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Ms. Ortiz was pleased there was a commitment to continue investigations into mass purchasing strategies <br />for equipment with respect to the functional consolidation plans. Chief Groves added that he hoped that <br />the functional consolidation process would result in a standardization of specifications for all equipment <br />being used throughout the two jurisdictions. <br />Chief Groves believed that the jurisdictions of Eugene and Springfield were better situated to consolidate <br />than they had ever been before, primarily because of the success of the Three-Battalion System. He noted <br />that the system had fostered an increased understanding and respect for the relationship between the two <br />jurisdictions and had indicated ways in which a merged system would continue to provide exceptional life <br />safety and emergency response services. <br />Mr. Ruiz noted that more detailed examinations into how the various governance, technical and <br />administrative processes of the Eugene and Springfield organizations related to one another would occur <br />as the functional consolidation process for the fire departments progressed. <br />Chief Groves responding to Mr. Ruiz's comment, noted that the functional consolidation process <br />represented numerous opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between Eugene and Springfield. <br />Mr. Zelenka hoped that the proposed functional consolidation might be performed under the metro- <br />governance model rather than a special purpose district. Mr. Zelenka worried that a special district might <br />compete with other demands on Eugene's general fund. <br />Mr. Zelenka felt that more public input regarding the proposed functional consolidation was needed as <br />many members of the community had only just recently become engaged with the functional <br />consolidation process. <br />Mr. Zelenka hoped that any problems involved with ambulance funding would be solved before the <br />functional consolidation process for the fire departments moved forward. <br />Chief Groves responded to Mr. Zelenka's comments and noted that the Ambulance Transport System <br />Joint Elected Officials Task Force conducted a series of nine public forums during which it was <br />determined that the merger proposal was a higher priority than the ambulance funding concerns. He <br />noted that other public engagement events had yielded similar findings. <br />Ms. Piercy recognized the need for further public input regarding the proposed functional consolidation <br />and noted that the public's feedback would continue to be heard and carefully considered. <br />Mr. Pryor briefly discussed the various methods in which a consolidated fire department might be funded. <br />Mr. Pryor asked for greater clarification regarding the manner in which a special purpose district for a <br />consolidated fire department might be funded. Chief Groves responded that the funding for a special <br />purpose district would primarily come from a shifting of Eugene and Springfield’s funding resources <br />rather than from tax increases. He briefly described a funding example that had been provided by ESCI <br />with respect to a special district that had been formed in Clackamas County. <br />Mr. Pryor assumed that a consolidated fire department would utilize a funding structure based on the <br />populations of the Eugene/Springfield service areas. <br />Chief Groves briefly commented on how Eugene’s Fire/EMS Department already provided fire and <br />rescue protection to five contract areas while the Springfield FLS division provided service to three <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council January 20, 2010 Page 6 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />