Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-99 - - Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Fire Advisory Board ofthe City and Township of St. Joseph met in regular session on Wednesday, February 10, 1999 at 8:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. Members Present: St. Joseph Township Representative Joe Bechtold; City of St. Joseph Representative Bob Loso (arriving at 8:10 p,m,); Fire Chief Dave Theisen; St. Wendel Township Representative Richard Schleper; Deputy Clerk Judy Weyrens, Minutes: Bechtold made a motion to approve the minutes of November 4, 1998 as presented; seconded by Theisen and passed unanimously by those present. Financial Report: Weyrens presented the 4th Quarter Financial Report, She stated that the report does not include interest for the last quarter and will be revised when the 1998 audit is completed. At that time a revised [mancial report will be forwarded to all Board Members. Board Members discussed the operating fund Balance of $ 220,000 and financial needs during 1999. Loso made a motion to designate $ 100,000 to Equipment Reserve and $ 15,000 to the Iris Helmet Fund leaving an operating budget of approximately $ 105,000; seconded by Bechtold. Discussion: Bechtold questioned designation of funds and if money can be moved after it is designated. Weyrens responded that the Board has the ability to transfer funds between designated funds as long as they are in the Fire Fund. The motion passed unanimously by those present. . Bechtold made a motion to accept the 4th Quarter 1998 Financial Report as presented; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. OLD BUSINESS Infra Red Motion Device: Theisen presented a revised donation summary for funds received towards the purchase of an Infra Red Motion Device, As of December 31, 1999 $ 15,411.00 in donations have been received with two outstanding grants in the amount of$ 5,000.00 ($2,000 Steams Cooperative; $3,000 Burlington Northern Sante Fe), Theisen presented a quote of $ 18,000 from Front Line Marine and Rescue for the purchase of an Infra Red Motion Device. Currently the Fire Department is required to pay tax on all purchases with the exception of vehicles. Therefore, Theisen questioned if the Board in interested in purchasing the helmet through a non-profit organization, saving the sales tax, Board Members concurred that if the helmet is subject to sales tax it should still be purchased through the City. Since the Board has designated funds to the Helmet Fund and sufficient funds are available for the purchase and Bechtold made a motion to authorize the purchase of an Infra Red Motion Device subject to sales tax and Theisen receiving two quotes. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Equipment PurchasedIDonated: Theisen reported two new portable radios and a carbon monoxide monitor have been purchased and are in service. Additionally, the Department has received the . Snowmobile and Rescue Sled as donated by the St. Joseph Sno-Joes, Jason Jenssen from the Department of Natural Resources will be providing Snowmobile Safety instruction to all firefighters on February 25, 1999. February 10, 1999 Page 1 of3 . New Business DNR Grant: The Fire Department did not receive funding from the Department of Natural Resources, as requests for funding exceeded the dollars available from the DNR, State Fire School: Theisen requested to send two fIrefIghters to Fire School in Alexandria and four fIrefIghters to the State Fire Convention in Bloomington, Loso made a motion authorizing the expenditure as requested; seconded by Bechtold and passed unanimously by those present. Fire Training - 1403-B: Five fIrefIghters have expressed interested in training to be certifIed as Fire Fighter II. This designation requires additional training which will be conducted at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. The cost per fIrefIghter is $300,00, Bechtold made a motion to approve the training as requested; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. 1999 Training Instructors: Theisen requested authorization to expend up to $ 1200 for training for 1999, Instructors are needed to assist Neil Loso for training during monthly drills. Loso made a motion authorizing the training as requested, not to exceed $ 1200; seconded by Bechtold and passed unanimously by those present. Use of the Fire Hall bv the Community: Theisen reported that the Fire Department has requested the Fire Board consider charging a $100 fee for private groups reserving the Fire Hall. It was the understanding of the Fire Department that the Training Room would be used for Civic group meetings, not holiday or special event parties. Eventually new carpet and equipment will be needed in the training room and the . fee charged would be used to offset the cost. Theisen also stated that he has noticed the need to provide more paper goods and garbage bags due to the high use of the facility. Bechtold stated he could not support charging a fee to use the Fire Hall, The Fire Hall was sold to the public as a Community Room that residents could use. In his opinion it would not be prudent to start charging to use the facility, and if the carpet or equipment needs to be replaced the Fire Board will have to do so, Loso stated that he does not feel the City should compete with local businesses by offering use of the facility for holiday gathers and showers. Bechtold stated that in his opinion the City is not competing because alcohol is not allowed in the Fire Hall and the type of events held at the Fire Hall would not be held in a business establishment. Loso made a motion to continue to offer the Fire Hall free of charge to all residents in the Fire District and effective February 10, 1999 a $ 50,00 refundable damage deposit will be charged for reservations that are not an organized civic group (ie: holiday gatherings and showers). The motion was seconded by Bechtold and passed unanimously by those present. Charging for Fire Calls: Bechtold stated that at that the State Level there has been support to allow Townships to charge for fIre calls, Bechtold stated that while he does not support the concept the Board needs to be aware of the potential for assigning charges. Schelper discussed the use of funds by the Township if they charged for fIre calls. Street Naming: Theisen discussed the recent street name conflict in Pond View Ridge (PVR 5), When . PVR 5 was plated a cul-de-sac was named Crestview Court, as is a Court and Drive in St. Wendel Township. Weyrens stated that the City is aware of the problem and is in the process ofre-naming the street Cary Court, Further, to eliminate this problem in the future all preliminary plats will be submitted February 10, 1999 Page 2 of3 - to Steams County Environmental Services for review and recommendation. Theisen requested that he also have an opportunity to review the preliminary plats before the City Council adopts them. Building Concerns: Theisen reported that one ofthe windows in the dispatch area has cracked as well as the blocks, due to the settling of the Fire Hall. Board Members encouraged Theisen to check with the contractor to see if the warranty is still in effect and report back to the Board at the next meeting, Miscellaneous Equipment: Theisen stated that the City Safety Consultant reviewed the Fire Hall for OSHA compliance. The Fire Hall needs to have a bulletin board to display legal requirements. Theisen also requested authorization to purchase a third bulletin board to be used by civic groups and to purchase steel shelving for the storage closet. Bechtold made a motion authorizing the expenditure of up to $ 600 for the needed equipment. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously by those present. Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 9:10; seconded by Bechtold and passed unanimously by those present. ~¿£t~«J Deputy Clerk . . February 10, 1999 Page 3 of3