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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1991-07-09 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS JULY 9, 1991 MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioners Cornelius, Baker, Neigh and Begg; (one vacancy) 1 . Chairman Cornelius called the meeting to order at 1903 hrs. 2 . Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: - #10 : resolution re: volunteer activity levels; - Newsletter: discuss deadline 3 . Reorganization of Board: - Chairman Cornelius welcomed Susan Begg to the Board. She was recently appointed by the Mayor to replace Ken Reeves. Jim Mayer will be recommended to the Mayor by the Town of Ithaca to replace Gloria Howell. This will most likely be done at the August Common Council meeting. Comm. Neigh made a motion to delay the reorganization of the Board until a full contingency was present. The motion failed for lack of a second. Commissioner Cornelius made a motion to nominate Comm. Baker as Chairman of the Board for 1991-1992 . Seconded by Comm. Neigh. Hearing no other nominations, the vote was unanimous . Commissioner Baker made a motion to nominate Comm. Neigh as Vice Chairman of the Board for 1991-1992 . Seconded by Comm. Begg.. Hearing no other nominations, the vote was unanimous . Commissioner Neigh made a motion to nominate Marcia Lynch as Clerk of the Board. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Hearing no other nominations, the vote was unanimous . 4 . Persons wishing to speak to Board of Fire Commissioners : None 5 . Commissioner Baker made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 11, 1991 meeting as written. Seconded by Comm. Neigh. Carried unanimously. 6 . Commissioner Neigh made a motion to approve the audit dated July 9, 1991 in the amount of $63,082 .35 . Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. 7 . After reviewing further information supplied by Firefighter Minutes July 9, 1991 Page 2 Parsons regarding the reimbursement request, Commissioner Baker made a motion to approve reimbursement to Firefighter Parsons for lost glasses in the amount of $83 .46 from the Donation Fund checking account. Seconded by Comm. Neigh. Carried unanimously. It was also suggested that Firefighter Parsons check with his homeowner's insurance to see if this is a reimbursable item. 8 . Membership Changes : - Commissioner Baker made a motion to approve the following members be added: Co. #5 - Savino Ferrara and Co. #4 - Francis Walters (will also be bunking at South Hill station as of 08/91) . Seconded by Comm. Neigh. Carried unanimously. - Commissioner Neigh made a motion that the following members be dropped from respective company rolls due to lack of response regarding incomplete training, as recommended by the Chief: Co. #9 : Mark Bellantoni; co. #2 : Lester Bailey; Co. #7 : Jeffrey Smith. Seconded by Comm. Begg. Carried unanimously. - The Board discussed that it is not necessary for a Board resolution each time a letter is sent to individuals and their respective companies regarding inactivity. It is only necessary to request Board action when someone is being recommended for removal from Company rolls . At 1930 hrs . , Commissioner Baker made a motion to move into Executive Session to discuss a volunteer discipline matter. Seconded by Comm. Neigh. Carried unanimously. The Board resumed open session at 1948 hrs . Report out of Executive Session was that a volunteer was suspended for 15 days for inappropriate responses in his personal vehicle to alarms and that a record of the suspension will be entered into his permanent personnel file. 9 . Chief' s report - Monthly reports were reviewed. It was noted that more volunteers have been signing in for alarms and that there has been a higher than average response to incidents by volunteers . Reports also indicate that the number of incidents so far this year indicate about a 3,200 rate for the year. - Two new firefighters have been offered employment and verbal acceptances have been received - Don Reynolds who is Minutes July 9, 1991 Page 3 currently employed by the City of Ithaca, Parking Meter Division; and Maylon Irish, currently employed by Saulsbury Fire Equipment Co. They will begin work on August 5, 1991. Both have been made aware of the City's financial condition and that continued employment cannot be guaranteed at this time. - Chief Olmstead announced that Municipal Training Officer Randy Novak has resigned effective 08/30/91. He is leaving to be an Assistant Professor at the University of Eastern Kentucky in the Fire Management School. Civil Service will canvas the list of eligibles and the Chief will be going to the Vacancy Committee to request that his position be filled when he leaves . In the meantime, Chief Olmstead, and Deputy Chiefs Wilbur and Dorman will help take up the slack in new member and particularly bunker training. Other training items will suffer until a replacement is on board. - Budget discussion: Chief Olmstead reported on the preparation of the 1992 budget. He first distributed a sheet that indicates 1991 budget activity through the first half of the year with projections and redistribution of monies in the 400 lines . He also distributed proposed budgets according to the Mayor's and Common Council 's guidelines (also one of his own versions) : 1 . Full budget with no personnel cuts, freeze of 200 and 400 accounts at the 1991 appropriate level; 2 . 0% increase budget with entire budget funded at the 1991 appropriation level, all contractual increases included; 3 . 3% decrease budget with entire budget funded at 3% less than the 1991 appropriation; 4 . 6% decrease budget with entire budget funded at 6% less than the 1991 appropriation. Copies of all proposed budgets and explanations are in the minute book. Both the 3% and 6% decrease budgets include layoffs. The Board discussed various methods of reducing budget items without cutting staff. Chief Olmstead asked that the Board review and consider the information carefully - he is available anytime for discussion, explanations and suggestions . The Board will need to vote on the proposed 1992 budget at the August meeting. Minutes July 9, 1991 Page 4 - -- 10. Other: - After a discussion of volunteer minimum activity levels, Commissioner Neigh offered the following resolution: Resolved, the Board of Fire Commissioners accepts the guidelines established by the Volunteer Company Captains, to determine whether a firefighter is classified as "active"; and be it further resolved, the Board of Fire Commissioners also accepts the procedures established by the Company Captains for an inactive member to become active. Seconded by Comm. Baker. Carried unanimously. - Newsletter discussion - Board members discussed the possibility of a deadline be established so that information is of a more timely manner. It was decided that a separate sheet containing dates will be published prior to the newsletter if necessary. - The Space Needs Committee met and decided to interview prospective companies within the next 60 days. - The next regular Board of Fire Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 1991. At 2115 hrs . , Commissioner Baker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Neigh. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, / X./ Z David H. Cornelius, Chairman