CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

December 12, 2007

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Wednesday, December 12th, 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                                                             Jennifer Springer, Knox County

Patti Frazee                                                            Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Harold Cochran                                                                       

Chip Welch

Public

Firefighter Dave Grumney                                                   Lt. Tom Grewell

Firefighter Brent Spearman                                          Firefighter Ryan Bareswilt

Firefighter Tim Belcher                                                  Jill Grumney

Diane Stockmaster

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

Mr. Haberman made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 15, 2007 meeting and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Welch and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Warrants were presented for the Board’s approval and signature. Mr. Haberman questioned a warrant made payable to The Village Photographer.  Chief Porter indicated it was the annual composite photo.  Mr. Welch made a motion to approve the warrants presented; Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Welch and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

CONTINUING BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

• Christmas Dinner – Mrs. Frazee made a motion to purchase the meat for the annual Christmas dinner, out of donations, at a maximum of $300.00.  Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.
• Liberty Township Fire Fund – Mrs. Frazee indicated Liberty Township still had money in their fire fund, which the Township wanted to use to install dry-hydrants in Liberty Township.  It was noted the Township was suppose to give the District all monies generated from the fire levy, which has expired.  After discussing the issue with Assistant Prosecutor Springer, the Board agreed all monies in the Liberty Township fire levy fund should go the Central Ohio Joint Fire District.  The Board also agreed to appropriate these monies for the installation of dry-hydrants in Liberty Township.
• Centerburg Village Representation – Chairman Shaw introduced Diane Stockmaster, who would be replacing him on the Board as of January 1, 2008.  Chairman Shaw noted he was unable to be Mayor of Centerburg and be on the Board too.
• Firefighter Jason Coreno – The Board had received a letter from Firefighter Jason Coreno, which they agreed to discuss in Executive Session.

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – The Strategic Planning Committee met on December 1, 2007.  They looked at finances and was the tentative opinion of the Committee to place the purchase of land on hold at the present time.  The Committee questioned whether the District would become the legal owner of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Station once the bond was satisfied.  Mr. Haberman indicated per a deed restriction, the property could not be sold or given away.  Chairman Shaw questioned the legality of completing improvements to the station if the District did not own and/or would not own the station.  Assistant Prosecutor Springer recommended the Board obtain a formal opinion from the Prosecutor’s office before completing any further improvements.    Mr. Welch indicated the next Strategic Planning Committee meeting would be January 12, 2008.

Mr. Cochran made a motion for the Board to obtain an opinion from the Prosecutor’s office in regards to the above.  Mr. Cochran indicated the District currently has a life-time lease and feels it is the same as owning the property.  There was no second on the motion.

Personnel Committee – Nothing to present.

Chief Porter – (also see Chief Porter’s report)

• Resignation – Mr. Welch made a motion to accept the resignation of Firefighter Nick Keener based on Chief Porter’s recommendation.  Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none. 
• Letter Submitted – Chief Porter indicated he had spoken with Firefighter Brent Spearman in regards to the letter he submitted to the Board on November 15, 2007. No action needed to be taken.
• Certification  – Firefighter Kristen Hunt and Firefighter Joshua Loney had both recently completed training and both have received their certifications.
• Christmas Dinner – Chief Porter reminded the Board the annual Christmas dinner was December 15, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
• Pump Repair – Chief Porter submitted a quote of $3,800 to repair the pump on the tanker.  The pump was currently pumping at half of its intended capacity and would need repaired in the near future.

The Board received a thank you note from the firefighters who worked Thanksgiving Day, and their family members, for the turkeys the Board members supplied for their dinner.

Assistant Prosecutor Springer reminded the Board to review Board member term limits at their annual organizational meeting.

Mr. Haberman made a motion to have Triad rebuild the pump for the tanker, at a cost of $3,800 and Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.

Mr. Haberman indicated the 911 tower in Liberty Township needs to be larger.  Representing the 911 Board, Mr. Haberman had addressed the Liberty Township Trustees in regards to this issue.  There was discussion of installing a larger tower at the Liberty Township House, but was determined it was not a large enough site.  Mr. Haberman noted the 911 Board has the funds to install the tower, just not a site to do so.  Replacement of the tower would greatly improve radio communications for the Central Ohio Joint Fire District and the Knox County Sheriff Department.  Mr. Haberman also indicated the 911 Board was researching the ability of purchasing radios and pagers for different Districts.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:40 p.m. to discuss a letter received from Firefighter Jason Coreno date December 4, 2007 and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  Chairman Shaw requested the Board allow Mrs. Stockmaster to remain for the Executive Session.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none. 

Mr. Welch made a motion to adjourn out of Executive Session at 7:55 p.m., with no action taken and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none. 

Chief Porter noted Lt. David Miller had received several unpleasant telephone calls.  These calls have been traced and are currently being reviewed.

The annual organizational meeting will be January 9th, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., with the regular meeting immediately following.

Mr. Haberman and the Board thanked Chairman Shaw for being a Board member of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District and wished him the best of luck.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 8:00 p.m., Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn the meeting until the annual organizational meeting on January 9, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., unless called upon for urgent business. Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  none.