CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

February 26, 2008

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at the Centerburg Town Hall, located at 49 ½ East Main Street, Centerburg, Ohio.  The following were in attendance:

Board Members                                                                     Staff

Chip Welch, Chairman                                                  Diane Clippinger, Clerk

Phil Haberman                                                              Chief Joe Porter

Patti Frazee                                                                              John Thatcher, Knox County

Diana Stockmaster                                                                       Prosecuting Attorney

Harold Cochran

Public

Lieutenant Tom Grewell                                                            Firefighter Brent Spearman

Firefighter Ryan Bareswilt                                                         Mark Weade

Elizabeth Pfeifer                                                                        Stephanie Pfeifer

Rob Devore                                                                             Jim Frazee

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

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Based on the recommendation of Chief Porter, Mrs. Frazee made a motion to hire Rob Devore and Mark Weade, basic FF/EMT at $8.43 per hour, and Elizabeth Pfeifer, paramedic at $9.60 per hour.  Mr.  Cochran seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none.  The Board welcomed Firefighter Devore, Firefighter Weade and Firefighter Pfeifer after Chief Porter swore them in.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Prosecutor Thatcher indicated the date on the 2008 Organizational meeting should read January 9, 2008, instead of 2007. Mrs. Stockmaster made a motion to approve the minutes, as corrected, and Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

Mr. Haberman made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 9th, 2008 regular meeting and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Warrants were presented for the Board’s approval and signature. Mrs. Frazee made a motion to approve the warrants presented; Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

CONTINUING BUSINESS

• Septic System – It was noted the repairs to the septic system were almost complete.  Chief Porter noted Bank Sanitation was currently working on the wiring.  Mr. Haberman indicated the Hilliar Township Trustees felt since they own the building, they should make the decision on who completes repairs.  Prosecutor Thatcher recommended Hilliar Township compile a list of  pre-approved contractors to complete repairs to the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Fire Station.  This way the District would be able to use the list for emergency repairs.  Mr. Haberman also noted the Knox County Health Department indicated a small mound-type septic system would need to be installed within the next couple of years.  Chairman Welch questioned whether the Board could do anything now to fix the issue permanently.  Mr. Cochran suggested the Board and Township do nothing at this time and wait until summer to see if the current repairs fixed the back flow issue.  Prosecutor Thatcher recommended a building committee be established.  He felt there should be a representative from the District, the Township and Chief Porter.  Mr. Haberman noted he would discuss this with the other Trustees of Hilliar Township.
• South Bloomfield Contract – Chairman Welch and Chief Porter had met with the Trustees of South Bloomfield.  The South Bloomfield Trustees noted they were satisfied with the Central Ohio Joint Fire District service.  They were interested in what type of mileage the District would require in order to continue coverage.  The Trustees felt no additional mileage would pass,  but a renewal or possibly a replacement would.
• Anthem Health Insurance – Mrs. Clippinger indicated the Anthem Health Insurance

coverage had increased slightly do to another individual wanting health insurance coverage through the District.  The Anthem premium was still less than the Medical Mutual premium.

NEW BUSINESS

• Strategic Planning Vacancy – Chairman Welch had received an email from Firefighter Dave Grumney resigning his position on the Strategic Planning Committee.  The Board discussed the necessity of filling the vacated position.  The Board agreed it would be favorable to have an individual from the fire department on the committee.  Firefighter Brent Spearman agreed to be on the Strategic Planning Committee.
• Property Insurance Renewal – Mrs. Clippinger noted the District’s annual property and liability insurance policy would be up for renewal.  She noted she had just received the renewal policy in the mail.  Mr. Gary Walters from Rinehart, Walters and Danner was planning on attending the March meeting to discuss the policy.  The Board agreed if there was no change in the policy or premium, Mr. Walters would not need to attend.  Mrs. Clippinger noted she would review the policy and contact the Board before the March 11th meeting to see whether Mr. Walters would need to attend or not.
• Driveway Damage – Chairman Welch excused himself from this discussion.  Vice-Chairman Frazee indicated Chairman Welch’s concrete driveway was damaged when an engine backed upon it while responding to a neighboring fire.  Chief Porter indicated it was mutual aid responder Homer Volunteer Fire Department who backed upon Chairman Welch’s driveway.  Homer Volunteer Fire Department had been contacted and requested the bill be sent to them.  Chief Porter asked the Board to split the bill with Homer Volunteer Fire Department, since they were supplying mutual aid to the Central Ohio Joint Fire District.  The Board requested Chief Porter contact the District’s insurance company to see if this would be covered under the District’s policy.  Chief Porter will report his findings to the Board at the next meeting

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – The Strategic Planning Committee will meet on March 1, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.

Personnel Committee – Mrs. Frazee suggested an exit interview be conducted for any personnel leaving the District.  The Board agreed.  Prosecutor Thatcher recommended the Personnel Committee conduct these interviews.  It was agreed former employees would be more comfortable speaking to the Personnel Committee instead of speaking in an open meeting.  The Personnel Committee requested Chief Porter compile a list of all employees who had left employment with the Central Ohio Joint Fire District since January 1, 2007.

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

• Resignation – Mr. Haberman made a motion to accept the resignation of Firefighter Darrin O’Bruba and Firefighter Dave Grumney, based on Chief Porter’s recommendation.  Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 
• Termination – Mr. Cochran made a motion to terminate Firefighter Richard Maxwell, based on Chief Porter’s recommendation and Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 
• Fish Fry – The Heart of Ohio USA Association have requested the use of the station for a fish fry to raise money for the annual Independence Day celebration.  Chief Porter noted the Association already had all necessary insurance coverage.  Prosecutor Thatcher noted he would send the Association a license agreement.
• Firefighter Joseph Herren – Chief Porter noted Firefighter Herren had recently completed paramedic training, passed his exam and received his paramedic card. 
• Truck Repairs  – Upon the completion of the annual inspections of  the Districts’ trucks, W.W. Detroit determined several were in need of repair.  The repairs varied from needing to be completed immediately to items which could wait.  Mrs. Frazee made a motion to have all repairs completed and Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Based on Chief Porter’s request, Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn to executive session at 7:55 p.m. to discuss terms and conditions of the South Bloomfield contract.  Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

            Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn out of executive session at 8:30 p.m., with no action

taken and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion. In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none.  

Firefighter Spearman invited the members of the Strategic Planning Committee to attend a fire engine presentation on March 14, 2008.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 8:31 p.m., Mrs. Frazee made a motion to adjourn the meeting until the next regular meeting on March 11th, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., unless called upon for urgent business. Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none.