Weaver City Council Discusses Public Safety Enhancements in Response to Anniston EMS Letter

Weaver, AL – Weaver held their regularly scheduled works session and City Council Meeting on August 27th. Below are details of the meeting.

Work Session – Key Points Discussed:

1. Department Updates:
   • Various department heads were asked for updates, but responses were minimal.
2. Budget Discussion:
   • Current Budget Status:
     • The proposed budget has an excess of approximately $46,000, excluding Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
     • A 3% step raise is included unless employees are at their maximum pay rate.
   • Pay Raise Proposals:
     • Yellow Sheet: Proposes a 5.7% raise across the board, costing around $100,000.
     • Green Sheet: Proposes a $2 per hour raise, resulting in a 7.1% increase, costing around $124,000. This could potentially be combined with hazardous duty pay for officers, leading to a 9.2% payroll increase.
   • Hazardous Duty Pay:
     • An additional $2 per hour for officers would equate to about $350 per month, totaling a 2.1% increase in payroll.
3. Police Department Concerns:
   • Officer Positions:
     • There was a discussion about potentially eliminating a ninth officer position to save costs. It was emphasized that if the position is removed, it would not be easily reinstated.
   • Recruitment and Retention:
     • The need to offer competitive salaries to retain current officers and attract quality new recruits was highlighted. The existing insurance and family coverage costs are significant factors in recruitment challenges.
   • Overtime Costs:
     • Current overtime expenses are approximately $57,000 year-to-date. Discussions included managing overtime to stay within the budget.
4. Additional Considerations:
   • Internships:
     • The feasibility of using interns for police work was explored. While interns could provide additional support, they must be supervised by certified officers and cannot perform full duties.
   • Insurance Coverage:
     • The cost of family insurance was discussed, noting that it is a considerable expense for prospective hires.
   • Future Budget Adjustments:
     • There was discussion about the possibility of adding additional raises later in the fiscal year if financial conditions improve.
5. Final Notes:
   • The meeting concluded with acknowledgment of the need for raises and budget adjustments, expressing a desire to balance employee compensation with fiscal responsibility.

City Council

All councilmember present (Councilmember Summerlin not pictured)

• Department Reports

  • Mr. Ingram: No new report.
  • Chief Bush: Provided an update on fire department activities and expressed satisfaction with recent cleanups and the condition of the facilities.

  Council Reports

  • Administration: Inquired about the status of hardware, which is expected to arrive tomorrow. The cost of repairs has decreased from $10,000 to $5,000, which is considered a significant saving.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Bowles: Discussed challenges in recruiting for the water department. Emphasized the need for qualified candidates and the difficulties associated with the job requirements and certification. Mentioned that the city might need to offer competitive salaries to attract experienced professionals.

  Old Business

  • Budget Discussion:
    • The proposed budget indicates a net gain of approximately $47,000. The budget does not include a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).
    • A suggestion was made to revisit the budget in six months to reassess income and adjust accordingly.
    • Consideration was given to providing a one-time $1,000 raise for employees who are at the top of their pay scale, acknowledging that while the raises may not be ideal, they are a step towards fair compensation.
  • Recruitment and Certification:
    • There is a discussion about the complexities of hiring qualified personnel for the water department, including the need for specific certifications and training.
    • Options for training and certification programs are available through local educational institutions, and some water systems offer to pay for these programs as part of their recruitment strategy.
  • Next Steps:
    • The council plans to incorporate adjustments from the yellow sheet into the budget and present a revised budget at the next meeting.
    • There will be further discussion on proposals for budget adjustments and potential one-time raises for employees.

• Letter from Anniston EMS

  The letter dated September 6th from Anniston EMS, addressed to Mayor Weaver, informed the City of Weaver that, unless the city provides funds for EMS coverage, Anniston EMS will cease to be the city’s EMS provider in 30 days. The letter also noted that Calhoun County 911 has been copied on this correspondence.

