HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] Minutes, November November 2, 2016
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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 3, 2016 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 Jerome Salzer, St. Wendel Township Representative Greg Salk. City
Administrator Judy Weyrens.
Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes from August 3 and September 28, 2016 as
presented; seconded by Salk and passed unanimously.
Financial Report: Weyrens presented the 3rd Quarter Financial Summary:
Revenues $ 274,334.58
Expenditures $ ( 134,955.39)
Fund Balance $ 624,052.17
The financial report as presented represents receipt of 96% of the revenue, which is primarily contract
fees and expenditure of 43% of the budget. Expenditures for the 3rd quarter include fire call pay and
repairs and maintenance to some of the fire equipment. It was noted that the expenditure for the
equipment is slightly higher than in the past years as the equipment is aging. Salzer made a motion to
approve the Financial Reports as presented; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Recommendation of Officers: Annually the Fire Department accepts applications for the coming year for
all officer positions that become open. For 2017 the following positions became open: Fire Chief(two
year term); two Captains (2 year term)and Captain (one year term). The positions are currently held by:
Fire Chief—Jeff Taufen; Captain (2 year term)— Dave Salzer, Paul Phillip; Captain (1 year term)—Keith
Louwaige.
The following applications were received:
Fire Chief: Jeff Taufen
Captain: Dave Salzer, Paul Phillipp, Keith Louwaige, Shirlie Brill.
The Fire Department investigating committee met and discussed and recommended the Fire Board
accept the following officers: Fire Chief: Jeff Taufen; Captains (Two Year): Dave Salzer, Paul Phillipp;
Captain (One Year)—Keith Louwagie.
Loso made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Fire Department Investigating
Committee as stated above and recommend the City Council appoint the same. The motion was
seconded by Salk and passed unanimously.
St. Ben's Letter: Taufen discussed the status of the College/Monastery of Benedict donation, given the
letter he found in the file whereby they agreed to donate $ 15,000 per year. Weyrens stated that since
that letter was received, the College/Monastery of St. Benedict approached the Council and confirmed
that they will consider forwarding a voluntary donation year. However, the City should not rely on the
donation and the College/Monastery will not stipulate the use for the donation that will be up to the City.
Weyrens stated that the City has received donations in varying amounts and each year a portion has
been allocated to the Fire Fund. The City does not have the ability to require a donation and they have
agreed to consider each year.
Membership: Taufen reported that the Fire Board had approved the solicitation of applications to fill the
three firefighter vacancies. Since that time the City received five applications, with one applicant
withdrawing. The applicants included: Rob Lyon, Nick Curtis, Matt Kritzek, Blake Schwegel and Ashley
Rennie (withdrawn). After interviewing and completing the initial screening, the Fire Department
Investigating Committee has recommended the hiring Rob Lyon, Nick Curtis and Matt Kritzek. In
November 2, 2016
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addition, they recommended placing Blake Schwegel on the waiting list. He does not currently meet the
response time requirement but will be moving shortly and at that time he will qualify.
The next step in the process is the completion of the background check and physical which will be
completed prior to January 1. The anticipated start date is January 10, 2017. Salzer made a motion to
accept the recommendation of the Fire Department Investigating Committee and request the City
Council appoint Rob Lyon, Nick Curtis and Matt Kritzek as pay per response firefighters effective
January 10, 2017 and to place Blake Schwegel on the waiting list. The motion was seconded by
Loso.
Fire Contract: Weyrens reported that both Townships have approved the five year fire contact and the
City is scheduled to approve at the next meeting. As soon as all the signatures are gathered, copies will
be forwarded to both Townships.
Adjourn: Salk made a motion to adjourn at 6:15 PM; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Judy Weyrens
Administrator