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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-05-09 August 5, 2009 13 Page of Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Fire Board for the City of St. Joseph and Townships of St. Joseph and St. Wendel met in regular session on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall. Members Present: Fire Chief Jeff Taufen, City of St. Joseph Representative Bob Loso, St. Joseph Township Representative Jeff Janssen, St. Wendel Township Representative Greg Salk. City Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Assistant Fire Chief Justin Honer, Lori Bartlett Finance Director Loso made a motion to approve the minutes of May 6, 2009 as presented; seconded by Minutes: Janssen and passed unanimously. nd Financial Report: Weyrens presented the following 2 Quarter Fire Fund Financial Summary: Revenues $ $ 108,512.57 Expenditures ($ 84,988.87) Fund Balance $ $ 514,272.45 nd Loso made a motion to approve the 2 Quarter Financial Report as presented; seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Fire Chief Reports: Taufen reported on the following: ? The Fire Department is waiting to hear from Stearns County on the installation of the Opticom equipment on the street lights without such. It is estimated the cost will be approximately $ 6,000 and the Jaycees have agreed to fund up to that amount. The equipment for the Fire Trucks will be paid with funds raised by the Department. Public Funds will not be used for the truck equipment. ? The two new firefighters hired on January 15 (Keith Louwagie and Greg Koutoupas) have completed their First Responder and Fire Fighter One. Louwagie has completed the requirements for a Class B license with tanker endorsement and can be accepted into the Fire Relief Association. New Member Daryl Schloemer is waiting to finish the test for Certification. ? The Federal Training Grant received ($ 2,800) was used for the following training: Fire Fighter I, II and First Arriving Officer. ? The Department is in the process of ordering the required Safety Vest, per federal regulations. The vests are approximately $ 25 each. ? CMS Autobody has mounted the seatbelt extensions in Ladder #2 and is in the process of installing in Engine #1. DNR Pager Grant: Taufen reported that the department has received a grant from the DNR in the amount of $ 2,000 to be used for the purchase of up to five pagers. Taufen presented the Board with a quote to purchase eight pagers at a cost of $ 4,320. The DNR funding would be limited to $ 2,000 as five Janssen made a motion accept the DNR Grant in the pagers cannot be purchased with the funding. amount of $ 2,000 to be used for the purchase of pagers. This motion also authorizes the purchase of eight (8) pagers at a cost of $ 4,320. The motion was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Fire Hall Generator: Taufen reported that at the last meeting the Fire Board authorized the execution of a Maintenance Agreement with Cummins NPower to service the generator at the Fire Facility. Since that time they have serviced the generated and noted that the coolant system should be replaced with new hoses, belts, caps, thermostat and gaskets and the batteries should be replaced. Since this is an important piece of equipment for the Department. Taufen stated the maintenance performed is the first Salk made a motion to authorize the needed maintenance on the maintenance in 10 years. Generator at a cost of $ 1,395.07; seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. August 5, 2009 23 Page of Fire Chief Conference: Taufen requested authorization to send the Fire Chief and Assistant Chief to the Loso made a motion to approve the expenditure to send the Fire Chief Chiefs conference in Duluth. and Assistant Chief to the Annual Chief’s Conference in Duluth, paying the expenses as provided in the personnel policy. The motion was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Retirement: Taufen reported that Tom Lowell has submitted his intent to resign from the Department after serving 32 years on the department. At this time Taufen is not requesting to recruit a new fire fighter as it is better to train two at a time. Surplus Property: Taufen reported that while completing the yearly hose testing, it was noted that two lengths of hoses had holes in the middle and it is not cost effective to fix. To replace the hose is Loso made a motion to declare the hose surplus with no value and replace approximately $ 1,000. 150 feet of hose at a cost of $ 1,000. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Budget 2010: Weyrens stated that Taufen and Finance Director Lori Bartlett have worked on the proposed 2010. Due to the reduced LGA payments and slow economic times, the City Council has taken steps to reduce the 2009 budget as well as directed staff to prepare a budget that does not exceed the current tax capacity rate. While all departments are required to prepare a five year capital improvement plan, the Council has not allocated funding in 2008 or 2009. Department Heads have been asked to review all capital items and extend where possible. Weyrens stated that in reviewing the proposed budget for 2010, the largest increase in the retirement. The level needed for budget purpose is based on the solvency of the Fire Relief Fund. In 2009 funding was not required, but the City contributed $ 3,000. In 2010 it is anticipated that $ 21,000 will have to be funded, based on the current investments and fund balance. The following is a summary of the revised 2010 proposed Fire Fund Budget. 2009 2010 Budget Budget Fire Administration $ 22,450 $ 26,800 Fire Fighting $ 185,355 $ 199,865 Fire Training $ 14,400 $ 14,400 Fire Communication $ 12,250 $ 12,500 Fire Repair Service $ 14,540 $ 15,605 Fire Medical Service $ 2,250 $ 2,450 Fire Station and Building $ 18,600 $ 18,100 Community Room $ 5,000 $ 5,000 Total $ 274,845 $ 294,720 The Board discussed each item in the five year capital improvement plan, to determine the level of funding that would be needed. The Board concurred that due to the large cost of some of the equipment, it would not be possible to budget enough money to purchase the equipment outright. It was the consensus that the Board should work on covering the annual debt payment for the equipment for the projected year. The Board discussed the importance of the need to keep equipment in operating condition and setting aside funds for replacement. The task becomes more difficult in an economy where revenues are decreasing and it is difficult for the City and Township to increase the budget creating a larger liability for the tax base. To help alleviate the spikes in Relief requirements, the Board agreed to designate a portion of the fund balance for excess liability. Janssen made a motion to designate $ 20,000 of the Fire Fund equity After considerable discussion, to excess liability, which will be used to help budget for Fire Relief Contributions. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. August 5, 2009 33 Page of Salk made a motion to recommend the City Council accept the 2010 Proposed Fire Fund Budget with an expenditure budget of $ 294,720 which includes a Capital Improvement budget of $ 35,800. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:15 PM. Adjourn: Judy Weyrens Administrator