SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #2
MINUTES OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS MEETING
August 17, 2004
The August 17, 2004 Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the San Juan County FPD #2 was called to order by Chairman Harvey Olsan at 7:30 P.M. at the Headquarters station. The Special meeting was attended by Commissioners Phalan (by telephone) and Duke. Proper notice was posted and given.
Commissioner Olsan gave introductory remarks regarding Mike Harris who was unanimously recommended by the Chief Search Committee and endorsed by the Commissioners. He thanked the Search Committee for their thoughtful evaluation of the candidates in an exhaustive but outstanding search to find the best person for the critical position as District Chief.
Motion re: Approval of Chief Contract
Commissioner Duke made a motion to approve the employment contract of Mike Harris as District Chief of San Juan County Fire District #2. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Olsan. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
***
Commissioner Olsan noted that the contract is for three (3) years initially and salaried at $75,000 per year. The contract does not include paid medical or retirement benefits. A copy of Chairman Olsan's remarks covered the following topics is attached and incorporated by reference.
- Why the delay in the process;
- Why the Commissioners explored Mr. Kevin O'Brien as Assistant Chief;
- The Commissioners' vision of the organizational structure;
- What about our new Chief;
- What is the next level of service for Orcas Island;
- Where do we go from here;
- What issues will receive the new Chief's focus;
- What happens next;
Captain 21, Paul Spencer, presented a radio to Chief Harris. Chief Harris' wife, Vicki Christiansen, pinned the Chief's badge on her husband.
CHIEF HARRIS' REMARKS:
Chief Harris validated the Search Committee recommendation regarding approaching Kevin O'Brien about the position of Assistant Chief. He emphasized that he, as well as the Commissioners, are disappointed it could not be accomplished. He has confidence that the team in place here has the capability to deal with where the district is going in the future. He believes his strength is gathering people around him who have the needed talent, expertise and local knowledge base. He is not bringing with him preconceived ideas about how to run the Orcas Island Fire District. Each individual department has, within itself, the ability to solve its own issues. He suggested that it is beneficial to look at ideas from other departments and, when appropriate, make them our own. Each district has unique situations. His goal is to make the department members and the public as satisfied with his selection as Chief as he is honored to receive it.
Chief Harris recognizes that Orcas Island is a special place to live. He would not have come to a department that wasn't volunteer based. Those are his roots. He was a volunteer at one point in his career. He was fortunate to have found a way to be paid for doing what he knows is one of the greatest jobs on earth. Volunteerism is one of the noblest forms of service. He hopes to continue that and enhance it during his tenure. Taking the district forward has yet to be defined. Chief Harris welcomes the input of the department members and community. Chief Harris considers his position as that of a facilitator. Together the District will move forward and he is delighted to be a part of that team.
Motion re: Return of Interim Chief Eimers to EMS Division Chief position.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olsan and seconded by Commissioner Duke to relieve Chief Eimers of his Interim Chief position and return him to his EMS District Chief position effective September 1, 2004. During discussion, Commissioner Phalan asked why the new Chief couldn't make the decision regarding the EMS Chief position. Commissioner Olsan explained he was simply being removed from his dual position as Interim Chief and returned exclusively to his other position as EMS Division Chief. The motion was voted upon and approved. Commissioners Olsan and Duke voted aye and Commissioner Phalan abstained. The motion passed.
***
Motion: Approval of final pumper invoices
Commission chairman, Harvey Olsan, announced the arrival of a new pumper for Station 26. The second pumper will be arriving shortly.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olsan and seconded by Commissioner Phalan to approve the following vouchers and to sell and transfer funds from the reserve to the general fund for that purpose.
Northwest Fire Service, Inc. Invoice #9990 in the amount of $19,437.23
Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC Invoices # 0027551 and 0028412 in the amount of $24,373.38. each.
The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
***
Executive Session:
An executive Session was called at 7:50 P.M. pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (g), a personnel issue. The session was expected to last approximately 20 minutes.
The regular meeting resumed at 8:10 P.M. There were no decisions made or actions taken.
Announcement:
The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners is scheduled for August 31, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. at the Eastsound headquarters station.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.
|
