FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 5 MASON COUNTY

Chairperson Griffey called the meeting of September 13, 2006 to order at 10 A.M. Present were Commissioners Taylor and Huff and Chief Knight.

The minutes of the meeting of August 23, 2006 were read. MOTION MADE BY HUFF

AND SECONDED BY TAYLOR TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Correspondence:  Lynda Ring Erickson advised the Training meeting scheduled for Sept. 14 is cancelled for now.

Assistant Chief Tim McKern read from an Activity Report dated 9-10-2006.

General Information:

The meeting was temporarily suspended at 10:16 a.m. to call for an Executive Session to discuss IAFF contract negotiations.  The meeting lasted 10 minutes,  adjourning at 10:26 a.m. with no action taken and the regular meeting reconvened at 10:26 a.m.

After a brief discussion MOTION MADE BY HUFF AND SECONDED BY TAYLOR TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 5, MASON COUNTY AND MASON COUNTY FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION LOCAL NO.2984 DATED JUNE 1, 2006 TO MAY 31, 2009.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Chief Knight presented several preliminary budget reports for 2007 for the board to review.  A discussion followed including payroll projections, benefits, personnel staffing and revenue.  Chief asked the board to review and comment at next meeting.

Commissioner Huff asked about the status of the drywall project at Sta. 59.  Chief advised the drywall has been purchased. 

Chief further advised that in 2007 the Dispatch staff would no longer be on our payroll.  Also, that the City has been working on funding for 2007 and beyond.  Chief Knight and City staff met with the E911 office and is developing a plan to acquire approximately $200,000.00 for communications funding for the City of Shelton. Also, discussion was held regarding the Mason County Commissioners placing a tax issue on the ballot for 1/10^th of 1% for E911 tax.  Discussion followed.

Assistant Chief Cowan presented a report on Apparatus Replacement Plan.  The report is attached.  Discussion included purchasing new tenders now and how that will fit in the replacement plan over the next few years, paying cash vs. leasing equipment, replacing command cars, pricing, expected revenue over the next few years and more. The board members were asked to look over the report and bring further comments and questions to the next meeting.

Chief handed out copies of Policy 2840, 2446, 1513, and 2102.  The policies were developed over the past years, as needed, some by the request of our insurance carrier.  Policy #2840 is Complaint Procedure for staff.  Chief recommends that this Policy be voided and removed from the Policy Manual.  The material in #2840 is contained in the three Policies mentioned above. Chief asked the board members to review each policy and have comments/suggestions for the next meeting.

Business for Consideration:

MOTION MADE BY HUFF AND SECONDED BY TAYLOR TO SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH THE CITY OF SHELTON ON 9/21/2006 AT STATION 53 AT 2 P.M.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The purpose of the meeting is to continue discussion on consolidation of services.

At a previous meeting each board member received a letter from the Firefighters Association of Fire District 5.  The Association asked the board to consider holding meetings at night and at alternate location around the fire district. 

Chairperson Griffey said that in the past the board has scheduled meeting for evening hours and the attendance was poor.  Commissioner Huff said that he requested an evening meeting a few months ago and the attendance was poor.  It is difficult to know when citizens/volunteers can or will attend meetings.

Perhaps a quarterly workshop would be something to consider.  Commissioner Huff said that Vol. FF. Steve Holloway said that some volunteer firefighters feel that the board members may now know what equipment is at each station, or who the volunteers are.  It was suggested an organized tour of the station might work out.  It was decided to sketch out some ideas and bring them to the next meeting.

Chairperson Griffey asked to address the issue of hiring new field personnel as the budget allows.  Will that position be an opportunity for advancement for current FD5 Staff?  Chief Knight said that when both Assistant Chief McKern and Assistant Chief Cowan were hired, that we passed over in house employees.  If there were a new field person hired it would be best to hire from within.  We will need to plan a test, and commit to training for a supervisory position.  It would be best to have a PM/FF as a supervisor to help cut down on overtime costs. Discussion followed.

The meeting was temporarily suspended at 11:28 a.m. to call for a Board for Volunteer Firefighter to order.  The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. and the regular meeting reconvened.

THE VOUCHERS WERE REVIEWED.  MOTION MADE BY HUFF AND SECONDED BY TAYLOR TO APPROVE FOR PAYMENT VOUCHER #21940 THROUGH AND INCLUDING #21958 TOTALING $8932.41. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

REPORTS, SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS: None.

The meeting adjourned at 11:34 A.M.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 27, 2006 at 10 A.M.

Signature on File_______________          Signature on File_______________

Chairperson Del Griffey                        Commissioner Tom Taylor

Signature on File_______________           Signature on File_______________

Commissioner Chuck Huff                      Recording Secretary Donna M. Clark