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: Chief Price presented an award to Deputy Fire Marshal Kurt Lathrop for having the most community service hours of all District members. He has provided 187 hours to the Southeast Guide Dog School.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. Al Robinson of Holmes Beach asked why we have public comments at the beginning of the meeting since comments usually follow a statement? He also asked why there is no advertising of the Pension Board meetings in the Island papers? Commissioner Tyler deferred to Chief Price who explained that the law requires we advertise in a paper of general circulation and the Island papers don’t meet that criteria though they could be in addition to the Bradenton Herald.
CHANGES TO AGENDA: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Cooper motioned to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Commissioner Rigney. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: Thanks from Mt. Vernon Condos to Inspector Davis for fire extinguisher class; from City of Bradenton for assistance and attendance to Chief Souders funeral.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Facilities: Chief Price reported that the punch list is almost done and we’re working on getting the fence and landscaping done, then we can plan an Open House. Verizon originally said we could move our phone numbers but now can’t so we have to change all our numbers.
2) RFP #11-01 Remodel of Station #1: Chief Price said the proposals are due 2/2/11 and then the Committee will evaluate them. Six companies attended the mandatory presubmittal meeting.
3) Citizen’s Academy: Commissioner Cooper reported not much has been done yet but he’ll be working with Captain Sousa to set up a schedule. Chief Price added that retired Firefighter has offered to do some volunteer work for us and this would be a perfect program to utilize him.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Surplus 1992 Ford F350 #51791: Chief Price asked for approval to surplus this vehicle. It was originally an EMS ambulance that we bought for $1.00 in 2000 and added a flatbed to tow the boat. Motion to approve by Commissioner Davis; seconded by Commissioner Ricci. Motion carried.
2) ManateeCountyProperty Appraiser Refund: Chief Price explained that the fire tax process includes fees paid to the Property Appraiser for applying the rates and sending out the tax bills and to the Tax Collector for collecting the money. State law required that if any money was left each year, they reimbursed it proportionately to all the Districts. This year we only received reimbursement from the Tax Collector. When we asked the Property Appraiser they said they weren’t doing it anymore because of a new interpretation of law that only the ad valorem agencies could get the reimbursements so, in essence, the extra that we paid has been distributed to other agencies within the County. We asked our attorney to look at it and he’s sent a letter. It may have to go to the State Attorney General for an opinion.
3) Interlocal Agreement with Manatee County for Collection of Plan Review Fees: Chief Price said Attorney Jim Dye has reviewed and approved the agreement with one possible change. This will allow one-stop shopping for permits. The Fire Marshal’s Association worked this out with the County.
4) Date/Time for Work Session on Chapter 1 of Policy Manual: All agreed to 5:00 p.m. before the next regular meeting on 2/17/11. Chief Price said it will probably take more than one Work Session.
OTHER REPORTS: Chief Price presented his annual report of calls for 2010. Our call load was up for the year and our average response time held steady at 4.75 minutes.
The Chief handed out a spreadsheet that shows our Vehicle & Equipment Replacement programs with estimates that stretch out 25 years to guide us in budgeting for those expenditures.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS: Commissioner Cooper reported on the Fire Commissioner’s Association meeting. He was elected Treasurer and topics included the Property Appraiser’s refund, legislation in regard to mergers, and they removed residential sprinklers from the agenda for now.
Commissioner Ricci commented on the sudden passing of Chief Souders and feels we should screen our firefighters for potential health problems. Chief Price explained that we do annual physicals according to NFPA standards and are considering the addition of a cardiac screen and/or ultrasound screening. We also have a Wellness/Fitness program and are developing a Wellness Committee.
Commissioner Tyler stated that our original logic for placing Public Comment at the beginning of the agenda was so that people could voice their opinions on agenda items before the Commissioners acted on them. They can always contact staff to discuss issues.
NEXT MEETING Work Session at 5:00 p.m. on 2/17/11 followed byregular meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Administration building.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
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Chairman Secretary
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