CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

February 8, 2011

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at the Centerburg Town Hall, located at 49 ½ East Main Street, Centerburg, Ohio.  The following were in attendance:

Board Members                                                                     Staff

Porter Welch, Chairman                                                           Diane Clippinger, Clerk

Dave Beck                                                                               Chief Joe Porter

Tim Eyster                                                                                Jennifer Springer, Assistant Knox County

                                                                                                    Prosecuting Attorney

Public

Lieutenant Dan Rott                                                                  Firefighter John Willis               

Lieutenant David Miller                                                 Firefighter Jeremy Latella

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

Firefighter John Willis asked the Board’s permission to obtain his fire helmet.  Firefighter Willis indicated he would purchase a new fire helmet to replace the one he is taking.  Chief Porter noted this had been done in the past.  The Board agreed that Firefighter Willis could have his fire helmet as long as it is replaced with a new one.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Beck made a motion to approve the minutes from the organizational meeting on January 11, 2011 and Mr. Eyster seconded the motion.   On roll call in the affirmative:  Chairman Welch, Mr. Beck and Mr. Eyster.  In the negative:  none.  Absent:  Mr. Hall and Mrs. Frazee.

Mr. Beck made a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on January 11, 2011 and Mr. Eyster seconded the motion.   On roll call in the affirmative:  Chairman Welch, Mr. Beck and Mr. Eyster.  In the negative:  none.  Absent:  Mr. Hall and Mrs. Frazee.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Mr. Beck questioned the large payments to Orkin Exterminating, Inc. and Zep Manufacturing Company.  He also questioned the payment to Child Support.  It was noted there is an annual contract with Orkin Exterminating, Inc. for pest control and the District orders it’s cleaning and maintenance supplies in bulk from Zep Manufacturing Company for better pricing.  Several employees of the District are required to pay child support by payroll deduction.   Mr. Eyster made a motion to approve the warrants presented and Mr. Beck seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Chairman Welch, Mr. Beck and Mr. Eyster.  In the negative:  none.  Absent:  Mr. Hall and Mrs. Frazee. 

Mrs. Clippinger presented the monthly bank reconciliation, fund status ledger, appropriation ledger, receipt ledger and payment register for the Board’s review and approval.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Fulmer/Shaw – Mr. Beck indicated the Strategic Planning Committee had met twice since the last Board meeting.  The Committee presented the following for the Board’s consideration:

• Created an In-Charge firefighter - This position would be valuable when a lieutenant is absent.  Lt. Whipple is currently composing a SOG for this position to present to the Board.
• Impose soft-billing - The Committee felt by imposing soft- billing in the District, it would be a means of generating additional revenue.  Chief Porter agreed to contact a consulting firm to speak to the Board about this issue.
• Purchase property – Property needs to be purchased in the northern end of the District to better serve the residents of Liberty and Milford Townships.
• Assistant Fire Chief – This position would either be a full-time or part-time position.  The Board agreed a full-time position would be most beneficial; however, felt the District did not have the funds to do so.
• Increase South Bloomfield contract - The Committee felt the residents of South Bloomfield should be paying the same millage as all of the residents of the District, which they currently are not.

1. Dental/Vision Insurance – Mrs. Clippinger had received a quote from Rinehart-Walters and Danner Insurance for dental and vision insurance coverage for the Districts’ employees.  The cost of dental insurance is $32.63 per month and the cost of vision insurance is $7.35 per month.  Mr. Beck made a motion to pay the cost of dental and vision insurance for the full time employees.  Chairman Welch felt it would be beneficial for the Board to know how many employees in the District were interested in these policies.  The motion was not seconded.  The Board asked Lt. Rott to obtain a list of the employees who were interested in these policies.

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – Already presented.

Personnel Committee – Nothing to present.

Chief Porter – See Chief Porter’s report.

1. Resignation –Mr. Beck made a motion to accept the resignation of Firefighter John Willis, effective immediately, and Mr. Eyster seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Chairman Welch, Mr. Beck and Mr. Eyster.  In the negative:  none.  Absent:  Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Hall.
2. Employment Offer – Mr. Beck made a motion to hire Mr. John Cannon, regular part-time firefighter/paramedic, $10.13 per hour, and Mr. Caleb Penner, regular part-time firefighter/EMT-basic, $8.89 per hour, contingent on positive background checks.  Mr. Eyster seconded the motion.    On roll call in the affirmative:  Chairman Welch, Mr. Beck and Mr. Eyster.  In the negative:  none.  Absent:  Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Hall.

Prosecutor’s Office – Nothing to present.

Mr. Beck thanked Chief Porter for his assistance in preparing an Emergency Plan for the Village of Centerburg.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 8:15 p.m., Mr. Eyster  made a motion to adjourn until the regular meeting on March  8, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., unless called upon for urgent business. Mr. Beck seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Chairman Welch, Mr. Beck and Mr. Eyster.  In the negative:  none.  Absent:  Mr. Hall and Mrs. Frazee.