Public safety items highlight Council agenda
Agreements for an Urban Search and Rescue trailer and a whitewater rescue boat, plus an update on the police station are on the Merced City Council agenda for Monday night.
The regular City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Merced Civic Center, (City Hall), 678 W. 18th St.
The Merced Fire Department has staff trained in urban search and rescue techniques where they can recover people from buildings that have collapsed from earthquakes, explosions or other disasters. Council is being asked to approve an agreement with the California Office of Emergency Services to accept a trailer and specialized equipment to help the Department fulfill that rescue mission.
The Merced Fire Department also is extensively trained in white water rescue techniques, to pluck people who have gotten themselves in trouble in local creeks, rivers or other waterways. Council is being asked to enter into an agreement with Merced County to temporarily transfer a Zodiac boat, outboard engine and trailer from the Sheriff's Office to the Fire Department. In exchange, the City agrees to provide rescue services in the City and the County.
Staff will also provide an update to Council on progress moving forward with a ballot measure in November 2018 to fund the building of a police station, fire station and fleet shop.
The Council will meet at 5 p.m. to discuss existing litigation and to hold a study session on water.
City Council meetings are streamed live on the Internet. A link to the live meeting is on the City's web site at https://cityofmerced.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Videos of previous meetings can be found at that link, and are tied to each agenda item. Those services are in addition to the live broadcast of the regular meeting on Comcast's Government Channel 96.
The Council agenda is posted online at www.cityofmerced.org and is available outside the chambers prior to the meeting. Request to Speak forms are available at the meeting or can be downloaded from the City's website. Cards must be turned in to the City Clerk in order for a person to be recognized by the Council.