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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1998-04-14 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS APRIL 14,1998 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski,Lyman Baker,Paul Alexander, Alvin Nelson and Cynthia Yahn; Common Council Liaison Jana Taylor. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1804 hrs. II. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 10, 1998 meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: -Chair Romanowski asked to add an item to New Business - request from Comm. Baker for 175th Celebration. IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: - Ernie Jackson talked to the Board about his ideas for volunteer retention. He feels the City has made concessions with the volunteer program i.e. reducing the amount of company appropriations, etc. and feels they should give something back. Two ideas he had were: giving some sort of tax rebate for volunteer service; and an idea for the Company Captains group - personal contact with members who leave the department to obtain feedback. Chair Romanowski indicated that while Ernie was in Florida for the winter, the two department-wide meetings addressed these, as well as other issues. - Lyle Neigh addressed the Board regarding Length of Service programs - feels if the City had not dropped the funding for this program, it would have served as a factor for continued volunteerism. V. Correspondence: - Letter from Newfield Explorer Group requesting a patch from IFD - referred to the office for action. VI. Membership Changes: -Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve the additions of: Jack Chiu- Co. #9 Eric Schoenfeld - Co. #4 David Deng- Undeclared Charles Hong - Co. #9 Richard Keller- Co. #5 Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners April 14, 1998 Page 2 He also approved the removal of David Zanni from Co. #3. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve the transfer of Howard Cauwels, previously an unaffiliated bunker) to Co. #9. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. The Board also recognized the following members who are deceased: - Clarence Cleveland -Co. #1 - Michael Soloman-Co. #1 - Eugene Welch- Co. #9 VII. Miscellaneous Reports: - Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of$17,723.89. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. The motion carried with Comm. Yahn abstaining as she had not yet reviewed the expenditures. - Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board - No report. - Cornell Hotel School Auction- Chair Romanowski read a letter from Prof. Timothy Hinkin of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration that also included a donation of$4,336.30 which represented 1/3 of the proceeds of a recent auction held by students of the MMH Class of 1999. The auction is held each year with different recipients of the proceeds- this year the auction was held in memory of a Cornell student who was a member of volunteer fire department - 1/3 of the proceeds also went to that student's fire department. Chair Romanowski read his letter of thanks to Prof. Hinkin. The money will be deposited in the Donation Fund Account. -Chair Romanowski also reported on his attendance at the Cayuga Medical Center annual meeting held on April 9, 1998. (See meeting information in the Minute Book). - Town of Ithaca report (see Chair Romanowski's report in the Minute Book). VIII. Department Report: Chief Wilbur will provide his written report later this week - he highlighted the following items: - Chief Wilbur and Lt. Burbank made IFD's presentation to the Program Analysis Committee of Common Council last night. He felt the presentation was well- Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners April 14, 1998 Page 3 received; and he was able to utilize a high-tech video /computer display that was being loaned by a company that hopes we will purchase the system. This made a much more interesting presentation than just flipping through papers. Since there was not enough time to finish the presentation, the Committee will meet with the Chief again on May 11th to discuss the budget portion of the presentation. - Tompkins County has dedicated three parking spaces in the W. State St. parking lot for the 911 dispatchers (on the County side) which frees up those spaces on the IFD side. - The Central Fire Station roof replacement project was finished today. - The new aerial truck is in production at LTI. - Last Monday, April 6th,Chief Wilbur went to Albany and met with Assemblyman Luster, Senator Seward and a representative from Senator Kuhl's office as part of the New York State Association of Fire Chief's legislative day. He has generated financial support for the Training Center for capital needs in the next two years. They also discussed a variety of other fire related topics. - Common Council has confirmed the appointments to the Regional Training Center Committee. -Chief Wilbur discussed the plans for the IFD/Co. 2 175th year celebration activities that are being planned. He discussed the possibility of setting up a Trust and Agency account to collect funds for the program booklet advertising project. The City Chamberlain will be asked to set up the fund; and Eileen Camp in the IFD office will do the accounting. He suggested the possibility of$30- 40,000 could be collected. Chair Romanowski made a motion to authorize the City Chamberlain to set up a Trust and Agency account to collect the funds for the 175th celebration. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. IX. Old Business: -Chair Romanowski reported that the BFC Policies & Procedures manual is almost complete -he thanked Comm. Alexander and others for their help. This manual will need to be kept up-to-date. - Station 7 status -Chief Wilbur distributed a market analysis that was completed Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners April 14, 1998 Page 4 by Chris Anagnost of Christopher George Real Estate-he has indicated a value of approx. $80-85,000. After a lengthy discussion, the following resolution was presented by Chair Romanowski, seconded by Comm. Yahn and carried unanimously: WHEREAS, Fire Station#7, at 1012 N. Tioga St.,was decommissioned in 1996 as one of a series of changes made to increase operational efficiency; and WHEREAS, in the time since it was decommissioned, no significant use other than storage has been identified as being suitable for this building; and, WHEREAS, Cataract Hose Co. #7 has successfully relocated their operations to the Ithaca Vet. Volunteer Fireman's (sic) facility at 635 Elmira Rd; and, WHEREAS, sale of this facility to a private individual or business will result in a return to the tax rolls of said property; and, WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department still is faced with an acute shortage of useable, functional space,both for program and for storage purposes; and, WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department should not be penalized for improving efficiency; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board recommends the immediate disposition of the building and property through sale of the property; and be it further RESOLVED, the Board of Fire Commissioners respectfully conditions this authorization with the stipulation that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca dedicate any or all proceeds from said sale for the purpose of addressing the space shortages now experienced by the Fire Department; and,be it further RESOLVED, that proceeds from such sale not be used to offset any other fire department appropriation or revenue. X. New Business - Pete Strizack, Captain of Co. 2, asked permission to hang special pictures and a banner in the hallway at Central Fire Station as part of the 175th celebration. The Board gave its approval and recommended he work with the Chief and staff at Central for placement. Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners April 14, 1998 Page 5 -The 175th Anniversary Planning Committee has recommended having the celebration dinner at the Emerson Suites at Ithaca College for a variety of reasons - it's within the district,can accommodate the numbers they are expecting to attend - 300-400, and they are available for the date of October 10th. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the location of Emerson Suites at Ithaca College as recommended by the committee and to provide for the $500 deposit required (out of the operating budget). Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. Chief Wilbur reported that he feels there is a possibility of raising all the necessary funds to cover costs for the celebration completely and that accounts could be reimbursed if enough money is raised. - Comm. Baker requested Board members make personal contributions of$10.00 each to buy an ad for the 175th celebration ad book. They will work out the details later. -Chair Romanowski reported that he expects the Board will be presented with a request next month to purchase portable radios for the Fire Police. Comm. Baker indicated it was his understanding that the Vet Volunteer Firemen's Association had agreed to purchase 5 radios for this purpose. - Comm. Baker inquired about the possibility of using funds from the recent donation from the CU Hotel School auction to purchase needed items for the training center. Chair Romanowski indicated that there were restrictions on use of these funds-that the funds were to be used only for volunteers. Chief Wilbur indicated that there was a possibility of Tompkins County being receptive to funding some of the items as it is now a regional training center, to be used by all County fire departments. XI. Executive Session- At 1921 hours the Board moved into Executive Session to discuss the 1997 Board of Fire Commissioners Recognition Award. XII. The Board resumed open session at 1930 hrs. - Comm. Baker made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, ("2/4,6:g-47,7L..(.-- 37/ L-41-41"-66A- Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners April 14, 1998 Page 6 (Minutes to be approved at the May 12, 1998 meeting) Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners April 14, 1.998 Page 4 by Chris Anagnost of Christopher George Real Estate-he has indicated a value of approx. $80-85,000. After a lengthy discussion, the following resolution was presented by Chair Romanowski, seconded by Comm. Yahn and carried unanimously: WHEREAS, Fire Station#7, at 1012 N. Tioga St., was decommissioned in 1996 as one of a series of changes made to increase operational efficiency; and WHEREAS, in the time since it was decommissioned, no significant use other than storage has been identified as being suitable for this building; and, WHEREAS, Cataract Hose Co. #7 has successfully relocated their operations to the Ithaca Vet. Volunteer Fireman's (sic) facility at 635 Elmira Rd; and, WHEREAS, sale of this facility to a private individual or business will result in a return to the tax rolls of said property;and, WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department still is faced with an acute shortage of useable, functional space,both for program and for storage purposes; and, WHEREAS, the Ithaca Fire Department should not be penalized for improving efficiency;now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board recommends the immediate disposition of the building and property through sale of the property; and be it further RESOLVED, the Board of Fire Commissioners respectfully conditions this authorization with the stipulation that the Common Council of the City of Ithaca dedicate any or all proceeds from said sale for the purpose of addressing the space shortages now experienced by the Fire Department; and, be it further RESOLVED, that proceeds from such sale not be used to offset any other fire department appropriation or revenue. X. New Business - Pete Strizack, Captain of Co. 2, asked permission to hang special pictures and a banner in the hallway at Central Fire Station as part of the 175th celebration. The Board gave its approval and recommended he work with the Chief and staff at Central for placement. Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners April 14, 1998 Page 5 - The 175th Anniversary Planning Committee has recommended having the celebration dinner at the Emerson Suites at Ithaca College for a variety of reasons - it's within the district,can accommodate the numbers they are expecting to attend - 300-400, and they are available for the date of October 10th. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the location of Emerson Suites at Ithaca College as recommended by the committee and to provide for the$500 deposit required (out of the operating budget). Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. Chief Wilbur reported that he feels there is a possibility of raising all the necessary funds to cover costs for the celebration completely and that accounts could be reimbursed if enough money is raised. - Comm. Baker requested Board members make personal contributions of$10.00 each to buy an ad for the 175th celebration ad book. They will work out the details later. - Chair Romanowski reported that he expects the Board will be presented with a request next month to purchase portable radios for the Fire Police. Comm. Baker indicated it was his understanding that the Vet Volunteer Firemen's Association had agreed to purchase 5 radios for this purpose. - Comm. Baker inquired about the possibility of using funds from the recent donation from the CU Hotel School auction to purchase needed items for the training center. Chair Romanowski indicated that there were restrictions on use of these funds- that the funds were to be used only for volunteers. Chief Wilbur indicated that there was a possibility of Tompkins County being receptive to funding some of the items as it is now a regional training center, to be used by all County fire departments. XI. Executive Session- At 1921 hours the Board moved into Executive Session to discuss the 1997 Board of Fire Commissioners Recognition Award. XII. The Board resumed open session at 1930 hrs. - Comm. Baker made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners April 14, 1998 Page 6 (Minutes to be approved at the May 12, 1998 meeting)