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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1998-06-09 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JUNE 9,1998 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski, Lyman Baker, Paul Alexander, Cynthia Yahn;Common Council Liaison Jana Taylor. ABSENT: Commissioner Alvin Nelson. I. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1805 hrs. - He reminded Board members that the Board will reorganize at the regular meeting in July (elect Chair &Vice Chair); Chair Romanowski will also be in touch with Comm. Nelson to check his willingness or desire to be re-appointed as his term ends June 10, 1998,and be in touch with the Mayor to make an appointment. II. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 12, 1998 meeting. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Chair Romanowski polled the Board as to their recollection of the condition that the$1,500 "seed money" for the 175th celebration banners be reimbursed with proceeds from the sale of the ad book (if there were any). All recollected that this was correct. The motion carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: -Chair Romanowski - add under new business: Active Volunteer Unit Funding - discussion. IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: - Chair Romanowski congratulated Volunteer Pete Strizack for receipt of the BFC Recognition Award that was presented at the Common Council meeting last week. Pete Strizack, in turn, thanked the Board for giving him the award. - Ernie Jackson also thanked the Board for their recognition of Co. #1's 170 years of service that was also presented at the Common Council meeting. V. Correspondence- none VI. Membership Changes: - Comm. Alexander made a motion to approve James Wheal as an unaffiliated ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JUNE 9, 1998 , PAGE 2 bunker. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. - Chair Romanowski made a motion to accept the following resignations: Michael Bedell-Co. #1 Lisa Spagnoletti-Co. #1 Quint Friesell-Co. #4 William Munn-Co. #3 Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. - Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve the following be removed from the rolls due to failure to complete training and/or left the area: Jie Chen-Co. #9 Elliot Silverman-Co. #9 Daniel Pollak- Outside Service Provider Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Reports: - Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of$6,109.03. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. The motion carried with Comm. Yahn abstaining as she had now yet had a chance to review the audit. - Chair Romanowski provided a written report of his report to the Town of Ithaca Board last night (see copy in the Minute Book). -Chair Romanowski distributed copies of a report from the City Chamberlain regarding 2% funds. He noted that there is no surplus funds beyond the$90,000 and the amount will be restored at the next distribution. (This also answers Comm. Baker's request from last meeting regarding possible use of funds over the $90,000). (See copy of the 2% report in the Minute Book) -Chair Romanowski reported that he was made aware of funds available to the towns in the County (through the County budget) for celebrations. He has approached the Town of Ithaca and has secured $3,500 from them to assist the Vet Volunteers in building the enclosure for the 1896 Steamer. He also suggested that the Chief be in touch with the towns to request monies to assist in the 175th celebration. He also reported that the Town of Ithaca is willing to "fast track" the zoning issues related to building the enclosure for the steamer. - Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board - no meeting. VIII. Department Report (Chief, Deputy Chief, Volunteer Coordinator and Training): ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JUNE 9, 1998 PAGE 3 Chief Wilbur highlighted his written report (see copy in the Minute Book) LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Administration: -Operating Budget Status (charts of 100, 200 and 400 budget lines provided); - North Country Reimbursement- FEMA/SEMO expense reimbursement due in Albany this Friday- lots of time and effort to conform to their guidelines. Chief Wilbur commended Eileen Camp for her effort and diligence in keeping this project on track. Total amount submitted for reimbursement is$79,672.31. - 175th Anniversary -banners hung,program book sales have ceased, other fund raising continues - next event is the community fireworks show on July 2, 1998. Chief Wilbur went on to read a letter that he had just received from Assistant Chief Guy J. VanBenschoten that included a donation to the 175th as well as a challenge to others in the department to also donate. - Program Analysis Committee - a subcommittee is recommending that some portion of revenues (from new program initiatives) be returned to the Departments. This may significantly impact IFD regarding the EMS program study that is being conducted. -Career Personnel Report-see DC Dorman s report. - 1999 Budget Preparation-Mayor's guidelines are not expected to be received until June 12-August 1st is the deadline for submission- gives us little time to prepare. Fire Prevention Bureau - Cause & Origin Report- see attached report from AC Wheaton. -Juvenile Firesetter Unit- A meeting was held with Reps. from the County Attorney's and Probation Offices regarding IFD's availability to the rest of the County - additional meetings are planned. - Master Box Fees - after reviewing the proposed revenue initiative regarding charging for maintenance of master boxes, Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve the proposed Charter Change as presented by Chief Wilbur, for submission to Common Council for their consideration. