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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1990-01-29 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING: JANUARY 29 , 1990 MINUTES Present: Commissioners Cornelius , Moravec , Baker and Howell . Absent: Commissioner Reeves (excused ) . 1 . Chairman Cornelius called the meeting to order at 1640 hrs . 2 . Board members , Chief Olmstead , Mayor Nichols , volunteer representatives and Local 737 representatives engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the Town of Ithaca ' s 'proposal to add language to the City/Town Fire Protection Agreement that relates to training and provision of equipment for volunteers. (This is known as paragraph 19 ) . The following items are a selection of concerns expressed : - Most everyone present felt that there was no need to include language in the contract relating to volunteer training as it has been the policy of the department to offer training to those who request it and there is no intention to change what is already in place . - Most everyone agreed that language relating to provision of equipment as it relates to training may be misinterpreted by some in that all volunteers would be provided with equipment that they have been trained to use . Many examples were given . - Mayor Nichols expressed his concern that if the Board of Fire Commissioners requested the Town of Ithaca to delete this paragraph , it , may impact on other areas of the contract agreement. - It is not clear at this time, what the Town of Ithaca ' s intention or concern was when they added paragraph 19 . - Time is of the essence if 4 new firefighters are to be hired : positions need to be offered no later than February 15 , 1990 to enable them to give notice to current employers and be in time for the March training class at the Fire Academy. - The Town of Ithaca needs to hold a public hearing to approve the contract language - this is scheduled for February 12 . Any deletion , additions , changes , etc. may require a new public hearing to be scheduled . 3 . Commissioner Baker made a motion to change the wording of Paragraph 19 to read : All Ithaca Firefighters shall be provided an equal opportunity for department training' and equipment to perform the full Minutes January 29 , 1990 Page 2 range of department duties. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Moravec . - Further discussion continued . Many feel the paragraph should be deleted altogether. - Some Board members want wording added that would indicate that training is provided within budget limitations . - The Mayor indicated that if the Town doesn ' t approve changes in the contract relating to the addition of 4 firefighters , Common Council may be persuaded to amend the budget to add 4 firefighters , with the knowledge that the Town of Ithaca will eventually approve the additions when language that relates to other parts of the contract are approved . Commissioner Cornelius offered a substitute motion : All members of the Ithaca Fire Department will be provided training opportunities consistent with the established duties , goals and objectives of the Department . There was not a second to the substitute motion . The vote on the original motion was as follows : Yes : Commissioners Baker and Howell No: Commissioners _ornelius and Moravec . The motion failed . Commissioner Moravec made a motion to approve the amendments to the City/Town Fire contract as follows : - That the correct money amounts be added to paragraph 5 for the years 1993 and 1994 ( the percentages are correct) by the City Controller; That Paragraph 12 include: 52 Firefighters , 5 Lieutenants , 5 Assistant Chiefs , 2 Deputy Chiefs , 1 Chief, 1 Fire Alarm Superintendent, 1 Training Officer, 1 Administrative ' Secretary, 1 Account Clerk Typist, and 1 half time Volunteer Coordinator. - That paragraph 19 relating to training and equipment for volunteers be deleted . The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cornelius. The vote was as follows : Yes: Commissioners Cornelius, Moravec and Howell No: Commissioner Baker. The motion carried . Minutes January 29 , 1990 Page 3 At 1800 hrs . Commissioner Baker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Comm. Moravec. Carried unanimously . Respectfully submitted, aY /1 David H . Cornelius , Chairman - j 1 By Alderperson Booth: Seconded by Alderperson Peterson WHEREAS, effective January 1, 1987 the City of Ithaca entered into an agreement with the Town of Ithaca for the provision of Fire Protection services and Emergency Medical Services on an equal basis throughout the fire service area, inclusive of the City and Town Fire Protection District, and WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca has heretofore agreed to share in the annual cost of salaries and related expenditures relative to the following, which items constitute additions to the existing version of the Fire Protection Contract: A. One additional Assistant Fire Chief and one additional Clerical position approved July 8, 1987. B. Four Fire Fighter positions and one Deputy Chief position and one half-time Volunteer Coordinator, the funding for which was released from Restricted Contingency February 1, 1989. C. One Training Officer, which was approved June 7, 1989, and WHEREAS, current negotiations with the Town of Ithaca have resulted in a tentative agreement to amend the existing fire protection agreement as follows: A. Adjustments to financial considerations in Sections 5d and 5e for contract years 1990 and 1991 to reflect amendments to the approved staffing level already agreed to by the City and Town of Ithaca. B. Adjustments to financial considerations in Section 5f for contract year 1992 to reflect the 1990 proposed funding of four Fire Fighter positions, which has been placed in Restricted Contingency, pending formal execution of said agreement. C. The extension of the Fire Protection contract for the additional years, 1993 and 1994, at the annual operating participating shares of 26% and 27% respectively. These new percentages will be reflected in new sub-sections 5f-1 and 5f-2 of the agreement. The financial considerations for such extension years have been computed on a consistent basis with prior contract years. D. Section 12, which presents the approved staffing level will be amended to reflect the addition of eight Fire Fighters, one Assistant Chief, one Deputy Chief, one half-time Volunteer Coordinator, one Account Clerk Typist, one Training Officer, and the reclassification of one position, from Senior Account Clerk to Administrative Secretary. This amendment effectively increases the total complement from 57 to 69 1/2 positions; now therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Mayor be authorized to execute said amended Agreement between the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca for the provision of Fire Protection Services. Ayes (6) - Peterson, Hoffman, Schroeder, Booth, Romanowski, Johnson Nays (3) - Cummings, Daley, Blanchard Abstention (1) - Golder (Alderperson Golder did not feel he had sufficient background information to vote) Carried