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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] Approve Minutes May 9, 2012 Page 1 of 3 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, May 9, 2012 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph Fire 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 February 21, 2012. The motion was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Financial Report: Weyrens presented the following 1 Quarter Financial Summary: Revenues $ 56,638.74 Expenditures $ ( 50,010.31) Fund Balance $ 632,823.57 The Finance Director provided a report to the Board that indicated the fire fund revenue received to -date represents 21 % of the budgeted revenue and includes the grant funding from the DNR and Training Reimbursements. The expenditures represent approximate 18% of the budgeted expenditures which includes the expenditure for the sixth wheel. Loso made a motion to accept the 1 Quarter 2012 Financial Statement as presented; seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. Fire Chief Reports — Taufen updated the Board on the status of firefighters completing licensure requirements; 10 sets of turn out gear have been ordered and the remaining 4 sets will be ordered after the new members complete probation; new members are in the process of completing training requirements; the new pumper should arrive shortly; ATV replacement is 99% complete; new safety vests have been ordered, received and distributed. New Business DNR Grant Funding: Taufen reported that the DNR is accepting grant applications for equipment funding. IN 2012 the Fire Department was successful in receiving $ 3,000 to assist with the funding of the ATV replacement. The Fire Department is seeking authorization to apply for grant funding to replace two pagers and 12 new batteries. Taufen stated that since the Fire Department received funding in 2012 the application may not be funded, but he is requesting authorization to submit the application. The grant is a 50/50 matching grant and the total cost of the equipment is estimated at $ 1,640, seeking funding in the amount of $ 820. Loso made a motion authorizing the fire department to submit a grant application to the DNR to fund the replacement of two pagers and 12 replacement batteries. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. Dress Shirts: Taufen reported that the department has previously provided each fire fighter with a white dress shirt to be used for meetings, dinners and funerals. When the last three members were provided their white shirts, the existing members requested that their shirts be replaced as they are worn or do not fit. With the anticipation of replacing the shirts, the Department would like to change the shirt style and color from white to navy blue. The estimated cost for replacement is $ 780, $ 26 per shirt. Loso made a motion authorizing the purchase of new dress shirts for all members, changing the style and color; the motion was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Check out Board: Taufen reported that for the last five years the department has used a white wax board to indicate availability of firefighters and assign captains for coverage. In discussing the system with the May 9, 2012 Page 2 of 3 Sartell and Sauk Rapids Fire Department they indicated that they have converted to a software program entitled "I am responding ". This software allows members from home to indicate they are responding. This allows the department to manage fire calls and determine if mutual aid is needed at the start of the call or let members know that adequate coverage has been received. The cost of the software is $ 700 for the first year and the $ 650 for the next four years. Taufen stated that the department is still researching the effectiveness but would like to continue pursuing the technology. Loso stated that the proposal included in the packet indicates that the software can be tried for two months and he made a motion to authorize the department to try the technology for two months and report back to the fire board. The motion was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Rescue Van Replacement: Taufen discussed the replacement of the rescue van as at the last Fire Board meeting the Board authorized the department to solicit options for replacing the equipment. The current vehicle was purchased in 1997 and responds to 99% of the emergency calls. Taufen stated that he the Assistant Fire Chief met with two different manufacturers, Everest Emergency Vehicles and Arrow Manufacturing. Everest sells new trucks and estimated the replacement cost between $ 120,000 and $ 150,000 and estimated the trade -in value between $ 15,000 and $ 20,000. Arrow Manufacturing sells new chassis with reconditioned boxes and estimates that the cost of a replacement vehicle is between $ 90,000 and $ 120,000 and estimated the trade -in value to be $ 25,000. Taufen stated another consideration is diesel versus gas. The current vehicle is diesel and has worked well in the past. However, it is more costly to repair when issues arise and the cost of gasoline is more. A regular gas model would have less mechanical issues, lower fuel costs but the performance of the vehicle will be slightly less. While the fuel cost is more for a regular gas model, diesel engines provide better gas mileage. The cost difference between diesel and regular gas is between $ 15,000 and $ 20,000. The Board discussed the considerable differences between the companies and requested that Taufen and Honer solicit additional information on the company that refurbishes boxes and check availability of models. Salk made a motion to table action on the equipment replacement so that additional information could be provided to the Fire Board. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. Attendance: Taufen reported that the Fire Department has a requirement that to be eligible for retirement, each member must respond to a minimum of 20% of the emergency calls. The Fire Department has one member who did not make the required calls in 2011 and received a letter of warning that included possible suspension on termination if the he did not meet the requirement in 2012. Taufen stated that this member has not met the requirement and the fire investigating committee has recommended termination. Loso made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Fire Board, terminating the member that did not meet the minimum response requirements. The moiton was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Taufen reported that a second member will be receiving a notice of potential suspension or termination if the requirement attendance is not met in 2012. EMT Refresher: Taufen questioned the policy of the Fire Department and reimbursement for members attending the EMT Refresher. Currently the department pays for the class registration but does not pay drill time for hours attended for classroom activity. Loso made a motion reaffirming the policy of the Fire Board that the Fire Board will fund the registration fee only for up to two members annually to attend EMT Refresher. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. FEMA Grant: Taufen reported that FEMA is accepting applications for funding of fire equipment. The department has annually submitted a grant and has not been successful in receiving funding. In discussing the funding with some are departments, they have utilized the grant writing services of Niel Meirhoefer and they have been successful in receiving funding. Taufen stated that he only charges $ 400 for his services and will continue working with the department until a grant is received, and additional charges will not be incurred. The department is seeking approval to seek FEMA funding for the May 9, 2012 Page 3 of 3 replacement of seven air packs ($ 35,000) and 16 air bottles ($ 12,800). The grant is a 90/10 cost share and the equipment is in need of replacement regardless of grant funds available. The Board agreed that the fee is nominal and questioned if the increasing the fee would be a benefit and increase odds of receiving funding. Taufen stated that the grant writer is only requesting $ 400 and the outcome would be the same if the fee is $ 400 or a percentage of the grant. Salk made a motion to authorize the submittal of a FEMA grant application for the replacement of the air packs and bottles and to authorize the expenditure of $ 400 to Neil Meirhoefer for grant writing services. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Adjourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:39 PM; seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator