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Home My WebLink About2015 [08] Aug 19 August 19, 2015 Page 1 of 2 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 19, 2015 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: Assistant Fire Chief Justin Honer, Finance Director Lori Bartlett. Minutes: made a motion to approve the minutes from May 6,2015 as presented; seconded by and passed unanimously. Financial Report:Weyrens presented the 2nd Quarter Financial Summary: Revenues $ 127,324.30 Expenditures $ ( 68.675.10) Fund Balance $ 537,313.39 Weyrens stated that the report as presented represents the 2"d Quarter balances. The operational fund balance shows a deficit balance of$12,978.04 as of June 30, 2015. The deficit reflects the Fire Boards decision to buy down the reserve balance in the amount of$ 10,000 to supplement the budget. The deficit is a result of supplementing the budget with reserves and receiving less revenue than anticipated. The Fire Fund revenue represents 44%of the budgeted revenue for year;while representing 23%of the expenditures. Janssen made a motion to accept the 1st Quarter Financial Report as presented; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Fire Chief Conference: Taufen requested authorization to authorize the expenditure to send the Fire Chief and Assistant Chief to the State Fire Convention October 21 —24 in Duluth. The Fire Board historically has authorized the attendance and budgeted for the same. Loso made a motion to authorize the Fire Chief and Assistance Chief to attend the State Fire Convention in Duluth as requesting, paying the registration fee, per diem, hotel, meals and mileage. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. Old Fire Helmets: Taufen requested the Fire Board declare the old fire helmets as surplus and allow the same to be disposed. Taufen stated that the helmets were replaced as they did not meet the NFPA standards so all of the helmets were replaced. Some of the Fire Fighters would like to purchase their helmets and questioned if that would be permitted. Weyrens stated that the disposal of public property must be available to the general public. If the property has no value and is only scrap worthy, they could be disposed of at a salvage yard (such as Proms). What he does with them is up to him. Salk made a motion declaring the old fire helmets as surplus,with no value, allowing the same to be disposed of according to asset disposal guidelines. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. Relief Association: Taufen reported that the Fire Relief Association is requesting the Fire Board consider increasing the annual contribution from $ 1,800 to$ 2,000. The change would not be effective until 2016 and based on information received would not create an additional liability for the Fire Board. Taufen stated that the Relief has not requested an increase in the recent years. Weyrens stated that she had the opportunity to survey the contribution of neighboring Cities and the St. Joseph Fire Department in on the low end of the range and $200 does not seem like an unreasonable increase. She further stated that the Fire Relief may want to consider reaching out to PERA to administer the retirement fund as they now provide services to volunteer(pay per response)fire departments. The benefits would be the same; however, the department would no longer be required to conduct and audit August 19, 2015 Page 2 of 2 or prepare an actuary report. PERA only allows membership in the beginning of the year; therefore, if the Department is interested they would have to consider at this time. Taufen stated that he would bring the matter to the Fire Relief Association to gauge interest. i'aufen questioned the process for moving forward with the recommendation. Weyrens stated that procedurally the Fire Board makes a recommendation to the City Council and both Township Boards, who must increase. Loso made a motion to recommend the City Council and Township Boards authorize the$200 per year increase as requested. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. Membershiq: Taufen reported that the two new members approved by the City/Fire Board started on July 14, 2015 and are scheduled to start Firefighter 1 &2 and Hazmat training this fall. Firefighter Brian Theisen, start date June 2013, has completed all the minimum requirements. While Andrew Kremer, start date June 2014, only has to complete the Class B License requirement. 2016 Budcaet& Fire Aqreement: Weyrens and Finance Director Lori Bartlett presented the Board with the proposed Fire Budget as prepared by Chief Taufen. The following is a summary of the proposed budget: 2015 2016 Proposed tncrease Revenue Fund Bud et Bud et Decrease Bud et Fire Fund -O eration $ 300,805.00 $ 312,525.00 $ 11,720.00 $ 285,510.00 Fire Hall Refundin $ 74,750.00 $ 74,750.00 $0.00 $49,750 Pum er Truck Certificate $46,310.00 $45,310.00 $450.00 $45,360.00 Total AN Funds $ 386,360.00 $ 380,620.00 $ 10,770.00 $ 380,620.00 Weyrens reminded the Board that a few years back the board decided to not fund the expenditures fully as the budget was based on a budget and typically the year ended with a surplus. When preparing the 2015 budget, the Board decided to begin the process to fully fund the expenditures, increasing the fire contribution incrementally. Bartlett stated that the revenue needed to pay the debt service for the fire hall has been reduced as the fund is carrying a positive balance that can reduce the required contribution. Janssen and Loso questioned when the debt will be paid, to which 8artlett stated 2017. Weyrens stated that along with the Budget, the Board should start considering the fire contract which expires in 2016. While the contract has worked well,the City has some concern about the apportionment in the upcoming years, given the fact that Waite Park will be annexing another portion of St.Joseph Township. If Waite Park does annex the portion indicated, the City will see a large spike in the contribution, and questioned if there is a way to transition the increase. Board members discussed the cost of operating a Fire Department and the apportionment has worked well over the past years, and understand the concerns of the City. One of the options discussed was whether or not the issue is an understanding between the City and Township of St. Joseph and if an agreement for phasing could be reached. Board Members agreed to continue the discussion at an upcoming meeting and Weyrens agreed to gather additional data. The Fire Board expressed appreciation for low impact proposed budget and agreed to continue to work to fully fund the budget expenditures. Loso made a motion to recommend the City Council accept the preliminary budget as stated above; seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. Adiourn: Loso made a motion to adjourn at 7:10 PM; seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. . - � � � ,.fa'C. '�' . �i,�� '.�%/_�� " �, v ud Weyrens jAdrri inistrator