ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Interim Fire Chief with a Request to APPROVE a Ten-Year AGREEMENT with EXPOSITION GARDENS to Rent a Building to Conduct the Yearly Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Training, at a Cost of $1,500.00 per year from 2022-2026, and $2,000.00 per year from 2027-2031.
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BACKGROUND: When the IAFF/IAFC Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative Task Force first met in December 1996, the WFI Task Force agreed to address the issue of physical performance testing in the fire service. What resulted was the CPAT, Candidate Physical Ability Test Program to provide the fire departments in the United States a nationally recognized, standardized test process. Five major components exist to validate the CPAT testing process: a diverse candidate pool, mentoring/preparing physically qualified candidates, orientation and practice sessions, test administration and data collection. The City of Peoria Fire Department has been using the nationally recognized CPAT testing since 2015. Since 2015, The City of Peoria Fire Department working with Human Resources has to rent space over 8,000 square feet with a certain ceiling height to perform the annual physical testing process. Candidates from outside the City of Peoria pay to take the CPAT test in Peoria which generates funds for the City, while still providing free physical testing for City of Peoria residents.
The City of Peoria has a long-standing working relationship with Expo Gardens. The Peoria Fire Department reached out to Expo Gardens to establish communication about the required space to perform the CPAT testing. Expo Gardens has a 12,000 square foot space with required ceiling height, temperature controlled and restroom facilities to perform the CPAT physical testing. Expo Gardens has provided the space with a reduced rate and a long-term lease agreement that continues this community partnership.
With this agreement, the City of Peoria Fire Department no longer needs the construction of a CPAT building at the Training Tower on Galena Road. The Training Academy is aged and needs improvements to continue to provide our training capabilities for our firefighters and continue to expand providing training and education opportunities to outside fire departments and other agencies. The restroom facilities inhibit our capabilities to train large groups, clean up in a timely fashion and continue to educate our firefighters and other agencies that rent the facility. The female restrooms are dated, single use only and need upgrades. Additionally, the male restroom needs shower updates and expanded improvements. The parking lot needs reconfigured to expand the parking capacity for our own firefighters and outside agencies that rent our facilities.
Other areas of improvement for the Training Tower will include a workout room that is required to perform daily fitness training for our firefighter recruit classes.
Currently the 2022 CIP has $625,000 for the construction of a new CPAT Building. By using $200,00 of the CPAT funds to upgrade the restrooms facilities, improving the parking area and adding a work out room at Station 17 will make for better use on the Academy. And save the City of Peoria $410,000
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There will be a positive financial impact realized immediately by not constructing a new CPAT building, securing a long-term lease with Expo Gardens and making the necessary improvements to the Fire Training Academy
Current CPAT funding is in the 2022 CIP Project #A2204 $625,000
Funding for Exposition Garden Agreement is in the 2022 Capital Budget.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: There are no neighborhood concerns.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The Peoria Fire Department will have an upgraded training academy, a secured long term lease with a community partner and a substantial cost savings of $410,000 in the 2022 CIP plan.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The City of Peoria Fire Department will be in an annual search for a facility to perform the required CPAT physical testing, no improvements to the fire training academy. The original concept of constructing a building at the Training Academy is problematic due to the flood plain on the river and the expansion of the Station 17 is cost prohibitive due to the current construction of the property.
ALTERNATIVES: None
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: NA
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Grow Peoria
3. Beautiful Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
2. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
3. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Fire