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The regular
meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners was called to order
by Commissioner Hesse at 6:02 p.m. Present were: Commissioner
Gregory Hesse, 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.
INTRODUCTIONS
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF
THE AGENDA
Chief Walkup
requested that the Agenda be amended as follows:
- Add
Unfinished Business, Item B, Rescue Pumper Bids
Motion:
Ferraiuolo/Boling to approve the meeting Agenda as amended. The
motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion:
Boling/Ferraiuolo to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion
carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
A.
Ambulance Interlocal Agreement - Chief Walkup presented the
Board with a final version of the County-wide Interlocal
Ambulance Agreement. The Chief noted the agreement has been one
and one-half years in process and was reviewed by counsel from
the City of Spokane, Fire District 4, Fire District 9, and Brian
Snure on behalf of Fire District 1 and the remainder of the fire
districts. It is designed to create an Ambulance Service Board
which will develop a RFP to seek proposals for a county-wide
ambulance contract. Chief Walkup reported that the hope is that
under a new agreement county residents will receive rates more
favorable than they receive under the current structure.
Chief Walkup requested the Board approve the agreement and
authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the District.
Motion:
Ferraiuolo/Boling to authorize the Board chair to enter into the
Ambulance Interlocal Agreement as brought forward by Chief
Walkup this date. The motion carried unanimously.
B. Rescue
Pumper Bids - Chief Walkup informed the Board that bids
received for the new rescue pumper came in higher than
anticipated. After research, the Chief believes the District
can save approximately $20,000 and would not surrender any of
the functionality or safety features of the unit if the District
elected to go back out to bid. Chief Walkup recommended the
Board take action to reject all bids received as they are not in
the best interest of the District.
Commissioner
Hesse thanked the Chief and staff for their attempt to be good
stewards of the District’s funds.
Commissioner
Boling asked the Chief to elaborate on what non-service items
would be eliminated. Chief Walkup said there are a number of
items found to be inconsistent with current units, as well as a
number of items that are equivalent if not better than
previously specified. Changing from stainless to paint on the
inside of the doors was found to be a cost savings and staff
also found a number of safety features which were not in the
original bid specification - i.e. a breaking/blocking
mechanism. Staff believes the unit is too long and it can be
shorten by 4 to 6 inches and secure the storage and EMS cabinets
in the cab area - a $4,000 cost savings. Chief Walkup noted the
unit will meet the outcomes and be as functional as the end
product described by the Apparatus Committee but may not have
the specific items they requested. The Chief said bids came in
approximately $40,000 higher than anticipated and his commitment
has always been to keep personnel on the streets delivering
services.
Commissioner
Ferraiuolo inquired if it is possible to find a fairly new unit
available on the market or if each is custom made. Chief Walkup
said at times and there are demo units available, and the
District did in fact receive a bid for one, but this application
of a rescue/pumper is a specialized piece of equipment and the
District is not likely to find one to meets that specific
function.
Motion:
Boling/Ferraiuolo to reject all previous bids for the
rescue/pumper and instruct staff to go back out to bid with the
new guidelines as addressed. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Public
Hearing: Use of Bond Proceeds – Commissioner Hesse explained
the rationale for a Public Hearing on the use of proceeds from
the District’s 2000 Bond, and called on Chief Walkup to share
the changes in the circumstance as a result of the roof collapse
at Station 82.
Chief Walkup
recounted the February 6, 2008, roof collapse at Station 82 and
events that have taken place subsequent to the incident. The
Chief shared detail and presented an architectural rending of a
new pitched roof design and explained the correlating costs
estimated to be approximately $280,000. Engineering and
architectural fees are projected to be an additional $60,000.
Chief Walkup said he is willing to act as project manager and
administer the contract in an effort to save the District
additional expenses. Total cost estimates for the new roof
design are $340,000, plus tax. Commissioner Ferraiuolo pointed
out that sales tax is typically not charged on professional
services.
In addition,
the Chief said he is anticipating further costs if work is
required on storm water and landscape design. Chief Walkup
pointed to the driving factor in the increase in roof
construction costs as the need for shear walls and seismic
upgrades in several areas of the building. The insurance
carrier has approved total costs of damage to the building at
approximately $588,000, with an insurance credit toward the roof
costs of $143,000. Because this is a substantial expenditure
for the District, at the Board’s request, Chief Walkup
researched if this expenditure would be an appropriate use of
2000 Bond proceeds. The Chief consulted with bond counsel and
confirmed it was. The Bond Resolution and ballot language
provided the Board with the flexibility to make changes if the
needs of the District change. He also indicated research found
the District has no issues with yield restrictions in terms of
the interest received from the bond.
Commissioner
Hesse opened the hearing for public testimony.
Chuck Vyverberg
said he had contacted Chief Walkup earlier that day to inquire
on the costs relating to the roof project. He commended the
Chief for his effort and attempts to save the taxpayers
additional costs by personally working with the architect and
engineers. Mr. Vyverberg stated he is confident the District
will receive an excellent end product on the investment.
No other
speakers came forward and Commissioner Hesse thanked Mr.
Vyverberg for his participation in the hearing.
Motion:
Boling/Ferraiuolo to close the Public Hearing. The motion
carried unanimously.
Commissioner
Ferraiuolo stated his belief that by choosing to rebuild the
structure with a pitched roof the Board would be correcting a
design problem that has resonated for 20 plus years. He noted
the redesign will shed snow easier, balance the roof load, and
protect the thousands of dollars of apparatus and equipment
housed at the station. Commissioner Ferraiuolo pointed out
cost estimates were much higher at the initiation of the
process, but through questions and due diligence, those costs
have been reduced substantially.
