Minutes 03/18/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ M~[ch. 18 1997 The Fire Department has completed its firsTy~er~r Of operating the ambulance service and has responded to approximately 11,000 calls for service. The number of trained, advanced life support firefighters has gone from 41 to 64. The Emergency Medical Services team is providing quick response and quality care to emergency calls. The 911 system handles 110,000 calls annually and is the link between the citizen calls and emergency response. This system has required recent teChnology enhancements. A 25 cents per month increase is proposed in the E-911 rates to fund this system upgrade. Desirable, Livable Communities Enhancing the livability of Portsmouth's neighborhoods continues to be a cornerstone in our efforts toward neighborhood quality. This budget includes several initiatives with this end in mind. The first is funding for a consolidated and strengthened department, merging Planning and Environmental Services into the Department of Community Quality and Planning Services. Elimination of the departmental boundaries between the different activities of the new department wB facilitate a renewed focus on improving conditions in all of our neighborhoods and business districts. This emphasis is coupled with the objective of giving responsive, effective and efficient services to our residents and business people. The second initiative for funding is a Clean Community Commission and staff coordinator position. The Mayor and City Council have declared a war on "ugliness" and the Clean Community efforts will lead the way in working with citizens to eliminate the run-down structures, weeds and debris that detract from the health of some of our neighborhoods. The Clean Community effort will be supported by Neighborhood Quality Services, formerly the Codes Enforcement. The name change is symbolic of a new proactive, program called "NICE" - Neighborhood Improvement and Code Enforcement -- that wi] work in partnership with citizens to communicate, educate and deliver results for more 'desirable communities. Community partnerships are vital to the success of any initiative for improving the neighborhoods. A successful partnership realized in 1996 was the task force created to address bulk refuse concerns. Approximately 15 citizens met over a four month time frame with City staff to devise a better system of bulk refuse collection. The task force recommendations have been implemented in a pilot program prior to expansion throughout the City and are continually being evaluated to determine if the program objectives are being achieved. The initiatives represent enhancements to bulk waste pickup service and frequency that citizens told us they wanted These expansions in service come with additional costs of equipment and manpower. To provide adequate funding for these services. a $1 increase in the refuse collection rate ~s proposed. Safe Drinking Water Portsmouth enjoys an abundant water source and has been able to maintain the lowest rates in the Hampton Roads region. The water system is facing the challenge of Federal regulations and an aging infrastructure which must be addressed to continue to provide our citizens with safe drinking water. This current budget' proposes a 10 cents per 1000 gallon ~ncrease in the water rate, which equates to approximately 75 cents increased charge per month for the average residential customer. In addition, the Operating Budget includes a transfer of $1 million to the Public Utility Budget for funding overdue needs for capital-and infrastructure renewal and replacement. The City can no longer afford to provide short-term budget solutions that have a significant negative impact on long-range operational costs. Investing in the proper maintenance and care of our systems and infrastructure will lengthen the useful life of the asset and ensure proper performance to yield safe