GOODYEAR UNDER FIRE
Note: I am a resident of Estrella. I am not an expert in fire protection. The following are my thoughts and observations on fire service needs in our community. ~Jen
June 28, 2016
CITY UNANIMOUSLY AGREES TO CONTINUE BUILDING
Goodyear City Council unanimously voted to approve the Lucero community PAD amendment last night. This vote passed despite resident concerns for fire service demands on Estrella's only fire station, Fire Station 182.
Two weeks ago, while council was about to vote on this amendment, I asked our lawmakers if they could honestly say the city could provide adequate fire service to its residents in Estrella's southern most and northern most communities if it approved Lucero. The city is already struggling providing adequate service. And just how would we be able to cope with adding more residents by stretching out the response boundaries to the north?
Council voiced many concerns about cost. As it turns out, the money wouldn't have been so hard to find because it had a developer agreement in place. An agreement that, we're told, was "allowed to expire."
In the last week, I learned quite a bit more about this and the concerns became more serious. The developer agreement for the southern portion of our community, in CantaMia and Montecito, apparently had been "allowed to expire." What does that mean? The funding for a second facility, Fire Station 186 on Willis Road near CantaMia, was no longer formally in place - according to our understanding of the issue.
I say, "our understanding", because I requested answers to my questions in a public records request last week and have not received any responses.
Two weeks ago, while council was about to vote on this amendment, I asked our lawmakers if they could honestly say the city could provide adequate fire service to its residents in Estrella's southern most and northern most communities if it approved Lucero. The city is already struggling providing adequate service. And just how would we be able to cope with adding more residents by stretching out the response boundaries to the north?
Council voiced many concerns about cost. As it turns out, the money wouldn't have been so hard to find because it had a developer agreement in place. An agreement that, we're told, was "allowed to expire."
In the last week, I learned quite a bit more about this and the concerns became more serious. The developer agreement for the southern portion of our community, in CantaMia and Montecito, apparently had been "allowed to expire." What does that mean? The funding for a second facility, Fire Station 186 on Willis Road near CantaMia, was no longer formally in place - according to our understanding of the issue.
I say, "our understanding", because I requested answers to my questions in a public records request last week and have not received any responses.
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At last night's meeting, the city laid blame on the former developer of CantaMia going out of business causing the agreements to no longer be in effect. But, as we see it, CantaMia is well under construction... thriving actually.
Fire Station 186 - a second fire station in the southern portion of Estrella - was to be built and fully manned back in 2009. Due to the downturn in the economy, it was put on the back burner. When Lucero came up for a vote, two weeks ago, Goodyear City Council tabled the vote rezoning 617 acres in the northern area of Estrella near Star Tower. The community, to be called “Lucero”, would be home to 1,250 rooftops. The proposed community stretches Estrella's housing and it's located 3.2 miles from our local fire station. Council wanted legal advice before voting.
Goodyear meeting minutes and videos here.
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Estrella's Fire Station 182
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WHERE THERE'S SMOKE...
What led up to this? For several months, Goodyear’s Fire Chief, Paul Luizzi, has voiced concerns regarding the need for fire stations in Estrella and west Goodyear. So much so he asked for a new study to determine need for additional stations and embarked on a community paramedicine program to help fill in the gaps. (I also wrote about that here.)
Twice this year, the fire chief has gone to council in work sessions discussing triggers and thresholds for building a second fire station in Estrella and how to do it economically.
Twice this year, the fire chief has gone to council in work sessions discussing triggers and thresholds for building a second fire station in Estrella and how to do it economically.
From a station standpoint, I don't know that you want to build a small one because eventually you're going to have to add on as the population starts to grow, the call volume starts to grow, and that you're adding on additional costs in later years to a station. My standpoint is prudent to build one station once and build it as we currently build our fire stations with three bays.” ~Fire Chief Paul Luizzi
We'd like to remind you, the fire chief had TWO work sessions on the topic of fire stations because the first work session was very choppy. Council members continued to interrupt him and he could not finish his presentation. In our blog, we asked for the chief to have another opportunity to speak. And he did. The information can be found in our reporting.
