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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1997-09-09 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SEPTEMBER 9,1997 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Lyman Baker,Robert Romanowski, Cynthia Yahn, Alvin Nelson and Paul Alexander;Common Council liaison Pamela Mackesey. Chairperson Baker called the meeting to order at 1805 hrs. - Matters of reorganization were done at the end of the meeting. II. Comm. Alexander moved to accept the minutes of the July 29, 1997,August 5, 1997, and August 12, 1997 meetings as written. Seconded by Comm. Romanowski. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the agenda: - Chairperson Baker mentioned the IFD Fall Picnic to be held on September 28, 1997 (to be reported under Miscellaneous Reports); - Chairperson Baker would like to read a letter from Co. #7 under Correspondence. IV. Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: - Lyle Neigh provided the Board with an update regarding the Firemen's Monument refurbishment project. He reported the project is moving along very nicely mostly with the help of two people. Stone jacked up,bushes planted, everything going quite well. He is pleased with the work that has been done. If all goes as planned, there will be re-dedication of the monument during Fire Prevention Week. He will be meeting with the Chief next week to finalize these arrangements. All are welcome to attend the dedication;however space in that area of the cemetery is limited. - Ernie Jackson addressed the Board regarding volunteer uniforms -Dan Tier and Dave Cornelius took care of the ordering. Deputy Chief Dorman reported that some of the items are already in. - Seville Reulein reported that he has received his Fire Police coat and other equipment. Lyle Neigh still needs a coat. Comm. Alexander reported that since Lyle had a turn out coat, it was decided to outfit the others first. -Comm. Alexander reported that there will be a meeting of the Fire Police on September 29, 1997 to hand out equipment and address other equipment and uniform needs. He urged all involved to attend the meeting. Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners September 9, 1997 Page 2 V. Correspondence: -Chairperson Baker read a letter from Co. 7 regarding the request for contributions to give a stipend to two bunker/volunteers. This request was rejected for various reasons (see copy of letter in Minute Book). VI. Membership Changes: -Resignation of Paul Scanlon- Station 6 Bunker,member of Co. #4 (has moved out of town)-Comm. Romanowski made a motion to accept the resignation. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Reports: - Chairperson Baker made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of $8,867.82. Seconded by Comm. Romanowski. Carried. (Comm. Yahn abstained as she has not yet had time to review the audit). -Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board-July 28, 1997 meeting minutes were reviewed. No August meeting. - Comm. Romanowski provided a written report of the Town of Ithaca meeting held on September 8, 1997. (See copy in Minute Book) -Chairperson Baker reported that the Ithaca Fire Department Fall Picnic will be held on Sunday, September 28, 1997 at the Vet Firemen's building on Elmira Rd. This is open to every Ithaca Fire Department member and their families. There is a signup sheet in the office at Central- dish to pass, games, softball, soccer, etc. VIII. Department Report: -Chief's Report, Deputy Chief's Report and Training Report: Deputy Chief Dorman reviewed the reports (Chief is on vacation). -Meetings on the operating and capital budgets have been in progress. - RRP Final Report staff meeting was well attended - agreed to accept all the recommendations and are in the process of implementing changes. - West State St. Parking lot behind Central Station- once again the MOU between the County and the City agrees to give the County 20 of these spaces. Chief Wilbur is working with City officials -Chief Wilbur is asking for a resolution from the Board that indicates our concerns about this arrangement. Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners September 9,1997 Page 3 Comm. Yahn asked to discuss the parking lot situation. This has been a question for more than a year. The City and County both have replied in a vague fashion for requests for more information. Now that the situation is coming near, she has heard that County employees are already figuring out where to park and that they (County employees) look at our lot as the best place due to the close proximity of their new building. It was noted that there is a contractual arrangements with Fire Department employees to provide parking for them in this lot. Pam Mackesey reported that it was her understanding that the County was no longer interested in the parking as there would be parking provided in another comparable space. It appears that the County has not been told that the intent was to eliminate the spaces in the Central station lot due to the other space that would be available. Comm. Yahn would like to have a meeting with the Mayor and Superintendent of Public Works Bill Gray to remedy the problem. Also,Comm. Romanowski reiterated that with the contractual obligation to Fire Department employees as well as the City's commitment to the volunteer program , there have to be at least a few spaces for volunteers as well. The Board would like something in writing. Deputy Chief Dorman said that the Fire Department is taking a survey of lot usage at this time that should be added to the Board of Fire Commissioner's stance on this situation. Pam Mackesey indicated that this meeting should