CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

July 8, 2008

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Tuesday, July 8, 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

Diana Stockmaster                                                                  Jennifer Springer, Knox County

Harold Cochran                                                                         Prosecuting Attorney

Patti Frazee

Public

Gene Berry, Auditor of State’s Office                                   Firefighter Pat Hornsby

Glenn P. Jirka, Fulmer/Shaw                                                  Firefighter Mike Thompson

O. Wayne Fulmer, Fulmer/Shaw                                            Firefighter Doug Neighbarger

Firefighter Brent Spearman                                                    Firefighter Seth Coakley

Firefighter Stephen Burger                                                     Firefighter Ryan Bareswilt

Firefighter Robert Devore                                                      Lieutenant David Miller

The regular Board meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District was called to order by Chairman Welch at 6:51 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Frazee made a motion to adjourn to executive session at 6:52 p.m. to discuss the District’s 2006/2007 audit with Mr. Gene Berry, Auditor of State’s Office.  Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

Mrs. Frazee made a motion to adjourn out of executive session at 7:15 p.m., with no action taken, and Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Haberman made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 10, 2008 meeting and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Frazee, Mrs. Stockmaster, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Haberman.  Abstained:  Mr. Welch.  In the negative:  none. 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr. Glenn Jirka and Mr. Otto Fulmer, representing Fulmer/Shaw, presented a strategic planning proposal to the Board.  Mrs. Frazee inquired about the cost of this proposal.  It was indicated they did not have the District’s necessary information to provide a cost at this time.  The Board would need to provide information in regards to their present and future, wants and needs.  The Board thanked Mr. Jirka and Mr. Fulmer for attending the meeting.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Mrs. Frazee made a motion to approve the warrants presented 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.

Mr. Cochran made a motion to allow Chief Porter to spend a maximum of $5,000 on a purchase, without the Board’s approval.  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.

CONTINUING BUSINESS

• Levy Renewal – Mrs. Frazee made a motion for the following resolution and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion: 

The Board approved and passed the following Resolution No. 2008-07-01:

RESOLUTION DECLARING IT NECESSARY TO LEVY A TAX IN EXCESS OF THE TEN MILL LIMITATION

Rev. Code Sec. 5607.19, .191, .192, .194, .21, .26

The Board of Trustees of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, Knox County, Ohio, met in regular session on the 8th day of July 2008, at the office of the Centerburg Village Hall with the following members present:

            Mrs. Patti Frazee                                             Mr. Phil Haberman

            Mr. Harold Cochran                                        Mrs. Diana Stockmaster

            Mr. Porter Welch

Mrs. Frazee moved the adoption of the following Resolution:

            WHEREAS, The amount of taxes which may be raised within the ten mill limitation will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the necessary requirements of said Board of Trustees of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, Knox County, Ohio; therefore be it

            RESOLVED, by the Central Ohio Joint Fire District for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, appliances, buildings or sites therefore or sources of water supply and materials therefore, or the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire alarm telegraph, or the payment of permanent, part-time, or volunteer firefighters or  firefighting companies to operate the same, including the payment of the firefighter employers’ contribution required under section 742.34 of the Revised Code,  or the purchase of ambulance equipment or the provision of ambulance, paramedic or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or fire fighting company (5705.19[I]) at a rate not exceeding 5.50 mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to fifty-five cents ($0.55)  for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for three years commencing in tax year 2009 to be collected in 2010 (2009, 2010 & 2011), which is a replacement levy of the current 5.50 mills.

            RESOLVED, That the question of levying additional taxes be submitted to the electors of said Central Ohio Joint Fire District at the General election to be held at the usual voting places within said Central Ohio Joint Fire District on the 4th day of November, 2008, and be it further

            RESOLVED, That said levy be placed upon the tax list of the current year after the February settlement next succeeding the election, if majority of electors voting thereon vote in favor thereof; and be if further

            RESOLVED, That the Clerk of this Board of Trustees of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, be and he is hereby directed to certify a copy of this Resolution to the Board of Elections Knox County, Ohio, and notify said Board of Elections to cause notice of election on the question of levying said tax to be given as required by law.

            Mr. Cochran seconded the motion and the roll being called upon its adoption the vote resulted as follows:

            Mrs. Frazee                 Yes                              Mr. Cochran                Yes

            Mr. Welch                   Yes                              Mr. Haberman             Yes

            Mrs. Stockmaster        Yes

Adopted the 8th day of July, 2008.                             ______________________

                                                                                    Diane Clippinger, Clerk

                                                                                    Central Ohio Joint Fire District

                                                                                    Knox County, Ohio

• Engine 421 – After discussion and Chief Porter’s recommendation, Chairman Welch made a motion to purchase a new fire engine for the District, at a cost of $326,773.  Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  Mr. Haberman.  Chief Porter thanked the Board and indicated he would order the engine.

NEW BUSINESS

REPORTS

Prosecutor – Nothing to present.

Strategic Planning Committee – Nothing to present.    

Personnel Committee – Tabled until Executive Session.

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

• Communications – There had been several issues with Morrow and Knox County dispatch, which are being resolved.
• Training – Chief Porter indicated Lt. Jason Whipple was at the National Fire Academy for training, which was at no cost to the District.  Mrs. Clippinger indicated she had been contact by Lt. Whipple questioning whether the District would reimburse him for his meals.  He was required to purchase a meal ticket at a cost of $227.00.  The Board indicated Lt. Whipple would need to submit his paperwork to the Board and then they would make a decision.
• Vacation – Chief Porter noted he would be on vacation through July 29, 2008 and if the department had any problems or issues, they were to contact Chief Christy, City of Mount Vernon’s Fire Chief.
• South Bloomfield – Chief Porter and Mrs. Frazee had attended the recent South Bloomfield Township meeting to discuss the renewal of the fire contract.  It was indicated South Bloomfield would be renewing their fire and EMS protection contract with the Central Ohio Joint Fire District.
• Grant – Chief Porter noted the District had been awarded an $8,000 EMS grant, which could be used for the purchase of equipment and/or training.  It was noted this was a reimbursement grant; the District would need to provide all monies and then submit the receipts for reimbursement.

Mrs. Stockmaster questioned what the Board’s intentions were as far as hiring Fulmer/Shaw to providing the District with a Strategic Plan.  Chairman Shaw suggested the Board members email him any questions or suggestions they would have for Fulmer/Shaw and he would contact them.  He would then report back to the Board with his findings.

Several employees of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District spoke in regards to issues at the station.  Firefighter Coakley indicated the turmoil, animosity, and low moral in the department is affecting work performance.  Firefighter Coakley felt the lack of communication was a large part of the issue.  He noted the current resignation of Lt. Tom Grewell was one of many to come.  Firefighter Coakley noted these issues have been addressed before, with no action taken and with matters only getting worse.  Firefighter Pat Hornsby indicated the moral was very low.  He felt the animosity was from no consistency in leadership and a faulty chain of command.  There needed to be one plan, not several.  Firefighter Hornsby noted there was a high turn over rate in the department, but indicated that was inevitable since there were only three lieutenant positions.  Firefighter Hornsby noted he enjoyed being a part of this District due to the fact it was a good community and the friendships he currently had with other members of the department.  The Board thanked those who had expressed their concerns and the departments.  It was asked for those who had attended to remain until after Executive Session, if that was possible. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Frazee made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:04 p.m. to discuss the resignation of Lt. Tom Grewell and Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

Mr. Cochran made a motion to adjourn out of Executive Session at 10:00 p.m. and Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

Mr. Cochran made a motion to accept the resignation of Lt. Tom Grewell and Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Mr. Cochran and Mr. Haberman.  In the negative:  Chairman Welch.

Chairman Welch noted there was to be no retaliation to any department member who had spoken at tonight’s meeting and if there was, those individuals were to report back to the Board.  On behalf of the Board, Chairman Welch appreciated the comments from those who had spoken. 

Mr. Haberman made a motion to have a special meeting on July 15, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., for the purpose of discussing issues within the department, and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  The meeting would be held at the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Station.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mr. Haberman, Mr. Cochran, Chairman Welch, Mrs. Frazee and Mrs. Stockmaster.  In the negative:  none.

It was noted this would be an open session and all department members were asked to attend.  Firefighter Spearman agreed to post the meeting at the station on behalf of the Board.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 10:05 p.m., Mrs. Frazee made a motion to adjourn the meeting until the special meeting on July 15, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., unless called upon for urgent business. Mr. Haberman seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Frazee, Mrs. Stockmaster, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none.