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Board members asked that consideration be given to the initial cost- that it be high enough as the possibility of the cost being raised after that will be difficult. Carried unanimously. ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JUNE 9, 1998 PAGE 4 Safety - 2 in 2 out-work continues on the development of a policy. OPERATIONS DIVISION Response - Response - see report from DC Dorman. - Boundary Line Calls- Chief Wilbur reported a problem with mostly the Cayuga Heights Fire Department- with fire or rescue calls that are on the border and the dispatchers end up calling the wrong department (because it is unclear exactly where the call is). Cayuga Heights FD is particularly upset by this situation and Chief Wilbur would like Board members to be aware of the situation. Haz Mat Response plan Annex - FF David Reynolds has worked very hard to complete the update to the TCERP relating to hazardous materials and submission to NYS Emergency Mgt. Office. Support - Station 7- no progress made to give Common Council more information on space needs at Central. - Central Fire Station-space problem is acute. Long term renovation requests need to be developed. - 1896 Steamer -Chief Wilbur presented an outline for items to be considered for an agreement with the IVVFA for display of the 1896 Steamer. - See also attached report from Deputy Chief Dorman Training - Monthly report-see attached report from Deputy Chief Dorman. - Bunker Basic Training 1998 - Chief Wilbur reported that the only solution to the problem with paying squad leaders, is to have members of the class act as squad leaders and career personnel will be the only ones compensated (according to the voluntary work section of their contract). VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION Membership Unit - See attached report from Vol. Coord. Lynch. - Recruitment Program Assessment - after careful review of unsuccessfully ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JUNE 9, 1998 PAGE 5 recruiting efforts, Vol. Coord. Lynch will design a training program for one-on- one recruitment with the possibility of redirecting retention monies to award successful recruiters. Service/Duty Unit - See report from Vol. Coord. Lynch. - Chief Wilbur also reported that with summertime upon us,bunkers have left and staff is working hard to cover shortages. This may lead to times when station 6 is not open at night. He will keep the Board informed. - Deputy Chief Dorman reported that Lt. Schnurle and FF Irish are working on change order clarifications for the tower ladder- they should be finished next week. - DC Dorman reported the Joint Operations Committee for the Training Center will meet for the first time on Thursday night at the Training Center. IX. Old Business - Comm. Baker wants to remind volunteer companies of the requirements of the contract- specifically that attendance at meetings needs to be reported. He does not want any company to jeopardize their City contract monies. - After discussion of the earlier report on the outline for the 1896 Steamer agreement with the IVVFA, Chair Romanowski made a motion to accept the draft outline as presented by Chief Wilbur. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. X. New Business - Chief Wilbur presented a proposal for addition to Chapter 181, Article I, section 181.3. Fire Alarms (City Charter). This is in reference to adoption of an annual fee for maintenance of the municipal fire alarm system for building owners. After discussion, Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve the proposal to be brought before Common Council for consideration. Seconded by Com. Baker. Comm. Yahn indicated a desire to be sure the fee was set initially high enough as it will be difficult to raise the fee in the future, and that the fee should be calculated and reviewed each year. The motion carried unanimously. - Comm. Baker presented a donation of$10.00 from Mona Miller. In addition, he made a motion to have the Board add $90.00 to the donation to open a bank ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JUNE 9,1998 PAGE 6 account for the active volunteer firefighter's unit to use for office supplies. The Board disagreed and the motion was withdrawn. Chair Romanowski made a motion that the $10.00 donation be added to the 175th celebration account. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. Discussion followed regarding the active volunteer firefighter's unit. Chief Wilbur indicated the unit is still conceptual and would be an operational unit of the department just as the C&O Team,Juvenile Firesetter's Unit, etc. He does not want to continue a cycle of generating donations for volunteer activities. Chair Romanowski expressed his concern as to the impact the new unit would have on the current 8 companies. He indicated the company captains need to understand all the implications. DC Dorman reported that the next meeting of the unit will be held on June 23rd and anyone is invited to attend. Chair Romanowski recognized Lt. Mike Schnurle for his effort in putting up the pictures in the hallway at Central Fire Station. He did a really fine job and they add significantly to the celebration activities. XI. Executive Session- none needed. XII. At 1855 hrs., Chair Romanowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, ( //(.44V%,t,i.C-c A( Lai' - --- (--(Z j, Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk Board of Fire Commissioners (Minutes to be reviewed for approval at the July 14, 1998 meeting)