take place as soon as possible. Comm. Romanowski does not see how any more spaces could be given up. The Fire Department has indicated in the past that the Fire Department really needs use of the entire lot. The Board will develop a resolution to be presented to the City that strongly indicates the Fire Department position as it relates to the use of the parking lot behind Central Fire Station. The following resolution was presented by Comm. Yahn, seconded by Comm. Romanowski, and carried unanimously. TO: Mayor Cohen, Bill Gray,Herman Sieverding, BPW, Common Council WHEREAS, it has come to our attention that the County may appropriate parking spaces in the Ithaca Fire Department State St. lot; WHEREAS, the Fire Department has contractual obligations with Ithaca Paid Firefighter's Assoc. to provide parking, also to volunteer services, training and standby, and general Fire Department needs,and, the Board of Fire Commissioners does not Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners September 9,1997 Page 4 agree with the current distribution by the Department of Public Works of approximately 16 spaces of the lot for general permits. We reiterate our request that this parking lot be controlled by the Fire Department. In addition, access to this lot by emergency vehicles cannot be compromised. RESOLVED, that the parking lot behind Central Fire Station with its entrance on State St. be reserved for Ithaca Fire Department use exclusively. - Chapter C Committee is ready to submit the final report. (One note, the City recently lost a court action regarding the smoke detector ordinance and it is not yet know what the long term ramifications will be). -Response-incident reports will be somewhat inaccurate until there is a transfer of information into a new reporting system. - Deputy Chief's report: Co. Captains have formed a committee to evaluate the volunteer services division;the classroom building at the training center is progressing-contract work should be done next week;#3 - one correction- the hose replacement bid - there is one problem- therefore, he has delayed awarding of the bid. The bid opening for the tower ladder will be September 23 (not Sept. 11) as a potential bidder has asked for an extension. -Training-AC Wheaton's cover letter-the bunker training (107 hrs.) -was very successful-thanks to AC LaBuff and all the instructors. No major hitches- good job done by all. IX. Old Business - Stipends for Bunker Training-one donation from Co. #1 in the amount of $40.00. Comm. Romanowski indicated that Co. #2 has not yet met;Co. #5 did approve a contribution (however,Lyle Neigh indicated he did not approve); Co. #6 did not approve. Chairperson Baker made a motion to pay stipends of$200 each from the Donation Account to Pete Snell and Tom Basher for their participation in the bunker training program. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Comm Romanowski indicated that he was not in favor due to the volunteer nature of the commitment and there are many others who volunteer without compensation. Comm. Yahn asked about previous stipends and why this is different. Lyle Neigh indicated that he feels this is an inappropriate use of the Donation Fund -not intended to "pay" for volunteers - this is no different than any other work the volunteers do. Deputy Chief Dorman indicated that the request came from him and Assistant Chief LaBuff due to the inordinate amount of time spent on this activity and that there is no volunteer credit or points for • this activity. The request did not come from the individuals. He feels this is a rather small amount of money for hours in excess of the 107 actual training Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners September 9,1997 Page 5 hours. Ernie Jackson indicated that if the motion is defeated,the contribution from Co. #1 should be returned. Comm. Yahn would like to review the minutes of previous meetings to determine how this was done in the past and more information obtained before she votes. After all discussion, Chairperson Baker withdrew the motion. Comm. Yahn withdrew the second. Comm. Romanowski will research the information and present at the next meeting. X. New Business: Chairperson Baker would like to thank Senator Seward for his legislative action to allow insurance coverage for firefighters on special teams eg. haz mat teams. Matters of reorganization: Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Comm. Alexander made a motion to nominate of Bob Romanowski as Chairperson. Comm. Yahn seconded the motion. No other nominations were offered. Comm. Nelson moved that nominations be closed. Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Vote was unanimous for Bob Romanowski as Chairperson. Comm. Romanowski made a motion to nominate Lyman Baker as Vice Chairperson of the Board. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Lyman Baker declined the nomination. Comm. Romanowski made a motion to nominate Alvin Nelson as Vice Chairperson of the Board. Comm. Alexander made a motion to nominate Cynthia Yahn as Vice Chairperson. Comm. Yahn declined. Comm.Yahn made a motion to nominate Paul Alexander as Vice Chairperson. Comm. Nelson seconded the nomination of Paul Alexander as Vice Chairperson. Vote was unanimous for Paul Alexander as Vice Chairperson of the Board. XI. Executive Session-none needed XII. Comm. Romanowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 1900 hrs. Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners September 9,1997 Page 6 Respectfully submitted, Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Minutes were transcribed from a tape recording of the meeting. Minutes to be reviewed for approval at the 10/14/97 meeting.