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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-13-2012 - 8aORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 13, 2012 Action Agenda Item No. tc� –(a— SUBJECT: Approval of the Construction of Orange Grove Fire Stations #2 and #3 in the Cane Creek Fire District DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1. Cane Creek Insurance District Map 2. Orange Grove Fire Station, Nicks Road & Rocky Ridge Road Substations Map 3. Powerpoint Presentation from the Orange Grove Fire Department dated January 25, 2012 4. February 14, 2012 Emergency Services Workgroup Meeting Notes INFORMATION CONTACT: F. R. Montes de Oca, 245 -6100 Annette Moore, 245 -2317 Michael Talbert, 245 -2153 PURPOSE: To approve the recommendation from the Emergency Services Workgroup to proceed with the construction of Orange Grove Fire Stations #2 and #3 in the Cane Creek Fire District. BACKGROUND: On September 13, 2011 the Board was presented options for changing fire districts to improve insurance ratings for the 1,156 properties located outside of six road miles from the closest fire station located in their fire insurance district. Over 650 homes in the Cane Creek Fire District are over six (6) road miles from the Orange Grove Fire Station located on Orange Grove Road. As a result, those properties are not in an insurance district and rated as Class 10. Staff worked with County Geographic Information Systems' (GIS) staff to identify those parcels in the Cane Creek Fire District that are over six (6) road miles from the Orange Grove Fire Station (Attachment 1). The Cane Creek Insurance District Map illustrates, with yellow dots, the homes that fall outside six (6) road miles from the Orange Grove Fire Station. The Orange Grove Fire Station, Nicks Road & Rocky Ridge Road Substations Map (Attachment 2), illustrates that if a second station is located on Rocky Ridge Road and a third future station is located on Nicks Road, these two additional fire stations will place all but 18 of the over 650 homes located over six (6) road miles within six (6) road miles of a fire station. Orange Grove Fire Department is in the planning stages for a new fire station #2 to be strategically located in the southeastern part of the Cane Creek fire district. A new fire station #2 could provide insurance district coverage for an estimated 400 property owners currently more than 6 -road miles from the Orange Grove Station. If approved, it would be a small two bay unmanned station that would meet the insurance definition for a station and provide an 2 insurance rating of 9 for that part of the fire district. It would take about 9 to 12 months to construct the building and pass an inspection from the State Fire Marshal's Office. Attachment 3 is a power point presentation from the Orange Grove Fire Department prepared for a public meeting the department held on January 25, 2012 which provides details of the process is selecting a new site for the proposed station #2. Orange Grove Fire Department is also in the early planning stages for a new fire station #3 to be strategically located in the western part of the Cane Creek Fire District. The location has been tentatively identified as a location on Nicks Road. A new fire station #3 could provide insurance district coverage for over 200 property owners in the western part of the fire district currently more than 6 -road miles from the Orange Grove Station. Station #3 on Nicks Road would be constructed in 2013 after the new station on Rocky Ridge Road is complete in 2012. This information was reviewed and discussed with the Emergency Services Workgroup on February 14, 2012. Chief Tommy Holmes was present and affirmed the plans as described. A motion was made by Chief Dan Jones to proceed with the construction of two substations in the Cane Creek Fire district by the Orange Grove Fire Department and was unanimously approved. The addition of two substations could also provide overlapping coverage in the adjacent East Alamance Fire and White Cross Fire District. Station #3, to be strategically located in the western part of the Cane Creek Fire District, could improve insurance rating for homeowners currently outside of six (6) road miles from the Orange Grove Main Station, the Mebane Fire and the White Cross Station. This would require agreements between the departments similar to the agreements between Caldwell Fire Department and the Eno Fire Department already approved by the Board. The final agreement between all three parties — Orange County, Caldwell Fire Department, and Eno Fire Department — has not yet been signed. