HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] Minutes, November 2019November 13, 2019
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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, November 13, 2019 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 Doug Fredrickson, St. Wendel Township Representative Greg Salk. City
Administrator Kris Ambuehl.
Others Present: N/A
Minutes: Loso made a motion to approve the minutes from August, 12 2019; seconded by Salk
and passed unanimously.
Financial Report: Ambuehl presented the 3rd Quarter Financial Summary:
Revenues $ 232,226.35
Expenditures ($119,325.16)
Fund Balance $ 648,001.38
Salk discussed the budget impacts from the Township and City contract payments. Fredrickson pointed
out that the 3nd quarter represents only a portion of the budgeted revenues collected.
Loso made a motion to approve the Financial Reports as presented; seconded by Salk and
passed unanimously.
Recommendation of Officers: The Fire Departments investigating committee made a recommendation of
officers to the Fire Board. Dave Salzer (Assistant Fire Chief), Ken Jacobson & Dan Muyres (Captain,
2year), and Andy Loso (Captain 1year). Taufen explained that all recommended officers are incumbents
with multiple years of experience. The board requested that Taufen develop a plan for other applicants to
prepare them for future openings. Leadership opportunities during training events and guidance from
officers will help develop the future fire department leadership. Taufen explained that he will continue to
mentor and counsel applicants ongoing along with providing them leadership opportunities during training
events.
Loso made a motion to appoint the officers as recommended by the investigating committee;
seconded by Fredrickson and passed unanimously.
Ladder #2 Update: Taufen updated the Fire Board that one manufacture brought a demo unit in for the
truck committee to review. Discussion over the price and timeline of a new ladder were discussed.
Member discussed the best options for fleet management vs. ISO rating improvement. Taufen was
encouraged to continue to look into ladder options along with a potential for a tanker with pump and roll to
increase ISO rating. The board requested Taufen and Ambuehl to look into options and requirements that
affect the ISO rating for city and townships.
Grass Rig #3 Update: Taufen reported the Fire Department did NOT receive the FEMA AFG federal
grant to replace the 1997 grass rig. Taufen requested permission to hire the grant writer again for a 2020
submission.
Salk made a motion to approve hiring the grant writer for 2020; seconded by Fredrickson and
passed unanimously.
Apportionment Templet Discussion: The Fire Board reviewed a letter from St Joseph Township
requesting a more systemic method of calculating percentages between the city and townships. It was
further discussed that the numbers are calculated by the county and changes are based by annexation
agreements. Fredrickson stated that the amounts were very close to the amount estimated by the
Finance Director.
November 13, 2019
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2020 Meeting Schedule: Ambuehl asked member for dates to help set the 2020 meeting schedule.
ndnd
Members picked the 2 Tuesday of the 2 month in each quarter (Feb, May, Aug, & Nov) Meetings will
be at the St Joseph Fire Hall at 5:30PM
Membership: Taufen explained that they had two new members start with the department which put the
number at 29 members. One member that will be leaving in December because his family is moving. This
brings the number of members down to 28. The cost to hire a fire fighter is approximately $5,000 for
them to complete the following courses: First Responder, Fire Fighter 1, Fire Fighter 2 and CDL w/Tanker
License. The cost includes a full set of turnout gear once all classes completed and license received.
Loso made a motion to leave applications open. The motion was seconded by Salk and passed
unanimously.
Fire Chiefs Report: Taufen explained the Department has been staying very busy with emergency calls
hitting 400 this past Sunday. Fire Department leaders are looking for new ways to get people interested in
joining the department. Taufen asked to keep the conversation open about what the future of the
department may be or where its headed.
Adjourn: Salk made a motion to adjourn at 7:38 PM; seconded by Loso and passed unanimously.
Kris Ambuehl
City Administrator