Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1997-07-08 CITY CLERK'S OFFICE ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIO. JULY 8,1997 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Lyman Baker,Cynthia Yahn and Paul Alexander; ABSENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski (vacation) and Alvin Nelson. I. Chairperson Baker called the meeting to order at 1806 hrs. Matters of Reorganization were tabled until a full Board was present. II. Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 10, 1997 meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: - Recommended additions to the Volunteer Uniform Program (to be added to Old Business) IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners-None V. Correspondence: - Letter from Frank Wood (Morse Industrial) thanking AC Ray Wheaton and the department for use of the training center. - Letter from Chief Wilbur to Mr. Gasteiger thanking him for his donation. - Request from Gadabout and FISH- asking for volunteers. VI. Membership Changes: - Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve the following for membership: Christopher Ireland -Unaffiliated bunker Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. -Comm. Yahn made a motion to remove the following people members (all have moved from the area): Michael Aaronson-Co. 9 Lee Holman- Co. 5 Andrew Pavlin- Co. 6 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 2 Also , the following bunkers who have completed their term of service and are no longer affiliated with the department: Daniel Cherry-Co. 9 Michael Friedman-Unaffiliated bunker Sidney Knuppenburg- Unaffiliated bunker Sandeep Singh- Co. 9 Richard Thorns-Co. 9 Daniel Vail-Unaffiliated bunker Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Reports: - Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the audit dated July 8, 1997 in the amount of$11,363.96. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. -Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board -no meeting. -Town of Ithaca Report-see notes from Comm. Baker in Minute Book. -Comm. Yahn made a motion to reimburse AC Labuff(from the Donation Account) for purchase of ice (405 Dryden Rd. fire 06/15/97). Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. Seville Reulein reported that the VFW might be willing to donate ice for these occasions. He will ask them and report back to the Board. -Comm. Yahn made a motion to pay Wegman's$44.01 for refreshments for the 405 Dryden Rd. fire on 06/15/97. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. VIII. Department Report: Chief's Report: (see written report in Minute Book) - he highlighted the following items: ADMINISTRATION - 1998 Budget guidelines from the Mayor mandate a submittal of a 4% decrease and an 8% decrease that include contractual increases for salaries. He supplied some preliminary figures representing the impact to the budget. The 4% decrease would be mostly absorbed in the 200 and 400 lines - maintenance, training, etc. or lose people; the 8% decrease couldn't be ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 3 accomodated without suffering layoffs. The Board appointed a sub-committee of Commissioners Yahn and Alexander (and other Board members if they choose) to meet on July 22nd at 6:00 PM at Central to review the budget submittal. The Chief will be meeting with the Fire Department staff on July 17th to get their input. THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY,JULY 29TH AT 6:00 PM AT CENTRAL FIRE STATION TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE 1998 BUDGET SUBMITTAL TO THE MAYOR WHICH IS DUE ON AUGUST 1ST, 1997. -The 1998 Capital Budget submittal was discussed. - Career Personnel Report - The Chief reported that FF Thomas Deis has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant to replace Lt. Fellows who retired in June. He indicated that it was a very difficult decision as he had very find candidates to choose from. -RRP Evaluation-still waiting for outside evaluation team report which is one component for the committee to evaluate. The Chief and some RRP members are meeting with representatives from the Town of Ithaca tomorrow to get their input and listen to any concerns. Hoped to implement any recommendations by August 1st but won't rush if not ready. - Public Information Office- Lt. Burbank is creating an Ithaca Fire Department Web Page on the Internet which is still under construction. It can be seen at: hhtp://www.clarityconnect.com/webpages/IFD_Web/IFD_home.html FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU - Chapter C Committee-after a along process, the group came up to the same conclusion that Chief Wilbur did before the group began- that what is needed is an Assistant Chief for Code Enforcement should be hired! This has always been budget prohibitive,but this is the Committee's recommendation. -Cause & Origin Unit- see written report from AC Wheaton. - Fire Alarm Task Force - due to time constraints, this has been delayed. SAFETY - Fire Department Safety Committee-AC Vliet is soliciting membership to the group - once that is complete, he will convene a meeting. OPERATIONS -June 1997 Incident report- see report from Deputy Chief Dorman - 911 is due to be on line on August 3rd. Chief Wilbur noted that IFD is contributing a significant amount of staff time and space to this project. ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 4 -AED's have been ordered and received-training is in process. Lt. Schnurle was on hand to demonstrate the equipment. DC Dorman noted that a letter was received from Bang's Ambulance indicating they were going to retrofit their equipment to be compatible to what we have and that there is a spirit of cooperation in this effort. SUPPORT - See written report from DC Dorman in the Minute Book. -Hydrant Testing continues Tuesday through Thursday until August. This has proven to be a very beneficial to us in locating broken and low flow hydrants. The benefits to the community are significant. -HVAC renovations begin tomorrow. -Bids for the new aerial should be out in the next week or so. -Fire Fighters are continuing to paint fire alarm boxes and poles - AC VanBenschoten issued a press release to let the public know what we are doing. -The new standby generator has been installed at Central Fire Station-Chief Wilbur commended DC Dorman and Fire Alarm Superintendent Dick Srnka for coordinating this massive project. TRAINING - See written report by AC Wheaton in the Minute Book. VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION -VC Lynch noted the membership report is reflecting a more realistic view of membership roles as companies and the department are sifting through lists. - The Bunker program looks good for the coming year although there has been not word yet on the AmeriCorp application. Again we will be in the position of not knowing until the last minute. -The deposit for bunkers has been raised to$200 to reflect administrative work- processing and training, which is refundable after 3 months. This will allow some payback if a bunker decides after all is said and done to not stay with the program. Arrangements will be made if a bunker claims a hardship. - VC Lynch has been chairing the sub-committee for 911 publicity - 100,000 brochures are ready to be mailed (not at the expense of IFD). Also, an IFD bunker, Tom Kline, is working on a 922 video to use for public service announcements. IX. OLD BUSINESS - All Company contracts have been signed and payments are being processed. - Volunteer clothing order forms are due back by July 25th (for active members). Seville Reulein will ask companies to pick up the difference in uniform costs for ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 5 Fire police. -VC Lynch recommended an addition to the Volunteer Uniform Program- that additional funding (up to$500) be allocated to issue to each probationary member, one IFD tee shirt to be worn while performing required standby duty or other types of department services- to be returned with other department property should service terminate. Comm. Yahn made a motion to approve the recommendation. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. X. NEW BUSINESS -Chairperson Baker reported that the idea of one active volunteer organization be formed was raised in the Company Captain's group. He supports this concept and hopes the group can come up with a proposal (from the Captain's group). -Chairperson Baker reported on the new IFD uniform patch-he praised Lt. Tier and the group who came up with it- feels all should be proud to wear it. -Chairperson Baker formally recognized Co. #5 for a very successful fire works picnic - also thanks to the IFD Fire Police for their good work. -The Vet Firemen will update the plaque that hangs in the hallway at Central Fire Station of the Top 7 Firefighters that they honor each year. - Chief Wilbur reported that plans are being made for a special activity to happen each day of Fire Prevention week in October. One activity will be the re- dedication of the Firemen's Monument in the City Cemetery. Other ideas are welcome. XI. At 1905 hrs. the Board moved into executive session to discuss a request of a needy member. At 1910 hrs. the Board moved back into regular session. Comm. Yahn made a motion to authorize the City Chamberlain to make a payment from the 2% Firemen's Relief Fund as a result of a request of a needy member. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. XII. The meeting adjourned at 1911 hrs. Respectfully submitted, ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 6 / i Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes will be reviewed for approval at the August 12, 1997 meeting.