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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1999-04-13 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS APRIL 13,1999 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski, Lyman Baker,Paul Alexander, Cynthia Yahn, and Alvin Nelson. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1804 hrs. II. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 9, 1999 meeting. Chair Romanowski noted that the Volunteer Services Division report from the March meeting has been received. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: -Comm. Baker- add to Old Business -furniture at some stations is unsafe. -Chair Romanowski-need Executive Session -Chair Romanowski-short remarks under New Business IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners - None V. Correspondence: - 1998 2% Funds &City Monies report from Co. #5; -CNY Firemen's Assoc. Membership Card for 1999 was received. - Fairmont Fire Department- invitation to participate in annual convention. - Onondaga Vol. Firemen's Assoc. - invitation to participate in annual convention. VI. Membership Changes: -Comm. Baker made a motion to add the following members: • -Thomas Bailey-Unaffiliated Bunker -Sara Wivell-Co. #9 (incoming Bunker) Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. -Comm. Baker made a motion that to remove the following members (as requested by Co. #9) - Diana Domenech -Wendelein Oswald Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. The Board of Fire Commissioners noted the death of Co. 4 member Walter Pagliaro (01/12/99). And the Board noted the reactivation of Richard Wilbur - Co. #3 (Class II - Fire Police). ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS APRIL 13,1999 PAGE 2 WI. Miscellaneous Reports: - The Town of Ithaca report was provided by Chair Romanowski; -Audit: Comm. Alexander made a motion to accept the audit in the amount of $28,810.09. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. -Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board - Deputy Chief Dorman reported a Fire Police Course is scheduled for May 1st-we already have people signed up; another Basic course is anticipated as well as an Intermediate course; Deputy Coord. and Coord. have been working hard on the 911 centralization project and update -County has been supportive in theory but has not yet appropriated any monies -moving along in a strange fashion. VIII. Department Report(Chief, Deputy Chief, Volunteer Coordinator and Training) - Chief Wilbur is out of town- Deputy Chief Dorman reviewed the Chief's report- highlights as follows: LIFE SAFETY DIVISION Administration - Mutual Aid Reimb. -still investigating why we didn't receive whole amount- State &Federal agencies - slow process; - New Hiree-hopes to have person hired soon (to replace FF Garrett); - Town MOU related to new positions - Common Council approved, Mayor signed -need to send to Town for their signature. , -Operating Budget account status report- different format; - Contract negotiations - preliminary session today; more sessions scheduled; - Station 7- Fire Prevention Bureau - State Code interpretation of Rabinor Decision distributed -basically, still being reviewed by City Attorney's office -briefly explained; -Other Code activities on hold; - Fire Investigation Unit- report attached; proceeding with an Arson Task Force Concept-County wide; - Master Box Fees- letters will be going out to building owners advising of the fee; Safety - Safety & OSHA Physicals - complex issue - IFD Safety Committee working on it and will provide a recommendation; OPERATIONS DIVISION Response - Trench Rescue Project- more later; training completed, most of the equipment has been received -in fact, some of it was used yesterday at the Aurora St. garbage truck incident. -City Disaster Management Plan -being worked on; ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS APRIL 13,1999 PAGE3 Support - Steamer Project-continues ,FF Irish and AC LaBuff-hope to have completed shortly-work is proceeding slowing due to shift schedules, etc. DC Dorman reviewed his report-highlights as follows: -Personnel Staffing Levels -reflects retirement of FF Garrett; - Monthly call report-see report. Support: -Tower received from LTI-acceptance tests were conducted on 4/9/99 by DC Dorman, Lt. Schnurle & FF Irish- few minor problems-cleared up shortly - preliminary (factory) training scheduled for last week of this month. -The rebid for two new pumpers-bids open May 11, 1999 at 1400 hrs. -Two used aerials in process of being sold - all info. at Controller's Office -no date for bid opening as yet; - Supplied Air Respirators for Confined Space Rescue have been delivered; -Trench rescue equipment-joint project with CU for Lake Source Cooling Project- described equipment-air shore jacks, trailer, etc. Dual usage on lots of the items. Publicity about the equipment and project(thanking Cornell) will be put together soon. -Water Rescue boat& motor have been delivered -process of mounting equipment, etc. - will be ready for summer season. FF Chuckie Heath II reported that Don's Outboard Motor in Lansing is mounting the motor at no charge to IFD. Chair Romanowski would like to send a thank you letter. FF Heath indicated the Chief and Deputy Chief talked about publicity of the event. Training - In-house full trench rescue program- for