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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-2012-06-12BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MINUTES JUNE 12, 2012 Present: Commissioners Gilligan, Hoard, Baker, Ellsworth, McGonigal Others Present: Fire Chief Parsons Council Liaison Clairborne City Clerk Conley Holcomb Call to Order: Chair Gilligan called the meeting to order at 1610 hrs. II. Approval of Minutes: Chair Gilligan noted that corrections needed to be made to the May minutes and recommended postponing approval until the July meeting. Resolution By Commissioner Hoard: Seconded by Commissioner Ellsworth RESOLVED, That approval of the May, 2012 minutes be postponed until the July, 2012 Meeting. Carried Unanimously III. Additions /Deletions to the Agenda: Chair Gilligan requested the addition of an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, and an Item under New Business to discuss the scheduling of a special meeting /public hearing regarding the organization of the volunteer companies of the Ithaca Fire Department. IV. Presentation of Service Recognition Awards: The Board presented a Service Recognition Award to Albert Hile and thanked Mr. Hile for his 50 years of service to the Ithaca Fire Department. V. Persons wishing to speak to the Board: Mr. David Cornelius, Company 1, addressed the Board to ask questions about the upcoming special meeting /public hearing. He inquired as to whether the volunteer companies would receive information to review in advance of the meeting. He further advised the Board to expect negative feedback on any proposed changes. VI. Correspondence: The bank statement from the Tompkins Trust Company Donation Fund dated May 31, 2012 had a beginning balance of $958.51 and an ending balance of $958.51 reflecting no activity. A letter was received from Torrent Hose Company 5 with a list of Company members. No correspondence has been received from Company 4 regarding their membership. VII. Membership Changes: None Board of Fire Commissioners June 12, 2012 VIII. Miscellaneous Reports: Town — Chair Gilligan indicated that the quarterly report to the Town Board of April -Junee 2012 will be presented at the August Town Board meeting. City — Commissioner Hoard indicated that he would be making the BFC quarterly report to the Common Council also in August. Audit — The audit was approved by the Board. IX Department Reports: A. Fire Chief Report (see complete written report in the Minute Book). Fire Chief Parsons offered highlights from his report as follows: Staffing: • Interviews for the Administrative Coordinator position have been scheduled for the week of June 18th • The three new fire fighters have completed their training the NYS Fire Academy. They will go on shift in July. • The filling of the Deputy Chief vacancy is high on the priority list The Mayor has distributed his budget guidelines (attached to the Fire Chief's report). Capital budget: the Ladder/Pumper Truck bids have been received. County Communications Committee is waiting for the report from the consultant. B. Fire Prevention — No report C. Fire Police Report — No report X. Old Business: Role of BOFC — No new information XI. New Business: A. 2013 IFD Preliminary Budget Proposal — process and discussion Fire Chief Parsons reviewed the Mayor's budget guidelines and explained that a draft budget is due to the Mayor by July 1St. The Mayor will meet with each department head in July to provide additional guidance on the submitted proposals. The Mayor will continue to work with the City Controller between August and October to develop the complete City budget. The Mayor's recommended budget will be released to Common Council on October 1St. Common Council will deliberate during the month of October, and the budget will be adopted in November. Due to a projected $3 million deficit, current fund balance levels, retirement system and health care costs, and the constraints of a property tax cap, the Mayor has requested that all departments submit budget proposals that include a 10% decrease in personnel lines and a I% decrease in non - personnel lines. 2 Board of Fire Commissioners June 12, 2012 Impact to IFD Budget: A 10% reduction in personnel lines equals approximately $800,000 which equates to approximately 12'/2 positions once the compensation plan increases are factored in. The City will be facing a reduction of approximately 40 employees from the organization. The City will be offering a retirement incentive (to be paid out of the 2012 budget); however, the details are not available yet. Chief Parsons reported that he has met with the unions and the shifts to discuss these impacts. Discussion followed on the reaction of the workforce, use of the overtime budget line, and the need for organizational restructuring. The Board noted that a Special Meeting should be planned for August to discuss the operational implications of the IFD budget proposal. B. Resolution to Award Bid for Pumper /Ladder Chief Parsons highlighted the work of the IFD Apparatus Committee in reviewing the bids for a Heavy Duty Quint Aerial truck. Assistant Chief Sheldon joined the discussion to answer questions and provide information on vendor qualifications, bid comparisons, the size and function of the truck and required staffing levels to operate it. He noted that delivery of this truck is scheduled for the first half of 2013. The city will retire a 20 year old pumper truck and ladder truck that will be auctioned as surplus property. Chief Parsons noted that the Board will need to have a discussion regarding revisions to the equipment replacement cycle as call volumes have doubled over the past 20 years. Resolution By Commissioner Baker: Seconded by Commissioner Ellsworth RESOLVED, That the Board of Fire Commissioners awards the contract for the purchase of a Heavy Duty Aerial Quint apparatus to Pierce manufacturing and Tyler Fire Equipment in an amount not to exceed $930,000, and, be it further RESOLVED, That included in the contract price is the: • Base unit cost of the apparatus • Warranty Bond option • Air Ride Suspension • Remote Tip Controls • Tip Breathing Air System • Waterway Locking System • Optional loose equipment Carried Unanimously Fire Chief Parsons and the Board of Fire Commissioners thanked Assistant Chief Sheldon and the Apparatus Committee for their hard work on this project. C. Special Meeting on Volunteer Company Structure /Reorganization Chair Gilligan reported that the Board held an Advice of Counsel Session with City Attorney Aaron Lavine regarding the laws that govern the organization of volunteer companies and whether current practices regarding the distribution of 2% funds are legal. 3 Board of Fire Commissioners June 12, 2012 Currently, there are 8 volunteer companies and approximately 16 -17 active volunteers. City Attorney Lavine will be asked to present information at a Special Meeting where input from the volunteer companies and the public will be gathered. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the logistics of the meeting. Information about the date, time and location of the meeting will be finalized on June 13th and notifications will be made to all of the volunteer companies as soon as possible. XI. Executive Session: The Board entered Executive Session to discuss the personnel history of an individual employee. Hearing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1745 hrs. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on July 10, 2012 at 4:00pm. Respectfully submitted, Julie Conley Holcomb, City Clerk 4