  Discussion and Follow-Up Actions

  1. Overview of Situation:
     • The letter was read aloud to the council to ensure full awareness of the situation.
     • The primary concern raised was the lack of response from the city regarding previous requests for funding to maintain EMS coverage.
  2. Proposed Solutions by Anniston EMS:
     • Anniston EMS proposed that the city either provide funding or utilize its volunteer fire department to handle non-medical EMS calls.
     • They requested funds to operate within the city, or alternatively, if a call is received, the volunteer fire department would respond if an ambulance is not required or if the patient refuses transport.
  3. Concerns Raised:
     • Volunteer Fire Department: There were concerns about relying on volunteers for EMS calls, especially since the city no longer operates its own EMS service and may face issues if volunteers are unavailable.
     • Payment and Liability: Anniston EMS indicated they do not receive payment if they do not transport patients, which affects their willingness to respond to certain calls. Concerns about liability for volunteers handling potentially serious medical situations were also discussed.
     • Financial Considerations: There were discussions about whether the city should provide funding and how much that should be. The council noted that there was no specific amount mentioned in previous correspondence, but a general idea of the funding needed was discussed.
  4. Alternative Options:
     • Piedmont EMS: Piedmont EMS, a non-profit, has shown interest in providing coverage and might be a viable alternative. They already serve nearby areas and could potentially station resources in Buckhorn with some financial assistance.
     • Other Agencies: Life Alert and other potential agencies were also mentioned as possible options.
  5. Council Discussion:
     • Budget and Funding: The council considered various funding options, including passing a sales tax to fund EMS services. They discussed the feasibility of setting aside funds and ensuring transparency and oversight in any financial arrangements.
     • Legal and Oversight Concerns: There were concerns about the legality of providing funds to a private entity and the need for strict oversight to ensure funds are used appropriately. The council noted that they would need legal advice on these matters.
  6. Next Steps:
     • Investigation: The council plans to continue exploring options, including reaching out to Piedmont EMS and other agencies for potential agreements.
     • Information Gathering: The council will obtain call statistics, including the number of rollovers and other relevant data, to better understand the EMS needs and response issues in Weaver.
  7. Council Member Input:
     • Council members were encouraged to think about the proposed solutions and provide input on potential actions.
     • A recommendation was made to consider one-time raises or other compensation adjustments as part of the budget discussion.

  The council intends to review all options, gather necessary information, and make an informed decision regarding the EMS coverage and funding for the City of Weaver.

• Splash Pad Update: The Mayor reported that the splash pad will remain open until after Heritage Day. Following the event, the splash pad will be closed for the season due to cooler temperatures.
• Summary of Public Comments
  • Budget and Taxes: A speaker highlighted the need for increased funding to ensure essential services, particularly emergency services. They suggested that raising taxes might be necessary to cover these costs, acknowledging that this could be unpopular and politically risky but essential for maintaining services.
  • EMS Concerns: Regarding the EMS issue, the speaker recommended meeting with Piedmont EMS, who are already providing services in nearby areas, to discuss their potential involvement. They noted that Piedmont EMS would not let the city go without coverage and emphasized the importance of negotiating a reasonable deal given the financial challenges faced by EMS providers.
  • Water System Staffing: The speaker suggested exploring lists or databases for qualified water treatment professionals, recommending reaching out to registries or using recruitment strategies to find suitable candidates.
  • Grants and Funding: There was a discussion about exploring grants for water system improvements and other needs, acknowledging that most grants require a match and are not fully funded. The speaker encouraged ongoing efforts to secure funding and highlighted the importance of investigating all available resources.
  • Heritage Day: The speaker mentioned preparations for Heritage Day, noting that everything seemed to be in order and confirming logistical details such as sound system setup and trash management. They expressed confidence that the event would proceed smoothly.
  • Transit Advisory Board: The speaker reported on the Transit Advisory Board meeting, noting that no business was conducted due to a lack of quorum. They also mentioned checking into some issues with board numbers.

  Overall, the comments focused on addressing financial and logistical challenges, ensuring continued emergency services, and preparing for upcoming community events.

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