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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1998-07-14 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 14,1998 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski,Lyman Baker,Paul Alexander,Alvin Nelson, and Cynthia Yahn (arrived at 1830 hrs.);Common Council Liaison Jana Taylor. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1805 hrs. - Matters of reorganization actually took place after Comm. Yahn's arrival. Chairperson Romanowski reported that Comm. Nelson has agreed to serve another 3 year term and will be re-appointed by the Mayor. Comm. Baker made a motion to nominate Alvin Nelson as Chairperson. Comm. Nelson declined. Comm. Alexander made a motion to nominate Comm. Romanowski as Chairperson. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Hearing no other nominations, the motion carried unanimously for Comm. Romanowski as Chair of the Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners for the year 1998-1999. Chairperson Romanowski made a motion to nominate Comm. Alexander as Vice Chair of the Board. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Hearing no other nominations, the motion carried unanimously for Comm. Alexander as Vice Chair of the Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners for the year 1998- 1999. II. Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 9, 1998 meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the agenda: - Comm. Baker would like to discuss a common mailing to volunteer companies- add to New Business. IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: -Ernie Jackson addressed the Board with 2 concerns: 1.) He inquired as to why the volunteer incentive monies had not yet been distributed; and 2.) Lack of training for Fire Police and C&O Team. (Chief Wilbur will address these items in his report later in the meeting). -Comm. Alexander commended Co. 5 for,yet again, another very successful 4th of July Fireworks picnic at Station 5. Lyle Neigh thanked everyone who worked and attended-he indicated that 183 people pre-registered for the picnic and it is very difficult to tell exactly how many people attended. Lyle did,however, express disappointment in the amount of money people donated toward the fireworks display. (Note from the Secretary: it may be wise in the future to try and make some announcement during the height of the picnic,as I don't think ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 14, 1998 PAGE 2 people tend to see the donation can-everybody mostly is interested in the food!) - Scot Taylor inquired if the Board was going to take any action this year regarding uniforms for volunteers. Chair Romanowski indicated he did not know the procedure. V. Correspondence: -Letter to Board from Fire Coordinator Miller inviting all to a meeting on August 6 regarding radio trunking; -Copies of letters to Chief Wilbur from Trumansburg,Coast Guard,and a letter from the Chief to Peter Dees (on reporting a fire on Cascadilla Park Rd.). VI. Membership Changes: -Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the following resignations: Gina Cordaro -Co. 4 Thomas Kline-Co. 4 Paul Hahn- Co. 2 Jennifer Swift-Co. 9 Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Reports: - Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of$18,633.55. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. -Chair Romanowski provided a written report that he gave to the Town of Ithaca meeting last night. Other items he discussed were: The Chief is considering an offer to the NYS Police who are being dislocated from their outpost at the Biggs Building,to possibly provide space for them at Station 6; 2.) consider code enforcement by IFD for Town buildings;3.) for those interested, a public hearing will be held regarding bell jar games. -Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board - DC Dorman reported on the last meeting: county-wide training-nothing until Fall; 1999 Fire Coordinator's budget has been submitted which is important to IFD-DC Dorman is on the budget committee. One important item in the budget to watch is the 24 hr. maintenance on the radio system (could be cut);he also listed training tower items that are included in Fire Coordinator's budget. VIII. Department Report: Chief's report (see written report in Minute Book). Chief ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE CO MMISSIONERS JULY 14, 1998 PAGE 3 Wilbur highlighted the following items: LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Administration - 1998 operating budget status-see charts; -North Country reimbursement-none yet received; - 175th Anniversary-activities &fund raising continues; -Career Personnel Report-Chief Wilbur reported that between parenting leave and disabilities - is really having an effect on ability to maintain the status quo; - 1999 Budget Preparation-please see written report. Chief Wilbur asked the Board for support of his goal to retain personnel which will adversely affect maintenance, acquisition of new equipment, and reduce some programs. After discussion,Comm. Baker made a motion that the Board of Fire Commissioners supports the following principals with regard to preparation of the 1999 budget submittal for the Ithaca Fire Department: 1.) What personnel we have are so important to the delivery of our mission, that we will cut to the bone in all non-staff areas to preserve people; and 2.) We realize that this will defer maintenance, acquisition of new equipment,and reduce some programs,but we are adamant about the need for people. The motion was seconded by Comm. Nelson and carried unanimously. The Board will have a Special Meeting to deliberate the 1999 budget submittal on Wednesday,July 29th at 1800 hrs. The budget submission is due in City Hall on August 1st. The Chief will attempt to provide information prior to the meeting. -2% funds have been received by the City ($43,728.26) and the Town of Ithaca ($13,608.30). As noted in a previous meeting,the$90,000 Active Firemen's (sic) Relief Fund may need to be replenished prior to disbursement to the IVFFA and the eight companies. Chief Wilbur reminded everyone that if they have any questions or concerns regarding the disbursement of