HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] November Minutes
November 1, 2017
Page 1 of 2
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Fire Board for the City of St. Joseph and Township of St.
Joseph met in regular session on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 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 Representative Greg Salk. City Administrator Judy
Weyrens.
Others Present:
Minutes: Salzer made a motion to approve the minutes from November 1, 2017 as presented;
seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
rd
Financial Report: Weyrens presented the 3 Quarter Treasurers Report Summary:
Revenues: $ 210,293.61
Expenditures: $ (195,494.97)
Fund Balance $ 527,332.94
The operation fire fund balance is a deficit of $ 68,035 as of September 30, 2017. The Fire Board
approved buying down the reserve balance of $ 59,000 and is working on fully funding the Fire Budget.
The 2017 fire fund revenue represents 65% of the budgeted revenue for the year. The main source of
revenue includes fire contract revenue. At the same time the expenditures represent 53% of the
budgeted expenditures with the only large expenditure remaining the second half fire call service.
Taufen reported that one of the reasons for the deficit is the parking lot reconstruction. The Fire Board
had previously approved to reconstruct the parking lot with a budget of up to $ 50,000. Unfortunately
once the reconstruction started, it was discovered that the soils were inadequate to place the new parking
lot. It was discovered that when the Fire Hall was constructed, a contractor did not place appropriate
base and debris was also uncovered. It is for this reason that the pavement most likely failed. The City
had no choice but to haul in appropriate material and remove the debris, which added approximately $
14,450 to the project cost. The final cost of the parking lot was close to $ 60,000. Weyrens stated that
the funds will have to come from the reserve balance.
rd
Loso made a motion to accept the 3 Quarter Financial Report as presented, including coverage
of the overage for the parking lot. The motion was seconded by Salzer and passed unanimously.
Recommendation of Officers: Taufen reported that stated that the Fire Investigating Committee has met
and reviewed the applications for 2018 Officers. He reminded the Board that the Assistant Fire Chief
Justin Honer has retired, opening that position. In addition to the Assistant Fire Chief, firefighers could
apply for one of four captain positions of which all are two year terms except one. The following
candidates applied for the positions: Ken Jacobson, Keith Louwagie, Dan Muyres, Andy Loso, Mike
Folkerts, and Shirlie Brill. The Investigating Committee and Fire Chief are recommending appointing the
following firefighters for the two year captain position: Ken Jacobson, Dan Muyres, Keith Louwagie. They
also recommended Andy Loso for the one year captain position and Dave Salzer for Assistant Fire Chief.
Salk made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Investigating Committee and Fire Chief
and request the City Council appoint David Salzer as Fire Chief; Captains (2 year Term) Ken
Jacobson, Dan Muyres, and Keith Louwaige; and Captain (1 year term) Andy Loso. The motion
was seconded by Loso and passed with Salzer abstaining.
Membership: Taufen reported that after 21 years of service, Justin Honer has retired and with over 32
years of service Bill Lowell has also retired, leaving two open positions on the department. Taufen stated
that when applications were received earlier in 2017 they had received an application from Blake
Schwegel who at the time did not qualify as he did not live within the response time requirement. He has
since built a home in St. Joseph Township, qualifying for membership at this time. Typically the Fire
Department will put two members on at the same time for training purposes. However, Schwegel is a full
time firefighter for the City of St. Joseph and has all the required training; therefore, the only cost is
uniform. Taufen requested approval to hire Blake Schwegel effective January 9, 2018. Loso made a
November 1, 2017
Page 2 of 2
motion to recommend the City Council hire Blake Schwegel as a pay per response firefighter
effective January 9, 2018; seconded by Salzer and passed unanimously.
Adjourn: Salk made a motion to adjourn at 6:40 PM; seconded by Salzer and passed unanimously.
Judy Weyrens
Administrator