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Home My WebLink About2005 08 08 EXEMPTION Regular Item 507- Muscular Dystropy Assoc request to poicy change for soliciting for charitable orgs. City of Winter Springs Regular Commission Meeting August 8, 2005 Regular Agenda Item 507 COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM 507 CONSENT INFORMATIONAL PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR / x Meeting Authorization August 8, 2005 REQUEST: The City Manager requesting the City Commission to deny the request from the Muscular Dystrophy Association to change City Policy prohibiting City employees from soliciting for charitable organizations on duty and at street intersections. PURPOSE: This agenda item is needed to respond to MDA's request to allow on duty fire employees to solicit funds for MDA at intersections within the City. CONSIDERATIONS: . Community, religious, political and charitable groups rely upon donations and collections to further their cause and to provide relief from an array of circumstances. Typically these agencies rely upon the donation of volunteers. . MDA and the City's Fire Union are again requesting the Commission to abandon its policy and allow on duty firefighters to solicit MDA donations at intersections in the City. The City desires to see these agencies prosper in their individual causes and applaud the efforts of off duty employees for participating in these events. However, the City's policy prohibits City employees from soliciting for charitable causes during work hours for several reasons as follows: .:. By allowing one group of employees to work on-duty for one cause and not another would be unfair to the employees who could not participate in the assistance of the relief agency of their choice. For these reasons it is better that the City not get involved with one agency but to encourage employees to volunteer their off-duty time to the charity of their choice. City of Winter Springs Regular Commission Meeting August 8, 2005 Regular Agenda Item 507 .:. Allowing on-duty collection by City Employees may delay the ability of the City to provide services to the citizens who expect prompt delivery of services especially in emergencIes. .:. Finally, safety is the foremost consideration of employee's and for citizens alike. The City Police and Fire Chief s are opposed to collection at intersections by any group because of vehicular traffic and pedestrian safety. .:. The City currently allows on duty firefighters to solicit for MDA in the streets in front of City Fire Stations only. It allows off duty firefighters to solicit at intersections, Below is a list of current practices in Seminole county. Allows On Duty Collection Allows Allows On Street Collection Off Duty Collection Seminole County NO YES NO Altamonte Springs NO YES NO Sanford NO YES NO Oviedo NO NO NO Casselberry YES YES YES Lake Mary YES YES YES Longwood YES YES YES Winter Springs Allows On Duty Collection in Front of Fire Stations Only. Allows Off Duty Collection at Intersections. FUNDING: No additional funding is requested. City of Winter Springs Regular Commission Meeting August 8, 2005 Regular Agenda Item 507 RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the following: 1. That the City Commission rejects the request of MDA to allow on duty firefighters to solicit funds for MDA at intersections. 2. That the City Commission strongly consider amending its policy of allowing on duty firefighters to solicit funds in front of City Fire Stations and any other form of solicitation by any groups upon the roadway due to safety considerations for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic. 3. That the City Commission encourage off duty employees to collect at off street sites with the permission of the owner. IMPLEMENT A TION SCHEDULE: N/A A TT ACHMENTS: COMMISSION ACTION: Date: August 8, 2005 The following Documents were provided to the City Commission on August 8, 2005 during Regular Agenda Item "507". - a Winter Springs Professional Fire Fighters LA.F.F. LOCAL 3296 p.o. Box 196700 Winter Springs, Florida 32719-6700 JWle 25th 2005 Dear City Commissioners, This year we are setting our MDA Boot drive goal at $5000. Last year's hunic;mes were a difficult time