HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1999-11-09 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 1999
MINUTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski, Cynthia Yahn, Paul
Alexander and Greg Kirkpatrick;
ABSENT: Commissioner Alvin Nelson.
Reminder: The public hearing regarding Permits for Places of
Public Assembly and Permits for Fire Systems Testing will be held
on Wednesday, November 17, 1999 at 7:30 PM at the Ithaca Fire
Department Training Center on Pier Rd.
I. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1810 hrs.
- Chair Romanowski introduced newest Board member Greg Kirkpatrick,
appointed by Mayor Cohen as a Town of Ithaca representative.
II. Comm. Alexander made a motion to approve the minutes of the
October 12, 1999 meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Yahn.
Carried unanimously.
III. Additions/deletions to the agenda:
- Add to Old Business: Sta. 7 resolution (Comm. Yahn);
- Add to Old Business: IVFU resolution requesting funds;
- Add to New Business: Request from Juvenile Firesetter's Program
for Donation Account Funds;
- Add to New Business: Request from Deputy Chief Dorman for
transfer of funds from the Donation Account.
IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners:
- Fire Fighter Patrick Sullivan spoke on behalf of his request for
funding from the Donation Account. He distributed a description of a
training seminar he would like to attend and indicated there is not
enough money left in the training budget to cover the cost. He
reported that each person in the Juvenile Firesetter's Unit has
received some type of formal training except for him (being the
newest member) and this training seminar is the "premier" training for
this program. The Ithaca Fire Department training budget can support
approx. $200 of the cost - he is asking the Board to donate the
ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 1999 - MINUTES
PAGE 2
balance of approximately $600.
- Chair Romanowski recognized and congratulated Volunteer Ernie
Jackson for receiving the Arson Investigation Certificate.
V. Correspondence:
VI. Membership Changes:
- Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve Stephen Evanitsky as an
Outside Service Provider. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried
unanimously.
- Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve Steven Goldberg for
ongoing membership. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried
unanimously.
- The Board noted the death of member Albert Burns.
VII. Miscellaneous Reports:
- Chair Romanowski provided his written report to the Town of Ithaca
(see copy in Minute Book);
- Audit - Chair Romanowski made a motion to approve the audit.
Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously.
- Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board - minutes only, no report.
VIII. Department Reports:
- Chief's Report - As Chief Wilbur is attending EMT class, Deputy Chief
Dorman highlighted the Chief's report (see written report in the Minute
Book). Some items to note:
- Reminder of public hearing on Nov. 17 at 7:30 PM at Training
Center regarding permits for Places of Assembly and Fire
Systems testing permits;
- Traffic calming measures - AC's Wanck and Wheaton keeping
apprised of situation and offering IFD concerns;
- Integrated Emergency Management Course sponsored by FEMA
to be held at National Fire Academy November 29th-December
ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 1999 - MINUTES
PAGE 3
3rd; approximately 75 representatives of county agencies,
including 10 from IFD - course and details coordinated by AC
VanBenschoten.
- Deputy Chief's Report: DC Dorman provided reports on Personnel
Staffing Levels, November response stats., and year-to-date training
report. (see written reports in the Minute Book)
- See Minute Book for October 1999 Fire Prevention Bureau report
provided by AC Wheaton.
- Volunteer Coordinator's Report - VC Marcia Lynch reviewed her
report that includes Active Personnel Profile, Active Personnel by
Company, Membership Activity and Bunker Program stats. She also
reported on the Physical Performance Assessment orientation that
was administered by AC LaBuff and Lt. Deis on October 31 at the
training center. Approximately 18 prospective volunteer, bunker and
career candidates participated. The actual PPA will be administered on
November 13, 1999.
Chair Romanowski asked VC Lynch to make a report to the Board next
month regarding a letter that was received from Company #7 and their
concerns about volunteer membership.
IX. Old Business:
- A proposal for use of $4,000 Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
monies in the Fire Department Operating Budget was presented by the
IVFU (see proposal in the Minute Book). The proposal included requests
for furniture, equipment and uniforms. VC Lynch reported the funds
are available. After discussion, Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve
the proposal as presented. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried
unanimously.
- Comm. Yahn presented a resolution for consideration regarding the
sale of Station 7. The resolution was written with the assistance of
the City Attorney's Office. The resolution addresses the concerns of
the Board regarding authority to sell the property, concerns that were
ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 1999 - MINUTES
PAGE 4
raised by Common Council regarding the historic issues of the property
and neighborhood, and the agreement between Common Council and the
Ithaca Fire Department to use proceeds from the sale to address
space problems at Central Fire Station. After a brief discussion, Chair
Romanowski made a motion to approve the resolution as written and
that it be forwarded to the B&A Committee of Common Council.
Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. (See complete
resolution in the Minute Book).
X. New Business:
- After a brief presentation by DC Dorman, Chair Romanowski made a
motion to award the bid for SCBA Replacement Project to the low
bidder, LaFrance Fire Equipment Company of Elmira, NY, with funding to
come from additional money added to the Capital Project #356 by
Common Council in 1999. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried
unanimously.
- After a brief discussion, Comm. Yahn made a motion to authorize
$600 from the donation account in response to FF Sullivan's request to
attend a conference on Juvenile Fire Setters. (Presented during public
session of the meeting). Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried
unanimously.
- DC Dorman requested the Board approve a transfer of $2,000 from
the Donation Account (that had been donated by the Eagle's Club) to
the Trust and Agency account for the purpose of purchasing a
computer and associated software to be shared by the Fire
Investigation Unit, Juvenile Firesetters and public education activities.
Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve his request. Seconded by
Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously.
XI. Executive Session - Not needed.
XII. At 1930 hrs. Comm. Alexander made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously.
ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 9, 1999 - MINUTES
PAGE 5
Respectfully submitted,
• / i
Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk
Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners
_o of) g4
4.- - q'' CITY OF ITHACA
~�f`""' ��t'<, 310 West Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850-5497
nit-711 d;
, OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF
!°.Iy1 0'_ Telephone: 607/272-1234 Fax: 607/272-2793
01 NOV 99
To owners and/or managers of places of assembly in the City of Ithaca, New York.
In 1984, when the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code was established,
included in the rules and regulations related to implementing the code (19 NYCRR) was a
requirement that all places of assembly be inspected at least once per year. This has not been
achieved once in Ithaca. Attempts at complying with this unfunded mandate have not been
successful.
To enable the city to comply with this mandate, three new positions were authorized for the fire
department for 1999. The revenue that would be generated by the code enforcement activities to
be performed by these new positions was allocated to fund a portion of the cost of those positions.
In order to generate the revenue required, several changes to City Code are required. The code
provides for this. Section 181-10 (New materials, processes or occupancies) of the City of
Ithaca Code states the following:
The Board of Fire Commissioners and the Fire Chief shall act as a committee to
determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard,
any new materials, processes or occupancies which shall require permits in
addition to those new enumerated in this code. The Fire Chief or his/her designee
shall post such list in a conspicuous place in his/her office and distribute copies
thereof to interested persons.
On November 17, 1999, at 7:30 p.m., the Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a hearing at
the Fire Department Training Center at 201 Pier Road, for the purpose of receiving public
comment on the enclosed proposed amendment to the City Code. Should you be unable to attend
the hearing but wish to comment, you may send written comment to the Board of Fire
Commissioners at 310 W. Green Street, Ithaca, New York, 14850.
A fee schedule shall be considered which will figure the cost of the actual work performed in
administering the permit program. Hourly rates for each person involved in the work shall be
assessed at the (1999) rate of $30.00 per hour. A fee work sheet will be used to calculate the
actual costs incurred. Depending on size, estimates of fees range from $30 to $150.
Should you have • - -stions or oncerns with this, please contact me at 607-272-1234.
Sincerely :: r•,-
/(
Ray,on. :. W -aton
As istant Fire Chief Fire Marshall
An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification."
Proposed addition to City Code: Section 181-9.E.(25) Areas of Public Assembly
(a) An area of public assembly is defined according to 9 NYCRR 606.3(a)(13), as follows:
An area of public assembly includes a building or a portion of a building used for
gathering together 50 or more persons for amusement, athletic, civic, dining,
educational, entertainment, patriotic, political, recreational, religious, social or
similar purposes, the entire fire area of which it is a part, and the means of
egress therefrom.
(b) Prior to such use, a permit shall be obtained from the Fire Chief, on such forms as the
Fire Chief may prescribe, for the operation of an area of public assembly.
(c) The Fire Chief may adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting of permits,
including, but not limited to, the submittal of plans and/or specifications for such space,
and installation and/or testing records for fire protective equipment or systems in use
in such space.
(d) Upon receipt of such application, the Fire Chief shall cause the area of public assembly
to be inspected. Such inspection shall include measuring and calculating maximum
occupancy load(s) for the space, and determining whether or not the space is in
compliance with subchapter C of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and
Building Code, and of this Code.
(e) Such permit for an area of public assembly shall not be granted if, in the opinion of the
Fire Chief, such space is not in compliance with either of the codes listed in subsection
(d) above.
(f ) Such permit shall be effective for a period not to exceed one year. Renewal applications
must be filed by the owner of the property and/or of the business prior to the expiration
of the current permit.
(g) In the event an on-premise inspection organization exists which may provide third
party inspection and certification of compliance with the code, such fees as required for
this section shall be adjusted to reflect the actual time spent by the fire department
required to assure compliance with the intent of this part.
