It’s amazing to hear such a large and ever-growing community, such as The City of Sammamish and it’s Council Members would consider breaking their own and publicly duly noted campaign promises in an attempt to fool knowledgeable taxpayers who voted their Officials into office.  Some of these Council Members are seeking to re-election on November 5, 2013.  The residents clearly stated openly how their City Council has broken their trust and demanded they fix the internal problems they created all on their own.

In addition, they are being accused of wrongly breaking the Open Public Meetings Act which can hold Council Members criminally for their actions if found guilty of such charge.

The Issue.

The City of Sammamish Council members have been for years up in arms with their current fire service that is a Partnership or as also known as a Joint Fire Department for the organizaion “Eastside Fire & Rescue.”  This Partnership is made up of three City entities (North Bend, Issaquah and Sammamish) and two Fire Districts (#10 & 38).  

The City cites the issue at hand is clear:  “this is a “financial issue” not a “service issue” but some feel it is just a ploy to get a better rate in midst of their negotiations on the funding model.  In order to get EF&R’s attention, they have decided to take the low road riling up residents with unwarranted tactics.  If you want to get re-elected, this is one action as an elected Official NOT to do as it has created public distrust and angered voters.

While the City of Sammamish residents have been provided with the best Fire and EMS tax dollars it can buy, they have had no clue Council members have been meeting behind closed doors with their dismay for those who Govern and run EF&R, causing undue stress and anger across the board with their voters.

Recently, residents, firefighters and supporters of EF&R have received word the City has been to put in nice words, unhappy with their Partnership citing tension between the two since they requested a change in the funding model, as well as not caving into requests to annex as a Fire District or as a Regional Fire Authority agency.  Each time it is recommended, it is rejected saying it could cost their taxpayers hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in cost.  Something they are unwilling to accept, citing they are there to protect the Citizens’ best interest.

Allegations Surfacing on Both Sides.

The City of Sammamish Council Members.

The City states they have been unhappy since 2006 with their Fire Services.  They state in published documents on their website, how  they have been “pressured” by two Fire Districts to annex as a Fire District and later by a Regional Fire Authority (their funding model would be unfavorable to taxpayers).  Each time they turned down requests to move to either structure, demonstrating the increased costs to their residents.

In good faith, they had hoped by signing the new contract in 2007 it would stop the requests for them to annex, but it was taken lightly with no actions taken.  A clause was written in the ILA to help assess increasing costs.  The City reportedly found this clause to be ignored.

However, Council Members have forgotten a few things a long the way, like that there is a law that states,

“The legislature finds and declares that all public commissions, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, departments, divisions, offices, and all other public agencies of this state and subdivisions thereof exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of this chapter that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly.

The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.”

This law is very clear in how ALL Council meetings and discussions need to be OPEN to all residents.  All business must be clear, concise and communicated specifically to the public; all meetings including private emails or any other private meetings must be open to the Public.  It appears the Council has failed its residents in many ways, causing a heated one-way discussion with the City.

The City has failed its taxpayers and soon-to-be voters in many ways on this Issue.

  • On December 6, 2011, The City had already begun to make adjustments in their 2012 Budget when they increased it by $50,000 for a future Fire Services Eval expense. 
  • The City has spoken several times on the Budget but it is unclear from a layman’s viewpoint that the $50,000 was to be for a Fire Study to evaluate their current Fire Services contract and planning for a major future decision.
  • A newly created Technical Advisory Board (TAB) was formed on February 7, 2012, with three former Council Members.  TAB Members stated they are qualified for the tasks at hand as they were all former City Council Members, former EF&R Board Members with experience/service in a Regional and National Associations with focus on Municipalities. They state their professional experience includes: Finance, Accounting in private sector and one being a former Career Fire Chief.
  • A second possible violation of the OPMA law is when the Council tasked them with seeking a Consultant to find alternative avenues for their Fire Services  to renegotiate their EF&R ILA for a better rate. 
  • TAB members were tasked alongside of the Approved Consultant upon recommendation of the TAB Committee as being charged (or directed) with analyzing the status quo along with other options including modifying the current ILA Funding & governance policies, creating a Sammamish Fire Department or contracting with another agency to provide Fire Service to the community.
  • TAB was tasked with the following goals:  Review EF&R’s current finances and current funding model & suggestions for alternative models, review of fire & EMS Operations, as well as of fire & EMS provided in similarly situated Western Washington Cities.  Review of alternative operations for City Fire & EMS – investigation of providing Fire & EMS. TAB reviewed and recommended the Consultant FCS Group and $50,000 consultant fee approved.
  • Clearly, the City of Sammamish had been having problems with EF&R for the longest time but lately, they began conducting their own discussions without public comment angering many residents and breaking public trust.  Some have even wondered if they should be re-elected.

