MEMORANDUM

TO: Pete Sprague, Assembly President

Members, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly

THRU: Dale Bagley, Mayor

FROM: Colette Thompson, Borough Attorney

DATE: January 9, 2003

SUBJECT: Resolution 2003-010, Kachemak Emergency Service Area agreement

The accompanying resolution requests that the assembly authorize the mayor to enter into the Interim Agreement for Provision of Fire and Emergency Medical Services with the City of Homer. The Kachemak Emergency Service Area board met on January 2, 2003, and approved entering this contract subject to certain recommendations. This agreement is the same as the existing contract except that the amount has been increased by $104. The fee is based on a percentage of the Homer fire department budget. As that budget increased this year, the fee charged the borough correspondingly increased.

As shown in the resolution, the service area board approved the contract subject to three recommendations:

1. That negotiations for the next contract begin in February. The existing contract was considered "interim" from the first time it was entered and the board and administration intend to review the contract and potential alternative approaches in detail before entering the next contract. Beginning this process in February should allow sufficient time for a thorough review and successful negotiations before this agreement expires on June 30, 2003.

2. That the City of Homer promptly provide a training course for ambulance operators. Currently the City of Homer requires ambulance drivers to complete a training course before driving any ambulances. However, the city has apparently not offered a training course for several years and the service area is concerned about driver shortages. At this time it is our understanding that the city is planning to offer a driver training course within the next few months.

3. That the city provide space and responders for training on the two new fire trucks being received by KESA. One of these trucks is different from the other trucks used by the fire department, and personnel will have to be trained before they can operate the truck. KESA will provide the trainers who will be representatives from the fire engine manufacturers.