for everyone and caused our boot drive to be cancelled on Labor Day weekend. This year we are doubling our efforts. We have adopted a local MDA ambassador by the name of Jesses Vela. Jesse is an 8 year old boy who lives right here in Winter Springs off of Moree Loop, In order to reach our goal we are asking for the following comiderations to assist in this year's collections. · Collection on three consecutive Friday's (Aug 19th, 26t\ and Sept 2nd) · Make up days as Saturdays · On duty collection at SR 434 at TuscawiIla and SR 434 at Moss Rd. · Boot display at first aid tent on July yd No response times would be jeopardized as these areas would be covered by their first response vehicles. As always safety would be our primary mission. Thank you for your consideration, Corey Gre;l} ~ ft'- WSp;r - .(~'.. L'd HOd..::! H~SE:h s~~c-/G-~ - HOW TO MAXINIIZE DONATIONS. ....SAFEL Y Safety . Safety Vests . Placement of Apparatus o Signage o Visibility o Response . Notify Others When Light Turns. Green . Placement of Personnel o Walk the Medians & Sidewalks o Saturation . 0 Timing . Hydration . Breaks . Sunscreen/Sunglasses . MDA has Winter Springs Firefighters listed as additional insured on insurance policy- $1 million coverage ,""-'" I CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE I OA TE (MM/OOIYY) I ACORD, ID:MDA 06/30/05 ! PRODUCER THIS CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED AS A MATTER OF INFORMATION i Milne Scali & Company ONL Y AND CONFERS NO RIGHTS UPON THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER. THIS CERTIFICATE DOES NOT AMEND, EXTEND OR l-SO East Glendale Avenue AL TER THE COVERAGE AFFORDED BY THE POLICIES BELOW. I ' loenix, AZ 85020-5505 INSURERS AFFORDING COVERAGE Phone: 602-395-9111 Fax: 602-371-4264 I INSURED INSURER A Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc. INSURER B 3300 East Sunrise Drive INSURER C Tucson, AZ 85718 INSURER 0: INSURER E COVERAGES THE POLICIES OF INSURANCE LISTED BELOW HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE INSURED NAMED ABOVE FOR THE POLICY PERIOD INDICATED NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REQUIREMENT, TERM OR CONDITION OF ANY CONTRACT OR OTHER DOCUMENT WITH RESPECT TO WHICH THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE ISSUED OR MAY PERTAIN, THE INSURANCE AFFORDED BY THE POLICIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO ALL THE TERMS, EXCLUSIONS, AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH POLICIES. AGGREGATE LIMITS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN REDUCED BY CLAIMS PAID '~;: TYPE OF INSURANCE POLICY NUMBER LIMITS I A GENERAL LIABILITY PHPK076182 04/01/04 04/01/05 EACH OCCURRENCE $ 1,000,000. f-- X COMMERCIAL GENERAL liABILITY FIRE DAMAGE (Anyone fire) $ 300,000. f-- =:J CLAIMS MADE G OCCUR MED EXP (Anyone person) $ 15,000 f-- PERSONAL & ADV INJURY $ 1,000,000. GENERAL AGGREGA TE $ 2,000,000, GEN'L AGGREGATE LIMIT APPLIES PER: PRODUCTS,COMPIOP AGG $ 2,000,000 POLICY I I PRO- I X I LOC JECT A.UTOMOBILE LIABILITY COMBINED SINGLE LIMIT $ - (Ea aCCIdent) ANY AUTO - ALL OWNED AUTOS BODILY INJURY $ - - (Per person) SCHEDULED AUTOS - HIRED AUTOS BODIL Y INJURY $ - (Per accident) NON-OWNED AUTOS PROPERTY DAMAGE $ (Per aCCIdent) GARAGE LIABILITY AUTO ON:Y-EA ACCIDENT $ ~ ANY AUTO OTHER THAN EA Ace AUTO ONLY AGG EXCESS LIABILITY EACH OCCURRENCE $ o CLAIMS MADE D OCCUR AGGREGATE $ ==1 DEDUCTIBLE RETENTION WORKERS COMPENSATION AND I we STATU, I I OTH- EMPLOYERS LIABILITY TORY LIMITS ER E.L EACH ACCIDENT $ EL DISEASE -EA EMPLOYEE $ EL. DISEASE POLICY LIMIT $ OTHER DESC RIPTION OF OPERA TIONS/LOCA TIONSNEHICLES/EXCLUSIONS ADDED BY ENDORSEMENT/SPECIAL PROVISIONS "The Certificate Holder is added as additional insured as respects their interest in the IAFF 3296 Winter Springs Boot Drive taking place on August 19 & 26, 2005 and September 2,2005 at Tusckawilla Road & SR 434 in Winter Springs FL." 