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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.14.22November 14, 2022 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 Monday, November 14, 2022 at 5:00 PM in the St. Joseph Fire Hall. Members Present: Fire Chief Jeff Taufen, City of St. Joseph Representative Jon Hazen, St. Joseph Township Representative Doug Fredrickson, St. Wendel Township Representative Scott Volkers Members Absent: None City Representatives Present: City Finance Director Lori Bartlett Others Present: Assistant Fire Chief David Salzer Minutes: Hazen made a motion to approve the minutes of August 16, 2022; seconded by Fredrickson and passed unanimously by those present. Budget Discussion: Bartlett presented the preliminary 2023 budget. The budget includes increasing the Fire Chief and Assistant fire Chief salaries to $8,000 and $5,000, respectively. The budget also increases the fire call pay from $16 to $17. The City of St. Joseph purchased the new rescue van with City ARPA dollars. The proceeds from the sale of the old rescue van ($70,000) will be applied to the grass rig replacement.: In addition, 2023 is the first year of payments for the pumper/tanker,fire truck. The estimated market value (EMV) allocation for the three jurisdictions is estimated to be as follows below. The final EMV will be determined in late December when Stearns County completes the fire district allocations. Operating Debt Total City of St. Joseph 60.20% $241,683.53 $43,538.69 $285,222.22 Township of St. Joseph 19.05% $72,932.97 $13,777.15 $86,710.12 Township of St. Wendell 20.75% $79,428.50 $15,004.16 $94,432.66 Volkers moved to approve the 2023 Preliminary Budget as presented; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously. Recommendation of Officers: The Fire Department investigating committee reviewed applications for the Fire Chief position and four Captain positions. The committee recommends Jeff Taufen for Fire Chief (2- year term), Keith Louwagie and Mike Folkerts for Captain (2-year term), and Joe Orcutt and Andrew Kremer (I-yearterm). Fredrickson moved to approve the 2023 Officers as presented; seconded by Volkers and passed unanimously. Surplus Property: The Fire Department received a 1999 snow mobile from the St. Joseph SnoJoes. The snowmobile, trailer and rescue sled have reached their useful lives and no longer needed by the Fire Department. The Fire Board agreed to see the snowmobile and trailer as a package, the rescue sled to sell separately. Hazen moved to sell the snowmobile and trailer as a package and the rescue sled separately; seconded by Fredrickson and passed unanimously. Pumper/Tanker #8: The vendor indicated the truck delivery will be delayed until April/May 2023 due to supply chain issues. The chassis build is completed. The St. Joseph Fire Department was awarded a95/5 FEMA grant for new extrication equipment in truck #8. The federal grant is $44,779.00. Volkers moved to accept the FEMA grant for a third set of extrication equipment; seconded by Hazen and passed unanimously. November 14, 2022 Page 2 of 2 Unit #3 Replacement: The new grass rig with a Ford chassis was ordered for $140,000 from North Central Bus Equipment. Bids from two companies are scanned into the files. Fire Study: Meeting was held on September 22, 2023 with Sartell, Waite Park, Sauk Rapids and St. Augusta to discuss what each city is looking for from the study. Cities are still determining whether or not to participate in a regional fire study. Unit #5 Replacement: Taufen reported that the City received a bid from St. John's Fire Department for Unit #5 for $70,000. Once the city's new unit arrives, St. John's Fire Department will take ownership of the old Unit #5. Proceeds from the sale will be allocated to the grass rig #3 replacement. The new rescue van was purchased 100% by the City using ARPA grant dollars. The new rescue van was purchased from Arrow Manufacturing in the amount of $157,975. Fire Chief's Report and Membership: Taufen shared the call reports, 535 calls through November 8, 2023, and membership is at 26. The Fire Department received five applications and are setting up times for interviews and agility testing. There is a firefighter indicating they would like to retire soon when more firefighters join the department. Fredrickson moved to approve hiring firefighters if the investigating committee recommends hiring; seconded by Volkers and passed unanimously. The Fire Chief stated more WiFi equipment and Zoom capabilities are needed in the fire hall. The City is looking at options with technology updates throughout the city using ARPA grant funds. Adjourn: Hazen made a motion to adjourn at 5:48 PM; seconded by Fredrickson and passed unanimously. 6orirtlett Finance Director The Fire Board disbanded 2023, therefore minutes have not been officially approved by the board.