City correspondence with WLFD

Response from the West Liberty City Council Meeting from May 17, 2022

May 18, 2022- Thanks to previous discussion the City Council decided to move forward by approving the following items to be released to the public during Regular City Council Meeting:

-The Consultant’s Review of the Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of West Liberty and the West Liberty Fire and Emergency Services Association

-The drafted 28E Agreement between City and The West Liberty Fire Board of Trustees

Previous discussion included a work session prior to the Regular City Council meeting to review the proposed MOU 28E Agreement from the West Liberty Fire and EMS Association on 04/18/22 and additional information from Chair Dana Dominguez of the Public Safety Committee.

The discussion included the proposed MOU 28E Agreement, Callahan Consulting Report, Draft 28 E Agreement dated 03-31-2022 and City of Baxter current 28 E Agreement for discussion.

The City Council asked City Staff to provide the documents to the West Liberty Fire Volunteer Members, allowing them an opportunity to review the information as a starting point of negotiations towards a mutual resolution.

The City Council is attempting to expedite a resolution prior to the threat of the Fire Department Volunteers resigning on June 3, 2022. However, meeting this demand is not permittable as the Callahan Municipal Report identifies concerning and non-compliance asks by the association in the proposed agreement.

The City Council is asking the West Liberty Fire Volunteer Members and Public to please read the report and draft 28E Agreement above and be open to the information in order to move towards negotiations for a resolution that encompasses a mutual agreement between all parties.

City Council holds special closed session meeting

May 13, 2022- The West Liberty City Council held a special meeting with a closed session on Thursday, May 12, to continue the review of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the West Liberty Fire and Emergency Services Association.

Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5 (1)(c), The Council went into closed session to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the government body in that litigation.

No decision was made.

There will be a work session on Tuesday, May 17, before the regular city council meeting where the Safety Committee will provide a presentation, review, and recommendation for the proposed MOU.

City Response to Public Safety Meeting

April 28, 2022- The Public Safety Committee held a meeting on 4/26/2022 with Mayor McCullough leading the discussion. The Public Safety Committee, Council Member Dominguez and Martinez worked through questions and asked to set a time line to stay diligent to progress towards resolution.

The City appreciates the extension agreed upon by the Volunteers of the West Liberty Fire Department. The Public Safety Committee will provide a update and discussion to the entire Council on May 3 , 2022.

The City will openly discuss what is permitted as there still litigation in place, but the City as always remains committed in a resolution and participation in a successful outcome for all.

West Liberty Fire & Ambulance Facebook Post

April 28, 2022- Hello West Liberty and surrounding communities from the Fire Chief. I reach out to everyone today as there has been some progress made with negotiations with the City of West Liberty in regards to our proposed 28E Agency agreement.
A work session was held on 4/26/22 to discuss the establishment of an external 28E agency. This work session was a start of continued discussions that will be necessary to move forward.
Madame Mayor Katie McCullough has worked very diligently to get the necessary parties together and start working on a formal plan. Her commitment to the community and efforts to open lines of communication has been greatly appreciated. Many kudos to Mayoress McCullough for taking her valuable time and effort to meet with our Volunteer Fire Department last night after the work session to try and ease concerns, answer questions, and explain potential intentions to move the process forward.
While we are happy to see an increase in communication, there is still a lot of work and negotiations to be completed. With that in mind the department has decided to extend the deadline of service until June 3rd 2022. This extension was requested by Mayoress McCullough and in the spirit of resolution, we have agreed.
We again thank the community for their continued support and hope that you would still positively ask the council members to support this effort! Let’s keep running toward this emergency–just as our volunteer department does every time that pager goes off– and not away! We can get there and put out this frustrating fire!

Response to correspondence sent by members of the WLFD

April 13, 2022– We have reviewed a letter from April 7, 2022 (received by the City on April 11) by members of the West Liberty & Rural Townships Fire & EMS Association (furthermore known in this statement as “the Association”). The Association’s letter has now been provided to various media and social media outlets.

The letter contains substantive allegations that the City deems to be either wrong or wholly unfounded. The dispute regarding the roles and responsibilities of the Rural Fire District and the City, which includes the West Liberty Fire Department in the suit, is currently pending in Iowa District Court. The City is confident that there will be a successful outcome for the West Liberty and Rural Community.

We are not able to go into details regarding the Rural Fire District’s allegations due to the pending litigation; however, we can assure you that the City remains committed to participation in formal mediation, where the parties sit down with a third-party neutral mediator in an attempt to reach a resolution to the dispute.

It is our sincerest hope that the Rural Fire District agrees to such participation, amicably resolving the pending dispute between all involved parties. The City remains willing to mediate the matter over the next three weeks.

If an agreement cannot be reached and the Rural Fire District Association volunteer members follow through with their formal resignation, the City remains committed to providing emergency services within the City limits and rural community and is exploring options for alternate fire and EMS protection services, despite our wishes to agree upon a resolution with all involved parties.

The City remains dedicated to the safety and security of ALL of our citizens.

Links

 

PDF of Official City Response

Original Letter Sent to City and Media Outlets by WLFD