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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1999-07-27 • ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING: JULY 27,1999 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski,Alvin Nelson & Cynthia Yahn; 2 vacancies Meeting held at Ithaca Fire Training Center,200 Pier Rd.,Ithaca,NY due to lack of space at Central. Chair Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1805 hrs. II. Action items held over from 7/13/99 meeting: -Comm. Nelson made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 8, 1999 and July 13, 1999 meetings as written. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. - Resolution regarding space needs and consideration of a list of improvements to Central Fire Station that may be funded from proceeds of sale of Station 7: Chief Wilbur presented a proposed resolution and discussion followed. Some items included: - In 1998 the BFC resolved that Station 7 was declared as surplus and that it should be offered for sale with contingency that proceeds be used toward the space needs of the Ithaca Fire Department; -$1m for renovations + $20,000 of unfunded capital projects for this purpose have been resubmitted; -Create a "client committee" of space users - possibly meet with Tony Egner to discuss needs; - Discussed short term "fixes"; - Comm. Yahn would like added to the list is cost of refurbishing of dispatch space when they move out of Central Fire Station; - Market opinion value of Station 7(last year) was between$80-85,000. -Company office space at Central needs to be reconfigured; -Stuart Howe Alumni House may be available for purchase in 1-2 years - speculation at this point; - Redevelopment of West State St. corridor- good time and opportunity as a more permanent solution-Comm. Yahn would like reference to that in the resolution; - Commissioners would like reference to in-kind services that fire department personnel would provide in a project like this - we are the only City department that administers its own capital projects. After discussion, Comm. Nelson made a motion to adopt the resolution regarding space and storage needs of the Ithaca Fire Department as presented and with additions as noted in the discussion (see attached copy). Seconded by • r . • ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING: JULY 27,1999 - MINUTES PAGE 2 Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. - Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve payment from the Donation Fund in the amount of$83.95 for the purchase of memorial bunting. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. - Deputy Chief Dorman reported the Apparatus Committee is not yet ready to recommend the bid award for the 2 pumpers-still waiting for some clarifications from one of the bidders. He will request a telephone poll when it's time. - Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve the resolution presented by Deputy Chief Dorman at the July 13, 1999 meeting regarding future purchase of furniture for the common areas of fire stations (see resolution attached). Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. - Chief Wilbur presented an estimate from Ithaca College for internet service to be extended to Station 5 in the amount of$13,000. Discussion followed regarding our lack of funds to do this project. After further discussion, Chair Romanowski made a motion to request Ithaca College to provide the internet connection to Station 5 at minimal or no cost to the City of Ithaca, that they would receive appropriate public recognition, and that it would be a valuable service to the Ithaca College students who live at Station 5. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. - Comm. Yahn asked for a discussion regarding employee recognition at Common Council meetings. She feels that we should take the opportunity to educate council members on various aspects of the job - like why we do rescue/ems calls and what we do that Bang's can't do. She believes that they feel even if IFD didn't respond to "the baby choking" call - that Bang's would/should do this. Announcements: - Chair Romanowski read a letter he wrote to Architect Tony Egner requesting informal assistance regarding space needs study for the Ithaca Fire Department; - Annual report of 2% Fire Relief Funds was received from City Chamberlain Debbie Parsons; - Chair Romanowski reported he was asked if the minutes of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioner meetings could be posted on the web when the time comes - no one objected; . ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING: JULY 27,1999-MINUTES PAGE 3 - Ithaca Veteran Volunteer Firefighter Assoc. donated $50.00 in memory of deceased member Mr. Illensick (deposited to Donation Account) III. Year 2000 Budget Deliberations: Chief Wilbur reported that it is his great pleasure for the past 2 years to have Eileen Camp on staff to work on the budget- she has lifted a tremendous load of work from him and he really appreciates it! Discussion of the budget was as follows: -a 0% increase begins to lose personnel as there is a$45,000 deficit; - a -3%budget leaves a deficit of$101,007 which would mean the loss of several positions; - The Special Budget includes all personnel, 7 additional fire fighters (which would reach the 10 that have been requested all along), and restores levels of program costs, training,etc. to levels that were maintained several years ago; - all budget scenarios have been calculated with a 2% increase in salaries (all union contracts are currently being negotiated), with deficits being deducted from other accounts; - Mayor has indicated that he would not cut personnel in the Fire Department; - Discussion of 435 account: - Nothing for volunteer companies - only in;the Special Budget; - Volunteer retention monies (incentives) being applied to funding the IVFU (active volunteers); - $8,000 to 415 account to purchase 2nd set of gear for volunteers. - Chair Romanowski indicated a need for a dependent force of active volunteers and the budget can no longer support the social aspect of volunteer companies. Time to shift priorities. He also reported that he has been laying the groundwork for this situation as long ago as last year. He also noted improved relations between the career and volunteer staff-need to continue improvement of the active volunteer. - Chair Romanowski, on behalf of the Board, commended the tremendous amount of work that it takes to prepare the budget and the processes involved. Comm. Yahn made a motion to accept the Year 2000 budget scenarios as presented and that the Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners recommends the "special" budget be adopted by the City of Ithaca. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. IV. At 1915 hrs. Comm. Yahn made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING: JULY 27, 1999 - MINUTES PAGE 4 Respectfully submitted, - 591 EV-- -\17A' Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners NOTE: The August 10, 1999 meeting has been canceled. (These minutes will be reviewed for approval at the next regular meeting to be held on September 14, 1999.) 3JI33o S•xli3'IJ ASIJ