Rochester Hills Legistar System

Fire Response Time

Mr. Lee Zendel, 1575 Dutton Road, questioned the 2003 information that was included

in this meeting packet as part of Legislative File 2004-0028, particularly the Rochester

Hills Fire Department 2003 Bravo (Ambulance) Staffing Statistics for 6/1/03 to 8/31/03

and 10/1/03 to 12/31/03. Mr. Robbins explained that the information was provided in

response to a specific request made in 2003 after changes were implemented with the

Bravo units.

After a brief discussion, the Committee requested that the Fire Department provide

staffing statistics for the last six (6) months of 2004 for the Bravo (Ambulance) Units.

The Committee would like the information to make a comparison to 2003.

Five Year Plan

The Committee discussed the Five Year Plan and noted the following points:

* The current Five Year Plan for the Fire Department expired in 2003.

* The name "Five Year Plan" may not be necessary.

* A long-range plan may need to be developed for the Oakland County Sheriff's

Department (OCSD) Sub Station as well as the Fire Department.

* The OCSD Sub Station in Rochester Hills maintains statistical data regarding service

calls which includes not only the number of calls logged, but the types of calls that need

to be considered when analyzing the data. The Sub Station currently does not have a

long range forecasting tool or strategic plan.

* The six (6) miles of M-59 Freeway that runs through the Rochester Hills places a drain

on City police and fire resources.

* Resources will outstrip demand as the City is redeveloped.

* There are many economic benefits to City tax payers regarding contracted police

services because a lot of the burden falls on Oakland County.

* The Rochester Hills Fire Department and OCSD Sub Station are limited by the City's

Administration as to what information can be provided to the Public Safety Committee.

* The Committee agreed to develop a list of questions for review at the March meeting

regarding a survey to other municipal Fire and Police Departments or develop a list of

chiefs or department heads to invite to a meeting for an informal discussion. The

questions should refer to things such as:

- Finance

- Manpower

- Man hours

- Types of crimes

* The Committee would like the Clerk's Office to send the survey to the following fifteen

(15) municipalities:

- Warren

- Shelby Township

- Farmington Hills

- Washington Township

- West Bloomfield

- Madison Heights

- Ferndale

- Utica

- Sterling Heights

- Waterford

- Independence Township

- Brandon Township

- Troy

- Auburn Hills

- Chesterfield Township

* The Committee requested that Mr. Dan Casey, Manager of Economic Development

for the City's Planning and Development Department, be invited to a Public Safety

Committee Meeting to discuss the possibility of capturing Tax Increment Finance (TIF)

funding from the Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) zones and Federal

SmartZones to help fund police and fire protection for the City.

Chair Raschke distributed a newspaper article from the Eccentric, dated February 6,

2005, entitled "Sheriff's Department Offers Free Drug-test Kits for Concerned Parents".

The free home drug-testing kits are available at all Oakland County Sheriff's substations,

including Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Oakland County Sheriff's Department

(OCSD) paid for the kits with drug forfeiture money.

The Committee briefly discussed various illegal drugs available. Mr. Roscoe suggested

that another good way to "get the word out" regarding the free kits would be through

school parent-teacher conferences.

Drug Education Awareness and Prevention

Capt. Smith gave an update regarding the exhibit coming to the Detroit Science this

summer dealing with the ravages of drugs in our society. The following points were

noted:

* The Rochester Community Coalition has been informed of the exhibit.

* It uses interactive software to take drug education awareness and prevention to a new

level.

* It contains actual wreckage from the towers that were destroyed on September 11,

2001.

* A large portion of the heroin and cocaine trade is operated by terrorists as a funding

source.

Traffic Safety Aids

Mr. Roscoe noted a safety issue of "jay walking" on Livernois going across to Rochester

High School on school mornings. Capt. Smith agreed that it has been an issue for many

years. It is viewed as a violation of school policy. A Deputy does issue tickets from time

to time as a deterrent, but can not be there each morning because it is one of the City's

overall peak service times. The Committee will explore the possibility of having a

discussion with the OCSD Administration regarding the use of Traffic Safety Aids to

assist within the City similar to Troy's program. Capt. Smith noted that the OCSD can

customize contracted services, but if extra services are added with appropriate

approvals from all parties involved, it is very important to consider additional resources

for proper managerial oversight.

Mr. Zendel informed the Committee that the City of Troy's budget reflects their False

Alarm Program revenues at $200,000 up from $170,000 for fines and registration fees.

The Committee held a brief discussion and noted the Committee members are in

support of a False Alarm Program. Capt. Smith noted that the Mayor has strongly

indicated to him that she is not interested in pursuing a False Alarm Program. Mr.

Zendel strongly felt it should be rediscussed.

* It was suggested that Mr. Zendel make a one-on-one appointment with the Mayor to

"re-open" the discussion of a False Alarm Program.