The Firefighters Union.

  • Firefighters have been providing Fire Services with City of Sammamish since they were added to the Interlocal Agency Agreement in 2000.
  • Though the City has admitted their relationship with EF&R has been long and difficult, residents are very happy with the great service and professionalism firefighters have provided to their Community.
  • Through many requests from the City for the Consultant’s report as to why the City has decided to make a recommendation about terminating their Fire Services, they can’t understand why a large City can make such a decision without first having the report completed, their response and the public’s input.  They finally received the report only two weekend (Saturday & Sunday) days prior to the Monday, October 14th meeting.  
  • A City run standalone Fire Department with bare bones services puts residents at risk, as well as firefighter safety.  It will not be successful and they are willing to fight for what the citizens desire in having the best of the best Fire Department for a great and reasonable price.  The City has been presented with verification of this from past Consultants.

The People Have Spoken.

We attended the Special Session Council Meeting on October 29th and we must say that the City of Sammamish’s City Council definitely heard an earful of comments; not even one of them suggested to terminate their Partnership with EF&R.  

The City Council Chambers was standing room only and there were over thirty speakers who had no problem sharing their dissatisfaction for the Council and what they are doing to pull their Fire Department apart and without their say-so.

The Residents Speak in Large Volumes.

Laverne, long time City resident states:  “We have a Fire Department.  We don’t need a new one.  Don’t need to fix something that isn’t broken.”

“We got to vote on a hole in the ground for the Community Center. Lots of public comments submitted than any other time.  For this Fire Services issue – we have been clearly in the dark.” – John B. (long-time resident) says, “I’m the one who poses a lot of hard questions to the City.”  

Ted L., a Retired Coast Guard Flight First Responder for 34 years and resident & President of Timberline Ridge Association.  “Provide a more cost effective plan.  This Fire Department could be potentially more costly.  Training must be on-going, not a one-time thing.  There are many flaws in this decision.”

Mike R., Sammamish resident and also speaking on behalf of his dual role in the Community.  He is the Emergency Management Coordinator for South King Co. (OEM)  “Regional resources should be priority and to work together effectively.”

“A letter from the Firefighters Union’s Attorney to the City Council states that there have been some OMPA violations causing trust and betrayal to the citizens of Sammamish.  The City has wasted $150,000 of taxpayer dollars.  There have been three City insiders and zero EF&R, firefighter or public comment allowed on this issue.”  Dean, Sammamish resident and Vice-President of the Firefighters Association.

One Sammamish resident had a great idea proposed to the City Council:

“There has been a breakdown in Communications.  Find a Professional  Mediator and allow a cool-down period of three, nine or twelve months before making this decision.  You (City Council) owe it to the citizens.  Simple negotiations just aren’t working. ”  Scott H., a Sammamish resident.

Kristen M, a Sammamish resident pointed out that the 2014 Budget is for only two stations when there are actually three (3rd one in Klahanie).  “It appears to be for a two-station budget similar to Mercer Island.”

“You have asked for multiple studies which is not us asking for them.  This is a waste of taxpayer money. Can’t put a price tag on saving lives.” – Kim T., Sammamish Resident.