these monies,that they inquire at the Fire Chief's office (not at City Hall or the Town of Ithaca office). Fire Prevention Bureau -C&O is involved in an extensive on-going investigation; -Juvenile Firesetter Unit Program-talking with County Attorney's office- ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 14,1998 PAGE 4 looking at mechanism for funding a county-wide program through IFD; - Master Box Fees-Common Council approved the proposed box fee ordinance at their meeting on July 1, 1998; - Permit Ordinance for C5 Occupancies-see draft document which is presented as part of the revenue initiatives package- the intent is to require annual operating permits for all places of assembly and to assess an annual fee to cover expenses associated with complying with an unfunded state mandate. Chief Wilbur indicated that the Board of Fire Commissioners needs to hold a public hearing before considering the Ordinance. After discussion, the Board determined a Public Hearing will be scheduled regarding the Permit Ordinance for C5 occupancies to be held on August 11,1998 (regular Board meeting night) at 1900 hrs. (The regular Board meeting will begin at 1800 hrs.) The Clerk of the Board will see that the appropriate legal notice is filed for this date. The Board of Fire Commissioners will further discuss the proposed ordinance at the special meeting on July 29th,1998 in preparation for the public hearing. Safety - 2 in, 2 out: still conflicting information from the State Labor Department; - Copies of a new manual entitled Fire Department Loss Control and Risk Management,A Best Practices Manual for Fire Department in New York State has just been received -they will be distributed to the Safety Committee and the new Human Resources Director. OPERATIONS DIVISION Response -See report from DC Dorman; -Fire Department Access-problem with fire at 145 Cascadilla Park Road - access to that area and some others in town is extremely limited. A quick response by a citizen(Peter Dees) resulted in a successful save of the property. This situation may result in our looking at smaller,special apparatus for better access to hard to reach areas. Support - See report from DC Dorman; - 1896 Steamer Agreement-City Attorney's office will attempt to have something put together by Friday July 17, 1998;Chair Romanowski also called the attorney's office to ask for a quick response. Training - Monthly training report attached; -Chief Wilbur had intended to ask the Board to help fund the Ohio Arson School Training for Volunteer Lyle Neigh as the department's training budget could not ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 14,1998 PAGE 5 afford the entire cost;however,the school has already closed out and he will not be able to attend. Lyle has attended this training school for several years. -Bunker Basic Training-DC Dorman reported that since there are only 9 people registered,he has opened the training to all departments in the county- given that it is a 3 week commitment,he doesn't expect lots of interest-so far Cayuga Heights will be sending one person; -In-service training- DC Dorman reported that the committee looked at and acknowledges that training for Class II &III volunteers is a problem. Since there are only a few people, specific or extra training solely for this group is being looked at. Also, the training requirements are not totally established so it's difficult to structure. The Board held a lengthy discussion of training requirements;Chief Wilbur also reported that this has been a very unusual year with very unusual demands on staff time I.e. Program Analysis Committee presentation, restrictive budget, shifting responsibilities within the department, in-service unit leader off on a disability, 175th year celebration planning and activities-can't fit everyone and everything in-needs of volunteers are so fractured that it's difficult to deal with-we are limited in our resources.. Vol. Coord. Marcia Lynch and the Chief and Deputy Chief are discussing the possibility of a "contract" for class III volunteers to more specifically define their responsibilities. Comm. Baker asked how the reported 16 untrained volunteers will be trained (this includes bunkers) -Chief Wilbur reported that career personnel will be utilized for bunker training and new member training (you may recall problems with utilizing volunteers and the stipend issue); also State-sponsored fire courses will be utilized. VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION -As Volunteer Coordinator Marcia Lynch is on vacation,please refer to the attached written reports that she has provided. IX. Old Business -Volunteer Ken Jupiter reported to the Board regarding the Ithaca Volunteer Firefighters Unit-he described the process which led to the formation of the group. It has been in process for one year, as a result of, and recommendation of the department wide, facilitated, meetings held last year. Active volunteers from all companies comprise the group which meets the same night as the Company Captains. The Board would like to be kept apprised of the progress of the group. ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 14,1998 PAGE 6 X. New Business - Comm. Baker discussed a common mailing to companies as a cost saving measure-to keep information being distributed in a consistent manner. Chair Romanowski asked Comm. Baker for a written proposal for next meeting. -Chair Romanowski reported that he,along with Chief Wilbur,sent letters to all companies and the union to reaffirm that the 175th celebration is to recognize all members of the department as apparently there were some misunderstandings about who was being honored. Co.'s 1 and 6 have been specifically honored in the recent past. -Chair Romanowski reminded Board members that use of Board letterhead should be used for only official Board business,not for use by individuals-this protects everyone from opinions that are not necessarily representative of the whole Board. XI. Executive Session-not needed XII. At 1920 hrs., Chair Romanowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, 1, /r � �I�� V _✓ '� Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk (Minutes to be reviewed for approval at the August 11, 1998 meeting)