others in the department who were not able to be involved in the initial training; - Supplied Air Respirators for confined space -we have all equipment and 3 shifts have received training-4th will be rescheduled (canceled due to Aurora St. garbage incident); Capital Budget - Submittal due in two days - moved up schedule from Common Council on entire budget process - discussed at staff meeting-no projects were approved for 1998 - staff discussed how to proceed: - Intend to submit replacement of all SCBA equipment- holdover from 1998 - figure will be revised (will be less);will print out projects for next meeting. Submittal project is through the Internet- DC Dorman likes - easy to submit; -Other projects are replacement of 963; replace 943 (1990 purchase) - addition of trench rescue trailer- need large towing capacity; -Central construction project; - Request for$5,000 (turned down in 1998) - fire alarm simulator for ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS APRIL 13,1999 PAGE4 Training Center; -Replace one pumper- replace 902 (1985) -fits into 15 year replacement schedule (could be included in the 2 pumpers going to bid right now - option to add a third was written into the spec.); - Eliminated 965 replacement (old suburban) - decided at staff meeting to rotate around. - Submittal will be on time. Volunteer Coordinator Marcia Lynch highlighted her report: -Personnel Report -numbers are fairly stable-virtually no change since last month; - Volunteer and Bunker Program Report-one significant development- a burst of inquiries about bunker program since last month along with 2 applications. Not sure why - we did run print ads in CU Daily Sun and the Ithacan (IC paper). About 10 other serious inquiries-assumed top priority due to time sensitivity. - Display and participate in Ithaca College Day of Service on March 28th- one serious contact from that; - Bunker recruitment PSA was recorded last Friday-Joe Scaglione;postering at CU -more interest from women this year- as many as 7 based on applications. - "One for One" Program - training in January and February At this point in time- the tape recorder malfunctioned-see Volunteer Coordinator Marcia Lynch's written report in Minute Book for the rest of the information. IX. Old Business - (mostly didn't record due to the malfunction) -Comm. Baker discussed the possibility of having the Ithaca Fire Department purchase furniture and equipment for outside stations out of the operating budget-he indicated companies can no longer afford to buy these items. X. New Business - - Letter from Rick Lathrop thanking for assistance in time of need - read letter. - Cabin Fever Festival- situation that came up that was somewhat disturbing- Chair Romanowski felt that public relations events - if call goes out for help, we should utilize those that offer assistance. A bad situation was created that conflicted with the Board goal of increasing good working relationships between career and volunteers. - Chair Romanowski would like a discussion at a future meeting regarding the lack of a Captain's group - items to be referred to IVFU. Contracts need to be changed to reflect changes. VC Lynch reported that a preliminary meeting is being scheduled to deal with this. Chair Romanowski read a letter that was addressed to Company Captains addressing this issue (from Chief Wilbur). He will give Board members a copy ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS APRIL 13,1999 PAGE 5 of this memo. - Request for 2%Relief Funds -The Board discussed considering a review of the process for control and oversight for requests for funds and a review of the form that is used to request monies -will be discussed at next month's meeting under New Business. Other departments have similar forms for requesting monies of this type-some will be obtained before next month's meeting. Comm. Alexander wants the record to reflect that the Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners does have a formal process for request of these funds,but we are going to reconsider the process. He reviewed the information contained in the current form. Discussion followed regarding rumors circulating regarding use of these funds - lack of communication seems to be most of the problem- letters to each company will be sent once again outlining the guidelines/rules, etc. for use of these monies. XI. Executive Session: The Board moved into Executive Session at 1903 hrs.. Deputy Chief Dorman was asked to stay for this portion of the meeting. XII. The Board resumed open session. Comm. Alexander made a motion that the Board of Fire Commissioner's annual award be given to the candidate discussed in Executive Session and that the award be presented at the June 3, 1999 Common Council meeting. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. Comm. Yahn made a motion that the plaque engraving and plaque given to the candidate be prepared locally- within the City as opposed to our previous arrangement with a company outside the City of Ithaca. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. The motion carried unanimously. XIII. Comm. Baker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, ci ristine M. Wilbur, Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners (Minutes were transcribed from a tape recording of the meeting. Minutes will be reviewed for approval at the May 11, 1999 meeting)