MINUTES OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS MEETING
March 17, 2004
A Special commissioners’ meeting was held on March 17, 2004. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Chair Harvey Olsan. Present were Commissioners Harvey Olsan, Bob Phalan and Clyde Duke and Chief Gary Bennett.
The purpose of the meeting was a general discussion of agenda items and work shop.
1. ESCi District Evaluation: Chief Bennett reported that he had not heard back from ESCi on the District Evaluation and would follow up.
2. Strategic Planning: A discussion was held on the options for initial strategic planning development as put forth at the previous meeting by Chief Eimers. It was agreed that the favored option was a professionally facilitated focus group. This group would use non-affiliated members of the community to identify perceptions of the District and the services and service levels it provides.
3. Second Board Meeting of the Month: A discussion was held on holding a second commissioners meeting each month. The purpose would be to have broader discussions of topics outside the normal business meeting of the District. It would be located in the various communities of the District to act as an outreach to those communities. The time would be 7:30 PM. The local fire station can act as the meeting site. It would be important to have the company officer and maybe the local members be there. A short recap of the local activity level, membership, fire district issues and future plans could be provided to the community to start the meeting.
Chief Bennett was directed to pick a location for April 28th and get the project underway.
4. Health Standards and Implementation: A discussion was held on the districts responsibility to insure our firefighters are medical fit for their jobs. Commissioner Phalan said he has changed his position and agrees that if and when it is established it needs to mandatory for all firefighters.
Mik Preysz was unavailable to make his presentation on potential cost of conducting the physicals.
A discussion was held on firefighters that may not qualify, but still have great value to the District. Is there a way to retain them and use them in a restricted capacity? It was decide the Chief should look into how the District might address this issue.
5. Initiative I-864: A discussion was held on the possible impacts of I-864. Because of our voter approved lid lift it should not affect us. Chief Bennett said that it is important to let the public know the possible consequences if I-864 should pass. Leith Templin said the library had a discussion about this and are thinking of requesting a levy lid lift to protect their current levy.
6. Grants: A discussion was held on the current grant application period for the Federal Fire Service Grants. Chief Bennett reported that we were in the process of submitting a grant request on personal protective equipment.
7. Chief Search: Commission Duke reported on the on going process and expressed confidence that the progress is being made. He stated that he had already started receiving resumes and the screening committee is now complete.
8. Public Comment: Larry Taubman requested to address the commissioners on some thoughts the volunteer association were concerned with. He presented four ideas.(See attached). After a lengthy presentation and discussion, it was determined by the board that Larry and the Chief should get together to see if they can develop a protocol to implement item #2, "Association President has permanent seat at commission meetings with responsibility to report status of operation from volunteers." This protocol would be presented at the normal business meeting in May.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 PM.
Minutes of March 9, 2004 meeting
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