsors to Save the Long Beach Municipal Band

In order to maintain the funding of the Long Beach Municipal Band, the City needs to find corporate sponsors. Each summer the City spends $432,000 or $16,000 each concert for this 101 year tradition.

I previously posted a detailed memo prepared by City Manager Pat West that outlines the costs that I urge readers to review.

Also, help me contact the following Long Beach businesses and ask for their support of the Long Beach Municipal Band.



Southern California Edison
Larry Labrado
2800 East Willow St
Long Beach, CA 90806

WalMart
Merriah Dotson
7250 Carson Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90808


Barnes and Noble
Jeanne Ferrara
7881 Edinger Avenue #110
Huntington Beach, CA 92647


Costco
Gabriela Arteaga
2200 E. Willow St.
Signal Hill, CA 90755


Molina Health Care
Javier M. Mendoza
One Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802


Memorial Medical Center
Peter J. Mackler
7677 Center Ave., Ste. 403
Huntington Beach, CA 92647


St Mary Medical Center
Chris Dicicco
1050 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90813


Cal Worthington Ford
Cal Worthington
2950 N. Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90815


BP
Cindy Wymore
6 Centerpointe Drive
La Palma, CA 90623


Verizon
Mike Murray
One World Trade Center, Ste 206
Long Beach, CA 90831


Jet Blue
Bob Land
P.O. Box 1927
Rockvile, MD 20849



Kaiser Permanente
Diana Bonta
393 East Walnut St
Public Affairs, 2nd Floor
Pasadena, CA 91188


Boeing Company
Mitra Novin
2201 Seal Beach Blvd. MC SC-01
Seal Beach, CA 90740


Charter Communications
Del J. Heintz
4781 Irwindale Avenue
Irwindale, CA 91708

Everything you need to know about why it costs the City of Long Beach $432,419 for a summer municipal band

2010 Summer Concert Series

Schipske Blasts KFI-640 Talk Host for Comments About Long Beach

Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today blasted KFI-640 talk host, Tim Conway, Jr., for comments he made during his show on Saturday concerning the City of Long Beach.

"Conway was doing a review of City Manager salaries in Los Angeles County and giving each city a rating regarding whether or not the condition of the city was reflected in the salary of the city manager," explains Schipske. "When he got to Long Beach he said 'Patrick H. West is worth every dime he makes because Long Beach is diverse, has lots of food and shopping opportunities.' Conway then ended his segment by saying 'of course, if you don't live near the ocean in Long Beach you're going to get killed.'"


"I don't find his comments 'funny' or even accurate for that matter," responds Schipske. "In his review of other cities and their managers' salaries, he didn't make any comments about whether or not those cities are safe to live in. The crime rate in Long Beach is low, particularly in the east side which is miles away from the ocean."


Schipske sent an email to Conway asking that he retract his comments about Long Beach.

Weekly City Manager Newsletter

City Manager Newsletter

The Long Beach Municipal Band

I have received dozens of emails asking that the Long Beach Municipal Band not be reduced or eliminated out of the city budget.

First, please know I live across the street from where the El Dorado park concerts are held on Fridays and have attended these concerts long before I was elected to City Council.

Secondly, the city faces a $18 million dollar deficit. The concerts performed by the musicians cost the city $450,000 for 6 week -- 2 hour venues. The same amount funds 4 police officers or 4 firefighters for an entire year.

Thirdly, Long Beach long ago abandoned employing a Long Beach Municipal Band. Instead, they would contract each summer for a conductor who would put the call out in Southern California for band players. They would come together and play each summer. The next summer different players would sign on.

Fourthly, people who attend the concerts do donate -- but the amount is small: $50,000 which leaves $400,000 to come out of the budget.

So that being said, we need to find a corporate sponsor to underwrite the costs and/or get a conductor and band that will play for less than $15,000 a concert plus the costs of the sheet music which I understand runs @ $54,000.

We are cutting parks, recreation, libraries, police, fire, etc. That is why the Mayor proposed cutting band concerts. Let's find a solution.

Federal Court Ruling on Prop 8

I released the following statement to the press today following the announcement that the Federal Court has ruled Proposition 8 is unconstitutional:

"The decision by the Federal Court today ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional should be celebrated by everyone -- no matter what a person believes concerning sexual orientation -- because our constitutional rights were affirmed and remain in tact."

My vote last night on taxing marijuana

I voted against declaring a fiscal emergency last night that would be linked to putting a tax on medical marijuana because I have consistently raised questions about how we can tax something that should not be sold. Medical marijuana collectives are supposed to be non-profit and are not supposed to be selling.

Moreoever, how is it that if we consider this to be medicine, we are taxing it? We don't tax other medicine.

I did vote to tax recreational marijuana -- however, I don't believe Prop 19 will pass.

3 Person Fire Trucks Have to Be Negotiated --- Rolling Brownouts is Rolling the Dice on Response Time

The problem with a budget being dropped in the laps of City Council that contains proposals by the Mayor to cut fire and police without any analysis of what the impact would be on service levels, is that everyone thinks they are an expert on fire and police staffing.

Take for example a proposal being shopped around -- reducing the level of staffing on a fire truck from 5 to 3 persons.And the proposal for having a rolling brownout -- closing firestations throughout the city on a rotating cycle.

Let me share with you what just happened when the city council in Reno, NV tried this:
http://www.rgj.com/article/20100715/NEWS/7150353/Reno-council-drops-referendum-on-fire-truck-staffing

Staffing levels are a bargained issue.

Without data showing the council what the impact would be of reducing staffing levels, both in response time and effectiveness, not to mention how reduced staffing exposes firefighters to work hazards, then we have no business putting it out there as an action in this budget cycle. If my colleagues want to get it analyzed and negotiated then go for it, but it can't be done in the current budget cycle because there isn't sufficient time.

Also there is something very wrong with a city council directing staffing patterns for any department. We don't and should not tell the police where and how to staff. We don't tell our Public works department how many people should be on a street repair crew. You get my point.

But don't take my word about why reducing staff on a fire truck or emergency apparatus is dangerous, take a look at NPFA 1710 --

NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, 2004 Edition. Click here.

This is published by the National Fire Protection Association which is the expert on fire, electrical and building codes and safety in the U.S.

 The rolling brownout is another dumb idea. Click here and see what is happening in the City of San Diego which is using brownouts to save money -- a kid just died and some are contending it was because of the longer response time needed to bring a paramedic across town when the local station is on closure.