PACIFIC COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #1

PACIFIC COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #1
REGULAR COMMISSIONERS MEETING
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
Chairman Greg McLeod established that a quorum was present and called the meeting to order at 18:00.
The meeting was held at Station 21-1, located at 26109 Ridge Avenue, Ocean Park. In attendance were:
Commissioner Greg McLeod
Commissioner Fred Hill
Commissioner Tom Downer
Fire Chief Jacob Brundage
District Secretary Stan Sonntag
Division Chief David Hood
Division Chief Mike Karvia
Captain Jason Derrey
Captain Agnes Kakulya
Office Manager Cheri Jones
Administrative Asst. Kalisha Burton
FF/PM Paul Pavolka
Volunteer Lieutenant Bob Haskin
FF/EMT Cory Bardonski
FF/EMT Carla McLeod
Intern Dustin Byle
Chairman McLeod called for a short executive session at 18:01 for the Pension and Relief monthly
meeting. Regular session resumed at 18:05.
Consent Agenda:
1.
Minutes of Regular Commissioner’s Meeting held on August 12, 2008.
2.
Voucher Approval for District Bills dated September 9, 2008 in the amount of $169,591.61.
Motion by Commissioner Downer to approve the Consent Agenda. Second by Commissioner Hill.
Motion carried.
Guests & Public Comments: None.
Presentations:
None
Secretary’s Report:
1.
Financial Summary of Cash Receipts and Disbursements for August 2008: Commissioner
Downer asked about the Firefighter/Paramedic application fees. He questioned whether the fee
is covered in the District’s employment policy. Cheri will research and report back to the Board
at the next meeting.
2.
Monthly Budget Report for August 2008: No questions.
3.
Grant Update: Chief Brundage reported that the District received a letter from FEMA denying
the District’s grant request for a water tender. No word has been received on the newest SAFER
grant.
Calendar Items and Upcoming Events:
1.
September Activity Calendar – For information only.
Certified to be the original minutes of September 9, 2008
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Pacific County Fire Protection District 1
Regular Commissioner’s Meeting
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2.
WFCA Conference Schedule – District Secretary Sonntag reported that conference arrangements
have been made for all Commissioners, the Fire Chief, DS Sonntag, DC Karvia, and Office
Manager Cheri Jones to attend.
Correspondence:
1.
Systems Design Report for June 2008 – DS Sonntag noted that beginning in July the Systems
Design reports will be in a new format. Previous months will be in the old format until all
accounts are reconciled.
2.
2007 Dividend from Trusteed Plans – This dividend represents a savings over the premiums
charged for 2007.
3.
Semi-Annual Report from the Wellspring EAP Group – This report reflects use of the EAP
program for the first half of 2008. The Commissioner’s noted that this is a benefit that should be
continued.
Unfinished Business:
1.
Items pulled from the Consent Agenda: None.
2.
District Visibility: The Board reviewed information provided by Cheri on things the District is
already doing to be visible in the community, other options to consider, and budget
considerations. Commissioner Downer suggested that the Board meet in a roundtable session to
discuss competitive advantages based on a book he recommended at a previous meeting in order
to expand on the ideas already presented. Commissioner McLeod noted that this issue ties in
with the Strategic Plan discussion, which was the next item on the agenda.
The Commissioners agreed that a Strategic Plan session should be held prior to going to the
Commissioner’s Conference. The date agreed on for the Strategic Plan session was Wednesday,
October 1st at 6:00 p.m., Station 21-1.
New Business: None
Chief’s Report:
Chief Brundage went over his report with the Board (copy attached as part of these minutes).
Commissioner Downer asked about Surfside’s approval of the modifications to the station and why a
metal roof was not included in the plans. Chief Brundage explained that the architectural committee did
not approve the metal roof because it does not meet their standards and that actually it was Captain
Weatherby’s recommendation to go with a composition roof because of the problems experienced with
the metal roof at Station 21-1.
Certified to be the original minutes of September 9, 2008
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Pacific County Fire Protection District 1
Regular Commissioner’s Meeting
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Chief Brundage noted that Bob Jones from the State Fire Marshal’s office recently visited the District.
He was very impressed with the District’s operations. Following the meeting, he pledged to allocate
$2000 from the State for a Fire Investigation Team class to be held at Fire District 1.
Chief Brundage has made arrangements with Grays Harbor College to conduct a Spanish class during
the winter quarter (January – March), 2 hours per week for 10 weeks, $25.00 per person on Thursday
nights.
Division Chief Reports
1.
D/C of Training Karvia
a. See attached report. Chief Karvia also noted that he will be attending the National Fire
Academy for two weeks the end of September.
2.
D/C of EMS Hood
a. Reported that he has been checking into other options for doing pulmonary function tests.
His research has shown that it would not be feasible to do in-house PFT tests because of
equipment costs.
b. Noted that there will be some changes made to the billing procedures and he will be
bringing some recommendations to the Board on billing rates next month.
c. He thanked the Association for purchasing two blanket warmers at $650.00 per unit.
These will be placed on the first out ambulances; and, if they are used as much as is
anticipated, additional blanket warmers will be purchased for other units. He also
thanked the Association for purchasing two (2) AED trainers at $500.00 per unit.
3.
Human Resource Report
a. Cheri asked the Board to review the information provided in her report regarding drug
testing utilizing a hair testing process. Commissioner Downer expressed interest in still
including it as an option in the District’s policy, even if it is never used. After a brief
discussion, Commissioner McLeod suggested leaving the policy as is and revisit this
topic in six month. Commissioner Hill and Commissioner Downer agreed with this
proposal.
b. Health Care Workshop Information – the Board reviewed the information provided and
noted that the benefit rate for 2009 will increase by 19%.
Commissioner Reports:
1.
Commissioner Tom Downer: Noted that he may need to be excused from the October meeting.
Reported that he has purchased a large quantity of NOAA radios that he will be selling for under
$30.00. Chief Brundage has made arrangements for some volunteers to be available to held with
the programming of radios on September 13th. Commissioner Downer also asked the
Commissioners to start considering what impact the devaluation of properties in our area will
have on the District’s budget in the future. He also requested that DS Sonntag start checking
with the County Assessor to find out what their plan is regarding this issue.
2.
Commissioner Fred Hill: No report.
Certified to be the original minutes of September 9, 2008
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Pacific County Fire Protection District 1
Regular Commissioner’s Meeting
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3.
Commissioner Greg McLeod: Reported that in preparation for the class he will be teaching on
internal controls at the annual Commissioner’s Conference, he made a trip to Pierce County 17
where he met with the Fire Chief and the State Auditor who was recently promoted to oversee
fire department audits. He was able to gather a lot of valuable information, which he will utilize
for his class.
Personnel Information:
None
Good of the Order: See Chief Brundage’s report.
Chief Brundage noted that at the October meeting he would like to hold a promotional ceremony for the
new Volunteer Captains. DC Karvia will also be presenting the newest recruits with their new helmets
and will be introducing the new Cadets.
At 1855 Commissioner McLeod called for an executive session for thirty (30) minutes to discuss a
personnel issue and preliminary negotiation issues.
Regular session resumed at 1925.
Meeting adjourned at 1927.
GREGORY D. McLEOD, Commissioner
THOMAS L. DOWNER Commissioner
Attest:
FRED H. HILL, Commissioner
CHERI L. JONES, Recording Secretary
Certified to be the original minutes of September 9, 2008
_________________________Date________________
Pacific County Fire Protection District 1
Regular Commissioner’s Meeting
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