You can check out all of our coverage of the 3 work sessions involving Estrella's fire service here:
GOODYEAR'S TRIGGERS AND THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS FOR A NEW FIRE STATION
What are triggers and thresholds? They are the requirements signalling the need for building new fire stations within various neighborhoods around our dispersed city.
In 2008, triggers and thresholds for building new fire stations for Goodyear, Arizona were reportedly set at:
More can be found in the 2008 Sonoran Valley Public Master Plan. Estrella and West Goodyear are very close to hitting all three triggers and thresholds. For simplification, we will focus on the Estrella needs and demands.
In 2008, triggers and thresholds for building new fire stations for Goodyear, Arizona were reportedly set at:
- 8 minute response times 30% of the time
- Growth being 6 miles from a current station
- 500 calls for service annually in the area
More can be found in the 2008 Sonoran Valley Public Master Plan. Estrella and West Goodyear are very close to hitting all three triggers and thresholds. For simplification, we will focus on the Estrella needs and demands.
ESTRELLA'S TRIGGERS AND THRESHOLDS
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As it stands now, we have one fire station in Estrella. Fire station 182 is located on Estrella Parkway and Spring Drive near Estrella Mountain Church.
Fire station 182 responded to 756 incidents in 2015 and had an average response time of 6 minutes and 42 seconds… to the entire community.
However, you must now look closer at times to CantaMia and Montecito. This area is referred to as the area south of the "Ray Road Alignment" or Calistoga Drive which turns into Montecito. |
CALLS AND RESPONSE TIMES TO HOMES SOUTH OF THE RAY ROAD ALIGNMENT IN 2015:
- RESPONSE TIMES: 58% of the calls to homes south of the Ray Road Alignment were reportedly MORE than 8 minutes. While the city has a 30% goal for under 8 minutes, this response time pushes the trigger. Additionally, Buckeye Valley Fire District responded to 24 of these calls with a response time of 9 minutes and 58 seconds.
- 8 MINUTES IS A LONG TIME: If your loved one is having a heart attack, seizure, or any medical emergency, 8 minutes can seem like a life time. We are told the city contemplated providing CPR courses in CantaMia to help with this issue, and in fact had one class before the nurse started classes there. (EMS responses times are to be 5 minutes - the national standard.)
- CALLS: Fire Station 182 responded to 756 incidents in 2015. That's higher than the city's 500 trigger. This number was reported during a work session and in the city's meeting minutes.
- ROOFTOPS: The threshold for building a new fire station was 500 rooftops south of the Ray Road Alignment. More than 600 rooftops are now built in this area. (We asked for the specific number in our records request - and still have not received it..) We should also note, according to a 2006 city council action form, "... representatives of Newland Communities and City Staff have been negotiating a Development and Fire Services Agreement to satisfy the zoning stipulation requiring a second fire station in Estrella Mountain Ranch with the 501st building permit south of Ray Road."
The 4.4 acres for Fire Station 186 have been dedicated by Newland Communities - the developer of Estrella. Goodyear now owns the property.
Newland agreed to pay $4.1 million in capital. Roughly $840,000 has been paid.
OUR SOURCES TELL US THE AGREEMENT WAS 'ALLOWED TO EXPIRE' AND IS NO LONGER IN PLACE.
The City Manager explained on June 27th that the city reached out to Bill Olsen with Newland Communities,
Newland agreed to pay $4.1 million in capital. Roughly $840,000 has been paid.
OUR SOURCES TELL US THE AGREEMENT WAS 'ALLOWED TO EXPIRE' AND IS NO LONGER IN PLACE.
The City Manager explained on June 27th that the city reached out to Bill Olsen with Newland Communities,
And talking to Bill Olsen this week, there has been an understanding that the bones of an agreement are in place. It can be argued some of those elements may or may not apply. The fact of the matter is one of the partners - if you will - back to the earlier agreement is no longer there. So CantaMia for example - is AV Homes - will be part of any discussions.”
SINCE WE WENT TO COUNCIL AND VOICED OUR CONCERNS, THE CITY OF GOODYEAR WENT BACK TO NEWLAND COMMUNITIES TO REVIVE A DEVELOPER AGREEMENT TO GET FUNDING IN PLACE FOR ESTRELLA'S SECOND FIRE STATION.
WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE NEW AGREEMENTS AND WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME FOR COLLECTING THE MONIES.
WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE NEW AGREEMENTS AND WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME FOR COLLECTING THE MONIES.
PROPOSED ESTRELLA FIRE STATION
This is the land we believe is be where Station 186 would be built.
It's located on South Willis Road just northeast of the South Rainbow Valley Road intersection.
This is the land we believe is be where Station 186 would be built.
It's located on South Willis Road just northeast of the South Rainbow Valley Road intersection.
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WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
In January, the Goodyear fire chief asked city council for a study to see if the need is "now" for building additional fire stations, if the planned locations are appropriate, and for a review of response times and standards for fire service. The request for a study received mixed reviews from council.
~COMMENTS IN FAVOR OF A STUDY~
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Vice Mayor Sheri Lauritano, who lives in Estrella, has concerns about the redundancy in mutual aid and said she thought a study would be good and wanted the study to include police service as the last study was conducted in 2008, a time when Goodyear was seeing exploding growth.
We are getting a lot of medical calls.. and they say, ‘This might be a way to go’… I don’t know what the calls specifically are. But, I think the more information we get if we’re going to study it - let’s study it once - and get a plan because I know fire stations don’t magically appear in six months. We need some sort of plan in place as we grow.” ~Vice Mayor Sheri Lauritano |
~COMMENTS AGAINST A STUDY~
We know our police chief and our fire chief could want to say, ‘We need more,’ because we have allowed growth to occur in the pattern that we have and try to serve the community. So my concern is this report that we’re now going to PAY for - and I’m gonna tell you right now is going to be $50,000 and will police will be $65,000 to pay to have this report done - and it comes back and tells us that we’re ‘very short’ - what are we going to do then? Not that we don’t want to ask the question because we’re afraid of what the answer is, but we have to be prepared that intuitively we all know that we’re short and we all see the financial picture particularly as it’s laid out in the CIP that we’re not even talking about having, um, the development money till the early ’20’s… those could be five years too late," finalizes Councilmember Bill Stipp.
KICKING THE CAN
The original time frame for the study was outlined by Councilmember Osborne.
By the time this is all completed, all the triggers could be met or exceeded.
At last night's meeting, the city manager announced the taxpayer funded study is underway and will be completed in October 2016.
After that, the results will be reviewed with council members. The rest of the timeline is unknown. However, Councilmember Osborne stated last night that the city is planning for what's about to occur in Estrella by setting aside operating costs for a new station. And as the city goes into the next budget planning session for FY18, fire service will be discussed.
Earlier this year, Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord pointed out the council and city staff need find a "balance" in the budget.
- A year for the study
- A year to design the stations
- 18 months to train staff and get them on board
By the time this is all completed, all the triggers could be met or exceeded.
At last night's meeting, the city manager announced the taxpayer funded study is underway and will be completed in October 2016.
After that, the results will be reviewed with council members. The rest of the timeline is unknown. However, Councilmember Osborne stated last night that the city is planning for what's about to occur in Estrella by setting aside operating costs for a new station. And as the city goes into the next budget planning session for FY18, fire service will be discussed.
Earlier this year, Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord pointed out the council and city staff need find a "balance" in the budget.
What a shame we didn’t partner with Buckeye on a fire station.” ~Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord
Mayor Lord is right on the money. The City of Goodyear is known for - and has been recognized for - its ability to partner with other cities and agencies to make great things happen here.
This is a very difficult, difficult situation to make decisions on.” ~Mayor Georgia Lord
WE WANT PARKS! WE WANT PARKS! WE WANT PARKS!
In January of this year, as well, Goodyear released the results of its citizen survey. (We just happened to cover that information, too, here.) Residents list parks as the #1 important program in which they feel should be funded. So GUESS WHAT!?! Council will make it happen. (They also announced a nifty new hashtag, #thegoodingoodyear, which has been used a handful of times by the city. We actually like it and wish they'd use it more.)
Did we point out the next election cycle is just starting? It certainly felt like it during last night's meeting.
Did we point out the next election cycle is just starting? It certainly felt like it during last night's meeting.
The City of Goodyear approved a tentative budget in May which raises spending $18 million over last year’s budget. (Goodyear’s FY-17 budget is a whopping $254 million.)
