CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

April 11, 2007

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at the Centerburg Town Hall, located at 49 ½ East Main Street, Centerburg, Ohio.  The following were in attendance:

Board Members                                                                     Staff

George Shaw, Chairman                                                 Diane Clippinger, Clerk

Phil Haberman                                                              Chief Joe Porter

Patti Frazee                                                              John Thatcher, KCPA

Chip Welch                                                                             

Harold Cochran

Public

Lt.  David Miller                                                                       Firefighter Dave Grumney

Dale Pennington                                                           

The regular Board meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District was called to order by Chairman Shaw at 7:00 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes from the special meeting on March 14, 2007 were presented for approval.  Mrs. Frazee made a motion to approve the minutes and Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none.  Abstained:  Mr. Welch.

The minutes from the regular meeting on March 14, 2007 were presented for approval.  Mrs. Frazee made a motion to approve the minutes and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Welch and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Mrs. Clippinger noted there was a warrant in the amount of $60,000 to StarOhio.  Mrs. Clippinger indicated the interest rate at StarOhio was 5.18%; whereas, the interest rate at First Knox National Bank was 2.46%.  Mrs. Clippinger indicated she was making the investment by warrant to alleviate the $25.00 wire transfer the District would be charged.  Warrants were presented for the Boards approval and signature.  Mr. Haberman made a motion to approve the warrants presented; Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr. Dale Pennington, USA Association, asked the Board to financially assist with traffic control for the Fourth of July Home Town Celebration.  Mr. Pennington noted it would cost $2,576.00 to have the Knox County Sheriff’s Office on site for the four days.  The USA Association was asking the District to pay half of this cost and the Village of Centerburg to pay the other half.  Prosecutor Thatcher noted since the District was responsible for EMS services to this function, the Board could assist with this expense since it was a benefit to the District in performing their services.  Mrs. Frazee made a motion to pay half the cost, $1,288.00, to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for traffic control during the Fourth of July Home Town Celebration.  Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 

CONTINUING BUSINESS

• Parking Lot – Prosecutor Thatcher presented a fax he had received from Mr. Jim Henry, Knox County Engineer and Mr. James Barnhart, Staff Engineer, Ohio Ready Mixed Concrete Association.  Mr. Barnhart, Mr. Henry and Mr. Robert Small, Small’s Inc. Ready-Mixed Concrete, had inspected the recently poured concrete pads in front of the District’s fire station.  Mr. Barnhart’s letter indicated overall the job completed by Small’s Inc. Ready-Mixed Concrete was satisfactory and the areas the Board had concerns about could be repaired with an epoxy mortar.  Mr. Barnhart’s letter also noted, in his opinion, the areas in question would not worsen.  Mr. Henry agreed with Mr. Barnhart’s opinion.  After some discussion, Mrs. Frazee made a motion to have Prosecutor Thatcher act on behalf of the Board to have the areas in question repaired with the epoxy mortar, at no cost to the District.  Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.   
• Vacant Lot – Chairman Shaw indicated he had spoken to the owner of the lot on the northeast corner of Tucker Road and State Route 3.  The property owner had no interest in selling this piece of property.  Chief Porter had received a call from Mr. Leonard Lashmit in regards to another property he owns on State Route 3, should the Board be interested.  Mr. Lashmit indicated the asking price would be $80,000.  Firefighter Dave Grumney felt the piece of property on the northwest corner of Tucker Road and State Route 3 was a prime piece of property and an excellent future site for a new station.  Firefighter Grumney asked the Board if they were willing to lose such a site for the $26,000 difference.  Mr. Welch noted the District could suggest a First Right of Refusal, should they have any concerns of losing the lot.  Chairman Shaw suggested the Board table this issue and the Board agreed.
• Helicopter Pad Lights –Mr. Jim Casner had installed the wiring for the helicopter pad lights and was waiting on better weather to install the actual lights.  

