Department of Community Development
Reference: Fire District Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Jane Bais DiSessa - City Manager
Marv Falconburg, AICP - Deputy City Manager
Holly Prather, AICP - Community Development Director
Prepared By: Mike Tylka, AICP - Senior City Planner
Date Prepared: January 26, 2021
PURPOSE
This item’s purpose is to review and make a decision on a new Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Greater Brighton Fire Protection District (DBA as the Brighton Fire Rescue District). At City Council’s Study Session on January 26, 2021, City staff presented what the existing agreement entails, the process staff has gone through over the last few months to prepare for a new agreement, and what staff is recommending in regards to updates from the existing agreement to the new agreement. At that meeting, City Council signified its general consent to bring the proposed IGA to a formal City Council meeting for a vote.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
● Strong Regional Relationships and Partnerships
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
In April of 2009, the City and the District entered into an IGA setting forth cooperation on, among other things, facilitation of the obtainment of future fire station land, emergency preparedness planning, fire code enforcement, standards of coverage, plan review, permits, inspections, annexation, development review, and expanding coverage. This IGA had a ten (10) year term and expired in April of 2019. City and District staff have been cooperatively working on creating a new draft IGA.
The draft IGA generally maintains the items in the former IGA with minor edits where necessary such as with definitions. The draft IGA expands upon the former IGA by clarifying code interpretation resolution, setting a time period for the providing of a standard of coverage report, and adding language to further outline cost sharing for emergency preparedness items. Also, the draft IGA outlines that neither entity will assess fees against the other entity for any inspection-related services, plan review or building permit fees in connection with buildings, structures or real property owned or operated by either entity and used for governmental purposes. It is proposed that the IGA have a ten (10) year term with a ten (10) year renewal option if both parties are agreeable.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The intent of this IGA is for both entities to work together on items of mutual concern with certain guidelines outlined. The City and District have a history of working together on matters such as a development impact fee for the District to support new growth, City Hall office space, in-home day care education, and emergency management. An IGA provides each side with reasonable expectations on matters that deal with the other. Specifically, the additional language regarding the Emergency Manager will allow both entities to operate with a set understanding for the future, and the IGA will ensure that the District will adhere to the City’s established development schedules; each of which are beneficial to both parties. This will allow plan review, permits, and inspections to be turned around with set expectations for those living and conducting business within Brighton.
Staff recommends proceeding with approval of the IGA between the City and District, as drafted, as the IGA will outline collaboration on necessary items and shall continue the already established working relationship. Ultimately, the proposed IGA meets the Strategic Focus Area of having a “strong regional relationship and partnership” between the two entities.
The District Board has reviewed the draft IGA and affixed its approval on December 9, 2020.
CITY COUNCIL OPTIONS
City Council has the following four options, to:
1.) Approve the IGA via Resolution as drafted,
2.) Approve the IGA via Resolution with any changes deemed necessary,
3.) Deny the IGA via Resolution, or
4.) Continue the item to be heard at a later date.
ATTACHMENTS
● Draft Resolution for Approval (Exhibit A: Draft IGA)
● Expired Fire District IGA