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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 [02] Feb 10 February 10, 2016 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, February 10, 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 Jeff Janssen, St.Wendei Township Representative Greg Salk. City Administrator Judy Weyrens. Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes from August 19,2015 and September 12, 2015 as presented; seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. Financial Reqort: Weyrens presented the 4th Quarter Financial Summary: Revenues $ 294,903.78 Expenditures $ ( 215,734.99) Fund Balance $ 544,854.94 Weyrens stated that the report as presented represents the 4`h Quarter unaudited balances. The operational fund balance shows a surplus of$ 28,977 as of December 31, 2015. The Fire Fund revenue represents 104% of the budgeted revenue for year; while representing 72% of the expenditures.The expenditure budget includes funding capital expenditures in future years. The unspent capital expenditures wi11 remain in the capital resenre budget in the Fire Fund. Loso made a motion to accept the 4th Quarter Financial Report as presented; seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS State Fire Convention: Taufen requested the Fire Board authorize the attendance of two firefighters to attend the annual State Fire Convention. The Convention will be held in Detroit Lakes June 8—June 11. Historically the Fire Board has approved the attendance of two firefighters and the Relief Association supports an additional two firefighters. Taufen stated that the Convention is a great opportunity for training and networking. Loso made a motion to reimburse the eligible expenditures for the attendance of two firefighters to attend the annual State Fire Conference. The motion was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Update Gear: Taufen requested to replace two sets of turnout gear. The NFPA sets standards for fire gear requiring replacement every ten years. To avoid spikes in the budget, Taufen reported that he has incrementally worked at updating the equipment. The two sets are needed to outfit the two newest members of the department and will not be needed until they have completed the minimum requirements as established by the Fire Board. When questioned on the cost of the equipment, Taufen resonded each set of gear is approximately$ 1,575.00 per set. Janssen made a motion to approve the purchase of two sets of turnout gear conditional that the new firefighters complete the minimum requirements. The motion was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Drill/Callout Compensation: Taufen requested the Fire Board consider increasing the Fire�ghter hourly compensation for drill and callouts. Taufen stated in 1996 each firefighter was compensated $8.00 per hour for paged out calls and$ 5.00 per hour for drill time. In 1997 the rate was increased to$ 10.00 per hour for paged calls and $ 5.00 for drill hours. In 2004, the rate was changed to$ 10.00 per hour for both paged calls and drill time, which is the current rate schedule. In discussing the compensation with area departments some are considering increasing the rate. The following tables illustrates the comparisons: Department �Calts/Yr CallPuy/Hr DrillPVuy/Hr ,Chie,(/Yr ;AsstChief/Yr Captain Cold Spring 398 $ 11.00 $ 11.W ' $4,000.00 $ 1,500.00 $ 500.00 ; Waite Park* L54 $ 13.00 $ 13,OQ $3,SOO.OQ $ 2,UQQ.QQ $ 1,OOQ.00 avon �o $ �.00 S iz.00 S 1,200.0o S soo.00 S soo.00 Rock��nQ izs S io.00 S io.00 $Z,000.aa � i,z5o.00 � sao.00 St.Stephen $ 11.Q0 $ 11.00 S 1,500.00 S �•� $ �•� ' St.loseph aa3 S �o.oa S io.00 $s,soo.00 S z,soo.00 S io,000.00 •The FireChiejin MYaite Park is compensated 514_00/hr dn71 and col! February 10, 2016 Page 2 of 2 At this time Taufen stated that he would propose to increase the rate$ 2.00 per hour for both calls and drill time. The estimated impact, based on the number of calls is approximately$ 6,000. The Fire Board expressed concern as approving an increase at this time was not provided for in the 2016 budget; however they understand the need. The Board is supportive of increasing the wages but would rather incrementally fit the increase into the budget. Therefore, Janssen made a motion to increase the call and drill compensation from $ 10.00 per hour to$ 11.00 per hour effective January 1,2016. The Fire Board will review the compensation as part of the 2017 budget to consider increasing the hourly compensation to$ 12.00 per hour. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Donations: Taufen reported the Fire Department has received a number of donations with which they were able to purchase a rescue tube and auger to use in for corn/grain emergencies. The following is a list of donors and amounts: St. Joe Lions, $ 1,000; St. Joe Y2K Lions, $ 500;Walmart, $ 1,000; and St. Joe Mutual Insurance, $ 1,412.97. When questioned the amount donated by St. Joe Mutual insurance Taufen reported that they agreed to donate the balance of the cost of the equipment. Salk made a motion to accept the donations as listed for the purchase of the Rescue Tube and Auger. The motion was seconded by Janssen and passed unanimously. Waterball Fictht: Taufen reported that some members of the Fire Department have questioned the possibility of sponsoring a Waterball Fight in conjunction with the 4th of July events. Taufen stated that requested Weyrens to solicit an opinion from the City insurance carrier, LMCIT if the City would incur liability in the event someone is injured. City Agent Peter Oman indicated that the firefighters would be covered in the event an injury occurred. Taufen requested approval from the Fire Board to sponsor Waterball Fight in conjunction with the 4�h of July activities. Janssen made a motion to approve sponsoring a waterball fight as requested by Taufen;seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Fire Contract:Weyrens reported that the Fire Contract for providing and managing fire services is set to expire June 2016. The current agreement covered a ten year period and was an amendment from the originai agreement that was executed. While the contract has served all the jurisdictions well, the main issue from the City perspective is the declining service area in St. Joseph Township as Waite Park has indicated they will annex the remaining land areas in the Orderly Annexation Agreement between the City of Waite Park and St. Joseph Township. Based on information supplied by the Stearns County, it is estimated the market value loss for St. Joseph Township will be approximately$ 33,000,000. The impact of the market value loss means the other two jurisdictions will pay a proportionately larger tax sharing and based on the estimate, $ 11,200 would be consumed by the City($ 7740)and St. Wendel Township($ 3,460). Janssen and Salk concurred that the agreement has served the Fire District well. Janssen questioned the ownership of property and the need to look at the long range impact of the agreement. Salk questioned whether the agreement could include a provision that required the entity losing property through annexation or other means continue to pay the contribution for one year after the loss to allow for transition and budget for all jurisdictions. Another suggestion included the entity losing property due to annexation, provide a declining contribution over a five year period to coincide with tax sharing received by the entity. The Board had considerable discussion on the different options for tax sharing. Weyrens agreed to draft a proposed amendment to include the discussions at this meeting. Membership: Taufen reported that Mike Schmotzer has submitted his resignation as he is unable to provide the commitment that is required for a firefighter due to his job and family responsibilities. He has been on the department since 2010. The Fire Department is down to 29 members. Taufen stated that the department typically adds two members at a time and he will bring membership back at the next meeting. Adiourn: Salk made a motion to adjourn at 7:10 PM; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. �"'�� ;f��'`i^�� �.r'-;',,.j�'�' d Weyr�ns - d�inistrator �'