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Step 2: Evaluate likely comparables for IAFF merged contract. <br /> If feasible, continue to Step 3. <br /> If not feasible, stop and develop strategy to separate. <br /> <br /> Step 3: Obtain a merged contract for represented general service employees currently <br />represented by AFSCME (Eugene) and SEIU (Springfield). <br />Complete Step 3 and continue to Step 4. State statute provides for a process to resolve <br />this step if the policy decision is made to move forward. <br /> <br /> Step 4: Cities evaluate governance models and select preferred model. <br /> If cities agree, merge fire service organization under new governance model. <br /> If cities cannot agree, stop and develop strategy to separate. <br /> <br />Chief Groves anticipated he would make a recommendation to the two councils about steps 1 and 2 by <br />January 2012, and about steps 3 and 4 sometime in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy solicited council comments and questions. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz requested input from City Manager Jon Ruiz. City Manager Ruiz believed the merger could be <br />accomplished and he supported the chief’s efforts. He was open to all options, including a special district. <br />His concerns were that the merger work financially and operationally and result in great service to the <br />community. He had no doubt about the quality of the service or the operational elements of the merger <br />but continued to have concerns about the economics of the merger. City Manager Ruiz emphasized the <br />importance of union support. He hoped to return to the council soon with a policy discussion of the next <br />steps. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Ortiz about purchasing, Chief Groves anticipated the department <br />would have a centralized purchasing function at some future point. Since the merger the department had <br />learned that Eugene had received a better break on EMS supplies than Springfield because of the <br />economies of scale, and since the merger the department had found a supplier that saved both cities more <br />money. He believed that the department would find additional efficiencies in the future. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz advocated for standardization of medical practices and purchases for providers throughout the <br />entire county, not just the two cities. She said the smaller rural fire districts lacked the manpower and <br />ability to do the type of research the two cities could do regarding current practices and hoped the <br />department was able to assist those districts, which would save money for both them and the patients they <br />served. Chief Groves agreed. He said that such practices both saved money and improved the <br />department’s field utility. He added that what Ms. Ortiz described was the department’s goal for the <br />future. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz was glad to hear of the cross-training that was occurring and supported the decision points <br />identified in the Agenda Item Summary provided to the council. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy observed that it would be good to hear the City union’s input. Chief Groves reported that <br />representatives of the union had planned to be present but the item conflicted with an emergency exercise. <br />Mayor Piercy said that the reaction she heard from individuals had been very positive to this point, and <br />she encouraged staff to continue to check in with the wider public in both communities to determine their <br />understanding of the merger and identify their information needs. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy liked the idea that fire stations would be destination places. <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council October 26, 2011 Page 4 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />