HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BFC-1990-09-11 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
SEPTEMBER 11 , 1990
MINUTES
PRESENT: Commissioners Cornelius , Howell , Baker and Neigh ;
ABSENT : Commissioner Reeves (excused ) .
1 . Chairman Cornelius called the meeting to order at 1910 hrs .
Former Commissioner Moravec was present to receive the Fire
Commissioner ' s Badge Plaque and Chairman Cornelius thanked him
for diligent service for the years 1987 through 1990.
2. Additions/deletions to the agenda : None.
3. Persons wishing to speak to Fire Commissioners : None.
4 . Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve the audit dated
September 11 , 1990 in the amount of $33, 359. 32 . Comm. Neigh
seconded the motion. Carried unanimously .
5. Membership Changes :
- The Board noted the death of Co . #2 member Charles Stewart
(07/ 19/90) .
- Commissioner Howell made a motion to approve the transfer of
Thomas Kuntz from Co . #5 to Co . #4 . Seconded by Comm . Baker .
Carried unanimously.
- Commissioner Baker made a motion to approve the following
new members of Co . #5 :
Michael Antos , John Blackston and Brian Gilmore .
Seconded by Comm. Neigh . Carried unanimously.
- Commissioner Baker made a motion to approve the following
new members of Co . #9 :
Kevin Gorman and Jeff Parnapy.
Seconded by Comm. Howell . Carried unanimously .
Volunteer Coordinator , Marcia Lynch , discussed the question of
bunkers being required to have a City sponsored physical if
they make an application for company membership , since they
have already submitted a personal doctor ' s certification when
the became a bunker . Discussion of this item will continue
under the Chief ' s Report .
6. Chairman Cornelius discussed Common Council ' s decision to
table action on the Volunteer Length of Service Award Program
for this year due to many concerns . Some of the concerns
relate to the Fair Labor Standards Act that questions the
status Of volunteers in relation to being considered employees
Minutes
September 11 , 1990
Page 2
of the City and the ramifications of that status . The City
attorney will investigate this issue. After discussion ,
Commissioner Neigh made a motion to authorize amendment of the
proposed 1990 Fire Department budget by increasing the 435
account for the Length of Service Awards Program from $30,000
to $60,000 to provide the maximum benefit ( as a result in
delay of program start up ) . Seconded by Comm. Howell .
Carried unanimously .
7. Chief ' s Report :
- Monthly reports were reviewed . The Chief discussed a
revision of the monthly reporting system to cut down on the
number of pages . The Board agreed to a shorter version of the
report .
- Continuation of the discussion of physicals for bunkers (and
all Fire Department members) . The following items were
discussed :
- A meeting with Tom Shiel from the NYS Department of
Labor raised many issues : The D.O.L. now requires "periodic "
physicals for all firefighters involved in suppression.
However , "periodic" is not defined , and the standards for
physicals are left to local physicians who are reluctant to
set these standards .
- Are volunteers considered employees and thus subject to
to the same physical requirements?
- The I .F. D. Occupational Safety and Health Committee is
investigating a Department policy on physical standards .
- Increased physical requirements and "periodic"
physicals will have an effect on budget expenses.
- Current City doctor is having difficulty scheduling
physical exam appointments in a timely fashion. In order to
expedite our membership application process , the Chief will
call him to see if we can speed up the time . The Chief and
Marcia will also see if we can use other doctors .
- After discussion of physical exams for bunkers who
apply for company membership , Commissioner Howell made a
motion not to waive department sponsored physicals for bunkers
applying for company membership . Seconded by Comm. Neigh .
Carried unanimously .
- Construction of the Heavy Rescue continues at Saulsbury and
is due for completion by the end of October .
Minutes
September 11 , 1990
Page 3
- New fire stations at South and West Hills opened on August
30. There are still many open issues at these locations with
the contractors . The 2nd floor of Central may be available by
the end of the month ; work continues slowly on the first floor
of Central ; old Station 6 will be abandoned when Central
renovations are complete.
- Traffic control at the new stations and possible solutions
were discussed .
- The space needs study is not yet complete .
8. Other :
•
- The Board briefly discussed the dangerous situation at the
Strand Theatre and separate local efforts to restore or
demolish the building .
9. At 2038 hrs . Commissioner Howell made a motion to adjourn
the meeting . Seconded by Comm. Baker . Carried unanimously .
Respectfully submitted ,
,.,, 71/r/lIF /
/C
David H. Cornelius , Chairman