The meeting was called to order at 1800 hours with the following members present: Larry Tyler, Jesse Davis, 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: Captain Kiernan introduced Mr. Jim O’Brien and presented him with the Civilian Service Award for assisting with a fire in a neighbor’s home. His quick and efficient actions helped protect the occupants and limited the damage.
MTIFire Academystudents, as part of the Skills USA program, are doing a project to raise funds for a thermal imager and it requires they do presentations to the community, so two students gave a presentation explaining the thermal imagers along with slides. The Board congratulated their efforts.
PUBLIC HEARING: Chief Price presented Resolution #2011-01 with the fire assessment rates for 2011. He stated that the Personal Income Growth factor for Florida is 4.13% and that is the limitation we can increase our rates. As he explained during this last year, the projected increase will go down substantially in the next few years so unless we utilize the maximum this year, we will be severely restricted in the next few years. There was much discussion from the Board with Commissioners Davis, Cooper and Ricci stating they could not support the maximum increase. Commissioner Tyler asked how much that increase equates to dollars? Chief Price stated it would be about $12 average yearly for residential. Public comment - Mr. Al Robinson said Commissioners should take the $500 monthly pay so they would take more interest in what’s going on with the District. After much more discussion, Commissioner Davis motioned to approve a 3.75% increase seconded by Commissioner Tyler. Commissioners Cooper, Tyler, Davis voted yes; Commissioner Ricci voted no; motion carried.
CHANGES TO AGENDA: New #3 Surplus Items and #5 Station 1 Generator Bids.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. Al Robinson thinks it unusual that Rossbuilt also got bid to remodel Station #1; stated that Chairman Tyler stymies public comment; he asked why we’re raising taxes when we have $3 million in the bank; said he doesn’t know what Policy 1 on the agenda means; said our salaries are out of line; asked why he can’t get an agenda sent to him since he’s the only citizen who cares. Chairman Tyler said Mr. Robinson can ask staff for any information at any time like he’s done before; we post the agenda prior to the meeting; and there’s no requirement for us to send agendas to individuals.
CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Cooper motioned to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Commissioner Ricci. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: Thanks from victim of fire call; from Island Library for CPR classes; from State Farm for Fire Marshal Lathrop’s presentation with K-9 Lucky; from Dr. Soler for crew’s assistance at Urgent Care during large roof leak.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Facilities: Chief Price stated this can come off the agenda.
2) RFP #11-01 Remodel of Station #1: Chief Price presented the Gross Maximum Price of $307,444 which includes $81,995 for construction, $178,066 for maintenance issues and $47,381 for the sprinkler system. He added that they received additional information on the spray-on foam that will provide twice the upload protection plus the insulation value. He and Commissioner Ricci went through the entire process with Rossbuilt and Greg Ross will continue to look for more ways to save. Commissioner Ricci doesn’t think we should spend the money on the sprinkler system now and he questioned whether we could only do maintenance issues for now without the remodeling. Commissioner Cooper motioned to accept the Gross Maximum Price as presented, seconded by Commissioner Davis. Commissioners Cooper, Tyler and Davis voted in favor; Commissioner Ricci dissented; motion carried.
3) Citizen’s Academy: Commissioner Cooper reported that they are working on presentation scripts and graphics.
4) Manatee County Property Appraiser Refund: Chief Price stated that the letter has been sent to the State Attorney General. Commissioner Cooper asked if we talked to the other Fire District’s about doing this jointly? Chief Price said it was agreed to do so through the Chief’s Association on this as well as the Hazmat and County Plan Review Fees issues.
5) Interlocal Agreement with Manatee County for Collection of Plan Review Fees: Chief Price said our attorney, Jim Dye, and the attorney for the other departments from Lewis, Longman will meet with the County attorney next week.
6) Policy Manual Chapter 1: Chief Price stated our attorney reviewed and made some suggested changes which we’re working on now. A draft will go out to the Commissioners in time for their review before the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Hazmat Interlocal Agreement: As previously reported, Manatee County has terminated the County Hazmat Coordinator position. The Fire Chief’s have asked them to keep the funding in place for the Team and the Cost Recovery Ordinance. The Agreement is between the County and all the fire departments to man the team and the County will continue to provide the funding as approved in the annual budget.
2) Radio System: Chief Price stated that the County has been told by the manufacturer of the 800 radio system that it will only service the system for seven more years. Some existing radios may be able to be upgraded to the new system but we don’t have many of those. However, the new style system will be open source and therefore much more affordable. We have reserve funding for radio replacements so we should be able to handle it.
3) Surplus Items: Chief Price presented a memo listing items to surplus, most of which are old enough that they aren’t on the inventory. Commissioner Davis motioned to surplus, seconded by Commissioner Ricci. Motion carried.
4) Legislative Roundup: Chief Price summarized some of the changes which were passed including FRS employees now being required to pay 3% toward their pensions and reducing the COLA; Chapter 175 plans will now not count accrued vacation/sick time in benefit calculations and limit overtime eligible. It was admitted that these changes were done to balance the General Budget, not because of any underfunding of the pension plans.
5) Station #1 Generator Bids: Chief Price presented three bids for the replacement of the generator at Station #1, with the lowest being $38,500 from Sam Pletcher Electric. Commissioner Ricci motioned to approve, seconded by Commissioner Cooper. Motion carried.
OTHER REPORTS: Chief Price stated that Financial Assistant Julie Pritchard has been working from home during her recuperation from surgery and has maintained her workload with the assistance of the office staff. Next he noted that Reserve Christopher Hayslip may return to work with West Coast Ambulance soon but it will take longer before he can perform as a firefighter. Lastly he reported that 27-year veteran Lieutenant John Flinn was forced to retire with a shoulder injury.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS: Commissioner Cooper commended Ms. Pritchard for her efforts. He also noted the County Fire Commissioner’s Association meeting is next month.
Commissioner Davis said although accepting pay as a Commissioner may be logical, that’s $30,000 a year out of the District’s budget and he wouldn’t care more about this District just because he was paid. We are the only Fire District in the County whose Commissioners don’t accept pay and he feels all of our current and former Board members should be commended for that.
Commissioner Tyler echoed Commissioner Davis’ sentiments and he does it for the community.
Commissioner Tyler stated that Commissioner Rigney will be moving out of the District which will vacate his seat and the Board must appoint someone to fill it until the next election. He directed staff to have it put in the papers to allow an opportunity for anyone interested to apply. Commissioner Rigney will be present for the June meeting.
NEXT MEETING Regular meeting on 6/16/11 at 1800 hours at the Administration building.
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ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 2005 hours.
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Chairman Secretary
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