CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

July 11th, 2007

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Wednesday, July 11th, 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, Knox County

Chip Welch                                                Prosecuting Attorney

Harold Cochran

Public

Firefighter Dave Grumney                                

The regular Board meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District was called to order by Chairman Shaw at 6:50 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes from the regular meeting on June 13, 2007 were presented for approval.  Mr. Haberman made a motion to approve the minutes and Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Warrants were presented for the Boards approval and signature.  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. Cochran and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 

CONTINUING BUSINESS

• Administrative Assistant Position – Personnel Committee had presented information in regards to a proposed part-time Administrative Assistant position at last month’s meeting, which the Board asked to be tabled.  The position would consist of a twenty hour work week at $9.00 per hour ($11,000 annually).  Mr. Cochran preferred the position be filled by a Fire/EMS certified individual and questioned the feasibility.  Chief Porter felt if the Board appointed an individual who was certified, runs would get priority over the duties which are outlined in the job description.  Mr. Welch noted the Personnel Committee had researched that option, but financially was not feasible at this time.  Mr. Haberman indicated he felt the District could not financially justify this position.  Mrs. Clippinger noted the 2008 Budget did include this position.  Mr. Welch noted the District could become more computerized, but indicated the cost would be substantial to upgrade but would be less time consuming in the future.  Mr. Welch indicated his District had recently obtained a computer system to assist with the inputting and updating of runs, but had only been using the system for about a month.  Firefighter Grumney noted the other District which he was employed by had a system similar to Mr. Welch’s, which they have been using for about five years.  Firefighter Grumney noted the other District was satisfied with the system and it was less time consuming.  Chairman Shaw noted there were several items in the job description he felt should be handled by the current personnel.  Chairman Shaw felt the District should be a priority to all employees and indicated Chief Porter and the lieutenants should work additional hours to complete any necessary work.   Chairman Shaw also indicated Chief Porter and the lieutenants should not work elsewhere or teach classes if they could not complete their current job requirements.  Chief Porter felt he should be able to do what he wants when not on duty and felt he could not dictate what the lieutenants do when they were off duty.  Mr. Haberman noted there were only forty eight runs in June, which averaged two runs or less a day.  Chief Porter noted the Administrative Assistant was not just going to enter runs.  The position was to help reduce paperwork so that the Chief and lieutenants would have more time to train personnel.  Mrs. Frazee made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant position and Mr. Welch seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Welch and Mrs. Frazee.  In the negative:  Mr. Cochran, Mr. Haberman and Chairman Shaw.  The motion failed.
• Forecast Proposal – Chairman Shaw noted the Village of Centerburg had contracted with Dr. Kramer to compile a forecast proposal and disaster plan for the Village.  Tom Stewart had been invited to tonight’s meeting, but did not attend.  Prosecutor Thatcher suggested the Board speak with Dr. Kramer in regards to a reduce cost to the District, since the District is part of the Village.  A portion of the District’s proposal should be included in the Village.  The Board confirmed they would like to hear from Tom Stewart before any decision was made and agreed to table this issue.
• Vacant Land – Prosecutor Thatcher inquired about the status of the vacant land the Board had discussed purchasing in the past.  Prosecutor Thatcher noted the Board could adjourn to Executive Session to discuss real estate transactions, should they choose to do so. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. to discuss real estate transactions and Mr. Cochran 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 made a motion to adjourn out of Executive Session at 8:00 p.m. and Mr. Cochran 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 made a motion to appoint Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch to contact the property owner with an agreement to purchase the vacant lot and bring the agreement back to the Board for approval.  Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 

NEW BUSINESS

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – Nothing to present.

Personnel Committee – Nothing to present.

Audit Committee – The Audit Committee had met and reviewed the 2006 Central Ohio Joint Fire District financial records.  No discrepancies were found by Mrs. Frazee or Mr. Welch.

Chief Porter – (see Chief’s attached report)

• Medic 427 – The medic had been hit by a deer.  The estimated cost of repair is $1,700.00.
• Termination – Per Chief Porter’s recommendation, Mrs. Frazee made a motion to terminate Mr. Zachary Justice, due to his failure to show for orientation.  Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch. 
• Resignation – Mr. Welch made a motion to accept the resignation of Firefighter Richard Dzik and Firefighter Kevin Huber.  Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 
• Promotion – Chief Porter requested the Board promote Volunteer Firefighter Tim Belcher to part-time status, once he receives his firefighter’s card.  Firefighter Belcher has finished his firefighter’s training and passed the test.  Mr. Welch made a motion to promote Firefighter Belcher to part-time status, at $8.11 per hour, once he has received is firefighter’s card.  Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 
• New Hire – Mr. Welch made a motion to hire Joseph Herren, based on Chief Porter’s recommendation, part-time status at $8.11 per hour.  Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 
• Commended – Chief Porter presented the Board with a picture and thank you he had received from a couple whose infant son was gravely ill.  The couple had stopped at the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Station on their way to Children’s Hospital.  The crew on duty transported the infant to Children’s Hospital, which helped save his life.  Mr. Haberman made a motion to commended Lt. David Miller, Firefighter Tony Hulin, Firefighter Pat Hornsby and Firefighter Kasey Holland on a superior job and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. to discuss personnel hiring and Mr. Cochran 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 made a motion to adjourn out of Executive Session at 8:45 p.m., with no action taken, 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. 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 8:46 p.m., Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn the meeting until the next regular scheduled meeting on August 8, 2007, unless called upon for urgent business, and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Chairman Shaw, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none.