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Orange Grove Fire Department will be requesting $20,000 of its Fund Balance to complete the construction of the station on Rocky Ridge Road. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the recommendation from the Emergency Services Workgroup for the construction of both Orange Grove Fire Stations #2 and #3 in the Cane Creek Fire District. DN 10 Orange Grove Station #2 Public Meeting �C' S Wednesday, January 25, 7:00pm III Cn Background • Nov 1972 — Community Meeting to Discuss Fire District Formation • May 1974 — Special Election to Establish the Fire District • Jun 1974 —First Fire Call • Nov 1974 Orange Grove Station #1 finished • 1991 —First Responder Program began Dul Fire Insurance • Rates controlled by NC Dept of Insurance • Historically based over entire fire district • With recent (2010 — Present) changes, homes 6+ miles from Fire Station see increased insurance cost! • JoMac Rd Community requested help 2011 • 1,000 homes affected in eastern side of ire district. a G Cat,, C % JAI 'wool CANE CREEK Substati A % 02 Rim Hp T, Potential Site for Substation 3A LEGEND Potential Site for Fire Subsiations (_M 'Substation 3A9860-93-4303 Old NC 86 —'Fire insurance Districts Fire Stations Addresses over 6 miles from Orange Grove Fire Station Orange Grove Fire Station 0-5 miles 5-6 miles Streets 'I addresses not covered an Now hope Spring Rd, 3 addresses not covered on valleyCraek Rd, and 4 addresses not covered an Owls Rd. 1 in = I miles PmArpnw Semkos r'-als OWU20*1 OC 1701 OD Options Explored • New roads connecting JoMac Rd to west o High construction cost o Ongoing maintenance • Contracts with neighboring FDs o Not always feasible • New Sub - Stations —East and West co Placement of Station #2 Location identified by GIS Mapping • Proximity to Station #I and FD personnel • Best coverage from Rocky Ridge Road 4 Sites Identified o One (1) Nutter Site. o Three (3) Dodson Sites. CD -L -A Site Examination • Dodson Site #3 — in field across Arthur Minnis Rd from Tuscany Ridge o NCDOT ruled out due to poor sight distances to the west. • Dodson Site #2 — in field next to stream on Rocky Ridge Rd o NCDOT ruled out due to poor sight distances to the south. o Stream buffer concerns. N Site Examination • Dodson Site #1 — in field west of Rocky Ridge north of Abel Hill. o NCDOT determined sight distances adequate, but brush clearing required. o Orange County Environmental Health could not find a perk site. Site Examination • Nutter Site #I — in Field across from Abel Hill Rd & Zoia Ln o NCDOT approved sight distances. o Orange County found perk site. o Existing well. o Level ground, less grading. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT N Orange County Environmental Health. W$ a4•v... • ca�� . 1 This nmpCOntaals parcels prepared tow the inventory otroal praparfy within prangs County, and is compiled Dorn 5 recordeddeetla plats and Dater public records and data. Usersotquasnap�rahre�ynatifiedlpWlbaaro [ematgatad 1 inch - 100 feet Public prieso infermatlon souress ahoutd Cs canaulted tar veriGcattan of the infurmagon wntalned on This map, The ° �' count' and its mapping companies assume no iaaal responsibility ror the Inlormallon on this map, 0 30 BO 124 t, Feet c•. ^w Summary • Assure fire insurance for 1 000 homes • Must serve from JoMac Rd to Davis Rd • Close proximity to Station #1 and FD Personnel • NCDOT and O Co Env Health requirements • Nutter Site #I most viable option J Special Thanks • To Bryant and Kim Dodson to offering 3 sites for consideration. • To Bob and Chris Nutter for offering use of their land. • To both for offering the land at a very reasonable cost to the community! f Example Metal Building Continued Discussion is We need your help to rune the new station. o Color — siding and roof. o Landscaping. o Safety issues — reflectors, parking, signs. o Lighting — we foresee no pole lights. o Size — we plan on 50'x5O'metal building o Other issues? DRAFT Attachment 4 21 Orange County, North Carolina Emergency Services Workgroup Meeting Summary February 14, 2012 Link Government Services Center Commissioner Valerie Foushee called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm, welcomed the committee, and asked those in attendance to introduce themselves: Dr. lane Brice, Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass, Chief Dwane Hampton, Captain Walter Horton, Assistant County Manager Michael