MINUTES OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
December 17, 2003
posted 01/09/03
The December 17, 2002 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the San Juan County FPD #2 was called to order by Chairman John Erly at 7:30 P.M. at the Eastsound Firehall. The meeting was attended by Commissioners Olsan and Phalan , Chief Gary Bennett , EMS Division Chief Eimers, Battalion Chief Bruce Bracket and Paramedic Jim Prades.
MINUTES:
A motion was made by Commissioner Olsan and seconded by Commissioner Erly that the minutes of the Regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners held on November 12, 2002 be approved as read. Commissioner Phalan commented that his intention at the November meeting was that the district look for alternate sources of funding prior to spending budgeted funds for Life-Pak 12's. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
FINANCIAL REPORTS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Olsan to approve the General Fund vouchers 20417-20489 in the amount of $275,082.18. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
Chief Bennett noted that the invoices included purchase of 11 air bottles to replace those which were out of service by date and law. It is anticipated that air bottles purchased sometime in 2003 will have to meet the new standards. The District currently has 32 SCBA's. The cost to change them all would be approximately $128,000. The average age of lifepacks is 20 years, and 15 years for the bottles. The District currently owns 64 cylinders (a spare for each SCBA). Replacement of the cylinders would be approximately $700 per cylinder.
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Olsan to approve Revenue vouchers 20490-20493 in the amount of $2210. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. 11/12/02 letter from Baldwin Resource Group advising the District that the policy endorsement was correct resulting in a credit on property insurance in the amount of $683.
2. 11/18/02 from Paul Dossett, San Juan County Assessor advising the District that the estimated 2003 tax revenue will be a maximum of $1,459,504.
3. Newsletter from the State Board of Volunteer Firefighters reminding districts that a unanimous vote of the Board of Commissioners is required for Commissioners to hold a dual role as volunteer (without compensation). At this time the 1998-1 resolution permitting the dual capacity remains in effect.
CHIEF & EMS SUPERVISOR REPORTS:
The monthly reports by EMS Division Chief Eimers and District Chief Bennett were read. Copies of the reports are attached and incorporated by reference.
PUBLIC COMMENT:Leith Templin: Inquired whether the Wage & Benefit Committee recommendations could be incorporated in the new employee contracts. Chief Bennett responded that if recommendations were approved the contracts could incorporate the recommendations.
She requested that Public Comment be placed lower on the agenda to facilitate comments regarding issues brought to light at the meetings.
Pierrette Guimond: Inquired who gives tours of the station and if the was the appropriate responsibility of the mechanic to take his time to be involved. She would like the issue addressed.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. 1993 Explorer sale-status report
There were no offers to purchase received on the vehicle. Chief Bennett recommends that if no offers are received by the January meeting date, the vehicle could be taken off island for wholesaling.
2. BLS Transport Policy
A copy of the BLS Transport policy was provided and provisions and costs were discussed.The contractor has proceeded with collection when able to locate the client. Aid 23 is used for BLS transports, however it is an older vehicle and is in need of significant expenditures for maintenance.There has been discussion of whether Aid 22 should be used for the off-island transports but there is concern of multiple incidents while the vehicle is unavailable. The choice is whether to invest further in Aid 23 or do away with it and use Aid 22. There was a question regarding how many times in the last years two ambulances were required at the same time. The Commissioners requested that EMS Division Chief Eimers make a recommendation to the Board.
3. Meeting Room Use: CUP hearing:
Chief Bennett attended the CUP hearing on our requested revision to the CUP regarding the meeting room use. There was no opposition and four (4) unsolicited letters of support. The decision should be forthcoming in January. Customarily the decision is followed by a 21 day appeal period.The district will not permit use by other than governmental agencies until the process is finalized. The Commissioners requested a policy recommendation for the meeting room use.
4. Wage & Staffing Committee:
The Wage & Staffing Survey Committee has begun their meetings. A general memorandum of the members, goals, objectives and methodology is attached and incorporated by reference. The Committee intends to have recommendations for the Commissioners by the February meeting.
5. San Juan County Sheriff Dispatch Contract:
The 2003 contract proposed by the Sheriff's office proposes an annual contract of $26,625 an increase of approximately $1200 over the initial proposal and a $3568 or 15% increase over the 2002 rates. The cover letter from Sheriff Cumming advises that the additional increase requested is to alleviate the county budget deficit. Chief Bennett and the Commissioner's discussed the increase, noted that they budgeted for a contract of $24,269 and recommended that the contract addendum be approved for $24,269.
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Phalan that Chief Bennett execute the 2003 Dispatch contract and revised the contract amount to $24,269. The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
Chief Bennett was requested to forward a letter with the signed and revised contract amount advising the Sheriff of the Commissioners' position and requesting that future contracts be negotiated by August as required by the contract.
6. Status of Standard Operating Procedures:
Chief Bennett reported that research is underway on Policy & Procedure updates. He has information from Auburn Fire District that will be helpful in updating our SOP's. He noted that he anticipated there were a number of SOP's that would need to be added that would be unique to this district and to a volunteer department. He anticipates it will be a labor-intensive project, ie. Approximately 2 days a week for at least four months. He will check for a person within the district with the background and evaluate the costs involved.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Equipment Purchase Status Report:
Chief Bennett provided copies of the Interlocal Agreement for Equipment purchase with No. Whatcom Fire and Rescue and the Interlocal Vehicle Construction & Repair Agreement. If the Agreement is approved the District will seek approval for purchase of a brush truck. In addition, at the January meeting the bid data for two engines will be provided to the Commissioner's for their approval. The Chief noted that the process allows a district to "piggy back" on bids of another district without the need to incur the bid costs.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olsan and seconded by Commissioner Erly that the Interlocal Agreement for Equipment Purchase with North Whatcom Fire and Rescue be approved. The motion was voted upon with Commissioner's Erly and Olsan voting in favor and Commissioner Phalan abstaining.
A motion was made by Commissioner Erly and seconded by Commissioner Olsan that the Interlocal Vehicle Construction & Repair Agreement with North Whatcom Fire and Rescue be approved.The motion was voted upon and approved unanimously.
2. Grievance Committee:
The Grievance Committee is comprised of the following:
- Jeff Jones, B.C.
- Harvey Olsan, Commissioner
- Matt Bowden, Captain
- Hilary Canty, EMT
- Rick Anda, Firefighter
3. Personnel changes:
Chief Bennett announced the following changes:
Captain Wright transferred from Station 21 to Station 25 effective 12/1/02
Paul Spencer assigned as Captain at Station 21 effective 1/1/03
Lieutenant Matt Bowden is promoted to Captain and assigned to Station 24 effective 12/1/02
4. Reserve Volunteer Proposal:
Chief Bennett announced that a proposal had been received from Joe Symons requesting a new category of volunteer (Reserve Responder). His memorandum is attached and incorporated by reference. There was discussion among the Commissioners whose consensus was not to create a reserve responder position due to the inherent difficulties in management of training, benefits and participation in responses.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 8:50 an executive session was called pursuant to RCW 42.30.140 to discuss the Paramedic Contract negotiations and was expected to last 5-10 minutes. The regular meeting resumed at 9:00 P.M. No decisions were made at the session.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The January Board of Commissioners meeting has been rescheduled to January 7, 2003.
The February Board of Commissioners meeting has been rescheduled to February 19, 2003.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 P.M
Minutes of November 12, 2002 Special Commissioners meeting
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