HomeMy WebLinkAboutNegotiations of 5 Yr Joint Fire Contract 1986TOWN OF ITHACA
126 EAST SENECA STREET
RHACA, NEW YORK
14850
October 22, 1986
Honorable John C. Gutenberger
Mayor
City of Ithaca
108 East Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850
Dear Gutie:
In the interests of moving the negotiating process forward,
particularly in light of our budget hearings, I thought it might be
useful to put in writing the cooponents of a new 5 year contract as
we discussed them on October 6. I am also glad to learn that the
response of our colleagues on both boards has been positive.
Here are the components:
1) 5 year contract with fixed amounts each year.
2) An increasing percentage of the Towns contribution each
year as follows: 1987: 18%, 1988: 19%, 1989: 20%, 1990:
21%, 1991: 22%.
3) An increasing but fixed base upon which the percentage
will be applied. This base inflated at 5-6% each year as
follows: 1987: $2,400,000, 1988: $2,500,000, 1989:
$2,650,000, 1990: $2,800,000, 1991: $2,950,000.
4) City would keep all of the Cornell contribution up to the
first $150,000 above which Town would share on the basis
of the percentage we contribute to the operating budget
each year (per 2 above). The rationale for this change
is as follows: The overwhelming proportion of calls to
Cornell are from facilities in the City and the $160M is
about $150M in the City and $10M in the Town.
5) The Town would pay for 70% of the capital costs of the
two new fire stations in the Town. The City would do the
capital financing, probably over a 10 year period, but
the Town would acquire equity of ownership through its
reimbursement of our share and their would be a buy out
provision to enable the Town to totally own the stations
John C. Gutenberger 2 October 22, 1986
if the contract were not extended. This percentage is
consistent with the relative Town/City benefit and will
minimize Town buy out costs should this became necessary.
6) The Town will pay 27% of all major equipment purchases
above $25,000 per item starting in 1988 providing a joint
budget committee (equal Town/City representation) occurs
with the inclusion in the budget.
7) The Town will pay 27% of all improvements to the City
Fire Department facilities, such as the proposed
male/female dormitory at Central Fire Station provided
that the joint budget ccm-nittee concurs with the project.
8) On the subject of the Town representation on the Fire
Commission, I said that the Town wants 2 out of 5 members
to be Town representatives. However, if the City takes
much of the power away from the Ccmission this may not
be all that useful, particularly if we have a joint
budget committee and a fixed figure for each year of the
contract in so far as non -capital expenditures is
concerned.
9) The manning level of paid fire fighters would be fixed at
the current level of 44 fire fighters, 5 lieutenants, 4
assistant chiefs, 1 deputy chief, 1 chief, 1 fire alarm
superintendent, and 1 secretary (total of 57).
10) Remaining Town share of fire hose cost is rolled into
figures referenced above.
11) City and Town will diligently (in 1987) pursue
construction, by Tompkins County, of a new training
facility.
Town contribution:
1987
$432,000
1988
$475,000 + 27%
of equipment cost
over $25,000/item + 70%
of interest on
fire station BAN's.
1989
$530,000 + 27%
of equipment costs
over $25,000/item + 70%
of P&I on fire
station financing.
1990
$588,000 + 27%
of equipment costs
over $25,000/item + 70%
of P&I on fire
station financing.
1991
$649,000 + 27%
of equipment costs
over $25,000/item + 70%
of P&I on fire
station.
Note: These numbers in each year will be reduced by Town share
of Cornell contribution which is determined by applying
01
John C. Gutenberger 3 October 22, 1986
the applicable percentage, i.e., 20% in 1989 to the
portion above $150,000.
Perhaps we are at the point where the City Attorney could proceed
to draft the agreement.
Let me know when we should get together again. Thanks for your
willingness to continue these discussions.
ND/js
Very truly yours,
Noel Desch
Supervisor