HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 2777-2014Suggested by: Administration
CITY OF KENAI
ORDINANCE NO. 2777 -2014
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO REIMBURSE ANNUAL LEAVE USED BY FIREFIGHTER
PETER COOTS FOR ATTENDING A PARAMEDIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, Firefighter Peter Coots recently completed his paramedic certification; and
WHEREAS, as part of the certification process, Firefighter Peter Coots expended
approximately $15,000 of his own funds and used approximately 528 hours of annual
leave to attend a paramedic internship at the Mesa, Arizona Fire and Medical
Department from September 11, 2013 to November 6, 2013; and,
WHEREAS, the City benefits from having certified paramedics in the Fire Department
providing a hire level of service; and,
WHEREAS, as a certified paramedic, Mr. Coots receives additional compensation; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City to reimburse Firefighter Peter Coots'
leave account, which he used to attend the paramedic internship; a period of time in
which 528 hours of annual leave were used; and,
WHEREAS, an ordinance is necessary to accomplish this as the City Code does not
contain a specific method to accomplish such reimbursement of leave time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, as follows:
Section 1. Form: That this is a non -code ordinance.
Section 2. Authorizing the Reimbursement of Leave: That the City Manager is
authorized to enter into an agreement to reimburse 528 hours of annual leave utilized
by Firefighter Peter Coots for attending a paramedic internship program over a period
of three years.
Section 3. Effective Date: That pursuant to KMC 1.15.070(1), this ordinance shall
take effect one month after adoption.
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Ordinance No. 2777 -2014
Page 2 of 2
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 2nd day of July,
2014.
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Sandr o l h, CiFy Clerk
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Introduced: June 18, 2014
Adopted: July 2, 2014
Effective: August 1, 2014
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TO: City Council
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210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794
Telephone: (907) 283 -7535 / FAX: (907) 283 -3014
www.ci.kenai.ak.us
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FROM: Rick Koch, City Manager
DATE: June 12, 2014
SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 2777 -2014
The purpose of this memo is to provide additional information in support of the
referenced ordinance. Firefighter Peter Coots completed a paramedic internship at the
Mesa, Arizona Fire and Medical Department from September 11, 2013 to November 6,
2013 at his own expense. The training and experience will benefit the City of Kenai
through improved emergency medical response.
Kenai Fire Department firefighters are not required to become paramedics and are not
eligible for a leave of absence with pay under KMC 23.40.060 to attend paramedic
school since it is not a requirement of their position. However, in recognition of
professional development, personal time, and effort of the individual to achieve the
same, a recognition entitlement is paid to Fire Department employees who obtain a
paramedic certification at the rate of $1,500 per year, which is only $500 more per year
than the employee would receive as qualification pay as an EMT III.
In order to obtain the training while employed with the City, an employee must use all of
his or her annual leave, taking between 300 to 450 hours of leave. The cost of the
training is an estimated $15,000. Reimbursing leave taken to attend paramedic is typical
of what other similarly- situated departments are doing nation -wide. Based upon the
recommendation of Fire Chief Jeff Tucker, the attached Ordinance provides for the City
Manager to enter into an agreement with Peter Coots to be reimbursed for the leave he
utilized to attend paramedic training in equal reimbursements over a period of three
years. Should Mr. Coot's employment with the City end prior to the reimbursement
being complete, the reimbursement would not continue.