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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] Minutes August 8, 2018 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 8, 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 Mark Thompson, St.Wendel Township Representative Greg Salk. City Administrator Judy Weyrens. Others Present: Assistant Fire Chief David Salzer, Finance Director Lori Bartlett Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes from May 2,2018 with corrections; seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Financial Report: Weyrens presented the 2nd Quarter Financial Summary: Revenues $ 167,021.54 Expenditures $ ( 46,834.83) Fund Balance $ 589,710.17 Weyrens stated the 2nd quarter finance report represents 49% of the budgeted revenues collected and 14% of the budgeted expenditures have been expended. The first six month fire call payroll is expended in July; therefore it is not uncommon for only minor expenditures for the first two quarters. The main expenditures for the first six months included: vehicle repair and maintenance, annual software support, annual membership dues and liability insurance premiums. Loso made a motion to approve the Financial Reports as presented; seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. 2019 Budget: Weyrens presented the proposed 2019 Preliminary Budget. The operational budget represents a decrease of$ 9,305 as the prior year included funding for the parking lot improvements. The Fire Board discussed the Capital Improvement Plan and the effectiveness of setting aside funding for larger purchases. Finance Director Lori Bartlett stated the projected impact of the budget to each jurisdictions apportionment is based on the estimated market value for 2018 as the new numbers are not yet available. Mark Thompson notified the Fire Board that the allocation for the cost sharing will change due the pending annexation initiated by the City. He clarified that he is placing the board on notice of the change if land ownership, which will directly impact the cost sharing of St. Joseph Township. Taufen stated that the budget does include changing the process for hose testing, which is an agenda item later in this meeting. Salk made a motion to approve the 2019 Budget as follows: Operational Budget $335,190.00 Debt Budget $ 42,870.00 The motion was seconded by Thompson and passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Fire Chiefs Conference: Taufen requested authorization to allow both the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief to attend the State Fire Chiefs Conference in Duluth, October 17—21. Salk made a motion authoring the attendance of the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief to the Fire Chief Conference in Duluth, October 17—21, reimbursing the eligible expenses. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Hose Testing: Taufen reported that each year all the fire hoses must be tested. Historically local departments have completed testing themselves using a training night to complete the testing. However, departments are going away from internal testing to hiring a company that is specialized in this area. The testing of the hose takes approximately four hours at a cost of staffing approximately$ 1,940 and it is becoming more difficult to find members that have the time to help. In addition, if a training night is used, it takes away a training opportunity. A company entitled Fire Catt has provided a quote of$ 3,306-$ 3,762 to provide the testing. By consensus the Board agreed to hire this service out starting in 2019 and clarified that this amount has been placed in the budget. August 8, 2018 Page 2 of 2 New Member Gear: Taufen reported that new member Justin Hunt has completed all the minimum requirements and eligible(and needs)to receive his firefighting gear to include the Class A Uniform. Salk made a motion authoring the purchase of the required gear/boots and Class A Uniform for Justin Hunt as requested. The motion was seconded by Thompson and passed unanimously. Chief Laptop: Taufen requested authorization to purchase a laptop so that he can complete required Fire Chief duties remotely. Previously he has been able to log into the server, but security changes on the City server has changed this ability. While he can remotely access at home, he cannot while working and it has created some difficulty. The cost of a laptop and configuration is approximately$ 1,650. Thompson made a motion to authorize the purchase of a laptop for the Fire Chief as requested; seconded by Salk and passed unanimously. Ladder Truck#2: Taufen stated the current ladder truck was purchased in 2001 at a cost of$ 365,000 and is scheduled for replacement in 2021. The estimated design time for a ladder truck is 12— 18 months. It is estimated that a new truck will range between $ 800,000-$ 1,000,000 depending on the size and design. Taufen questioned if the Fire Board would like to start the process. The first step is to investigate the costs and meet with vendors to get a sense for the type of truck that is needed. The current ladder truck would either be traded or sold to help offset some of the cost. Board members discussed mutual aid and if each department needs/has a ladder truck and how the sharing of resources works and if other departments are also soliciting options and if more than one truck is purchases is there a savings. Taufen responded that Waite Park has recently ordered a new truck; however Sartell might be one that is close to consideration. He clarified that he is not seeking authority to purchase a truck at this time, rather establish an investigating committee to start looking at options. Salk made a motion authoring the formation of an investing committee to start looking at options and to also seek out partners or other agencies that may have the same need. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Grass Rig, Unit#3: Taufen requested authorization to hire a grant writer to assist the department in writing a grant through FEMA for an AFG grant to replace the grass rig. The current grass rig was purchased in 1997 at a cost of$ 55,000. The vehicle has had mechanical issues to include: rear end went out and was replaced with used parts; the pump failed and had to be replaced; and the brakes have had multiple issues. The Fire Board has previously hired a grant writer and were successful in securing grant for the purchase of the Personnel Hauler in 2006 and air pacs in 2012. The cost of the grant writer is approximately$ 1,200. Salk made a motion authoring the hiring of a grant writer at a cost not to exceed $ 1,200 for assistance in submitting a grant to replace the grass rig. The motion was seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Membership: Taufen reported that the department is one member short and they have received an application from an individual who is fully trained and interested in the department. Since he would not require and training, Taufen is seeking authorization to interview the candidate and possibly bring back for approval. Thompson questioned the size of the department to which Taufen stated 30 and the roster is currently at 29. Salk made a motion authoring the interview of the application that has been received by the Fire Department for possible appointment in November. The motion was seconded by Thompson and passed unanimously. Adjourn: Salk made a motion to adjourn at 7:05 PM; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously. Judy Weyrens Administrator