CENTRAL OHIO JOINT FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

March 11, 2008

A regular meeting of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District Board was held on Tuesday, March 11, 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                                                Jennifer Springer, Knox County

Diana Stockmaster                                                                      Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Harold Cochran

Public

Lieutenant Tom Grewell                                                            Firefighter Steve Burger

Firefighter Jessie Rice                                                               Firefighter Doug Neighbarger

Firefighter Elizabeth Pfeifer                                                        Sylvia Gibson

Suzette Hall                                                                              Jodi Norton

Jon Joffe                                                                                   Chris Leis

Mike Leis                                                                                 Lisa Petry

Mary M Kinsman                                                                     Steve Brown

Sue Brown                                                                               Bertha Selby

Virgil Shipley

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

Ms. Lisa Petry, Grady Memorial Hospital, expressed heartfelt gratitude and thanked Mr. Steve Brown and Firefighter Doug Neighbarger for saving the life of Sylvia Gibson, RN.  Ms. Gibson is employed by Grady Memorial Hospital and was in a serious automobile accident on January 14, 2008.  Ms. Gibson indicated the actions of first responders Mr. Brown and Firefighter Neighbarger saved her life and thanked both.  Ms. Petry presented Mr. Brown and Firefighter Neighbarger with gifts and commended all member of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District who assisted with Ms. Gibson.  Chief Porter presented Mr. Brown and Firefighter Neighbarger both awards on behalf of the District. 

Chief Porter presented an award to Explorer Mike Leis.  On February 11, 2008, Explorer Leis performed CPR on an individual until a medic arrived, which assisted in saving the life of the individual.

On behalf of the Board, Chairman Welch thanked Mr. Brown, Firefighter Neighbarger and Explorer Leis for their life saving first responder actions.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Haberman made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 26, 2008 meeting and Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Mrs. Clippinger noted the District’s annual property/liability insurance policy premium had increased $140.00, which was due to the new squad being added to the policy.  The Board agreed the policy should be renewed with Rinehart-Walters-Danner and Associates.  Mrs. Frazee made a motion to approve the warrants presented and Mr. Haberman 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 – The Board had received the final bill from Bank Sanitation.  Mrs. Clippinger gave Mr. Haberman a copy of the bill, so Hilliar Township could pay their portion.  Mr. Haberman noted the ditch would need maintenance once the weather permitted.
• Driveway Damage – Homer Volunteer Fire Department was submitting the damage to Mr. Welch’s driveway to their insurance company.  There would be no deductible.  Mr. Welch noted he had been contacted by their insurance company requesting pictures of the damage.

NEW BUSINESS

• Dry hydrants – Mrs. Clippinger noted the District had received the excess fire levy monies from Liberty Township.  These funds were to be used for the installation of dry hydrants in Liberty Township.  Firefighter Brent Spearman had been speaking to residents in the District in regards to the placement of potential dry hydrants.

REPORTS

Strategic Planning Committee – Due to the weather, the Strategic Planning Committee’s meeting was rescheduled to April 26, 2008. 

Personnel Committee – Mrs. Frazee had received a list of former employees and had conducted several exit interviews.  The Board agreed the information received from Mrs. Frazee should be discussed in Executive Session.

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

• Resignation – Mrs. Stockmaster made a motion to accept the resignation of Firefighter Micah Dodd, based on Chief Porter’s recommendation.  Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 
• Extractor/Dryer – Chief Porter presented information on an extractor and dryer for the District’s fire gear.  The District’s fire gear could be cleaned and dried in four hours compared to three or four days.  The machines would also dry fire hose.  Chairman Welch indicated his department did not have this unit, but would like to.  Chairman Welch also noted the price indicated, $10,000 for the pair, was competitive.   The District would need to have some wiring completed before the unit could be installed.   Mrs. Frazee made a motion to allow Chief Porter to purchase the extractor/dryer unit, for $10,000 and Mr. Cochran seconded the motion.  On roll call in the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Frazee made a motion to adjourn to executive session at 7:40 p.m. to discuss the exit interviews she had completed.  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. 

Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn out of executive session at 8:12 p.m., with no action taken and Mrs. Stockmaster seconded the motion. On roll call in the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none.  

Chief Porter presented an updated SOG in regards to no smoking in the Central Ohio Joint Fire District fire station.  Mr. Haberman made a motion to approve the revised SOG and Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none.  

Mrs. Frazee asked Chief Porter about the calendar he was to submit to the Board at each meeting.  Chief Porter noted he had forgotten to include the calendar in the Board’s information.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, at 8:15 p.m., Mr. Haberman made a motion to adjourn the meeting until the next regular meeting on April 8th, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., unless called upon for urgent business. Mrs. Frazee seconded the motion.  In the affirmative:  Mrs. Stockmaster, Mrs. Frazee, Chairman Welch, Mr. Haberman and Mr. Cochran.  In the negative:  none.