'CANCELLATION EXCEPTION, 10 DAY NOTICE FOR NON PAY CERTIFICATE HOLDER I I ADDITIONAL INSURED; INSURER LETTER: CANCELLATION ,~ SHOULD ANY OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED POLICIES BE CANCELLED BEFORE THE EXPIRATRION 3r Springs Professional Fire Fighters Locak 3296 DATE THEREOF, THE ISSUING INSURER WILL ENDEAVOR TO MAIL "30 DAYS WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER TO THE LEFT, BUT FAILURE TO DO SO SHALL lv~4 Manigan Avenue IMPOSE NO OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY OF ANY KIND UPON THE INSURER, ITS AGENTS OR Oviedo, FL 32765 REPRESENTATIVES Contact; AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ~J~ t::J~~ ACO RD 25-S (7/97) @ACORD CORPORATION 1988 Differences in Off-Duty yersus On-Duty Collection Figures Comparable On-Duty Departments at Intersections Cocoa $8,801; 24 members on duty Fernandina Beach $3,800; 27 members on duty Key Biscayne $4087; 30 members on duty Lake City $8905; 30 members on duty Leesburg $4344; 43 members on duty Ocoee $14,395; 42 members on duty St. Augustine $5,740; 22 members on duty St. Petersburg Beach $5,090; 27 members on duty Winter Park $17,069; 40 members on duty Lake Mary $11,286; 30 members on duty TOTAL Raised $83,517 TOTAL l\-IEMBERS: 315 PER CAPITA $265 AVERAGE MEMBERS PER STATION: 31 MEMBERS On-Duty Departments NOT at Intersections Bonita Springs $1,500; 100 members .- East Manatee County $750; 30 members Palm Bay $1710; 130 members Ocala $4425; 91 members Winter Garden $1256; 25 members TOTAL Raised $9641 TOTAL MEMBERS: 376 PER CAPITA $25 AVERAGE lVIElVIBERS PER STATION: 75 MEMBERS Off-Duty Departments at Intersections East Naples $5,943; 75 members Ft. Myers $4,110; 800 members Lakeland $3974; 122 members Ormond Beach $500; 48 members Oviedo $1,375; 75 members Reedy Creek $3,000; 140 members Sanford $5469; 60 members TOTAL Raised $24,371 TOTAL MEMBERS: 1320 PER CAPITA $18.46 AVERAGE MEMBERS PER STATION: 188 MEMBERS - - CONCLUSION . The amount raised by departments that allowed their firefighters to go out on duty at intersections was: o 700/0 higher than those departments that did not allow on- duty collections even with 1005 more firefighters. o 880/0 higher than those departments that allowed their firefighters to go out on duty but limited their collections to grocery stores, in front of stations and at special events- no intersections- even with 61 more firefighters. - . The per capita of firefighters who collected on duty at intersections fat exceeded those who collected off duty at intersections or on duty at shopping centers.. o $265 on duty at intersections o $25 on duty at shopping centers o $18.46 off duty at intersections . Since 1996, Winter Springs Firefighters have collected $18,443 for MDA. Based on the above statistics, if the Winter Springs Firefighters were given permission to go out on-duty at intersections, they could raise the following: o 36 members x $265 (per capita of on duty at intersections) = $9,540 This is greater than half of what they have collected in 7 years! ,.-.. - What this means to NIDA & Our Community: . All money that is raised in the Central Florida area stays here for local individuals that have one of the 43 neuromuscular diseases that MDA covers. . There are 21 individuals (6 children/I 5 adults) in the city of Winter Springs registered with MDA. . If the Winter Springs Firefighters raised $9~540, MDA could fund the following: o All 6 children in Winter Springs to go to MDA Summer Camp. . ($3,600= 6 children @$600 each) o Flu Shots for all 21 individuals in Winter Springs. (21 X $25 = $525) o One physical, occupational or' respiratory therapy consultation for all 21 individuals served by MDA in Winter Springs. (21 x $150 = $3,150) o Assists 4 of the 21 individuals for 1 year with repair of a wheelchair or leg braces. (4 x $500 = $2,000) o 2 Support group sessions. ($100 x 2=$200) City's Consideration The City Manager is asking the City Commission to deny our request based on the following: . By allowing one group of employees to work on-duty for one cause and not another would be unfair to the employees who could not participate in the assistance of the relief agency of their choice. The City already raises funds for the United Way. There are mandatory meetings for city employees to attend while on duty. MDA is not funded by the United Way. Therefore, it is already practice for the city to get involved with one agency and not another while on-duty. . Allowing on-duty collection by City Employees may delay the ability of the City to provide services to the citizens who expect