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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1996-11-12 ITHACA BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS NOVEMBER 12,1996 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Lyman Baker,Robert Romanowski,Alvin Nelson,Cynthia Yahn (arrived 1825 hrs.) and Paul Alexander. I. Chairperson Baker called the meeting to order at 1803 hrs. The Board welcomed newly appointed City representative Paul Alexander who was recently appointed by the Mayor. II. Comm. Nelson made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 8, 1996 meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Romanowski. Carried unanimously. III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: none. IV. Persons Wishing to Speak to Board of Fire Commissioners: Lyle Neigh reported on his and Ernie Jackson's attendance at the 22nd Annual Fire Investigator's Seminar held recently at the New York State Academy of Fire Science. They were very impressed with the keynote speaker who was a victim of a fire which was a case of arson. She was very effective in the promotion of fire investigations. V. Correspondence: - A letter was received from Kristine VanIngen who is a neighbor of Station#7 in Fall Creek who was inquiring about possibly renting space at the station for an art studio. This request was tabled until other formal proposals for use of that space are received. - A thank you letter from Borg Warner was received for use of the Training Center. VI. Membership Changes: - Comm. Romanowski made a motion to approve an application from a Station #5 Bunker,Gina Cordaro, to be added to the rolls of Company#4. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. VII. Miscellaneous Reports: - Com. Romanowski reported on his attendance at the recent Town Board meeting and gave Chief Wilbur a written copy of his report. Most notably Comm. Romanowski asked the Town Board to consider the purchase of a Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners November 12,1996 Page 2 defibrillator for one of the Town fire stations (truck) in addition to their annual appropriation. -Comm. Romanowski made a motion to approve the audit in the amount of $15,416.13. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. -Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board-no report. - Comm. Nelson made a motion to authorize transfer of$368.00 from the Board of Fire Commissioners Rescue Squad Donation savings account to the BFC Donation Fund checking account for the purpose of paying for CPR classes taught by Lt. Tracy. (He previously deposited$590 into this account for this purpose as well as to purchase /repair rescue equipment). Seconded by Comm. Alexander. Carried unanimously. (The balance for purchase /repair of rescue equipment is $222). -Comm. Alexander made a motion to authorize payment to Wegman's in the amount of$58.73 for food/refreshments for emergency operations during flooding on November 8, 1996. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously. -A$50.00 anonymous donation was received on 10/25/96 in memory of the children who died in the Danby Rd. fire in August of 1993. The cash donation was deposited in the BFC Donation Fund checking account on 10/25/96. VIII. Department Report: - Chief Wilbur will distribute a written report and gave an update on the following: -The RRP project is not yet complete-still gathering information on reduced response-Cornell buildings are being surveyed at this time. Chief Wilbur indicated this is taking much longer than expected. - The Fire Department's 0% increase budget for 1997 has been supported by the Mayor but still needs to go before Common Council next week. The Mayor has also supported a new position-Chapter C Code Enforcement Specialist (which would be a transfer from a proposed deletion in the Building Dept. budget), and the addition of an Administrative Assistant for Finance;however with the talk of layoffs, the Chief is not optimistic that new positions will be approved. The City Controller has revised his projections to reflect a slightly better outlook over the next 5 years,but still indicates a deficit. Chief Wilbur is pleased that the Mayor is Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners November 12,1996 Page 3 supportive of the Fire Department but knows that the Fire Department will also be closely scrutinized by Council. Comm. Romanowski indicated that his feeling is the City Council will cut essential programs rather than lay off personnel. -Chief Wilbur reported on his meeting with 22 fire chiefs from across the state that he had today in Utica,NY. The cities of Utica and Niagara Falls are the most recent to suffer the loss of personnel-many others have had cutbacks over the last recent years. He feels the Ithaca Fire Department is in a much stronger position due to the combination of career,volunteer and bunker arrangement. - Deputy Chief Dorman reported on the status of various capital projects - current and planned for 1997. Upcoming projects include replacing the roof at Central Fire Station,purchase of 4 defibrillators, and improvements to the training center. He is currently working with the City Controller to combine current projects such as replacement of the Central station generator, air conditioning and other projects for increased efficiency. Deputy Chief Dorman also reported on the paving project for Stations 5,6,and 9; generator replacement at Sta. 6 (which would indicate a possible future replacement of the generator at Stat. 5 as they are the same); and in process of developing specifications for the new tower ladder. Specs should be complete in early December. -Volunteer Coordinator Marcia Lynch highlighted her written report. We have finally received official verification of the AmeriCorp program. She indicated that there is unofficial support of our application for continuing the program next year. A discussion followed regarding adding an administration component to the grant as it consumes a great deal of time to administer the program. She reported that the Volunteer Services Recognition Dinner held a couple weeks ago at Lake Watch was very successful and there is interest in the event becoming department-wide in the future. Lyle Neigh indicated he was disappointed that the dinner and awards did not receive any media attention. Volunteer parking permits have been distributed; the revamped incentive proposal is about to be submitted to the Captain's group; and the Fire Department will participate in the a public education program at the Sciencenter on November 23rd. Comm. Baker suggested that possibly Class III volunteers could be asked to assist with such things as media coverage. IX. Old Business -Comm. Yahn will make the Board of Fire Commissioners Recognition Award at the December Common Council meeting. X. New Business-none. Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners November 12,1996 Page 4 XI. Executive Session-not needed. XII. At 1835 hrs.,Comm. Nelson moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Romanowski. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, 0/(a C '6Z 4t/(A c Christine M. Wilbur,Clerk Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners (Minutes will be submitted for approval at 12/10/96 meeting)