PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to request authorization to approve an agreement between the Verdugo Fire Communications Service and the City of Monterey Park The proposed agreement will authorize the Verdugo Fire Communications Center to commence contract dispatching services for the City of Monterey Park.  It is anticipated that dispatching will commence on March 1, 2005.

BACKGROUND:

The Verdugo Fire Communications Center provides fire and EMS dispatch services to Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena.  These cities are �member� agencies and contribute to funding the annual operation of the Center as well as making annual contributions to the reserve for equipment replacement.  Additionally, the Center contracts with six (6) other agencies, (Monrovia, Arcadia, South Pasadena, Sierra Madre and San Marino) to provide dispatching services for a set fee, the revenue from which supplements the Center�s reserve for equipment replacement.

Including contract agencies provides revenue for the Center�s operations and provides better coordination and response to large emergencies involving Mutual Aid Area �C� agencies of which Burbank is a participating member and Glendale is the coordinator.

On an annual basis, each city pays for their service on a pro rata basis based upon the percentage of incidents dispatched on their behalf to that of the three (3) Verdugo member cities.  In addition, a ten percent (10%) administrative fee is imposed on all of the cities (including the member cities) that is used to defray certain indirect costs not reflected in the Verdugo annual budget.  Such costs include legal, finance and accounting and similar services provided by the City of Glendale as the administrating agency. 

ANALYSIS:

The only variation from the current agreement with other agencies is a proposed term of ten years.  Some of the older agreements had a term of five years.  With a termination clause of one (1) year without cause, staff believes that a longer-term agreement adds stability to the Verdugo system and enhances the ability to plan for the long term.

Burbank Fire Department Staff believes that the participation of Monterey Park in the Verdugo system will significantly enhance service to the public and help provide the revenue to keep Verdugo among the finest dispatching operations in the country. The Monterey Park City Council has approved the agreement. 

FISCAL IMPACT:   

By the formula contained in the agreement, Monterey Park will pay for each incident where they are dispatched in proportion to the total calls dispatched.  In the current year (FY 04/05) and next year (FY 05/06), this will generate the amounts shown below (FY 04/05 to be prorated):

All fees are paid to and administered by the City of Glendale as the coordinating agency of the Verdugo Fire Communications Center.  As no additional staffing or administration is required by the City of Burbank, there will be no impact on the Burbank Fire Department�s operating budget.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution approving a Verdugo Fire Communications Service Agreement with the City of Monterey Park.

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A:      Agreement with the City of Monterey Park

go to the top