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Home My WebLink AboutMN-BFC-1997-10-14 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 14,1997 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Robert Romanowski,Lyman Baker,Paul Alexander, Alvin Nelson and Cynthia Yahn. Chairperson Romanowski called the meeting to order at 1800 hrs. -Commissioners were reminded to attend the Ithaca Fire Department budget hearing on October 23, 1997- 1930 hrs. in Common Council Chambers at City Hall. II. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the September 9, 1997 minutes as written. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. - III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: -Chairperson Romanowski- add to New Business: Policies &Procedures Manaual for Board of Fire Commissioners; - Comm. Yahn- add to New Business: DOT Report - DC Dorman-delete Hose Replacement bid from Old Business (taken care of last month). IV. Persons Wishing to Speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: - Bill Gilligan,head of the Company Captain's group thanked Deputy Chief Dorman and Chief Wilbur for their support of the department picnic held last month at the Vet Volunteers on Elmira Rd. -He also inquired of the status of the City Contracts sent to the City Attorney's office -Chief Wilbur will check. -Lyle Neigh reported that the Rededication of the Firefighter's Monument in the City Cemetery held on Saturday was very successful. Many people contributed to this notable event. - Ernie Jackson asked that all those who videotaped the event to get together to make one tape to keep on file-Lyle Neigh indicated that someone is already taking care of this. V. Correspondence: -Chairperson Romanowski read a written account of Ithaca Volunteer David Riker (Co#2,Class III),while working on his postal route, reported a fire at 1308 E. Shore Dr. and assisted while waiting for Lansing Fire Department (and Ithaca ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 14,1997 PAGE 2 Fire Department on mutual aid) to respond. He received a donation from the residents of the property which in turn he donated to the Chuckie Fletcher Memorial Fund. Comm. Baker, at Ernie Jackson's suggestion,will nominate him for the Central NY Firemen's Association annual award. VI. Membership Changes: none VII. Miscellaneous Reports: -Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of$. Comm. Nelson seconded the motion. The motion carried with Comm. Yahn abstaining as she had not had a chance to review the audit. -Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board-Deputy Chief Dorman reported on the following items: -The budget for the Fire Coordinator's office was submitted to the County and appears to be in good shape; -The Fire Coordinator has submitted a capital budget item for a microwave and radio update project-Jack Miller expects the result to be the County will have 95% hand-held coverage-this is a huge project; -Lee Shurtleff reported on 911 -no increase in calls- 1/3 of all calls are for police;they are receiving approximately 50 test calls per month; -Walter Groman reported that there are 3 non-voting seats available on the Central NY EMS Council if anyone is interested. VIII. Department Report-see written reports from Chief Wilbur and Deputy Chief Dorman in Minute Book. Chief Wilbur highlighted his report with the following items: LIFE SAFETY: Chief Wilbur Administration: 1. 1998 Operating Budget- again, reminder that the Fire Department budget hearing is scheduled for Thursday,October 23rd at 1930 hrs. The Mayor's budget message was also distributed to Board members (see copy in Minute Book); also, City officials are predicting severe cutbacks, including layoffs, for 1999. 2. Capital Projects requests- Mayor has recommended approval except a drastic cut in the amount for Central Kitchen renovations -$40,000 down to $5,000. 3. Personnel Report-see report from DC Dorman. 4. RRP Eval. & Status: A committee of Lieutenants is working on moving back to Central until recommendations for better accommodations (computer access, administrative aides) can be made at Station 9; a neighborhood meeting ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 14,1997 PAGE 3 for residents of West Hill to discuss fire protection in their area will be held on October 21st at 7 PM at Station 6 -Town Supervisor Valentino and Fire Department officials will be on hand to speak and answer questions. 