Firefighters Fight to Save their Department, Contract.

“There has been lack of Public Comment.  Firefighters appreciate the comments about being professional and best customer service.  A standalone Fire Department cannot be successful without Battalion Chiefs, Public Education, Fire Training (on-going), Volunteers and Mutual Aid, all of which you have cut out of the barebones Fire Services Department.  The comment about ‘being a better if not greater City Fire Department than currently cannot work if the City you are taking from the City will put the Citizens at risk. ”  – Eastside Fire Fighters Local #2878 President Jon Wiseman.

Chris E., Sammamish Resident and Volunteer Firefighter says, “City of Sammamish wants to have their own Fire Department like Mercer Island without any volunteers.  This would stop him from being involved in the Community, something he has done for many years.”

“I am a 3rd Generation Career Firefighter with my nephew as a 4th Generation and am with Station #74 with District #10.  Facts:  Page 5, Paragraph 2 of the Presentation states ‘No Battalion Chiefs.  No Training Officers.  Not cost effective. This has been verified in the past by a EF&R Fire Chief whom is also a Sammamish resident.” – Jeff M., Lifetime Plateau resident & 3rd Generation Career Firefighter with  Station #74 (Fire District #10_

The City Council’s Response.

“We have really tried to work things out but our Council members are beyond frustrated.” – Mayor Tom Odell (at end of public comment)

Though the bickering has gone back and forth over the years, the People have literally spoken and the process is not quite over yet.  Additional meetings will be held on November 5 and November 12, 2013, in Council Chambers.  Those whom have interest in their Fire Service, whether a resident, firefighter or someone whom supports them are strongly encouraged to attend each meeting.

New Developments Arise.

As of today, the Firefighters Union offered to pay for a Professional Mediator to help with the dispute within EF&R and in attempt to save their contract with the City of Sammamish.  There has been a long dispute between Sammamish and Issaquah and this is to help the two Cities resolve their issues.  

Both Cities need to work out a workable solutions to the funding model which Sammamish is unacceptable as they are paying more according to their own funding calculations.  

Issaquah is due to vote on the funding issue on November 4 and Sammamish will be on November 5. If the funding model is not agreed upon by all parties, then Sammamish will be terminating their Partnership.

Get Involved.  Stand Up.  State Your Case.

Can’t make it to the next Council meeting on November 5th?  Contact your Sammmamish Councilmember by email.  

Tom Odell (Mayor) – todell@sammamish.us 

Nancy Whitten – nwhitten@sammamish.us

John James – jjames@sammamish.us

Don Gerend – dgerend@sammamish.us

John Curley – jcurley@sammamish.us

Tom Vance – tvance@sammamish.us

Romiro Valderrama – rvalderrama-aramayo@sammamish.us

Unable to attend the Issaquah Council Meeting?  Contact your Councilmember by email:

Ava Frisinger (Mayor) – mayor@issaquahwa.gov 

Eileen Barber – eileenb@issaquahwa.gov

Fred Butler – fredb@issaquahwa.gov

Joe Forkner – joef@issaquahwa.gov

Stacy Goodman – stacyg@issaquahwa.gov

Tola Marts – tolam@issaquahwa.gov

Joshua Schaer – joshuas@issaquahwa.gov

Paul Winterstein – paulw@issaquahwa.gov

Don’t Forget to Vote on November 5!

Voters all across the United States and in our communities around the State to decide what’s important on ballots and Sammamish has several Councilmembers asking to be re-elected to their Seats.  Please vote for whom you’ll think will make a good decision on “all” services.  There is so much at stake.

We will be reporting more information on this issue as it arrives.

Do you have a comment on this article or a story you’d like to share with us? Please drop us a comment here or you may contact us at nwfireblog@comcast.net.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this article and we hope to provide you all with an update after next week’s City Council Meeting.

(c) 2013 The NW Fire Blog