Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-94 . . ,..110 Page 94-1 . January 18, 1994 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Fire Advisory Board of the City and Township of st. Joseph met in special session on Tuesday Janllary 18, 1994 at 8:00 p.m. in City Hall. MEMBERS PRESENT: Town Representative Joe Bechtold, City Representative Stephanie Hazen, Fire Chief Richard Taufen, City Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. OTHERS PRESENT: Dave Theisen, Ken Twit, Keith Gruber, Frank Loso, Terry Loso, Mark Winter, Duane Plannenstein, Jeff Karnik, Steve Johnson, Ed Merkling. Chief Taufen called the informational meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. and introduced the Fire Department Committee of Dave Theisen, Ken Twit, Keith Gruber, Frank Loso. The Commit.tee was concerned that the City Council discussed considering charging for Fire Department services before consulting with the Fire Department or Fire Board. Hazen stated that this matter was brought to the Council table while looking for additional revenue. The Fire Board and Fire Department members agreed that h . is not an option and that this is c__arglng a dead issue. . Further discussion clarified the need for members of the Fire Department to periodically meet with the Council and also the Town Board, to provide information and education on the needs and functions of the Fire Department. Also the Fire Department needs to educate the general public on their functions and services. Also discussed was the annual budget for the Fire Department, st. Wendel Township's contract, and the function and responsibility of the Fire Board, the City and the st. Joseph Township. The Fire Department is a department of the City. The Fire Department Committee expressed concern for safety in the fire hall, due to the crowded conditions, and requested that the City consider having a loss control consultant from the workers comp insurance company inspect the hall. It was requested that this matter is on the agenda for the regular Fire Board meeting of February 4. Chief Taufen stated that the ISO survey probably will be conducted this year. Also discu.ssed was the need for new equipment and storage. It was agreed that the Fire Department would prepare a one to three year needs plan, and a five to ten year plan. Proposed was a referendum for the election this fall on construction of a new fire hall. The Fire Department generally felt that a - new truck was needed aside from the need for a new fire hall. - The Committee discussed with the Fire Board their concerns with the Fire Chief r,p;nC1 prohibited from entering the -- ----~ . . " Page 94-2 . property of the Linnemann Inn. On questioning wnv the Council . - --.... would support ., . requirement, Hazen stated that the Mayor T.Il1.S had in t rod\..lCed this matter some time ;::¡C1n and stated that the -J - property owner and the Fire Chief are both ......itv employees and - - -.. department heads and will continue to have to work toget.her. Therefore, he felt that it would be best. to have the state Fire Marshall do the necessary fire inspections. The Fire Department Committee also expressed concern about fire inspections of the building and the ~;::¡fptv of the residents of -----..; the building. The Fire Department Committee requested that the Fire Board consider taking over more authority which would be relinquished by the City governing body. .Joe Bechtold stated that he did not feel that this is the function of the Fire Board. It is a recommending agency, but final approval is r,v .- - the Board of each entity. The Fire Board and Fire Department Committee recommended holding an informational meeting with the City Council and st. Joseph Town Board on Wednesday, .January 26, 1994 at 8:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. ~d~jlii; ( <' ~'. . ~J .fT;'1.J . Rachel Stapleton Clerk/Administrator --- -- .. ,- Page 94-1 REVISED ......... January 18, 1994 - Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Fire Advisory Board of the City and Tmmship of st. Joseph met in special session on Tuesday January 18, 1994 at 8:00 p.m. in City Hall. MEMBERS PRESENT: Town Representative Joe Bechtold, City Representative Stephanie Hazen, Fire Chief Richard Taufen, City Clerk/Administrator Rachel Stapleton. OTHERS PRESENT: Dave Thei s en" Ken Twit, Keith Gruber, Frank Loso, Terry Loso, Mark Winter, Duane Plannenstein, Jeff Karnik, Steve Johnson, Ed Merkling. Chief Taufen called the informational meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. and introduced the Fire Department Committee of Dave Theisen, Ken Twit, Keith Gruber, Frank Loso. The Committee was concerned that the City Council discussed considering charging for Fire Department services before consulting with the Fire Department or Fire Board. Hazen stated that this matter was brought to the Council table while looking for additional revenue, as only a discussion item. The City Office was directed to research this issue through the League of Minnesota cities and by consulting other cities. The Fire Board and Fire Department members agreed that charging is not an option and that this is a dead issue. - - Further discussion clarified the need for members of the Fire Departroent to periodically meet with the Council and also the Town Board, to provide information and education on the needs and functions of the Fire Department. Also the Fire Department needs to educate the general public on their functions and services. The annual Fire Department budget, st. Wendel Township's contract, and the function and resDonsibilitv of the Fire - ok - ---- J. Board, the City and the st. Joseph Township was discussed. The Fire Department is a department of the City. The Fire Departnlen t Committee expressed concern for safety in the fire hall, due to the crowded conch tions, and requested that the City consider having a loss control consultant from the workers comp insurance company inspect the hall. It was requested that this matter is on the agenda for the regular Fire Board meeting of February 4. Chief Taufen stated that the ISO survey probably will be conducted this year. The nr.?ed for new equipment and storage was considered. Hazen recommended that the Fire Department prioritize equipment and space and present to the Fire Board. The fi" Department will _lre prepare an equipment request plan covering periods of one to - two years, and five to ten yeat-s. A suggestion of a referendum for the election this fall on construction of ~ new fire hall 0. ~ discussed. The Fire generally felt that Department a new 'd~~ \ ~ -. ~ Page 94-2 truck was needed aside from the need for a new fire hall. The Comrni t tee discussed with the Fire Board thf~i r concer-ns with the Fire Chief being prohibited from entering the n,onF>,tv ()f the Linnemann Inn. On questioning why the Council ;.: - ;.: - - -,.¿ would support this requireroent, Hazen stated that the Mayor had introduced this matter s orne time ago and stated that t.he property owner and the Fire Chief are both city employees and department heads and will continue to have to work together. Therefore, he felt that it would be best to have tl·le state Fire Marshall do the necessary fire inspections. The Fire Department Committee also expressed concern about fire inspections of that building and the safety of it's residents. TIle Fire Department Com.rni t tee requested that the Fire Board consider taking over more authority which would be relinquished by the City governing body. Joe Bechtold stated that he did not feel that this is the function of the Fire Board. It is a recommending agency, but final approval :L s hv -- .. ..L 1. _ Board of each entity. LEe The Fire Board and Fire Department Comn'lÌ t t ee recommended holding an informational meeting for more discussion on these issue, with the City Council and st. Joseph Town Board on Hednesday, ,January 26, 1994 at 8:00 p.m. in the Town Hall, - Cf~20~~il~ - Rachel Stapleton Clerk/Administrator - -