HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/16/2003, C9 - RESOLUTION REJECTING THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE CALIFORNIA SPECIALIZED TRAINING INSTITUTE (CSTI) J
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C I T Y O F SAN L U I S O B I S P O
FROM: Wendy George,ACAO W?
Prepared By: Betsy Kiser, Principal Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION REJECTING THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE
CALIFORNIA SPECIALIZED TRAINING INSTITUTE (CSTI)
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution urging the Governor and Director of Finance of the State of California to
reject the proposed closure of the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI).
DISCUSSION
Background
CSTI is the training branch of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES). For the past
32 years, CSTI has provided training to law enforcement, fire services, public works, municipal
department staffs, the emergency management community, special districts, school districts,
hospitals, universities, utility organizations, the private sector, and many other organizations. In
2002-03 alone, CSTI trained over 7200 emergency responders from throughout the state to
perform better in times of crises, including earthquakes, floods, hazardous material spills and
terrorism emergencies. During its existence, CSTI has operated out of Camp San Luis with the
majority of trainees staying in local hotels, eating in local restaurants, and shopping in local
stores. Additionally, the City of San Luis Obispo has used CSTI in the past to prepare our
firefighters for specific emergency situations.
State Proposal to Close CSTI
In an attempt to help balance the State's budget, the Director of the Governor's OES has
indicated that CSTI "is not in the business of saving lives" and therefore proposed the closure of
CSTI as a "cost-saving" measure. Proponents of CSTI insist that the Institute 1) uses a minimal
level of General Fund support; 2) is capable of generating over $2.3 million dollars in revenues
to the state through grants, reasonable tuitions, and other revenue sources; and 3) would save the
state only $1 million dollars by eliminating the program. Proponents also argue that although
CSTI is not involved directly with saving lives, to suggest its closure minimizes the importance
of ensuring that California's emergency responders are adequately trained..
FISCAL IMPACT
Because CSTI operates out of Camp San Luis, the City of San Luis Obispo could potentially lose
both sales and transient occupancy tax generated by trainees who choose to stay, eat and shop in
GAStaff\Kiser\Legislation\CAR Closure of CSTI 9503.doc_/�
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Council Agenda Report—Resolution Opposing Closure of CSTI
Page 2
our City. Fire safety training costs could increase as the Department finds it necessary to send
trainees out of town for specific training needs previously provided by CSTI.
ALTERNATIVES
Do not adopt the resolution, in which case the State could potentially close CSTI without input
regarding CSTI's importance to the City.
ATTACHMENTS
Resloution
G:\Staff\Kiser\Legislation\CAR Closure of CSTI 9503.doc
31-�
RESOLUTION NO. (2003 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
REJECTING THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE
CALIFORNIA SPECIALIZED TRAINING INSTITUTE (CSTI)
WHEREAS, the Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services has proposed
the closure of the California Specialized Training Institute, its own Training Branch, as a "cost-
saving"measure; and
WHEREAS, the Director of OES, in recent media releases has indicated that CSTI "is
not in the business of saving lives," thus minimizing the importance of ensuring that California's
emergency responders are adequately trained; and
WHEREAS, for the past 32 years, CSTI, has provided training to law enforcement, fire
services, public works, municipal department staffs, the emergency management community,
special districts, school districts, hospitals, universities, utility organizations, the private sector,
and many other organizations; and
WHEREAS, in the 2002/03 fiscal year alone, CSTI trained over 7200 emergency
responders from California Cities, Counties, State Agencies, Special Districts, and other
organizations to perform their vital mission in times of crises, to include earthquakes, floods,
hazardous materials spills and TERRORISM emergencies; and
WHEREAS, CSTI provides this invaluable training to California with a minimal level of
General Fund support, recovering its costs through grants, reasonable tuitions, and other revenue
sources; and
WHEREAS, CSTI, has, and is capable of generating in excess of 2.3 million dollars in
revenue to the state, while its proposed elimination would save only one million dollars; and
WHEREAS, the true benefit of CSTI cannot and should not be measured only in fiscal
terms; in that the professional staff at CSTI, through their patience, dedication, and knowledge
have provided an invaluable and irreplaceable service to California's emergency management
and emergency response community; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has benefited greatly from the education and
training provided to its executives, managers, and staff, the manifestations of such training has
been an increased level of competence in performing the critical mission of SAVING LIVES
AND PROTECTING PROPERTY both during and after an emergency or disaster.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo does hereby REJECT the PROPOSED CLOSURE OF CSTI, and further find a DIRECT
CORRELATION BETWEEN THE TRAINING PROVIDED BY CSTI AND THE SAFETY OF
OUR CITIZENS. WE STRONGLY URGE THE STATE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE and the
GOVERNOR TO REJECT THIS PROPOSAL.
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Resolution No. (2003 Series)
Paget
Upon motion of , seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this. day of , 2003.
David F. Romero, Mayor
ATTEST:
Lee Price, C.M.C.
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
4v
LI Jonathan owell
City Attorney