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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1997-02-11 • ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS FEBRUARY 11,1997 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Lyman Baker, Alvin Nelson, Cynthia Yahn and Paul Alexander. EXCUSED: Commissioner Robert Romanowski. I. Chairperson Baker called the meeting to order at 1800 hrs. II. Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 14, 1997 meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda-none. IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners -none. V. Correspondence: - The Board received and accepted at$50.00 donation from Drs. Lempert& Arles in appreciation of Fire Fighter Shawn Flynn. This will be deposited in the Rescue Squad Donation Fund. -Chairperson Baker reported that Clarity Connect has donated E-mail services to the Fire Department. The Board expressed their appreciation. -CNY Trumpet (newsletter) was received. - A letter was received from Cayuga Medical Center inquiring about a two-year appointment to their Corporation. Comm. Romanowski was the previous representative. No other Board member expressed interest and Comm. Romanowski will be asked if he is interested in serving again. - Chairperson Baker announced that the Cortland Fire Department is hosting this year's Central New York Convention to be held July 24-26, 1997. - A letter was read from Chief Wilbur addressed to the various local court systems indicating that the Ithaca Fire Department can no longer accept community service workers until such a time that a more organized program and supervision issues can be worked out. VI. Membership Changes: Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve the following membership changes: Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners February 11, 1997 Page 2 - Matthew Crafts joined Co. #5 - Alice Henshaw joined Co. #1 - Scott Lassell joined Co. #3 - Maggie Umeris jointed Co. #9 Comm. Alexander seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Reports: -Comm. Nelson made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of$9,528.51. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. -Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board -report that the 911 system should be operational by this Summer. Chief Wilbur also noted that there are two City delegates-Lyle Neigh and Mike Aaronson. Lyle is still interested but Mike no longer is able to serve; and there are two alternate positions: Dave Cornelius is one, and the other alternate is unfilled. Anyone who is interested in serving on the Board should submit their names to Chief Wilbur as soon as possible. The Chief also noted that due to a change in the regular City B & A meetings (moved to Monday nights), Deputy Chief Dorman will l probably be attending the Fire Advisory meetings when it conflicts with the B & A meetings. -Chairperson Baker reported that all companies have submitted their financial reports for 1995. Comm. Nelson noted that the reports between companies is inconsistent and difficult to follow. One company co-mingled the reports for City funds and 2% funds. Comm. Yahn made a motion that a memo be written to that company and ask them to submit the correct forms. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. - Chairperson Baker noted that he reported Fire Department business at the last Town of Ithaca meeting. The Town has a newsletter that would like submissions from this department if appropriate. - Chairperson Baker also reported that the request to the Central New York Firemen's Association from this Board to consider a name change to reflect all fire service people received only a "laugh". VIII. Department Report (Chief, Deputy Chief,Volunteer Coordinator and Training): - Chief Wilbur noted that his written report will be distributed at a later time. - He noted that there is a current problem regarding members who are not Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners February 11, 1997 Page 3 residents of the Ithaca Fire Department service area. He outlined the legal parameters regarding this question, and the Board will eventually need to make a policy regarding this issue. The whole list of volunteers will be reviewed to see where we currently stand. -The Volunteer Services Division first quarterly meeting was not heavily attended and those involved will decide if these meetings will continue. - Initial Fire Attack Training I &II was delivered to Class I Volunteers. This training will continue later this month. Chief Wilbur noted that this training involves a substantial financial committee- live burns, trainers, etc. but he feels it is very important. Assistant Chief LaBuff is in charge of this training. - Chief Wilbur talked about Station 7's status as it relates to space needs at Central Fire Station. Central station has lost discretionary storage space during the last renovation and is in desperate need for storage and office space. He feels Station 7 should be retained for use by IFD or sold. Use by IFD would be temporary in nature (storage of gear and inventory,942 and C&O team, temporary company office space) if Central station could be reconfigured and renovated to meet the needs. Other suggestions he noted were: the City could buy the Sports Club for use as offices (which would be Option I), add on to Central Station (Option II),and if no new space is acquired,Option III would be to retain Station 7. He feels a decision on the future of Station 7 is critical. Comm. Romanowski left a note for the Board that he feels a Space Needs study should be done for Central Fire Station and that the Volunteer Companies should retain their space and "presence" at Central. IX. Old Business - Bunker Council uniform request-nothing can be done until bids are received and opened (February 27th) as we have no current prices on uniforms. Can't estimate how much will be required until we have the prices. Chairperson Baker also noted that according to the City Charter, the Board is personally liable if they approve funding for an item that is not included in the budget, that the uniform request needs to go through the budget process. The question of modified uniforms is a possibility - might be able to purchase without entering the bid process. - Representatives of the Company Captain's group reported that the consensus of Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners February 11, 1997 Page 4 that group was that they didn't want training sessions at company meetings- that this was a social time and would like it left that way. They think it's a good idea -but don't want to do it. - Chairperson Baker will present a draft policy concerning use of the Donation Fund account at the next meeting. - More on Co. #7: so far two proposals for use of Station#7 have been received: once person would like to rent a portion of the space to use as an art studio; and a summer day care program would like to use a space -no information was received regarding the financial aspect;Comm. Yahn reported that she is aware of a third proposal-should be submitted by the March meeting. The Board suggested that another request for proposals be put out and that a Committee consisting of Comms. Yahn and Nelson, the Chief or Deputy Chief, and a representative of the Company Captain's group should get together and make a recommendation. X. New Business- -Comm. Romanowski has reported to the Chairperson that he would like to investigate the feasibility of a space needs study for Central Fire Station. XI. Executive Session- at 1900 hours the Board moved into executive session to discuss requests from the 2% account. At 1920 hours the Board resumed open session. -Comm. Nelson made a motion to approve a request of a member of Co. #7 for funds from the 2% account. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried unanimously. -Comm. Nelson made a motion to approve a request of a member of Co. #2 for funds from the 2% account. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried with Chairperson Baker abstaining. -Comm. Alexander made a motion to approve a request from another member of Co. #7 for funds from the 2% account. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. XII. At 1922 hours,Comm. Yahn made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners February 11, 1997 Page 5 Respectfully submitted, Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes to be reviewed for approval at 03/11/97 meeting / I I , -----7/V , - --) - ' -Thi / ,--) ■ ' ,