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The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. with the following members present: Larry Tyler, Jesse Davis, Johnny Rigney, Randy Cooper and Scott Ricci. Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent prayer were followed by the administration of the oath to all present.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CHANGES TO AGENDA: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Rigney motioned to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: Thanks from Longboat Key Fire Chief for Deputy Fire Marshal Lathrop and Inspector Davis’ instruction of fire investigation for their personnel; thanks to Station #1 crew for response and care during rescue call; from Mt. Vernon condos for Inspector Davis’ attendance at Health Fair.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Facilities: The rear drive is done with shell for trucks to load/unload at the rear doors by the storage rooms. The irrigation will be done next week and mulch is ordered. We’ll have a planting party on April 9th with 3 youth groups and the Master Gardener and irrigation expert who developed our plan. They are both eager to educate the young participants in proper planting and irrigation. We got 1 grant for $500 and have applied for another one for $500 through the Manatee River Garden Club. Together these will cover the majority of plant costs. Firefighter Chris O’Kelly is building platforms for the rain barrels and King Middle School art students are going to paint the barrels.
2) RFP #11-01 Remodel of Station #1: Chief Price reported on the meeting with the architect and builder, providing a memo which outlined the preliminary budget. He separated it into three areas: remodel $59090.89, maintenance $151,314.10 and new items $69,441.74 for a total of $279,846.73. Maintenance items must be done regardless of remodel; new item is a fire sprinkler system. Commissioner Ricci is not in favor of the additional cost of a sprinkler system, feeling that we should save that money for the other projects. Plus he thinks that having a remodeled station with trained people in it presents less hazard. Commissioner Tyler commented that we’ve advocated sprinklers for years. Chief Price added that if we don’t sprinkler we’ll have to add about $5,000 to the insulation cost for fire retardant. The architect and engineer fees are $17,000 and include the sprinkler system; if we remove it that cost will go down. Commissioner Davis motioned to approve the preliminary budget as presented; seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Commissioner Ricci echoed a past comment of Chief Price’s that sprinklers are to save lives more than property; we have insurance for fire damage. Commissioner Cooper suggested that the sprinkler is additional insurance especially since the crews are frequently called out; it also sets a standard for the public. Commissioner Rigney added that the station also serves as a safe haven for citizens sometimes. Builder Greg Ross stated that it will cost more to do a sprinkler later. Chief Price said we have the funds in the Facilities account for this project. Commissioner Davis how much will we have left after this? Chief Price said he’s waiting for the audit to determine the amount of carryover. Commissioner Ricci amended the motion to approve without the sprinkler system; seconded by Commissioner Rigney. Roll call votes: Ricci – aye; all others nay. Motion defeated. Original motion roll call votes: Ricci – nay; all others aye. Motion carried. Chief Price said they will meet with the architect and builder next week and then they will draw the plans so the builder can get exact bids and then develop the Gross Maximum Price for the Board’s approval.
3) Citizen’s Academy: Commissioner Cooper reported there is some progress. He handed out a draft outline and tentative schedule of six weeks with a proposed start date of October 2011 with a maximum of 20-25 participants, application and background checks.
4) Manatee County Property Appraiser Refund: Chief Price stated that both our attorney and the Property Appraiser’s are drafting a letter to the State Attorney General to ask for an opinion then he’ll get to review it before it is sent. It will probably take a few months to get a response.
5) Interlocal Agreement with Manatee County for Collection of Plan Review Fees: Chief Price said we’re still working with our attorney and the County’s attorney to review the agreement.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Policy Chapter 1: Our attorney is still reviewing; we hope to have it by next meeting.
OTHER REPORTS: Chief Price noted that we again have a team competing in Climb Tampa; so far they’ve raised $4,000 for the American Lung Society. Firefighter Stump has been doing CPR classes at the Island Library and currently has 60 people signed up and more interested.
Deputy Chief Pollock explained we are assisting with a prescribed burn of 13 acres at Riverview Point Preserve. We’ll be working with Department of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry and Manatee County to reduce the fuel load in that area.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS: Commissioner Davis noted that the older satellite phones no longer work on the system. Chief Price added that we only had that phone for the Island EOC which is now handled through the County.
Commissioner Cooper congratulated the Firedogs softball team on a good season.
Commissioner Tyler asked about the minutes and agenda posting on the website; Chief Price explained that it is not a simple process currently and there was a glitch that’s being worked on.
NEXT MEETING Regular meeting on 4/21/11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Administration building
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ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
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Chairman Secretary
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