HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 [02] Feb 07 February 7, 2018
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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, February 7, 2018 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.
Others Present: Assistant Fire Chief David Salzer, Keith Louwagie
Minutes: Salzer made a motion to approve the minutes from November 1, 2017 as presented;
seconded by Salk and passed unanimously.
Financial Report: Weyrens presented the 4'h Quarter Financial Summary:
Revenues $ 33�,798.55
Expenditures $ ( 307,487.59)
Fund Balance $ 536,845.59
Weyrens stated the financial report does not include the year end journal entries and represents the
unaudited balance. The year ended with 84 percent of the expenditure budget expired and 103%of the
budget revenue was received. The Fire Fund collected additional revenue as the State Aid collected was
higher than anticipated. The final statement will include journal entries for the 2"d half payroll,
miscellaneous repair invoices and revenue for interest.
Salk made a motion to approve the Financial Reports as presented; seconded by Loso and
passed unanimously.
Relief Association Update: Taufen reported that the Fire Relief Board has been discussing the municipal
contribution for the Relief Fund and have requested to address the Fire Board to consider increasing the
per member contribution. Keith Louwagie approached the Board and presented information to the Board
illustrating the contributions for the area departments. The City of St. Joseph currently contributes$
2,000 per member which is not the lowest nor the highest of the area. In reviewing the Fire Relief Fund,
increasing the contribution from $ 1,800 to$ 2,100 or$ 2,000 would not create a deficit in the fund
requiring additional City contribution.
Weyrens clarified that both the City and Townships have to approve the increased contribution; therefore,
the Fire Board should make a recommendation to the City Council and Township Boards. Loso stated it
was his understanding that the City would have the final authority and the Fire Relief should be present at
the meeting. Taufen stated historically if the Fire Board recommended approval of an increase, the
matter was placed on the consent agenda for the City and the Township would consider as an agenda
item. However, if the City and Township would like a representative of the Fire Relief present at a
meeting that can be accommodated.
Salzer and Salk questioned the suggestion that the City had final authority. Weyrens stated that if the
Council has concerns it would most likely come back to the Fire Board for continued consideration. Loso
stated that the City still has the final authority and it should be an agenda item as he does not know if the
Council will support. Additionally the Townships stated that they did not need a member present at the
meeting as they are appointed by their respective boards to make decisions on behalf of the Townships.
Salzer made a motion to recommend the governing bodies for the City and Township accept the
recommendation and request of the Fire Relief Association to increase the annual retirement
contribution from$ 1,800 per member per year of service to$2,100 per member per year of
service and to adjust Appendix A of the Bylaws for the St.Joseph Relief Association to reflect the
same. The motion was seconded by Salk and passed unanimously.
State Fire Convention: Taufen stated that annually the Fire Board has authorized the expenditure to
cover the costs for two firefighters to attend the annual State Fire Conference. The Conference is
scheduled for April 25—April 28 in Alexandria. The conference is a great opportunity for members to
February 7, 2018
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participate in training and network with other firefighters. Salk made a motion to approve the
expenditures for two firefighters to attend the annual Sate Fire Convention. The motion was
seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Fire Hall—Paintinq: Taufen reported that the red paint on the exterior of the fire hall is fading, needing to
be repainted. In reviewing the maintenance records, the fire hall was painted in 2008. At that time it was
anticipated that painting should be completed every 8-10 years. Taufen stated he contacted Marks Wall
Coating requesting a quote to paint all the red, inside and out. Upon reviewing the facility, they also
recommended sealcoating the exterior walls to help preserve them. Taufen presented the Fire Board
with a quote in the amount of$ 10,450 for painting and $ 10,900 for seal coating the exterior. When
questioned the funding for the painting,
Taufen responded that the budget included an allowance of$ 7,000. Salzer cautioned the board that
sometimes finder a cheaper vendor does not necessarily guarantee the end product will be the same. He
stated that the City had to repaint part of the new facility as the wall coating was not acceptable. While
Mark's Wallcoating is higher than the budget, you get what you pay for. Loso stated that he supports
soliciting a second quote as the current quote seems too high for painting. Salk made a motion to
secure a second quote on painting at the fire hall for consideration at the next meeting of the Fire
Board. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
New Member Gear: Taufen reported that two of the new members(Matt Kritzeck and Blake Schwegel)
have completed the minimum requirements and are considered fulf inembers of the department. At this
time they are eligible to be fitted for their fire gear that consists of the coat, pants and boots. The gear is
good for ten years and is fit to each member. The combined cost to outfit both new members with their
coat and pants is $ 4,100. Loso made a motion to authorize the outfitting of uniforms for the two
new members at a cost of$4,100; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Exterior Liahtina: Taufen stated that the exterior lighting on the Fire Hall is over 20 years old and in need
of repaired/replaced. He has been informed that the current fixtures are out dated and parts are no
longer available; therefore replacement is the only option for those that are not working. Taufen
questioned the Board if it is time to replace all the exterior lights with LED fixtures. In discussing the
matter with Design Electric, Excel Energy has a rebate program that would reduce the replace cost by$
1,125. After the rebate, the cost to replace the lights is approximately$ 6,000. The Board agreed that it
would make not make sense to only replace one as LED lighting projects a different light and the fixtures
will be different. Loso made a motion to replace the exterior lights with LED fixtures at a cost not to
exceed $ 6,000; seconded by Salk and passed unanimously.
Annual Report: Taufen presented the Board with the annual 2017 Fire Report.
Adiourn: Salk made a motion to adjourn at 7:00 PM; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
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