HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1999-06-08 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
JUNE 8,1999
MINUTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski,Lyman Baker,Cynthia Yahn,Paul
Alexander and Alvin Nelson.
Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1800 hrs.
II. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 11, 1999
meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously.
With members of D Shift in attendance, Chief Wilbur formally recognized Acting
Assistant Chief C. Thomas Parsons and Fire Fighters Deane Cook, Patrick
Sullivan and Bunker James Wheal for their outstanding actions during an EMS
call that resulted in the saving of a child who was reported as not breathing. He
read the detailed account as submitted by Lt. Chris O'Connor. They,successfully
as a team, along with Bang's ambulance personnel, determined the child had a
foreign object lodged in the throat which was difficult to clear. (See written
account in the Minute Book).
Chief Wilbur added his thanks to the group, as well as the entire shift,who all
were emersed in the regular day-to-day activities and response to calls. He
indicated the events described were not unlike most days at IFD with lots of
activities happening simultaneously. He also is appreciative to have a forum to
recognize these efforts.
Chair Romanowski added the Board of Fire Commissioner's commendation and
his appreciation to be associated with true professionals.
III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: None
IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: None
V. Correspondence:
- Donation of$50.00 from Ithaca Vet Volunteer Firemen's Assoc. in memory of
Seville Reulein.
VI. Membership Changes:
-Comm. Alexander made a motion to approve the following member be added:
-Jason Woodbury -Unaffiliated Bunker
Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously.
- Comm. Baker made a motion to remove the following members (bunker
Program withdrawals):
ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
JUNE 8,1999 -MINUTES
PAGE 2
-Andrew Lorenzo -Co. 9
-Kristy Pocious-Unaffiliated Bunker
-Eric Schoenfeld -Co. 4
Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously.
The Board also noted the death of Co. 3 member Seville (Bud) Reulein,Jr.
VII. Miscellaneous Reports:
- Chair Romanowski provided his written report to the Town of Ithaca (see
Minute Book);he also indicated that Supervisor Valentino is concerned that there
have been no meetings scheduled to negotiate the new City/Town Contract.
Chief Wilbur indicated that the Mayor has been out of town, and that he has
talked with the City Controller. He will follow up when the Mayor returns.
-A copy of the transcript of the 1998 Board of Fire Commissioner's Recognition
Award presented to Fire Fighter Shawn Flynn at the June 2, 1999 Common
Council Meeting is in the Minute Book;
-Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the audit. Seconded by Comm.
Alexander. Carried unanimously.
- Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board - Deputy Chief Dorman reported that a
site had been chosen for the new E-911 Center -on Hanshaw Rd. in the Town of
Dryden - this was the result of a cooperative effort of several entities and will be
part of a larger development.
- Chair Romanowski reported he met with the Chief on May 12 and discussed a
variety of items.
VIII. Department Report(Chief, Deputy Chief, Volunteer Coordinator and Training):
(In an effort to shorten the meeting, please refer to written reports in the Minute
Book).
- Chief Wilbur noted item#3, page 3: SCBA Replacement project and asked the
Board for endorsement of re-submitting this request out-of-cycle of the Capital
Project request. The Board will consider this item under New Business.
- Deputy Chief Dorman reported that as part of the process to evaluate the bids
for the pumpers, he and Lt. Schnurle and FF Irish will be traveling to visit the
factory of RD Murray. He also indicated they may ask for an extension on the
bid award to give more time for evaluation.
- DC Dorman also reported that final repairs on the new tower ladder will be
completed next week.
-Vol. Coord. Lynch reported that inquiries for the bunker program have gone
. ti
ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
JUNE 8,1999 - MINUTES
PAGE 3
down,while inquiries for the volunteer program have increased. She thinks it
may be due to recent radio ads. She also reported that a new recruiting initiative:
to distribute a one page flyer to all incoming IC and CU students in the fall to
increase awareness of our program.
IX. Old Business:
- Comm. Baker's resolution regarding the City's purchase of furniture for fire
stations will be tabled until next month;Deputy Chief Dorman will work with
him on re-writing the resolution.
The Board was concerned that the information be put together in advance of the
budget; Chief Wilbur reported that the budget is due August 1st and there have
been no instructions from the Mayor to date.
-Comm. Baker also asked that a reminder be sent to volunteer companies to
make timely reports on membership changes,address changes, and particularly
report on members who have died. A notice will be sent to company captains.
This is particularly important when mailings are sent only to find out that we are
sending to out-dated addresses, and to people who have passed away. The
Clerk will send a notice out.
-Vol. Coord. Lynch reported that all companies,with the exception of Co. #3,
have submitted financial statements for City contract monies and 2% monies.
She has talked with John Powers regarding Co. 3's reports -he indicated that he
was having a computer problem and would ask the Board for an extension.
(However,he was not in attendance at the meeting).
-Vol. Coord. Lynch also reported that there is some confusion on what fiscal
year should be reported: the answer is they should be reporting on a calendar
year. Some companies also submitted the reports on outdated forms. There are
also some companies who have not complied with the meeting attendance
reporting requirement. This was to be done on a quarterly basis. She will send
all companies a notice regarding the reporting requirements and require
submission prior to their receiving City contract monies.
X. New Business:
- Chair Romanowski announced the resignations of Commissioners Lyman
Baker and Paul Alexander whose terms have expired and have chosen not to be
reappointed). Chair Romanowski asked them both if they would reconsider
(which they would not) and recognized both and thanked them for their valuable
ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
JUNE 8,1999 -MINUTES
PAGE 4
service to the Ithaca Fire Department. Chief Wilbur also offered his thanks and
recognition to both for their work on behalf of the Ithaca Fire Department.
-Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve payment from the donation fund for
the BFC Recognition Plaque engraving: $47.90. Seconded by Comm. Baker.
Carried unanimously.
-Comm. Nelson made a motion to approve payment from the donation fund for
reimbursement for refreshments for the new Fire Fighter swearing in ceremony:
$22.12. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously.
- After discussion of Chief Wilbur's request for endorsement, Comm. Baker made
a motion to authorize the Fire Chief to make a request to the B & A Committee of
Common Council to approve a request for SCBA equipment replacement at a
cost of approximately$150,000. This would be a special request, outside of the
normal capital project request cycle, and prior to the City bond sale in August.
Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. (Formal resolution will be
written and attached).
XI. Executive Session- not needed.
XII. The next Board of Fire Commissioner's meeting is scheduled for July 13th, which
would normally be time for re-organization. Election of new officers will be
delayed until the Mayor has made new appointments.
At 1835 hrs,Comm. Baker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by
Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously.
Res•ectfully submitted,
Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk
(Minutes will be review for approval at the 07/13/99 meeting)