HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] Nov 3, 2011 Minutes ST. JOSEPH
Fire Board Agenda Item 2 _
FIRE DEPT.
MEETING DATE: February 2, 2011
AGENDA ITEM: Minutes — Requested Action: Approve the Fire Board minutes
of November 3, 2010
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
BOARD /COMMISSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
BUDGET /FISCAL IMPACT: $
ATTACHMENTS: Minutes of November 3, 2010
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Council minutes of November 3, 2010
November 3, 2010
Page 1 of 2
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, November 3, 2010 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: Justin Honer, Assistant Fire Chief
Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes of August 4, 2010 with correcting the name
Michael Schmotzer to Folkers. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously.
Financial Report: Weyrens presented the following 3 Quarter Fire Fund Financial Summary:
Revenues $ $ 90,605.55
Expenditures ($ 25,193.10)
Fund Balance $ 648,520.98
Weyrens and Taufen reported that the computers in the Fire Hall have been upgraded and they are
connected to the City server utilizing the programs and data. The old computers had no value and were
disposed.
Loso reported that Councilor Frank requested the Fire Board review the budget for possible reductions.
The Fire Board concurred that the final budget was reviewed closely as all jurisdictions are conscious of
the economic times and at the same time need to assure the department is staffed and equipped with
safe equipment and can provide the level of service that is expected of the constituents. The Board
requested if any member of the Council has a suggestion for reductions they should present them to the
Fire Board.
Salk made a motion to approve the 3 Quarter Financial Report as presented; seconded by
Janssen and passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Tanker Valves, Unit #4: Taufen reported that the tanker truck purchased in 1999 has ongoing issues with
the discharge valves. The truck has been problematic since possession and most of the issues have
been resolved with the exception of the values. The values not located in an easily accessible area and
staff has difficulty turning the valves on and off. Taufen stated that he did receive a quote on replacing
the valves with an electric actuator at an estimated repair cost of $ 9,600. Janssen questioned if there is
another option such as a manual actuator and a change in the location of the valve making I more
accessible. Taufen will research further and bring back to the Board.
Pagers: Taufen reported that the department is continuing to rotate the purchase of new pagers and is
requesting authorization to purchase five new pagers. The Fire Department did receive funding from the
DNR to replace eight pagers last year and we still have more to replace. The cost to shop and repair is
more costly than purchasing new pagers. The cost to replace five pagers is $ 2,703.94. Loso made a
motion to authorize the purchase of five pagers at an estimated cost of $ 2,703.94. The motion
was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously.
Membership: Taufen reported that Neil Loso has presented his request to retire effective August 11,
2010 and Brian Orcutt has presented his request to retire effective January 2011. With the existing open
position created when Darrell Pfannenstein retired, in 2011 the department will have three open positions.
Taufen questioned when the department could begin the hiring process. After discussion, Salk made a
motion to authorize the start of the hiring process in January 2011; seconded by Loso and passes
unanimously.
November 3, 2010
Page 2 of 2
Officers: Taufen reported that annually the Fire Department Investigating Committee reviews the open
appointments. This year the Fire Chief and three captain's positions are due for renewal or appointment.
The Fire Chief is a two year term and two of the Captains positions are two years and one is one year.
One of the current Captains, Keith Simon, did not apply for re- appointment due to employment conflicts.
The Investigating Committee received five applications for Captain and one for Fire Chief. After
consideration and review the Committee recommends the Fire Board accept the appointment of Jeff
Taufen for Fire Chief; Mike Lyon and David Salzer as Captain to fill the two year terms; and Paul Phillip to
the one year captain position. Loso made a motion to accept the recommendations of the
Investigating Committee and recommend the Council appoint Jeff Taufen as Fire Chief, Mike Lyon
and David Salzer as Captain (Two year term) and Paul Phillip as Captain (One year term);
seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously.
E.M.T. Classes: Taufen reported that at the previous Fire Board meeting the Board agreed to reimburse
the cost of EMT training for one firefighter, Shirle Brill. The Board requested additional financial
information as to the impact of paying for additional members. The total cost of First Responder Training
is $ 280 and the total cost of EMT Training is $ 620.00. Due to financial constraints the Fire Board
affirmed the policy that the Fire Board will consider reimbursing the cost of the EMT Class and Book for a
maximum of two members per year and will be contingent upon financial ability and budgeting.
Engine #1 Replacement Committee: Taufen reported that a committee has been established to begin
looking at the replacement of Engine #1. The Committee is charged with exploring estimated costs, if the
current vehicle has a trade in value and have preliminary discussion with vendors. The Committee has
talked to other adjoining Cities (Waite Park, Sauk Rapids, Sartell) who have recently purchased trucks for
additional feedback. Taufen stated that no action is required at this time, it is only informational.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned by consensus.
Judy Weyrens
Administrator