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The regular
meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners was called to order
by Commissioner Boling at 6:00 p.m. Present were: Commissioner
Lee Boling, Commissioner Jonathan Ferraiuolo, Chief William
Walkup, Deputy Chief Tony Nielsen, Deputy Chief Lonnie Rash,
Administrative Assistant Carol Trescott, members of the
district, and members of the public. Commissioner Greg Hesse’s
absence was excused.
INTRODUCTIONS
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
The Agenda was
amended as follows:
1)
Commissioner Boling: Move Election of Chairperson
from New Business, Item A, to Unfinished Business, Item A. This
item was tabled at the previous meeting.
2)
Chief Walkup: Add Executive Report, Item G, Proposed
Ponderosa Development.
APPROVAL OF
THE AGENDA
Motion:
Ferraiuolo/Boling to approve the Meeting Agenda as amended.
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion:
Ferraiuolo/Boling to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion
carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
A. Election
of Chairperson – Commissioner Ferraiuolo nominated
Commissioner Greg Hesse to serve as Chairperson of the Board of
Fire Commissioners for the year 2008.
Motion:
Ferraiuolo/Boling to elect Commissioner Greg Hesse as
Chairperson of the Board of Fire Commissioners for 2008.
The Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Draft MOU with 3711 - Chief Walkup reported the
purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding with Local 37ll was
to address items effecting the collective bargaining agreement
in reference to implementation of the proposed Advanced Life
Support program. The MOU resolves those issues that both
management and the bargaining unit could find in relationship to
the program. The bargaining unit’s executive board has reviewed
the document and is scheduled to present it to their body for
approval. Chief Walkup informed the board he will be asking for
their action on the MOU at the February 21st Special
Meeting.
Commissioner
Ferraiuolo asked how the figures for salaries were derived.
Chief Walkup said the district is using the same comparable
agencies that were used to develop the bargaining unit’s current
salary schedule. He acknowledged the salary ranges are at the
low end of those comparables and said 3711’s executive board
recognizes the district is attempting to get the program up and
running. Commissioner Ferraiuolo thanked the local for working
with the district.
Commissioner
Boling asked the likelihood of attracting qualified candidates
with the current salary range as listed. Chief Walkup responded
that the salary range is fairly broad and said staff feels it
should draw competent people to fill the needs of the district.
Commissioner
Boling thanked everyone involved in the process.
B. Draft Levy Lid Lift Resolution and Ballot Title – As
addressed during the recent Planning Workshop, Chief Walkup
introduced draft Lid Lift Resolution and Ballot language, which
he noted had been reviewed by legal counsel. Chief Walkup said
he will be asking the board at the February 21 Special Meeting
if they still want to run a Levy Lid Lift and if so, what rate
they would want to levy.
EXECUTIVE
REPORT
A.
Newsletter – Chief Walkup informed the board that staff is
moving forward with Lid Lift information to share with the
community. The newsletter will also include an article on a
recent CPR save at Mullen Road Elementary School.
C. Annexation Legislation – Chief Walkup told the board
there are 20 bills addressing annexation in the current
legislative session. He said at this time HB 2938 appears to
be moving and could potentially come out of committee with an
amendment or a first or second substitute bill which would
include employee protection language. In addition, he thought
that SHB Bill 1622, which addresses increasing the Boundary
Review Board’s authority to expand boundaries, may have an
addition to it as well. The chief said Senator McCaslin is
sponsoring a bill which includes a 10th objective
addressing mitigation of impacts from annexation on other
jurisdictions. Each of these proposed bills have come out of
committee and must be out of the house by February 19th
in order to move forward.
D. SCC Sabbatical – Chief Walkup informed the board the
district has an opportunity to acquire a staff member of SCC who
is on sabbatical and would be available to work part-time, 2-3
days a week, on projects for the district. This person has the
skills to assist staff with professional development plans for
our members, aid in the implementation of the district’s new ALS
program, develop a records custodian program for the district,
and has experience in curriculum development. The cost to the
district is $6,500 which the chief felt would bring an excellent
return.
E. Brush Units Bids – Chief Walkup reminded the board
that bids are currently being accepted for two new brush units.
The bid opening is scheduled for the next board meeting, March
11th.
F. Special Meeting – A Special Meeting of the Board of
Fire Commissioners is called for Thursday, February 21, 2008,
11:30 am at the Spokane Club. The purpose of the meeting is to
ask the board for authorization to sign the current MOU with
3711 regarding the ALS program. In addition, the board will be
asked to take action on their preferred Ballot Title and
Resolution for a potential April 22nd Levy Lid Lift
election. Commissioner Boling announced the meeting is open to
the public.
G. Status of Station 82 – Chief Walkup addressed the
catastrophic failure of the roof structure over the apparatus
bay at Station 82 on February 6th. He noted the
apparatus had been relocated and moved outside of the building
before the roof collapse. Belfor Construction Services, a
company specializing in fire and flood restoration, has been
retained by the district and is coordinating the work effort of
several contractors. The facility is in service and staff is
able to work out of the both the administrative areas and living
quarters. The chief reported Belfor, the engineering firms, and
the insurance company is working with the district to determine
if the building can be brought up to code. Chief Walkup noted
Commissioner Ferraiuolo’s experience in this area and suggested
that staff seek his input if needed. Belfor’s general manager
is working with building and safety departments and expressed
his desire that the building inspector require the facility be
brought up to code.
As acting
chair, Commissioner Boling appointed Commissioner Ferraiuolo to
assist with the construction as needed.
H. Proposed Ponderosa Development – Chief Walkup told the
board he received a visit from Larry Gutherie, who along with
his father Ralph Gutherie, have developed a large portion of the
Ponderosa area. Mr. Gutherie has eight lots remaining in the
south end of Ponderosa Drive which he would like to develop and
he asked for the fire district’s support. The chief said his
response to Mr. Gutherie’s request was based on recent events in
the area. He told Mr. Gutherie he was relatively certain the
fire district was not going to be taking a position to support
additional development but would review the plans with respect
to the standards currently in place.
CORRESPONDENCE
1)
Letter to the City of Spokane relative to the Open
Public Records Act
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Spokane
County Fire Commissioners Association meeting, March 13,
2008, 7:00 pm at SCFD8, Station 81. Tom Mattern, Emergency
Services is scheduled as guest speaker.
- The next
Regular Meeting of Spokane County Fire District 8 Board of
Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 6:00
pm, at Station 82.
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Commissioner Boling expressed his pride in the work efforts
of district members during and after the recent roof
collapse at Station 82. He witnessed each member
undertaking jobs as they were assigned and is in their area
of expertise. He thanked Lt. Wainwright for his ability and
skill in handling the situation, Chief Rash for his
attention to the news media, and Captain Barker for the use
of his motor home, and the crew who helped to dig the motor
home out the snow. Commissioner Boling further thanked the
entire membership for their efforts during this time.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
The
commissioners broke for Executive Session at 6:25 pm to discuss
matters of personnel performance. No action is expected to be
taken during Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further
business, Commissioner Hesse adjourned the meeting at
7:00 pm.
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