Minutes of Meeting

Board of Fire Commissioners

January 10, 2008

 

Members present:     Chairman Brett E. Hinely

Madam Vice-Chair Margaret M. Vining

                                    Treasurer Janet B. Santner

                                    Vice-Treasurer Roger Porter, Jr.

Secretary John A. Hipp

 

·        Call to Order: Chairman Hinely called the Board of Fire Commissioners’ meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

·        Pledge of Allegiance

 

·        Invocation

 

·        Public Inputs: There were no public inputs.

 

·        Old Business

 

The minutes of the December 11, 2007 meeting were reviewed.  Commissioner Porter made a motion to accept the minutes as written, motion seconded by Commissioner Vining.  Commissioner Hinely voted in favor, Commissioner Vining voted in favor, Commissioner Santner voted in favor, Commissioner Porter voted in favor, and Commissioner Hipp voted in favor.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

The December 31, 2007 Financial Statement Report was reviewed.  Commissioner Hipp made a motion to accept the Financial Statement Report as written, motion seconded by Commissioner Santner.  Commissioner Hinely voted in favor, Commissioner Vining voted in favor, Commissioner Santner voted in favor, Commissioner Porter voted in favor, and Commissioner Hipp voted in favor.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

·        New Business

 

Fire Chief Miller briefed the Board of Fire Commissioners on the Fire Chief’s Annual Report for 2007.  There were a total of 743 alarms in 2007.  This was an increase of

8.3% from 686 responses in 2006.  There were 9 structure fire responses in 2007 compared to 28 in 2006, a 67.85% decrease.  The annual fire loss for 2007 was $237,500.00.  The number of career firefighting personnel remains at 19.  There were 2 firefighters that successfully completed their Paramedic Certification, and 3 other firefighters that are currently enrolled in Paramedic School .  There were 4 firefighters that successfully completed EMT Certification. There were significant building improvements.  (1) the Firefighter’s bunkroom was upgraded to provide better privacy and sleeping accommodations; (2) installed new carpeting throughout the entire fire station; (3) the upstairs dayroom was painted; (4) replaced the dishwasher; (5) installed a new 80 KW Power Back-Up Generator; (6) and constructed an extrication pad to provide realistic extrication (JAWS) training.  On March 29, 2007, North Bay Fire Control District sold Ladder 8 to Paxton Fire Department in Paxton , Illinois .  And on April 27, 2007, the North Bay Fire Control District took delivery of a new Pierce 100 foot platform aerial, Tower 8.  Finally, the “Assistance to Firefighters Grant” was approved for the gym area on the other side of the Fire Station Bay .

 

Fire Chief Miller turned the meeting over to Assistant Fire Chief Jordan to brief the Board of Fire Commissioners on the Annexation meeting held by the Niceville City Council on Tuesday, December 18, 2007.  According to Chief Jordan, the Niceville City Council did pass the ordinance, meaning that Niceville has annexed the land.  In the meantime, Assistant Fire Chief Jordan opened the floor for discussion.  After further discussion, the Board of Fire Commissioners decided to appeal the annexation. Commissioner Vining made a motion to appeal the annexation in Niceville, motion seconded by Commissioner Hipp. Commissioner Hinely voted against, Commissioner Vining in favor, Commissioner Santner voted in favor, Commissioner Porter voted in favor, and Commissioner Hipp voted in favor.  Four (4) voted in favor, one (1) voted against.  Motion carried.

 

Assistant Fire Chief Jordan presented the Board of Fire Commissioners with a proposed resolution affirming both its strong opposition to the annexation by the City of Niceville and its intent to initiate the conflict resolution process to appeal the annexation.  Commissioner Santner made a motion to approve the proposed resolution as written, motion seconded by Commissioner Hipp.  Commissioner Hinely voted in favor, Commissioner Vining in favor, Commissioner Santner voted in favor, Commissioner Porter voted in favor, and Commissioner Hipp voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that on January 3, 2008, the North Bay Fire Control District received $423,327.53 of Ad Valorem money from the Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office.

 

Commissioner Hinely briefed the Board of Fire Commissioners on the latest development on the Local Government Investment Pool.  As of December 5, 2007, the Trustees approved a plan suggested by BlackRock, Inc., to divide the Pool into two

portions: Local Government Investment Pool A (Pool A), consisting of approximately 86% of all pool assets at the time and Local Government Investing Pool B (Pool B), consisting of the balance (14%).  Each participant with an account in the Pool at the time of the freeze has a pro rata interest in Pool B, based on their account value.  In the meantime, any monies received from the Okaloosa County Tax Collector will be directly deposited into our Money Market account with Bank of America.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that according to Oshkosh Capital, the payoff quote for the new Aerial Apparatus, Tower 8, is $206,014.86.  This payoff quote is in effect until April 10, 2008.

 

Since the Board of Fire Commissioners realigned their positions in December 2007, Fire Chief Miller requested that the Board of Fire Commissioners update their Bank of America Corporate Signature Cards.  Ralph Banegas will initiate the paperwork for Chairman Brett E. Hinely, Treasurer Janet B. Santner, Vice-Treasurer Roger Porter, Jr., Fire Chief Joseph A. Miller, and Administrator Ralph Banegas for the North Bay Fire Control District.

 

Fire Chief Miller provided the Board of Fire Commissioners with a copy of the Blanket Public Employee Fidelity Bond Certificate.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that the Law Office of Allen, Norton & Blue is modestly increasing its hourly rate by fifteen dollars ($15.00).  The rate increase will become effective January 1, 2008, and will apply to new matters only and not to pending cases.

 

Fire Chief Miller informed the Board of Fire Commissioners that Ms Susan Rimsa, a Certified Public Accountant for Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLP, is currently conducting the Annual Financial Audit for the North Bay Fire Control District.  Chairman Hinely would like to meet with the auditor prior to the final audit out-brief.

 

Fire Chief Miller announced the “Employees Anniversary” for the month of January to our Mechanic Bill Smith (Jan 18^th) for 3 year of dedicated service to the North Bay Fire Control District.  Congratulations to Bill Smith for a job well done!

 

Fire Chief Miller announced “Happy Birthday Greetings” for the month of January to Firefighter Mayville (Jan 18^th); and Firefighter Oliver (Jan 26^th).  Many happy returns and many more to come!

 

Assistant Fire Chief Jordan presented the Board of Fire Commissioners with the Assistant Fire Chief’s Report for December 2007.

 

Assistant Fire Chief Jordan presented the Board of Fire Commissioners with the December 2007 Fire Incident Run Report.  The North Bay Fire Control District