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1999-03-10 Regualr Meeting FIRE PROTECTION AREA NO. 1 BOARD REGULAR MEETING March 10, 1999 The meeting was called to order by Chair Eileen Probasco at 7:35 PM. Members in attendance included Eileen Probasco, Kevin Arndt, Jeff Halcomb and Roy Aguirre. A quorum was Present. Absent: Scott Arndt. Scott was out of town and unable to attend. Also present: Bob Himes and Mike Dolph. : -- - - - - -- APPROVAL OF AGENDA JUL 2 3 1999 The agenda was approved as presented. MINUTES The minutes of the December 1998 and January 1999 meetings were unavailable. AUDIENCE COMMENTS None FINANCIAL REPORT No current financial report had been provided to the Board for this meeting. CHAIRS REPORT Chair Probasco reported that she intended to proceed with the addition plans as the board had originally decided, with tentative start up time of this fall. ACTING CHIEFS REPORT • Bob Himes reported that he had been in Juneau the previous week for the spring Chief s Conference. There was discussion about some pending legislation that could put more unfunded mandates on local fire protection services /municipalities. Bob will stay on top of the issue and keep the board informed. • Bob reported that there was also discussion on providing training in the villages in fire fighting and other health & safety issues, but that the discussion was not received well by Anchorage legislators. • He said that changes to "Red Card" requirements surrounding wildlife fire fighting issues were also discussed. • Bob recommended that if fire fighters were going to be required to have a specific annual physical, he felt a group rate for a complete standardized physical (annually) could be paid through the fire station budget, specifically, the stipend fund. The board agreed this was a good idea to investigate and directed Bob to get more information. • He reported that Womens Bay had recently acquired a new forestry engine, specifically for wildland fires. Bob was also looking for a portable tank and pump (and a cover) for the back of the Fire 119 pickup truck. • Bob stated that we will be getting 3 Smokey signs, (Fire Danger Today is and one will be installed at Bayside, one at the Buskin River and one near the Rendezvous in Bells Flats. • He said that the CTC had recently been designated as a State certified training facility. • He also reported that he was informed that we can send someone to Anchorage at any time to 'i Fire Protection Area No. 1 Page 1 of 3 March 10, 1999 receive certification for pump inspection. He felt it would be beneficial to coordinate with Womens Bay on this, so others in Kodiak could also be certified. • At a recent evacuation/emergency drill at Northstar Elementary School several problems were discovered. Bob will work with Fire Marshall Andy Nault to resolve the problems. • Mike Dolph is traveling to Emmetsberg MD to attend the National Academy next week, representing the training center. • Bob reported that the first draft of the consolidation review had been completed and that he had reviewed it for accuracy. The consultants will be back in town on April 8, 9 and 10, and the boards will be notified of the meeting date. • Bob is still working on a first responder program for those interested. • We have received 16 calls so far this calendar year. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A) Revisions to Fire Station Addition Plans — Eileen reported that the zoning compliance permit had been issued, prior to the expiration of the variance request. A revised parking determination had been done, and a total of 32 spaces needs to be identified on the site plan prior to issuance of a building permit. Eileen will forward a copy of the parking requirements to Robin Heinrichs for him to include the parking layout on his plan drawings. B) Recommendation for computer purchase — Bob had received quotes from Frontier Micro Systems and Island Computers, as well as his previous quotes from Del, Gateway and Micron. His recommendation to the Board was the purchase of a Del SPSR computer, directly from Del. He said that they provided an on site warranty for the hard drive, and felt this would be the best purchase. ROY AGUIRRE MOVED, SECONDED BY KEVIN ARNDT, to authorize the purchase of a new Del computer, in an amount not to exceed $3,000. The MOTION CARRIED by unanimous roll call vote. NEW BUSINESS A) FY2000 Budget and Service Area Work Plan — Some brief discussion on the budget took place. Bob mentioned that he felt it would be wise to budget for a new command vehicle in the next fiscal year. He also mentioned that a new cascade system with 30 minute bottles was needed (approximately $30,000) and should be budgeted next year as well. Eileen commented that, as she had the opportunity to look at long term goals and plans for the Bayside station and the fire protection area, it appeared that they had set aside enough money to accomplish those goals. She further pointed out that the tax base in FPA1 had increased drastically since the mil rate of 1.5 had been set, in the early 80's. As a result, more and more money was going into the fund balance every year. She was concerned that it was a large "target" and that she hoped the board would consider a mil rate reduction next budget year. The other board members agreed that next year would be a good time to consider a mil rate reduction. KEVIN ARNDT MOVED, SECONDED BY ROY AGUIRRE, to approve the proposed I FY2000 Fire Protection Area No. 1 budget, in the amount of $264,000. The MOTION CARRIED by unanimous roll call vote. Fire Protection Area No. 1 Page 2 of 3 March 10. 1999 B) Job Description revisions — Assistant Fire Chief - Bob Himes reported that it was time for the annual review of job descriptions. He had noticed a couple of inconsistencies between the descriptions for Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief. Bob presented a draft of his proposed revisions, none of which would require reclassification of the positions. KEVIN ARNDT MOVED, SECONDED BY ROY AGUIRRE, to accept the minor changes to the job descriptions of Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief as recommended by Bob Himes. Kevin noticed another inconsistency, in that the position of Assistant Fire Chief required residency within the fire protection area, and the Fire Chief did not. KEVIN MOVED, SECONDED BY ROY, to amend the proposed changes, to require that the Fire Chief reside within the Fire Protection Area, consistent with the Assistant Fire Chief. The AMENDMENT CARRIED by unanimous voice vote. The question was called and the AMENDED MOTION CARRIED by unanimous voice vote. C) Rural Community Fire Protection Matching Grant Bob Himes presented the Board with a matching funds grant application from ADNR for the purchase of forestry fire fighting equipment such as bladder bags, hose, pants or jump suits, etc. Bob felt it would be beneficial to apply for the grant. The board gave Bob direction to proceed with the grant application. OTHER BUSINESS A) Election of officers - Eileen Probasco was elected as chair. Ask Scott Arndt was elected as vice chair. COMMUNICATIONS A) Memorandum dated February 23, 1999 to Scott Arndt from Karl Short, RE: response to questions about Retirement Incentive costs and about a project account for replacement of underground electrical service at Bayside Fire Station. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS None AUDIENCE COMMENTS None The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Eileen Probasco, Chair Date approved: Fire Protection Area No. 1, Page 3 of 3 March 10. 1999