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Extraído del Informe Consolidado

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San Mateo County Grand Jury • 2017-2018

Menlo Park Fire Protection District: Ready for Growth?

Published: February 14, 2017 106 pages Consolidated Report
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Findings 19 findings

F1
The District has operated without a multiyear strategic plan since 2010.
F2
The District’s Board of Directors established and authorized a Strategic Planning Committee in 2011. However, during the subsequent six-year period, 2012-2017, the committee met only sporadically and failed to submit a strategic plan to the Board.
F3
The District's deployment system meets the District's current demands but is becoming strained, especially east of Highway 101.
F4
The District’s Board, despite repeated attempts, has not taken necessary steps to create a strategic plan since 2009.
F5
The District would benefit from developing a strategic plan and the associated financial analysis that would demonstrate whether or not future property tax revenues will be sufficient to fund the increasing needs of the District resulting from serving the new developments in the District. Property Acquisitions
F6
The Citygate report, commissioned and accepted by the Board in February 2017, recommended searching for an acceptable parcel to relocate Station 3 before making a final decision regarding the best location for Station 3 and 5.
F7
Notwithstanding the Citygate recommendation to move Station 3, the District purchased the residence adjacent to Station 3 in Atherton reportedly to eventually expand the station.
F8
In February 2017 the Board directed the fire chief to use data from the Citygate report to create an updated fire station location and land acquisition plan encompassing the entire District. As of the date of this report, no such plan has been presented to the Board. Letter from Atherton Mayor Mike Lempres to Menlo Park Fire Protection President Peter Carpenter, April 5, 2017. http://www.ci.atherton.ca.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2491 142 Menlo Park Fire Protection District Correspondence to City of Menlo Park Planning Commission Members, General Plan Updated and EIR/FIA Comments, October 19, 2016, 152-158. https://www.menlopark.org/DocumentCenter/View/12320/G1---Connect-Menlo-General-Plan 143 Kevin Kelly,” Menlo Park Fire District to Seek Impact Fees from Developers, not Cities,” The Mercury News, May 19, 2017. https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/05/19/menlo-park-fire-district-to-seek-impact-fees-from-developers-not- cities/. 144 “May 16, 2017 Board Meeting,” You Tube video, 1:35:05, Posted by Menlo Park Fire Protection District, published on May 17, 2017. Begin viewing at time stamp 1:36:51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jHDq8_JeDI&t=7428s 145 California Special Districts Association, “Special District Reserve Guidelines,” 2013, 9. http://www.californiacityfinance.com/2013_csda_reserve_guidelines_special%20districts.pdf -24-
F9
From October 2017 to March 2018, the District spent $21.9 million to purchase five separate properties without a comprehensive District-wide land acquisition and station location plan or review by the Strategic Planning Committee. Impact Fees
F10
Developments planned and approved for the area east of Highway 101 in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, and in unincorporated County areas, will substantially affect District operations, requiring additional personnel, facilities, and equipment to meet increasing demands for service.
F11
Approved and planned development in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, and unincorporated County areas will have negative impacts on District operational performance as attendant congestion lengthens response time to emergencies.
F12
In the absence of a strategic plan, associated financial analysis, and land acquisition plan, the District has not demonstrated to the constituent jurisdictions of Atherton, Menlo Park, Redwood City, and the County of San Mateo that the District’s financial resources will be inadequate to address the anticipated demand for District services. As a result, the District was unable to persuade constituent jurisdictions to adopt impact fees on new residential and commercial developments to fund District operations. Donations
F13
The District has solicited and received donations of cash from Facebook.
F14
By accepting donations from Facebook, which is subject to inspection and regulation by District personnel, the District has created the possible appearance of favorable treatment or disparate application of rules and laws.
F15
The District exercises code enforcement powers and reviews the construction plans of businesses located within its boundaries. Accepting donations of cash and services from these businesses can create the appearance of favorable treatment or disparate application of rules and laws. Accreditation
F16
The District acknowledged the value of accreditation in 2011 and set its attainment as a goal every year since. However, it has not progressed beyond the first phase of the accreditation process since 2011.
F17
The District’s management and governance structure has not demonstrated the ability to balance competing ongoing emergency response responsibilities with administrative and planning functions. This has been an impediment to completing a strategic plan and achieving accreditation. District Identity
F18
The title “Menlo Park Fire Protection District” could lead some residents to conclude erroneously that the fire agency is a function of Menlo Park City government and is under the direction and control of the city.
F19
The District website does not contain a description of its status as an independent Special District, or its structure of governance as an independent Special District under California law. -25-

Recommendations 10