prompt delivery of services especially in emergencies. There is no evidence that supports response times suffering with on-duty collections. In fact, based on other departments that collect on duty, response times are not effected at all. Fire apparatus is located at the intersections while collecting and firefighters leave the intersections upon receiving a call. Response times would suffer no more than they do during regularly scheduled training. . Safety is the foremost consideration of employee's and for citizens alike. The City Police and Fire Chiefs are opposed to collection at intersections by any group because of vehicular traffics and pedestrian safety. Foremost, Firefighters are sworn safety officers and they along with MDA take safety issues very seriously. There has not been any major incident occur in street collections during the "Fill the Boot" Campaign. MDA also has the firefighters listed as an additional insured on their insurance policy for an amount of $1 million as a precautionary measure. Firefighters also use the following as safety measures while collecting: . Safety vests . Use of highly visible sign age & apparatus . Utilize medians and sidewalks . Notify each other when light turns green -<,"-' Current Practices in Seminole County .- Allows Allows Allows On Duty Off Duty On Street Collection Collection Collection Seminole County NO YES YES Sanford NO YES YES Oviedo NO YES YES Casselberry YES YES YES Lake Mary YES YES YES Longwood YES YES YES * Altamonte Springs Fire Department merged with Seminole County - .,_.-. r r r a Winter Springs Professional Fire Fighters LA.F.F. LOCAL 3296 p.o. Box 196700 Winter Springs, Florida 32719-6700 JWle 25th 2005 Dear City Commissioners, This year we are setting our MDA Boot drive goal at $5000. Last year's hunic;mes were 3 difficult time for ev~ryone and caused our boot drive to be cancelled on Labor Day weekend. This year we are doubling our efforts. We have adopted a local MDA ambassador by the name of Jesses Veta. Jesse is an 8 year old boy who lives right here in Winter Springs off of Moree Loop. In order to reach our goal we are asking for the [allowing considerations to assist in this year's collections. · Collection on three consecutive Friday's (Aug 19th, 26t", and Sept 2nd) · Make up days as Saturdays · On duty colIection at SR 434 at Tuscawilla and SR 434 at Moss Rd. · Boot display at first aid tent on July yd No response time!. would be jeopardized as these areas would be covered by their first response vehicles. As always safety would be our primary mission. Thank you for your consideration. Corey Gre;l} ~ ft!'- WSp;r ,(Ilt". l'd ~^Jn>-i-1 L~'dC;> : h C;17lV1?- I ?-q ~ HOW TO MAXINIIZE DONATIONS.. ...SAFEL Y Safety , . Safety Vests . Placement of Apparatus o Signage o Visibility o Response . Notify Others When Light Turns. Green . Placement of Personnel o Walk the Medians & Sidewalks '-' 0 Saturation . 0 Timing . Hydration . Breaks . Sunscreen/Sunglasses . MDA has Winter Springs Firefighters listed as additional insured on insurance policy- $1 million coverage ~ '-' Differences in Off-Duty yersus On-Duty Collection Fhrures Comparable On-Duty Departments at Intersections Cocoa $8,801; 24 members on duty Fernandina Beach $3,800; 27 members on duty Key Biscayne $4087; 30 members on duty Lake City $8905; 30 members on duty Leesburg $4344; 43 members on duty Ocoee $14,395; 42 members on duty St. Augustine $5,740; 22 members on duty St. Petersburg Beach $5,090; 27 members on duty Winter Park $17,069; 40 members on duty Lake Mary $11,286; 30 members on duty TOTAL Raised $83,517 TOTAL MEMBERS: 315 PER CAPITA $265 AVERAGE MEMBERS PER STATION: 31 MEMBERS On-Duty Departments NOT at Intersections Bonita Springs $1,500; 100 members East Manatee County $750; 30 members '-' Palm Bay $1710; 130 members Ocala $4425; 91 members Winter Garden $1256; 25 members TOTAL Raised $9641 TOTAL MEMBERS: 376 PER CAPITA $25 AVERAGE MElVIBERS PER STATION: 75 MEMBERS Off-Duty Departments at Intersections East Naples $5,943; 75 members Ft. Myers $4,110; 800 members Lakeland $3974; 122 members Ormond Beach $500; 48 members Oviedo $1,375; 75 members Reedy Creek $3,000; 140 members Sanford $5469; 60 members TOTAL Raised $24,371 TOTAL MEMBERS: 1320 PER