2005-04-18(2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 Fire Chief Julian Taliaferro said that response times have gone up dramatically in the last ten years due to traffic increases and traffic calming. He said the current fire stations are also in poor condition. Ms. Hamilton noted there is no time element mentioned in the resolution. Mr. O'Connell said the merger study is expected to take 8 to 12 months and land will be identified at the same time. Ms. Hamilton said she would like to require that the report be due back in a year. Mr. Caravati said it is important that the merger study and location study be done truly in tandem. Mr. O'Connell said we need community participation and probably need multiple location possibilities. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Caravati, Council approved the Fire Location Study by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None. WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville has a long history of supporting the FireService; and, WHEREAS, with that support the Charlottesville Fire Department has been able to obtain an Insurance Services Office ("ISO") insurance rating of 2, as well as Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International; and, WHEREAS, a period of more than eight years has elapsed since the last civilian fire fatality in the City; and, WHEREAS, due to increased traffic congestion and growth in the City the Fire Department's response times in the southern sector of the City have increased; and, WHEREAS, the increase in response times has created a concern for life safety and placed the Department's Accredited Agency status and ISO rating in jeopardy; and, WHEREAS, officials from the City and the County of Albemarle are currently developing a request for proposals for an assessment of the possibility of providing consolidated fire and rescue services in the two jurisdictions. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council for the City of Charlottesville, Virginia that the City Manager and his staff are authorized to form a working group to explore potential locations for a new fire station in the southern sector of the City. The working group shall consider alternatives that would be appropriate for both a separate City Fire Department and a consolidated City - County department. PUBLIC Ms. Kathy Icenhour, 500 South 1st Street, said she rides the bus and the buses needed to be depended on to get people places on time. She said some routes do not go as far as people need. Ms. Icenhour said she appreciates Mr. Caravati standing up for low income housing. COUNCIL REPORTS Dr. Brown said he and others met recently with Senator John Warner about the possibility of having federal funds earmarked for the Meadowcreek Parkway interchange. He said that today he met with the VDOT Commission, VDOT Board member and County representatives to talk about the need for money for the interchange and the Commission is looking into getting federal funding.