DRAFT Not Official Until Approved

Transcription

1 CENTRAL PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE PIERCE COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT #6 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS November 10, 2003 Station 6-0 The Regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners for Pierce County Fire District No. 6 was called to order by Chairman Coleman at 6:00 p.m., at nd Avenue East, Tacoma, Washington. Present were the following: Chairman Coleman, Commissioners Nelson, Willis and Wilson, Fire Chief Andren, Assistant Chiefs Holm, Pearson and Thomas, Chief Financial Officer Carlsen, Information Services Coordinator Travis, Captain Franklin, Lieutenant/Paramedics Dulas and Embleton, Lieutenant Gress, Medical Services Officer Beckman, Firefighter/Paramedics Bouchard, Flowers, Gray, Rosenlund and R. Williams, Firefighters Estes, A. Kamke, Nielson, Roberts, Saunders, A. Scott, Toler and D. Williams, Cheryl Thomas and Recorder Menge. Battalion Chief Kondra, Captain/Paramedic Hudspeth, Firefighter Miller and Commissioner Elect Eckroth arrived at 6:04 p.m. Commissioner Hartloff arrived at 6:08 p.m. Lieutenant Gress arrived at 6:09 p.m. Lieutenant/Paramedic Coran and Firefighter Roley arrived at 6:10 p.m. Firefighter Stueve arrived at 6:12 p.m. Medical Services Officer Thompson arrived at 6:27 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Commissioner Willis led the flag salute. Citizens Comments (for items not specifically listed on the Agenda) FF/PM Rosenlund distributed a copy of a letter regarding a vote of confidence for Deputy Chief John Sinclair. FF/PM Rosenlund stated seventy-eight (78) people have signed this letter. He then read the letter to the Board members. Chairman Coleman stated they will take this under advisement and there will be no action taken at this time. Public Hearings November 10 th Public Hearing to set Fire Benefit Charge rates, Regular Tax Levy rates and for Preliminary Budget Review: At this time Chairman Coleman read the following statement: The Board of Commissioners for Central Pierce Fire & Rescue (PCFD #6) have chosen to approve the necessary Resolutions to collect the maximum taxes allowed by law. The Fire Benefit Charge rates as set at the hearing on November 10, 2003 are:.44 residential,.33 mobile homes,.45 apartments, 1.25, 1.55, 1.75, 2.00, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5, 6 and 7 commercial and 1.12 for multi-story, four-plexes. The flow rate has been set at.307; which represents a 11.8% increase over last year. The sprinkler discount rate has been set at a 20% discount. We will be Page 1 of 7

2 approving a budget that includes this revenue and the $1.00 per thousand Regular Levy and $0.50 per thousand EMS Levy as approved by the voters on September 18, We will open the meeting to the floor for public testimony concerning either the budget or the revenue as stated above. Chairman Coleman opened the meeting to the floor. Commissioner Wilson asked when the budget is due to the County. CFO Carlsen stated the budget resolutions are due at the County by November 15 th. There are four (4) of which need to be approved tonight. There being no comments from the floor, Commissioner Wilson moved and Commissioner Willis seconded to close the Public Hearing. MOTION CARRIED. Consent Agenda (Single Motion) Meeting Agenda Excused Absences: Minutes: Regular Board Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2003 Approval of: Accounts Payable Warrants in the amount of: $ 148, GRAND TOTAL: $ 148, Commissioner Nelson moved and Commissioner Wilson seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented in the amount of $148, MOTION CARRIED. New Business (First Reading For Discussion and Review Only) Resolution 03-13: Establishing 2004 Budget (waive second reading); Resolution 03-14: Establishing 2004 Budget (waive second reading); Resolution 03-15: Budget Certification (waive second reading); and Resolution 03-16: Budget Certification (waive second reading): CFO Carlsen stated Resolution is the resolution required by the Department of Revenue stating the percentage increase as well as the dollar increase in the regular levy from 2003 to 2004, Resolution is the same as except that it is for the EMS Levy, Resolution is the budget certification sheet, which is necessary due to County Council requirements for the regular levy and the Fire Benefit Charge. This resolution stated the actual dollar amount to be collected for fiscal year And, Resolution is the same as except that it is for the EMS levy. All four (4) of these Resolutions need to have the 2-meeting rule waived and be approved at the meeting in order to be submitted to the County by November 15 th. Commissioner Wilson moved and Commissioner Hartloff seconded to waive the second reading rule for Resolutions 03-13, 03-14, and MOTION CARRIED. Commissioner Wilson moved and Commissioner Willis seconded to approve Resolutions 03-13, 03-14, and MOTION CARRIED. Page 2 of 7