A long-term capital improvement plan reveals a timeline for a new park, starting with a site plan to be completed in the next year for a 100-acre parcel at Yuma Road and Estrella Parkway. The timeline indicates that a recreation center could open in fiscal year 2020, with an aquatics center and 30-acre park opening in fiscal year 2021.The funding for the park is part of a draft 10-year $361.6 million capital improvement plan that includes two new fire stations, expansion of the police operations center, street improvements and water and sewer projects.” ~West Valley View
We dug further. Goodyear lists “Capital Project Highlights for FY-17” as “Planning for park, recreation center, and aquatics facility.” Fire stations are not “highlights” but are listed as “Supplementals” for anticipated operating costs set-aside for expected new programs.
Bigger budgets mean more money. More money for the city comes out of our pockets. It should come as no surprise, then, that Goodyear had a Truth in Taxation Hearing - Notice of Tax Increase last night, as well.
Yes. You're paying more and not getting a fire station this year.
We're asking for fire service over swing sets.
Yes. You're paying more and not getting a fire station this year.
We're asking for fire service over swing sets.
THE PETITION - RESIDENTS VOICE THEIR CONCERNS
301 people signed our petition in four days letting our city lawmakers know we want a fire station in our community before they give the go ahead to building more communities after triggers and thresholds are already met. Law makers did NOT listen.
*LINK TO PETITION HERE
*LINK TO PETITION HERE
THE VOTE TO APPROVE LUCERO WAS UNANIMOUS
Council members mentioning fire service needs were Vice Mayor Lauritano, Councilmember Osborne, Councilmember Campbell, and Mayor Lord. Councilmembers Stipp, Pizzillo, and Hohman made no comment regarding fire service during the Lucero discussion.
Those who commented on fire services assured residents they are working with partners to make fire stations happen and that they take fire service seriously.
Council members mentioning fire service needs were Vice Mayor Lauritano, Councilmember Osborne, Councilmember Campbell, and Mayor Lord. Councilmembers Stipp, Pizzillo, and Hohman made no comment regarding fire service during the Lucero discussion.
Those who commented on fire services assured residents they are working with partners to make fire stations happen and that they take fire service seriously.
Without opening a can of worms, because we are not noticed for that… I believe we work very well with Estrella for the last - probably since the 80’s - and we are really good partners with them,” said Vice Mayor Lauritano who also lives in Estrella.
The "can of worms" reference was made in relation to several online social media discussions this week in which the Vice Mayor claimed our information was incorrect... but she wouldn't tell us which statements were inaccurate. And from what we heard last night, it appears we have been providing accurate information all along. A solid developer agreement is NOT currently in place, but is now being discussed since we've brought it to the city's attention.
OUR TWO CENTS
I personally invite all members of the Goodyear City Council to drive through our community, north to south, to see just how long it takes to get from Star Tower - where the proposed Lucero community is to be built - to CantaMia. Be sure to swing over to F.I.N.S. and don’t forget to observe stop signs and lights. Or… just start at our current fire station and drive to the back of CantaMia. If you can’t make it in 5-8 minutes… neither can our first responders.
Finally, this should be an eye opener to residents. The media is no longer covering the West Valley as it used to. If we don’t follow what’s happening, our lawmakers will continue on this path. It takes voices to make change and suggestion. It takes time to build relationships and collaborations. Go to meetings, watch them online, or find ways to follow what’s happening in our community. Our future generations will thank us.
I am STILL waiting for my public records request to be delivered. (Seriously concerned how much this is going to cost as the city has a rate of $28 an hour!!!!) I'm specifically interested in response times to the Harman's house which burned down on Easter morning and wanting to know about two other developer agreements for West Goodyear. I'll keep you posted.
Finally, this should be an eye opener to residents. The media is no longer covering the West Valley as it used to. If we don’t follow what’s happening, our lawmakers will continue on this path. It takes voices to make change and suggestion. It takes time to build relationships and collaborations. Go to meetings, watch them online, or find ways to follow what’s happening in our community. Our future generations will thank us.
I am STILL waiting for my public records request to be delivered. (Seriously concerned how much this is going to cost as the city has a rate of $28 an hour!!!!) I'm specifically interested in response times to the Harman's house which burned down on Easter morning and wanting to know about two other developer agreements for West Goodyear. I'll keep you posted.
