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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1992-07-14 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 14, 1992 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Baker, Bargher, Begg, Grinnell (one vacancy) Common Council Liaison Booth 1 . Chairman Baker called the meeting to order at 1900 hours . 2 . Additions/deletions to the agenda: - Comm. Begg: Subcommittee report: Volunteer performance standards ( Item 11A) ; - Comm. Bargher: Proposal for the board to assume administrative control of the Volunteer Incentives Program ( Item 11B) ; - Chairman Baker: Committee Report - Commissioners Award ( Item 11C) ; - Welcome to Comm. Stuart Grinnel ( Item 11D) ; - Report from Liaison Booth ( Item 11E) ; - Status of Volunteer Handbook ( Item 11F) ; - Chief Olmstead: Personnel Matter ( Item 12A) . 3 . Persons wishing to speak to the Board of Fire Commissioners : - Former commissioner Jim Mayer thanked the board for a rewarding year as part of the board and presented each member with a Co. 6 mug. - Marianne May-Rodda, speaking on behalf of herself and her husband Philip Rodda (members of Co. 2 ) , asked that the board support issue of a department pager to them, prior to completion of New Member Training, to enable them to respond to activations of the Tompkins County Search and Rescue Team. Chief Olmstead stated that the department does not participate in the team and that, even if a pager was issued, continued participation in the team would come at their own risk. Comm. Begg suggested seeking company support for a pager. Moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded by Comm. Grinnell that DC Dorman be directed to issue them a pager, as requested, provided the supply permits . Commissioner Bargher suggested a friendly amendment (incorporated) that the action should not be construed as a department endorsement of the Tompkins County Search and Rescue Team and that their participation would come at their own risk. Carried unanimously. 4 . Volunteer Coordinator Lynch pointed out two omissions in the minutes of the June 9 meeting. Under Item 2, point 4 and Item 5, actions were omitted; each should be indicated as "Carried unanimously. " Moved by Commissioner Bargher, seconded by Comm. Grinnell that the minutes of that meeting be approved as amended. Carried unanimously. Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 7/14/92 Page 2 Moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded by Comm. Bargher that the minutes of the special meeting of June 23, 1992 be approved as written. Carried unanimously. 5 . Moved by Commissioner Bargher, seconded by Comm. Grinnell that the audit dated July 14, 1992 in the amount of $20, 013 . 21 be approved. Carried unanimously. 6 . Moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded by Comm. Bargher that the removal of Rebecca Weaver be approved, as recommended by Co. 2, for failure to meet departmental new member probationary requirements . Carried unanimously. 7 . Board reorganization: Moved by Commissioner Bargher, seconded by Comm. Grinnell that Commissioner Baker be reappointed as Chairman and Commissioner Begg as Vice Chairman for the 1992-93 year. Carried unanimously. Commissioner Bargher reported that Mayor Nichols has so far been unsuccessful in filling the current board vacancy. Two candidates for appointment reportedly withdrew their names from consideration. 8 . Donation Fund Request Form: No committee report. 9 . Development of index of past board directives concerning use of 2% relief funding: Committee report expected at the August meeting. 10 . Chief ' s Report: - Monthly reports : presented - Training center consultation: the firm of Ryan-Biggs Associates (structural engineers) has been employed to address concerns about safety of the training center. A report is anticipated before the August meeting. - Five responses have been received from the RFP distributed concerning periodic physical examinations and are in the process of being evaluated. (Responses and summary sheet distributed. ) - OSHA citations : Chief Olmstead discussed at length citations from the state Department of Labor inspection and appeal procedures . Commissioner Begg requested a copy of OSHA mandates and a summary of citations received. The chief promised distribution at some point. Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 7/14/92 Page 3 11A. Commissioner Begg reported that, after several months of study, the Volunteer Performance Standards Committee has decided it would like to survey all active volunteer members to seek opinions regarding consolidation of companies within IFD, which would place all active members within one company. Acknowledging this proposal would be "very controversial, " Comm. Begg stated that views of current members should be sought. Moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded by Comm. Bargher that the Volunteer Performance Standards Committee be authorized to compile a draft survey for distribution to active membership, which would assess opinions on the proposed consolidation of eight volunteer companies into one company. The draft and associated draft cover letter would be subject to board review. Carried unanimously. 11B. Moved by Commissioner Bargher, seconded by Comm. Begg that the Board of Fire Commissioners assume full and total administrative control of the Volunteer Incentives Program, setting the point system, deadlines, and other policy guidelines . In discussion, it was stressed that company captains could still present recommendations and that, if approved, the change would take effect in 1993. Carried unanimously. 11C. Chairman Baker reported that the committee to determine the 1991 Commissioners Award as yet has no nominee, but will continue to accept suggestions . 11D. Chairman Baker, on behalf of the board, welcomed Commissioner Grinnell, newly appointed town representative. 11E. Liaison Booth, chair of Common Council ' s Budget and Administration Committee, confirmed that the Mayor will ask for hold-the-line departmental budget requests for 1993 . He predicted that the coming budget season will "not be an easy time, " but added that the board is "well led" and expressed hope that all can "work together constructively. " 11F. Following a status report on the Volunteer Handbook project, it was moved by Commissioner Bargher, seconded by Comm. Begg that the handbook be ready for distribution as of 9/1/92 . Carried unanimously. 12 . At 2012 hours, the board moved into executive session to discuss a request from a needy member, two similar requests tabled at the June 9 meeting, and a personnel matter. At 2045 hours, the board resumed open session. Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes of 7/14/92 Page 4 Moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded by Comm. Bargher that the City Chamberlain be authorized and instructed to pay from the Active Firemen' s Relief Fund payment in the amount of $29 . 10 on behalf of a needy member of Co. 1 . Carried unanimously. Moved by Commissioner Bargher, seconded by Comm. Begg that a needy member request received from a member of Co. 2 remain on the table until the August meeting, to allow further review. Carried unanimously. Moved by Commissioner Grinnell, seconded by Comm. Bargher that the city Chamberlain be authorized and instructed to pay from the Active Firemen' s Relief Fund reimbursement in the amount of $3, 086 . 02 for a needy member of Co. 7 . Carried unanimously. 13 . At 2047 hours, it was moved by Commissioner Begg, seconded by Comm. Bargher and carried unanimously that the meeting be adjourned. Respectfully submitted, 4N(Y‘e"-A-, Lyman E. Baker Chairman