Commissioner
Boling inquired on the decision to install a composite material
in lieu of a metal roof. Chief Walkup explained that the
composite roof in consideration is an architectural laminate
material, commercial grade, with a 50-year life span. He added,
snow shed and the gable design were a consideration but the
primary factor for selecting the composite material was cost.
By choosing to use a laminate material over metal, the District
will save approximately $100,000 and maintain the same warranty
in terms of longevity.
Motion:
Boling/Ferraiuolo to adopt Resolution 08-04 to authorize the use
of a portion of the remaining bond proceeds to pay for capital
improvements at Fire Station 82. The motion carried
unanimously.
A. Administrative Assistant Salary Adjustment – Chief
Walkup reviewed previous discussion with the Board which took
place during the creation of the 2008 budget regarding the
realignment of duties and responsibilities of the Administrative
Assistant’s position to align with the District’s comparables.
The Chief explained that it is the District’s long-term strategy
to transfer budgeting and financial duties to the Administrative
Assistant. Because of the change in staff and operation, Chief
Walkup informed the board those changes have taken place sooner
than anticipated and he recommended adjusting the Administrative
Assistant’s salary an additional $350 per month, effective May
16th.
Motion:
Ferraiuolo/Boling to accept the recommendation to increase the
Administration Assistant’s salary in commensurate with the newly
assigned duties by the Chief. The motion carried
unanimously.
The Board also
gave direction to afford the opportunity for the Administrative
Assistant to attend conferences and training relating to
financial issues of the District as offered by the WFCA.
B. Defibrillator Bids – Chief Walkup opened the bids
received in response to the District’s Request for Proposals for
one (1) new defibrillator and read as follows:
1.
Zoll Medical Corporation, Chelmsford, MA
a.
E Series AED w/12 Lead $20,285; Discount price of $15,
213.75.
b.
Option - $33,075; $18,407.
c.
Option - $16,335
d.
Option - $18,588.75
e.
Option - $18,409.75
2.
Physio Control Corporation - Medtronic ERS, Redmond,
WA
a.
Lifepak 12 - $15,663.23
b.
Option $16,360.09
c.
Option $14,640.51
d.
Option $17,986.16
Chief Walkup
asked the Board to refer all quotes to staff for analysis and
review and authorize purchase from the lowest, most responsive
bidder if it is within the 2008 budgeted amount.
Motion:
Boling/Hesse to allow staff to review all quotes for the
defibrillator and select the lowest, most responsive bidder, and
advise the Board of the outcome at the next meeting. The
motion carried unanimously.
C. Chair Position – Commissioner Ferraiuolo shared
background regarding the efforts between Board members to work
through their differences in attempt to move forward for the
benefit of the District. He suggested temporarily transferring
the position of Board chair from Commissioner Hesse to
Commissioner Boling if both parties were in agreement.
Commissioner
Boling respectfully asked that this item be tabled until the
Board has had an opportunity to discuss the Teambuilding
Workshop, Item 7. C., or until after the Board has completed the
teambuilding process.
In response
Commissioner Ferraiuolo said his goal is to do what’s best for
the District. He felt all members of the Board contribute in a
very positive way and agreed to first proceed through the
teambuilding process.
Commissioner
Hesse added his support to working through the teambuilding
process.
EXECUTIVE
REPORT
A. Rescue
Pumper Bids – This item was discussed in Item 5. B.,
Unfinished Business, Rescue Pumper.
B. Station
82 Update – This item was discussed above in Item 6. A., New
Business, Use of Bond Proceeds.
Commissioner
Boling inquired if there was a projected time-frame for
completion of Station 82’s roof replacement. Chief Walkup said
once the design is approved and the authorization to proceed is
given, the project should take approximately 90 days. He wants
to assure there are no additional requirements from the county
relative to the change in roof design. Commissioner Hesse
offered to work with the architect and to contact a fire
protection engineer.
C.
Teambuilding RFPs – Chief Walkup informed the Board the
District received three responses to its Teambuilding RFP. He
reported all three proposals are from reputable individuals and
firms with similar approaches. Proposals range from $6,250 -
$9,000 and require various time commitments. He further
explained the individual proposals and process, assessment
tools, interviews, and follow-up and polled the Board regarding
their interest and availability for scheduling purposes.
Discussion
followed with respect to the benefits of each proposal and the
Board’s preference for dates and times. Chief Walkup will query
the providers on the flexibility of their schedules and contact
the Board with his findings.
CORRESPONDENCE
1)
Legal counsel regarding matters of personnel
2)
Congratulation from Commissioner Joe Dawson, Valley
Fire
3)
Valley Voice/South Hill Voice Thank You letter from
Chief Walkup
4)
Spokesman Review on passage of the District’s Levy
Lid Lift
5)
Valley News Herald on passage of the District’s Levy
Lid Lift
6)
Kessler’s 60th Anniversary celebration invitation
7)
State Route Highway 27 Traffic Safety Corridor notice
8)
County Auditor regarding the Voter Information
Pamphlet
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Commissioner
Boling shared his experience during Spokane County Fire
Commissioner Association’s recent visit to the Fire Memories
Museum. He said he thoroughly enjoyed the tour and recommended
the museum to families, friends, neighbors and anyone with an
interest in the fire service.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The next
meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners is June 10, 2008,
6:00, Station 82
- WFCA
Conference, May 31, 2008, in Chelan, Washington
- The
commissioners send best wishes to Ken & Bess Kessler on
their 60th Anniversary celebration May 31, 2008
- WFCA State
Conference, October, 2008, Doubletree Hotel, Seattle,
Washington
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
With no further
business, Commissioner Hesse adjourned the meeting at
7:17 pm.
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