Talbert, Chief Frank Montes de Oca, Chief Dan Jones, Chief Tommy Holmes, Chief Mike Tapp, Chief Brian Baker, Chief Matthew Mauzy, and Ms. Jane Cousins. • Commissioner Foushee introduced the first topic of discussion: Fire Tax Districts, Protection Districts, Fire Insurance Districts and Fire Service Districts. Assistant County Manager Michael Talbert distributed maps showing how the geographic areas differ legally and in operational characteristics. He explained that because of the history of how the tax districts were created they are extremely difficult to change. Fire Service Districts could be changed relatively easily with the consent of the Fire Chiefs. The service responses to properties would not change because of mutual aid agreements which already exist. Changes in the boundaries of the Service Districts would bring about a decrease in insurance rates for those property owners who are presently negatively affected by their location of being outside the "six mile" insurance area. An example cited was how Eno Fire Department could provide service for properties in Caldwell's district and decrease the insurance rates for a number of homes within six miles of Eno's station. The Orange County Attorney is working on the final agreement between the departments and Orange County to improve insurance ratings in that particular area. • Assistant County Manager Talbert illustrated a possible solution to high insurance rates in parts of South Orange's district by contracting with Chapel Hill Fire Department. Changes in charges of the fire tax to some residents could be a concern because of an increase of possibly $.0025 to some residents, but the benefit to those citizens whose properties are now uninsurable would make a dramatic improvement. • Chief Hampton asked about downsides to any of the proposed changes. Chief Baker expressed concern that with these changes the fire department chiefs would lose control of their districts; something the fire chiefs want to prevent from happening. DRAFT Dr. Jane Brice agreed that with these arrangements would solve most of the "six mile" problems but not all of them. • Mr. Talbert gave an overview of how the addition of a substation in Orange Grove's Fire District could take about 400 homes from class 10 (uninsurable) to within six miles of a fire department. They already have the land and lease agreement and could be up and running within six months. Two substations in the Orange Grove's district could help about 700 landowners. Sheriff Pendergrass asked specifically if Orange Grove's new Station 2 will take care of JoMac Road. The response was "yes ". • Commissioner Fouchee asked if the committee would like to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners that these changes be made. Chief Dan Jones made the motion to recommend to the BOCC to proceed with the construction of two substations in the Cane Creek Fire district by the Orange Grove Fire Department. Chief Montes de Oca seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. • Chief Dwane Hampton made the motion to recommend to the BOCC that Orange County contract with Chapel Hill Fire Department to provide fire protection in the hydranted area of the Southern Triangle Fire District. The motion was seconded by Chief Walter Horton. Chief Montes de Oca suggested that North Chatham be contacted before the request is made. The motion was passed by a majority with one abstention by Chief Dan Jones and one opposed -Chief Bryan Baker. • Mr. Talbert introduced the last topic: "Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services and E911 Communications Center ". Steve Allen has conducted dozens of studies and developed strategic plans throughout North Carolina; is familiar with North Carolina fire and emergency services statutes; and can begin constructing a strategic plan in March with a 90 -120 day delivery timeframe. Members of the group suggested that Mr. Allen appear at the next meeting to answer questions or field concerns. Mr. Talbert indicated he would contact Mr. Allen to see if he could attend. Motion made by Chief Jones and seconded by Chief Tapp. The vote was unanimous. • Chief Jones passed out a one -page overview of the Orange County Chiefs Association's strategic plan goals and Chief Baker read them to the group. • The next meeting is February 28th; 4:00 pm at the Link Center. The topics to be covered are the EMS /911 Strategic Plan discussion with Mr. Allen and an overview of the VIPER system. • Commissioner Foushee adjourned the meeting at 5:30 pm. W