3 Resolution 03-17: Sets budget for 2004: CFO Carlsen stated this document sets the budget for This does not need to be approved at tonight s meeting, but will need to be approved at the November 24 th Board Meeting. This resolution includes everything presented in the preliminary budget document and all the changes discussed at the retreat on November 1, The changes include the following: 1. Increase FBC revenue to $6,527,890, which is an increase of $92,809 over what was in the preliminary budget book; 2. Reduce Commissioners Travel and Education by $2,280 to $6,000 and move to Facilities capital for Stations 6-5 and 6-8; 3. Use $80,000 of additional FBC increase to fund the balance of the MDC project; 4. Make the reader board at Station 6-9 a priority #1 in the amount of $12,809 and fund with the balance of the FBC increase; and 5. Move the difference in top step salaries and actual salaries, which is $303,190, to Facilities. This money was split evenly between capital for Stations 6-5 and 6-8. Staff, Local, Firefighters Association and Fire Chief Reports (For Information Only) AC Holm: Nothing at this time. AC Pearson: Reported we had a house burn on October 29 th at Station 6-8. A Shift did an outstanding job. There were eight (8) attacks in the morning and another eight (8) attacks in the afternoon. No complaints were received and there were no injuries. It went very well. Commissioner Willis asked about the thermal imaging cameras. AC Pearson stated they took the old and new thermal imaging cameras and used side by side to compare the differences. AC Thomas: Reported the washer and dryer project is moving ahead slowly. They should be pouring concrete this week. Local: Nothing at this time. Firefighter Association: Nothing at this time. CFO Carlsen: Nothing at this time. FC Andren: Stated he received a notice from City of Puyallup regarding the annexation of Heartland Meadows, which is located at 96 th Street and 94 th Avenue. He is anticipating seeing a similar thing take place on the parcel at 96 th and 90 th Avenue. He does not see us gaining anything by appealing this annexation. FC Andren reported we have been a part of several interlocal agreements since 1995 regarding computer services. He has asked ISC Travis to be here tonight regarding this. Currently we have three (3) interlocal agreements that Page 3 of 7

4 puts PCFD #5 (Gig Harbor) as the lead agency. Over the years it has worked okay. Technology for fire servers was broken into three (3) divisions. One was located at Lakewood, one at Gig Harbor and one here at CPFR. Technology has brought the price down since then and he would like to recommend that we no longer participate in this program. There is an open window from October 1 through November 30 in which we can withdraw from the interlocal agreement. Lakewood has already withdrawn. It would not cost us any money to do this and he feels it is time we move on. Another one of the agreements deals with piercefire.org addresses. This also has an open window from October 1 through November 30 to withdraw. This issue has been discussed by Staff and the recommendation is to utilize centralpierce.com as our address. would remain with Groupwise. We need to have control over our own destiny. There have been issues with District 5 screening, monitoring and even reading our . He is uncomfortable with someone outside of our agency and our control having that capability. There would be a transition phase during which we would receive s for both addresses. The third agreement, which he wasn t even aware of until researching the other ones, was signed back in 1995 prior to ISC Travis s hiring, and gives District 5 the ability to purchase our equipment, etc. This wields a great deal of power over our agency. This agreement cannot be terminated at this time as it has a clause that states notification must be given six (6) months prior to the end of the year. Commissioner Wilson asked ISC Travis if he is in agreement with what FC Andren is recommending. ISC Travis stated yes he is in agreement. Commissioner Wilson asked what the time frame would be for changing e- mail addresses. ISC Travis stated if he is authorized to terminate the current addresses, he is looking at a three (3) month transition time, however; the new addresses could be set up by the end of the month. The Board gave consensus to go ahead with terminating these interlocal agreements. FC Andren stated he has been approached by a staff member from Calvin Goings office who is looking for office space for two (2) days per week. FC Andren stated we have office space at Station 6-6 and thinks it is a reasonable request and we could accommodate this staff member to utilize office space at Station 6-6 on Thursdays and Fridays. The Board gave consensus to allow the use of office space at Station 6-6. FC Andren stated in the budget process, in the ERF (Equipment Replacement Fund) a new engine is budgeted. AC Thomas has informed him that if we place the order for this engine this week, we can get the engine at this years price as well as receive a $5,000 multi-unit discount. This engine would be identical to E611 and would be delivered in July Discussion followed. Commissioner Willis moved and Commissioner Hartloff seconded to authorize ordering the new engine this week to take advantage of the savings. MOTION CARRIED. Page 4 of 7

5 Summary Process (For Continued Discussion/Action) VTEL Communications System: FC Andren stated it was attempted to bring the VTEL system over here tonight, however; ISC Travis and IST Fester were unable to move it as things have changed since it was moved and it is no longer compatible and they could not get it to work. FC Andren stated the home page of our website has a VTEL operations slide show as well as the directive for its use. Cabinets could easily be installed to enclose the systems to discourage tampering with the systems. Unfortunately this is a system that does have limitations that we were not aware of. We tried to accomplish the same thing as Tualitan Valley Fire & Rescue utilizing T1 lines and a fairly new technology. TVFR has a dedicated TV station for their organization and our system does not have the same capabilities. If the Board remembers when the VTEL was in the Board meeting room, there was a feeling of unease or uncertainty of being watched during Executive Sessions. People didn t trust the system. There has never been an attempt by administration to listen in on other stations. We had also run into issues where outside instructors would come in to teach and not want their program to be broadcast and/or videotaped. It was also cumbersome to use during live presentations as the screen only allows for four (4) stations to be viewed at once, however; all nine (9) stations could be on-line. When someone from other than one (1) of the four (4) stations showing on the screen tried to talk and/or ask questions, it took a dedicated person working on the computer to bring up that stations screen, etc. There were also instances where people turned the systems off and shut them down improperly, which then took David or Keith to go out to that location to get it working properly again. Another issue that was ran into was stations that received calls during a live presentation. They would leave to go on the call and would miss that portion of the class. Whereas, with a video tape, the video could be stopped and restarted once they returned from the call. Staff had decided to turn off the cameras and turn the system into a one-way system to broadcast from Station 6-1 to the other stations. Commissioner Wilson asked if it could be set up that when a call came in, before they left for the call, the pressed record on the VCR and that way the portion of the presentation they would miss while on the call would be recorded and they could watch that once they returned. Discussion followed. Chairman Coleman asked if the VTEL system could be hooked back up and enclosed in cabinets to be used as it was intended? ISC Travis stated that could be done, however; there seems to be a bigger problem as FC Andren has pointed out. Operationally, this system may not work. Discussion followed. It was commented that the VTEL system was more disruptive to the learning process. It was also cumbersome and frustrating. It was suggested that if the VTEL system is going to be put back in place, that the Commissioners try to hold a Board meeting via VTEL so they could learn firsthand how cumbersome and disruptive it is. AC Holm stated he can recall with OTEPS and PALS courses done over VTEL is was more disruptive, Page 5 of 7

6 distracting and annoying when outlying stations tried to ask questions and interact with the class. It was not a very productive situation. FC Andren stated staff can take some steps to put the VTEL system back in place and re-issue directives. Another alternative is to take corrective action and holding officers accountable. Commissioner Wilson stated she would like to know if there are any solutions to this problem. She does not believe we have given this our best shot. In her heart of hearts it sounds like a real attempt to make this system work has not been made and a lot of money was spent on this system to just toss it aside. Commissioner Willis stated that it sounds as though Staff thought it would make training easier, and that just has not worked out to be the case. It is impractical to have everyone sit down at one time for training. There are going to be calls that come in. At his department they had a live broadcast that was videotaped and then a schedule was sent out as to when it would be rebroadcast. What is going to work to make this system work and what do the people want to watch? FC Andren asked if Tacoma Fire Department had a dedicated person for their system? Commissioner Willis stated there was when it was up and running well. Discussion followed. FC Andren stated another problem is that the people sitting out in the room did not ask for this system. Staff saw and thought it would be a great system. Unfortunately, it has not worked out as planned. Commissioner Nelson asked what benefits does the Training Division see with the VTEL system? AC Pearson stated he would like to see it remain as a one-way system as it currently is. LT/PM Coran asked if any time has been spent researching the resale value of selling the equipment for the system that is not being used? Discussion followed. FC Andren stated we can go through the process of sending out directives again and holding officers accountable. Commissioner Hartloff suggested selling off the parts of the system that make it a two way system and continue using it as a one way system. Commissioner Wilson stated again that she does not honestly believe we have given this our best shot. AC Holm apologized for not including this in his staff report, however; he wanted to give a heads up to the Board members that it is getting to be that time of year for them to be thinking about awards to be given out at the annual awards banquet. He will need information by the last meeting in December in order to get the awards ordered, etc. FC Andren requested this be placed on the Agenda under Summary Process as a reminder. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Nelson: Nothing at this time. Commissioner Willis: Stated he appreciates the letter brought forth tonight. He is impressed by the number of signatures, as it appears to be better than half of the department signed the letter. It has personally gotten his attention and he will seriously look at this. He will have to take the best interest of the Page 6 of 7

7 Departments future in mind though. Don t be surprised or alarmed if you get a phone call from him as that is how he gets information is by talking to people. He was thankful this was brought forward and made aware. Commissioner Hartloff: Nothing at this time. Commissioner Wilson: Nothing at this time. Chairman Coleman: Nothing at this time. Chairman Coleman called a five (5) minute break at 7:10 p.m. before going into Executive Session. Executive Session At 7:15 p.m. Commissioner Wilson moved and Commissioner Nelson seconded to move into Executive Session for ten (10) minutes for the purpose of personnel issues. At 7:25 p.m. Chairman Coleman extended the meeting for ten (10) minutes. At 7:35 p.m. Chairman Coleman extended the meeting for an additional ten (10) minutes. At 7:45 p.m. Chairman Coleman called the meeting back into Regular Session. No action was taken. Adjournment There being no further business, Commissioner Wilson moved and Commissioner Hartloff seconded to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. RICHARD COLEMAN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD VICKY CARLSEN DISTRICT SECRETARY DENISE MENGE RECORDER Page 7 of 7