CAPITA $18.46 AVERAGE MEMBERS PER STATION: 188 MEMBERS '-' '-' CONCLUSION . The amount raised by departments that allowed their firefighters to go out on duty at intersections was: o 700/0 higher than those departments that did not allow on- duty collections even with 1005 more firefighters. o 88 % higher than those departments that allowed their firefighters to go out on duty but limited their collections to grocery stores, in front of stations and at special events- no intersections- even with 61 more firefighters. '--' . The per capita of firefighters who collected on duty at intersections far exceeded those who collected off duty at intersections or on duty at shopping centers.. o $265 on duty at int~rsections o $25 on duty at shopping centers o $18.46 off duty at intersections . Since 1996, Winter Springs Firefighters have collected $18,443 for MDA. Based on the above statistics, if the Winter Springs Firefighters were given permission to go out on-duty at intersections, they could raise the following: o 36 members x $265 (per capita of on duty at intersections) = $9,540 This is greater than half of what they have collected in 7 years! '--" '-' What this means to IVIDA & Our Community: . All money that is raised in the Central Florida area stays here for local individuals that have one of the 43 neuromuscular diseases that MDA covers. . There are 21 individuals (6 children! 15 adults) in the city of Winter Springs registered with MDA. . If the Winter Springs Firefighters raised $9,540, MDA could fund the following: \... o All 6 children in Winter Springs to go to MDA Summer Camp. ($3,600= 6 children @$600 each) o Flu Shots for all 21 individuals in Winter Springs. (21 X $25 = $525) o One physical, occupational or'respiratory therapy' consultation for all 21 individuals served by MDA in Winter Springs. (21 x $150 = $3,150) o Assists 4 of the 21 individuals for 1 year with repair of a wheelchair or leg braces. (4 x $500 = $2,000) o 2 Support group sessions. ($100 x 2=$200) ~ City's Consideration The City Manager is asking the City Commission to deny our request based on the following: . By allowing one group of employees to work on-duty for one cause and not another would be unfair to the employees who could not participate in the assistance of the relief agency of their choice. The City already raises funds for the United Way. There are mandatory meetings for city employees to attend while on duty. MDA is not funded by the United Way. Therefore, it is already practice for the city to get involved with one agency and not another while on-duty. . Allowing on-duty collection by City Employees may delay the ability of the City to provide services to the citizens who expect prompt delivery of services especially in emergencies. There is no evidence that supports response times suffering with on-duty collections. In fact, based on other departments that collect on duty, response times are not effected at all. Fire apparatus is located at the intersections while collecting and firefighters leave the intersections upon receiving a call. Response times would suffer no more than they do during regularly scheduled training. . Safety is the foremost consideration of employee's and for citizens alike. The City Police and Fire Chiefs are opposed to collection at intersections by any group because of vehicular traffics and pedestrian safety. Foremost, Firefighters are sworn safety officers and they along with MDA take safety issues very seriously. There has not been any major incident occur in street collections during the "Fill the Boot" Campaign. MDA also has the firefighters listed as an additional insured on their insurance policy for an amount of $1 million as a precautionary measure. Firefighters also use the following as safety measures while collecting: . Safety vests . Use of highly visible sign age & apparatus . Utilize medians and sidewalks . Notify each other when light turns green Current Practices in Seminole County Allows On Duty Collection Seminole County NO Sanford NO Oviedo NO Casselberry YES lake Mary YES longwood YES Allows Off Duty Collection YES YES YES YES YES YES Allows On Street Collection YES YES YES YES YES YES * Altamonte Springs Fire Department merged with Seminole County