(h) A permit for an area of public assembly may be suspended or revoked if, in the opinion
of the Fire Chief, there is immediate danger to life and/or health of occupants thereof as
the result of a violation of subchapter C, or of this part.
( i ) Operation of an area of public assembly without a valid permit shall be a violation of this
part.
( j ) Fees for new and renewal applications for a permit for an area of public assembly shall
be established by the Fire Chief, according to subsection 191-9.F. of this code.
1t
ITHACA FIRE DEPARTMENT-
PERMIT FEE WORK SHEET
Page _ of
PROPERTY ADDRESS
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION DATE OF INITIAL INSPECTION
Time spent at property for initial inspection (nearest 1/4 hr)
REINSPECTION(S)
Badge Date Activity * In Out Total Initial
Filing Fee
Total Time X $30.00/hour (initial inspection)
Total Time X $30.00/hour (reinspection)
TOTAL FEE
* ACTIVITY: T = Travel; I = inspection; R = Report; 0 = other.
10/99
;:;�4°'�I °,7j, CITY OF ITHACA
G= , n 'NA' 310 West Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850-5497
ei., . �' OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF
7 �- Telephone: 607/272-1234 Fax: 607/272-2793
04 NOV 99
To City of Ithaca, New York, licensed electricians, and fire protective system installers.
In 1984, when the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code was established,
a mandate was established with regard to the installation and modification to fire protective
systems. To meet that mandate, and in the ongoing effort to both enhance levels of protection and
limit unnecessary false alarms, the Ithaca Fire Department has been involved with assuring
code compliance relating to the installation of fire protective systems and devices.
To enable the city to comply with this and other mandates, offsetting costs by collecting user
fees is required. In order to generate the revenue required, several changes to City Code are
required. The code provides for this. Section 181-10 (New materials, processes or
occupancies) of the City of Ithaca Code states the following:
The Board of Fire Commissioners and the Fire Chief shall act as a committee to
determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard,
any new materials, processes or occupancies which shall require permits in
addition to those new enumerated in this code. The Fire Chief or his/her designee
shall post such list in a conspicuous place in his/her office and distribute copies
thereof to interested persons.
On November 17, 1999, at 7:30 p.m., the Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a hearing at
;i$ the Fire Department Training Center, 201 Pier Road, for the purpose of receiving public
comment on the enclosed proposed amendment to the City Code. Should you be unable to attend
the hearing but wish to comment, you may send written comment to the Board of Fire
Commissioners at 310 W. Green Street, Ithaca, New York, 14850.
A fee schedule shall be considered which will figure the cost of the actual work performed in
administering the permit program. Hourly rates for each person involved in the work shall be
assessed at the (1999) rate of $30.00 per hour. A fee work sheet will be used to calculate the
actual costs incurred.
Should you have qu: tions or concer s with this, please contact me at 607-272-1234.
Sincerel yours,
7 r
aymond : '• eaton
Assista : Chief ire Marshall
An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." CP
Proposed addition to City Code: Section 181-9.E.(26) Fire Protective Systems
Permits for Installation of Fire Alarm, Detection, or Fire Suppression Systems
(a) Permit Required. No person shall install or substantially repair a fire detection, alarm,
or fire suppression system as defined in the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code, without a valid installation permit. This permit is in addition to the
required building permit, and is triggered by the issuance of such permit by the
Building Department.
(b) An application for an installation permit shall be filed with the Fire Prevention Bureau
of the Ithaca Fire Department on forms provided by that office.
(c) Prior to the issuance of an installation permit, the Fire Prevention Bureau shall review
said application along with the associated building permit to insure compliance with
applicable codes, rules, and regulations.
d) Prior to the acceptance of the completed work by the fire prevention bureau, an
acceptance test shall be observed by the bureau. The tests shall be those prescribed by
the National Fire Protection System, or other appropriate standards making
organization, as determined by the fire prevention bureau. Such test shall not be
scheduled until such time as the installer shall have conducted a full system test and
proven the system works as required.
e) Each completed installation shall be accompanied by a system test record which has been
initiated by the installer and which describes the system and the components of that
system to be tested.
f ) Fees. As authorized in section 181-9.F(1), a fee shall be charged for each installation
permit and subsequent testing observations as may be required according to the
installation permit application received.
ITHACA FIRE DEPARTMENT
PERMIT FEE WORK SHEET
Page _ of
PROPERTY ADDRESS
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION DATE OF INITIAL INSPECTION
Time spent at property for initial inspection (nearest 1/4 hr)
REINSPECTION(S)
Badge Date Activity * I n Out Total Initial
Filing Fee
Total Time X $30.00/hour (initial inspection)
Total Time X $30.00/hour (reinspection)
TOTAL FEE
* ACTIVITY: T = Travel; I = inspection; R = Report; 0 = other.
10/99