NEW BUSINESS

• Billing For Runs – Mrs. Frazee noted the Liberty Township Trustees would like the Board to consider billing non-district residents for EMS services, like the City of Mount Vernon is currently doing.  They feel this would be financially beneficial for the District.  Prosecutor Thatcher noted he would be willing to contact a representative from the City of Mount Vernon to speak with the District in regards to this process.  Chief Porter indicated the District currently has the ability to have medical supplies, used on an EMS run, replaced free of charge at several hospitals.  Should the District decide to bill for runs, this service would no longer be available.  Chief Porter felt the cost of medical supplies could possibly out weigh the benefits from billing, since the District would only receive reimbursement on patient transported runs.  The Board agreed to have Prosecutor Thatcher contact a representative from the City to speak at the next meeting.  The Board also suggested Mrs. Frazee invite the Liberty Township Trustees to that meeting.
• District’s Growth– Chairman Shaw and Chief Porter had met with Dr. William Kramer who specializes in assisting fire districts in planning and preparing for upcoming growth.  Dr. Kramer will attend the meeting in May to present the District with a proposal and cost for his services.
• Centerburg Village Disaster Plan – Chairman Shaw indicated the Village of Centerburg was in the process of implementing a Disaster Plan, similar to the one Knox County implemented.
• Term limits – Mrs. Clippinger noted there were several discrepancies in regards to the term limits of Board members.  After discussion by the Board, Mrs. Frazee made a motion for the following resolution and Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative: Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT, KNOX COUNTY, OHIO

Resolution No. 2007-04-01

The Board of Trustees of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, Knox County, Ohio met in the regular session on the 11th day of April, 2007 at the Centerburg Village Council Chamber with the following members present:

Patti Frazee, Trustee                                         Harold Cochran, Trustee

Phil Haberman, Trustee                         George Shaw, Trustee

Porter Welch, Trustee

Mrs. Frazee, moved for the adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas, the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board declares all District entities will appoint one Trustee/Council Member to represent the entity, for three year terms, to serve on the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board.  An At-Large Member will be appointed by the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board, to also serve a three year term.

Mr. Welch seconded the motion, and the roll was called on the question of its adoption.  The vote was as follows:

                        Name                             Vote {Yes, No, or Abstain}

Patti Frazee, Trustee                                         yes

Phil Haberman, Trustee                         yes

Porter Welch, At-Large                                    yes

George Shaw, Councilmen                                yes

Harold Cochran, Trustee                                  yes

CERTIFICATE

State of Ohio, Knox County

I, the undersigned Clerk of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, Knox County, Ohio, certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2007-04-01 is taken and copied from the record of proceedings of the township, and that it has been compared by me with the resolution on the record and is a true copy.

Date:  April 11, 2007                                                   _________________________________

Diane Clippinger, Clerk

The following Board members and term expirations were noted:

            Porter “Chip” Welch, At-large Member – term expires 12/31/09

            Patti Frazee, Liberty Township Trustee – term expires 12/31/08

            George Shaw, Centerburg Village Council – term expires 12/31/08

            Harold Cochran, Milford Township Trustee – term expires 12/31/09

            Phil Haberman, Hilliar Township Trustee – term expires 12/31/09

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – The Strategic Planning Committee met and discussed several issues involving the District.  They discussed the need of replacing engine 421 and the purchase of land for a new station/substation.  Chairman Shaw noted the Village of Centerburg was in the process of adopting the State Fire Code and encouraged all entities to do the same.  Prosecutor Thatcher noted he would need to research the ability of the Village of Centerburg, or any other entity, to adopt such code alone since they are part of a fire district. 

Personnel Committee – Prosecutor Thatcher indicated he was unsuccessful in obtaining an intern, at no cost to the District, to fill the proposed Administrative Assistant position.  Prosecutor Thatcher recommended the Board decide on a pay rate and advertise the position.  Personnel Committee noted they will meet and bring a proposal to the Board in May.

Audit Committee – Nothing to present.

Chief Porter –

• Key Boxes – Chief Porter indicated he is requesting key boxes be installed at all commercial new construction in the District.  He noted this would assist the District in responding in emergency situations.
• Thermo Image Camera – Chief Porter noted the thermo image camera had been ordered and should be delivered before the next meeting.  
• FEMA Grant – Firefighter Joseph Krouse was completing all necessary paperwork for the FEMA Grant, which could assist with the purchase of a ladder truck for the District.
• New Subdivision Road Widths – Chief Porter had met with Randy Pore, Knox County Regional Planning, and other fire chiefs in the county in regards to road widths in new subdivisions.  The fire chiefs would like to insure subdivision plans allowed for two-way emergency apparatus traffic.
• Inspections – Inspections in the District were going well, with a majority responding well.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 8:35 p.m., Mrs. Frazee made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.   The motion carried and the Board adjourned until the next regular meeting on May 9, 2007, unless called upon for urgent business.