5. State St. Parking lot- Comm. Yahn suggested Board members and Fire Dept. reps. meet with Common Council member Susan Blumenthal and the Planning & Development committee to state our case once again. She will make the contact. Lyle Neigh suggested the City could offer the County spaces in the Woolworth's lot (since they are going to close) instead of the State St. lot. Chief Wilbur also reported that IFD will be charged (in the budget process) for 4 spaces in the Dryden Rd. parking garage for our bunkers who live at Station 9. DPW in turn will show the income as revenue. The Board discussed the appearance that the Fire Dept. is the only City Dept. being charged for parking for employees. Chairperson Romanowski will approach the Mayor on this subject to try and get an answer. Fire Prevention Bureau 1. Chief Wilbur reported on all the Fire Prevention Week activities - and thanked all those involved - everything went well. He expressed his appreciation especially to Lyle Neigh for all his work on the Firemen's Monument in the City Cemetery- the ceremony was very well done. 2. Chapter C Committee-report not yet distributed. 3. Cause &Origin Report-Assistant Chief Wheaton will submit at a later date. Safety 1. Health& Safety Committee-Assistant Chief Vliet held an organizational meeting on September 29 -future meetings will be scheduled. Any safety or health related issues can be directed to AC Vliet and his committee. - OPERATIONS: Deputy Chief Dorman Response 1. September 1997 Incidents-see attached report 2. Due to the nature of some recent mutual aid requests (for IFD special services eg. high angle rescue,Cause &Origin team), Lt. Schnurle has been asked to evaluate our mutual aid relationship and to make recommendations. Support 1. See attached report from DC Dorman-one correction: LTI will be bringing a truck to IFD to test drive &operate on October 20th (as opposed to going to LTI). ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 14,1997 PAGE 4 VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION: Volunteer Coordinator's report will be available at a future date. IX. Old Business - Stipends for Bunker Training Squad Leaders - Board members reviewed a memo from Chief Wilbur (see copy in the Minute Book) as well as a history of payment of stipends. The Board agreed that a vote on the current request for stipends should occur before a discussion of changing a precedent. Therefore, Chairperson Romanowski made a motion to authorize payment of a stipend of $200.00 each for Pete Snell and Tom Basher for Squad Leader participation in Bunker Training. Seconded by Comm. Yahn. Carried`unanimously. Comm. Yahn would like to again ask the Volunteer Companies to give a donation toward this cost as Co. #1 was the only company to respond. Bill Gilligan reported that Co. #6 did not object to the people involved personally, only to the manner in which the stipends are given-hit or miss,no consistency. Ernie Jackson asked that Co. #1's donation be returned as it was not fair they were the only ones to contribute. The Commissioners asked that a return of the donation wait until others had a chance to respond and the Board has more time to deliberate the issue. The Board will devote a major portion of a future meeting to the issue of stipends. X. New Business -Chairperson Romanowski asked the Board to consider spending time to organize a Policies and Procedures manual that would include items such as: -Board responsibilities as outlined in the City Charter, -Volunteer Company agreements; -Description of Volunteer Class Terms: eg. I, II, III -Policies& Procedures -Descriptions & policies regarding funds held by BFC -And anything else the Board feels appropriate. -Comm. Yahn reported on the aftermath of the Octopus Project and a committee that is addressing 15 issues with the NYS Department of Transportation. She described the process and items related to the Fire Department eg. delayed traffic signals for emergency vehicles. Funding sources for all items are being explored. Chairperson Romanowski reported that Conrail is changing to Norfolk Western ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 14, 1997 PAGE 5 and any agreements made with Conrail eg. calling ahead when coming through town,probably will vanish. XI. At 1915 hrs. the Board moved into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. At 1929 hrs. the Board resumed Open Session. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve a request of$100.00 from the donation fund for employee recognition. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. The 1996 Annual Commissioner's Award will be given on Thursday,October 27, 1997 at 1930 hrs. at teh B &A Committee Meeting of Common Council. XII. The meeting adjourned at 1930 hrs. Respectfully submitted, C-7 74-/("WZ4---(--- f)r) ' C&LLL11--6 Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk Board of Fire Commissioners The minutes will be reviewed for approval at the November meeting CITY CLERK'S OFFICE