HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1996-08-27 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONER
SPECIAL MEETING: AUGUST 27, 1996 (BUDGET WORK SESSION)
MINUTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Lyman Baker, Robert Romanowski,Cynthia Yahn and Alvin
Nelson.
Chairperson Baker called the meeting to order at 1815 hrs.
II. Comm. Romanowski indicated, for the budget discussion,he was not concerned
about utilities as there is not much control over the costs. He would like to talk
about the following items and the impact on the proposed budget:
-Increase in number of fire fighters and other staff increases;
- Training and staff development;
- Equipment other than vehicles including new technology i.e. Defibbrilators;
- Building and code enforcement costs;
- Cost of volunteer program;
- Budget impact on closing Station#7 and part time use of Station#6.
Comm. Romanowski went on to say that he knows the Mayor is very
understanding of the Fire Department and its operations; however, he is at the
mercy of Common Council. Comm. Romanowski feels that public safety and
public works programs should have the highest priority during budget
deliberations.
III. Chief Wilbur reported on a meeting today to review Capital Project requests.
The Fire Department requests were reviewed second - Skate Board Park review
was first.
The Fire Department has submitted 5 projects:
- Training Center Improvements
- Central Fire Station Roof Repairs
- Automatic External Defibrillators (AED's)
- Physical Fitness Equipment
- Water/Ice (Swift Water) Rescue Program
The Chief noted his frustration with the Committee as, other than the Central
Station Roof Repair project, the Committee mostly asked about other methods to
fund these projects - grants, etc. This meeting was for review only and decisions
will be made at a future date.
Comm. Yahn asked if any of these items or projects were mandated i.e. OSHA.
The Chief reported they are not; however, if we are to do swift water rescues,
fire department personnel needs to have the proper training and equipment to
Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners
August 27, 1996
Page 2
do the rescues safely.
Comm. Romanowski,who feels very strongly about the purchase of
defibrillators, recommended that the Fire Department propose that the Town of
Ithaca purchase one as a separate item from the Fire Protection Contract. He or
Comm. Baker will make a presentation to the Town Board to request this item.
IV. Chief Wilbur next reviewed the draft budget line by line. Highlights of the
discussion were as follows:
- 105 Account (Administration Salaries) reflects the addition of one
Administration Assistant in Financial Management. This position is important
due to the increasing budgetary and financial demands on the department. The
Fire Department may be heading towards a more complicated fee structure in
the code enforcement area eg. inspections,permits, etc. And to implement an
effective program budget for the department has been impossible as we are
currently staffed. Compared to other departments of City government, the Fire
Department has far less administrative support given budget and personnel size.
- 110 Account (Staff Salaries) reflects the addition of 10 Fire Fighters and 1
Assistant Chief for Code Enforcement. It is known that it takes 5 Fire Fighters to
cover a 24 hour period, 7 days per week; therefore 10 Fire Fighters represents 2
extra per shift-which means that Station 6 could be open full time as well as
coverage for vacations, etc. The Assistant Chief for Code Enforcement is
necessary to keep up with the heavy work load in that area as well as permitting
the MTO to serve full time in that capacity.
- The Chief and Board next reviewed 200 and 400 accounts, line by line. With
few exceptions (which were mostly a matter of explanation and clarification or
items that needed to be redefined or combined) the Board felt all were necessary
for the department to operate safely and efficiently. Some items were noted as
having previously been submitted as a Capital Project, were returned to the
operating budget by the Controller. One item: Emergency Operations Center
Fitout was suggested to added to the Capital Project request as it relates to many
City Departments and other agencies operating out of Central Fire Station during
a disaster. They felt this was not appropriate to be included in the operating
budget.
- The Board asked if the closing of Station 7 and part time use of Station 6 would
lower the utility section of the budget. The Chief indicated that this would
probably not be true as all the other stations are completely full of bunkers and
there most likely would be an increase in utilities.
Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners
August 27, 1996
Page 3
-Training requirements were next discussed:
-On-going in-service training is mandated;
-Although the AmeriCorp program will not likely continue in 1997, we
hope to continue with a large bunker contingent which is training
intensive;
-On-going volunteer recruitment requires new member training classes at
least once per year;
-It appears there may be a fair amount of retirements in 1997- as many as
six could leave and if any new positions were approved, this would
constitute a heavy training expense.
- Vehicle Maintenance was next discussed. Chief Wilbur is concerned that
resources at DPW are overextended. It is not possible to go to outside sources
without a bid coming in lower than what DPW charges-and the inconvenience
of having repair stations outside of the district is a problem.
After all the discussion, it was decided that two budget scenarios will be submitted:
1. A full request with all items and positions being included;
2. A request that includes all items except for the additional positions but
including the Administrative Assistant for Financial Management.
A narrative that will be submitted with the budget request will include the
consequences of continuing with current resources and the continuation of no
additional personnel. These are a decrease of the ISO rating which increases tax
payers homeowner insurance costs, and jeopardizes the safety of the personnel we now
have.
Chief Wilbur will continue to complete the budget process and present it again to the
Board for approval.
At 1945 hours, the meeting adjourned.
R ectfully submitted, \
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Christine M. Wilbur, Clerk
Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners
Minutes will be submitted for approval at 09/10/96 meeting