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REGULAR MEETING <br />FEBRUARY 26, 2001 <br />there, they use the water off the engine companies. They only have two (2) and the City has eleven <br />(11). <br />Mr. Stein informed that Council that just last year the union negotiated their contract with the City. <br />If they came to the Council and gave an ultimatum of what they wanted, the Council would not have <br />accepted that and they should not accept it now from Centre Township. Mr. Stein inquired if when <br />the City phases in operations in March if the City will be paying the same fee even though they are <br />responding. He inquired how many volunteers would show up at 2:00 a.m. if there was a fire <br />knowing that the City will be there. And yet, the City is still paying the monthly fee. In conclusion, <br />Mr. Stein informed the Council that the South Bend Fire Department can supply this service right <br />now. <br />There was no one else wishing to speak in opposition to this Resolution. <br />In rebuttal, Chief Taylor indicated that he would agree with Mr. Stein's comment on staffing. They <br />have recently learned that it is a fact that on duty staffing is from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. He noted <br />that his prior statements were made on the information he received from Centre Township that they <br />can provide a five minute response time. They do not have the number of staffing that South Bend <br />has. The problem that exists is the water supply in the annexed area. The City could not provide <br />adequate fire protection to the citizens on the west side of 31 without fire hydrants being in place in <br />that area. Chief Taylor noted that the question Mr. Stein raised about the tankers is something to <br />think about but it is more involved than just getting a tanker from the Street Department. He noted <br />that training would have to be done and the Department has not done that nor have they worked with <br />tankers for many years. Chief Taylor advised that in regards to the monthly fee stated in the <br />Agreement, that is something that they were pushed into in the 12''' hour because they were looking <br />into the best interests of the citizens in that area. He stated that if he had to do it over again, the <br />Department would look at this issue from a different perspective being from the standpoint of <br />mutual aid. But, asking another department to take over a complete area is asking for quite a bit. <br />Chief Taylor stated that the City certainly has been very generous with its mutual aid agreement <br />providing aerial service throughout the County. And, if the City gets to the point that it needs some <br />assistance from another department, they would expect to receive that in return. <br />Councilmember Kirsits stated that it was discussed in the committee meeting that the South Bend <br />Fire Department would be responding jointly with Centre Township. Now, the Chief has said it is <br />just for a fire. Councilmember Kirsits inquired if the City would be responding to any call. He <br />further stated that in looking at this Agreement, it specifically spells out that only Centre Township <br />will be providing fire rescue services to this location and he wonders if the City has a problem with <br />this document at this time and whether something needs to be added or is the City sending its <br />equipment to the area jointly with Centre Township. <br />Chief Taylor stated that if the City is paying Centre Township then it is expected that they will have <br />a full turn out from Centre whatever that may be. Any lack of participation through this Agreement <br />would be unacceptable. Therefore, to reiterate, the City will be expecting Centre Township to <br />continue their full response. <br />Councilmember Kirsits asked if the City was going to be responding with their fire apparatus for a <br />call to the annexed area. Chief Taylor stated that they will be responding. He stated that he will <br />begin working with staff in- house, as well as the communication center, to do a dual response to <br />provide the best protection for the residents and commercial establishments in the annexed area. <br />Chief Deputy City Attorney Thomas Bodnar, 1618 East LaSalle, South Bend, Indiana, responded <br />that the Agreement imposes an obligation on Centre Township to respond to fires. The Agreement <br />does not say the City cannot respond as well. It does not say that only Centre Township will <br />respond. Mr. Bodnar stated that there is nothing in this Agreement that prohibits the City from <br />fulfilling its responsibilities or supplementing their response either completely by itself or <br />supplementing Centre Township. <br />Councilmember Ujdak stated that during the course of consideration of this Resolution a couple of <br />things were made very clear. Obviously there are a lot of questions in regards to the basis of the <br />F_ <br />1 <br />