HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1995-11-14 .
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 14, 1995
MINUTES
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS JENNINGS, BAKER, NELSON AND ROMANOWSKI
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER YAHN
1. Chairperson Jennings called the meeting to order at 1800 hrs.
2. Comm. Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 10, 1995
meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously.
3. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: none
4. Persons Wishing to Speak to Board of Fire Commissioners:
- Volunteers Jim Joseph and Bill Gilligan presented the final version of the revised
Volunteer Incentive Awards Program. Most notable changes or additions included: a
factor for years of service and incentives for Fire Police and Class III volunteers. The
proposed system will take effect in 1996 for awards made in 1997. (Incentive awards paid
in 1996 are based on 1995 activity). After discussion of the document, Comm. Baker made
a motion to approve the program as presented, and to recognize the long, hard work put
in by all those involved in putting this document together. Seconded by Comm.
Romanowski who also applauded the effort. Carried unanimously. (see copy in the
Minute Book).
- John Powers, Treasurer of Tornado Hook & Ladder Co. #3 described the
circumstances surrounding the delinquency of filing the required report on use of City
contract monies, and to request that the monies be released to Co. #3. Chairperson
Jennings responded that the deadline had passed with no previous explanation of the
delinquency of the reports, that there is a freeze on spending, and that the funds probably
aren't available at this point in time. Mr. Powers questioned the Board's authority to
withhold funds and asked for a written report regarding the policy of requiring the report
on a certain date to qualify for the funds, and the precedent of not paying the funds due
to lack of a report, or not paying the funds when the report is filed late.
Comm. Jennings will research the information and report back to Co. #3. Chief
Wilbur reported that this problem will not happen in the future as beginning in 1996, there
will be a written contract with the companies that outlines specifically the relationship to
the Department and the company's mutual expectations.
5. Correspondence: Comm. Jennings reported on the following -
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November 14, 1995
the Department and the company's mutual expectations.
5. Correspondence: Comm. Jennings reported on the following -
- Memo to Mayor, H. Matthys VanCort from Chief Wilbur re: W. State St. Parking
Lot behind Central Fire Station as it relates to recent City/County negotiations with the
Department of Social Services and their possible move downtown and the availability of
parking spaces in this lot.
- Letter to David Stewart, Cornell University from Marcia Lynch thanking the
University for their participation in providing food and ongoing support of the Ithaca Fire
Department Bunker Program.
- Memo to the Mayor and Council Members from Jon Meigs, Planning Dept.
regarding 1996 Capital Project Request Rankings.
- Memo to City Controller and Mayor from Chief Wilbur regarding budget revisions
(as requested).
- Memo from the Mayor to Common Council concerning 1996 Budget Message.
- Memo to Valerie Saul, Personnel Admin. from Chief Wilbur requesting a meeting
with the Vacancy Review Committee to fill anticipated vacancies.
- Memo to City Controller from Chief Wilbur regarding 1995 Budget Projections.
6. Report from the Tompkins County Fire Advisory Board - see minutes of last 3
meetings (in Minute Book).
•
7. Membership Changes - None
8. Chief's Report:
- Chief Wilbur reported that as a result of the Board approval of the staffing
proposal #1 (last month) due to the probability of no increase in staff at the Fire
Department, personnel at the Fire Department have begun to gather lots of information.
The intent is to gather information during the month of November, analyze and formulate
the final version of staffing arrangements during the month of December. The motivation
and intent of this is to provide safe and efficient use of the resources we have and to
respond to the current political situation. Chief Wilbur will provide data packets to keep
everyone current with all the information being put together. The Chief briefly described
various charts and reports put together at this point. They are:
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November 14, 1995
- Staffing from 1978 - career & bunkers (bunkers only from '91), volunteer numbers are
difficult to come up with;
- Array of square miles and population;
- Array of calls - time of day for 4 years;
- Operating environment - population, square miles and budget (I/3 of our budget is
received from outside sources);
- Incendiary and suspicious calls;
- Staffing levels of City departments over several year period;
- Incidents by primary service areas;
- Response by type of incidents;
- Prediction of travel times to locations;
- Various statistics of comparable departments across the state;
- Map based on ISO response districts;
- Population density map.
Yet to come: population projections; population density day vs night; populations in
specific situations i.e. summer in the parks, Treman Marina - will identify target areas;
structural descriptions - what we are at risk for- similar to fire limits descriptions; and any
other pertinent information people can think of that will describe how we operate.
All this information will be put together in layer form on transparencies so there will be
very good look and how we operate and who we serve.
Chief Wilbur admits this is a very ambitious project with a lot of work involved - he has
received tremendous cooperation in putting this information together.
Comm. Jennings asked if there have been any questions or response from City Hall. Not
at this time - the Chief has talked with the Controller and Mayor but has not received
much feedback. A meeting with the current Town Supervisor and 1996 Town Supervisor
who were very interested in the process and asked for continued communication with the
project.
- The Chief and Deputy Chief will be meeting with the Vacancy Review Committee
this Friday to talk about anticipated retirements and their desire to hire by the beginning
of March 1996 in order to participate in the Fire Academy Spring Training class.
- As a result of Dylan Willougyby's request to the Board of Public Works for bunker
parking in the Dryden Rd. parking garage - Chief Wilbur reported and read the Board of
Public Works resolution that indicates 4 free parking passes will be given that expire in
December of 1996, and indicates that after that point the Fire Department will be charged
for parking there, as well as other Fire Department parking in the City. This prompted a
discussion of charging between departments in the City of Ithaca and the Fire Department
should begin looking at ways they serve other departments and start determining a fee
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November 14, 1995
December of 1996, and indicates that after that point the Fire Department will be charged
for parking there, as well as other Fire Department parking in the City. This prompted a
discussion of charging between departments in the City of Ithaca and the Fire Department
should begin looking at ways they serve other departments and start determining a fee
structure as well.
- Budget discussion - Chief Wilbur reported that the Mayor's 1996 budget appears
the same as for 1995 with only contractual obligations being taken into account. Each
budget account has been reduced as well as no new positions. Comm. Romanowski
indicated that he would like to see something done to restore at least one defibrillator to
be carried on a fire truck.
- Chief Wilbur reported that the City of Ithaca Haz Mat Plan that was put together
by Fire Fighter David Reynolds has been forwarded to the City Attorney for review.
- Apparatus update: 932 (Herkimer Aerial) is now in service; delivery of new 939
is due next week; approval of 933 replacement has been approved by the Town of Ithaca
board.
10. Old/Other Business - none
11. Executive Session - none
12. At 1900 hrs. Comm. Baker made a motion to a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Comm. Nelson. Carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Jennings
Chairperson